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Approaches to Life

Approaches to Life

A wise person is said to have four techniques, both inwardly and outwardly
— Sama, Dana, Bheda and Danda.

To deal with people and be wise, the first thing you use is Sama which
means in a peaceful and understanding way. When that doesn’t work out, then
you try Dana which means allowing it to happen and forgiving.

When people don’t recognise your generosity in allowing them space, then
the third principle called Bheda comes in, it means to intentionally create
a gap or misunderstanding. If a person still doesn’t realise that they have
made a mistake then it is time to use the stick, Danda, the final approach.

The same four methods apply to your inner life, your Being. Sama — maintain
the equanimity. Take both the good and the bad with equanimity. Dana means
giving up that which disturbs you, that which cannot put you in the royal
seat of equanimity.

It means to surrender the mind which is the cause of your sorrows, problems
and misery. Dana includes forgiving too. When your mind wanders around,
allow it to go. Follow it and bring it back.

Now comes Bheda- differentiate, separate the imperishable from the
perishable. This very body is so hollow and empty.

When you are watching the body, pleasant sensations arise, unpleasant
sensations arise. As you watch, they all disappear. Energy is oozing out of
every pore of your body. If you watch, it flows in an even manner.

It creates balance. And you realise you are not this body or these
sensations. You have been always reacting to the sensations. An emotion
used to give rise to some sensation; the sensation, in turn, used to create
an impression, another emotion.

So these circles of craving and aversion with sensation and emotion, made
your life, both subtle body and gross body, and that took you from life to
life.

Another thing that you can do is to disassociate yourself from the
sensation. Then comes Danda — Danda means support. Determination and
commitment are the Danda. Your spiritual discipline is Danda.

Mind is like a vine (creeper), it needs a support. Listening to spiritual
discourses, satsangs, practice, Guru’s presence are all the support, the
Danda.

It is Chetna and Chitta that is coming out of every pore of the body. The
wick is the body and you are the glow. When you shift from the wick to the
glow, your mind becomes stable.

|| Jai Guru Dev ||

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