Monday, 30 January 2023
Thursday, 26 January 2023
Expectations
It is
all about expectations. We feel “comfortable” around certain people because
somehow, they don’t threaten our self-image. We accept only such people.
If you analyze
why some others are kept at bay by you, or criticise or pick on, you will learn
a lot about yourself.
The
moment you reflect on your thoughts, you will get the link within yourself. It
is never outside of you. Keep reflecting and cleaning up as you go along. This
is the only way to growth.
Surekha
Kothari
surekhakothari.wordpress.com
Speakingtree
Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari
Friday, 20 January 2023
Compassion
Compassion is possible because we
are all mirroring each other. I can feel your hurt because I have been there or
close to that feeling myself. I also need to understand that reactions to the
same event can be different in different people. And suffering is on different
levels of intensity and ability to cope.
And yet, why do we start judging
instead of understanding when it is impossible to get into anyone else’s shoes
? I have realised that when we judge others, we have forgotten to be kind to
ourselves ! Or compassionate for that matter. Yes, sounds paradoxical ! But not
really so.
When we are not comfortable in
our own skins , we don’t want to accept our selves , especially our darker
areas. So, in order to feel good, however temporarily, it is easier to point a
finger outwards for the same weaknesses we may also carry. Because we always
attract similar people who mirror our weaknesses. Through them, the universe is
teaching us to accept those areas within us, heal and move on in our journey.
All we need is the realisation
that we are all imperfect and the journey is about our own learning and
healing. Not about judging others . Let them look after their own journey.
It is not our business to treat
anyone as small or inferior . This is where kindness / compassion come in. If
you must , help people who are struggling to heal, instead if maligning them
and throwing brickbats. And shunning them. Human weaknesses are not contagious
diseases . So, Our censure makes US inferior people because our lower self is
at work at this time. WHY are WE intolerant of someone else ?
We need to ask ourselves this
question which may lead to a can of worms within ourselves that we are afraid to
open.
Compassion and kindness,
therefore, need a much deeper understanding.
Surekha Kothari
surekhakothari.wordpress.com
Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari
Thursday, 19 January 2023
Wednesday, 18 January 2023
Connectivity
One of the greatest maladies of our existence today is the superficiality with which we deal with people. Relationships have become “contacts”. External image has become prime! We have classes and professionals in all aspects of external grooming and image building. And a great source of income, too! Because only that is accepted in society and work places.
“Family “spirit is gradually
dying out. More families are at feud than ever before. And more “friends” are
being cultivated. It is a classic case of giving your best to friends and
becoming intolerant of family members.
Have we thought why? It is a
jumbled up mess: of self-seeking, avarice, ambition, popularity and very little
ethics. Also of distances. If Manipulations and hypocrisy work, why would
anyone be foolish enough to practice virtue?
Today, we just WANT and WANT and
WANT: contacts we can use, money, power. everything! And to hell with anything
that smacks of old values!
Do we remember how sacred the
vedic marriage rituals were? The depth of the core of living? Or the code of
respect? Nope! We are losing it all.
I understand that lifestyle
dictates values. But ethics dictates your spiritual journey. The latter however, mostly loses to self-aggrandizement.
Controlling and more controls
spell power, whether of wealth or people. Or anything else….
We are so busy pointing out the
weaknesses of others that we forget, that however successful you are, you need
to be a good human. Also, that it is
wiser to look at yourself as you
are and work on your dark spots than feel happy pointing at others. This will
not light up your darkness anyway.
Qualities like compassion need
time to understand connectivity. We are so divided today that connectivity is
not up for discussion.
Praise be for spiritual teachers
who are trying to reverse these trends through imparting the right knowledge.
And hope there will be practitioners instead of critics.
Surekha Kothari
surekhakothari.wordpress.com