I read a book 'Living With
Himalayan Masters' by Swami Rama and came across this important message which I
would like to share with our friends.
Nearly all children are quite
selfish by nature. They do not want to give anything to others. I was trained
to reverse this tendency.
In the mountains I used to
take only one meal a day. I would have one chapati, some vegetables, and a
glass of milk. One day when it was almost one oclock. I washed my hands, sat
down, and the food was given to me. I said grace and about to start eating when
my master came in and said, Wait!
I asked, What is the matter?
he answered, An old Swamy has come. He is hungry and you must give him your
food. No,I argued, Im not going to, even if he is a Swami. I am also hungry and
I wont get any more food until tomorrow. He said, You wont die. Give it to him.
But dont give it just because I am ordering you. Give it as an offering of love.
I said, I am hungry. How can I
feel love towards someone who is eating my food. When he could not convince me
to offer my food to the swami he finally said, I order you to offer your food!
The swami came in. He was an
old man with a white beard. With only a blanket, a walking stick, and wooden
sandals, he traveled all alone in the mountains. My master said, I am so glad
that you have come. Will you bless the child for me?
But I said, I don't need your
blessing. I need food. I am hungry.
My master said, If you lose
control in this weak moment, you will lose the battle of your life. Please
offer your food to the swami. First give him water and then wash his feet.
I did as I was told, but I did
not like it, nor did I understand the meaning of it. I helped him wash his feet
and then I asked him to sit down and I gave him my food. Later I found out that
he had not had any food for four days.
He took the food and said, God
bless you! You will never feel hunger unless food comes before you. This is my
blessing to you.
His voice still echoes in my
ears. From that very day, I have been free from that urge which had so often
led me to childish cravings.
There is a narrow barrier
between selfishness and selflessness, love and hatred. After crossing it one
enjoys doing things for others, without seeking anything in return. This is
highest of all the joys, and an essential step in the path of enlightenment. A
selfish man can never imagine this state of realization, for he remains within
the limited boundaries built by his ego. A selfless man trains his ego and uses
it for higher purposes.
Selflessness is one common characteristic that we find
among all great men and women of the world. Nothing could be achieved without
selfless service. All the rituals and knowledge of the scriptures are in vain
if actions are performed without selflessness.
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