KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

DEVELOP STEADINESS AND DEPTH IN ONE’S PERSONALITY

What is the nature of the mind? The tendency of the mind is to run off in different directions. Steady and regular practice (Abhyasa) prevents the mind from straying into different directions.
In any person in whom the Divinity is kindled and awakened, you will find that they have so much depth in them. When a person’s mind is scattered and strays in different directions, then you cannot see the Divinity in them. Such people are not able to achieve anything in life, even though they may be great scientists or great artists, you do not find something solid and admirable in their personality.

How can one nurture that steadiness and depth in one’s personality? It can happen when one’s Consciousness is one-pointed and fixed on one single goal, or in a single direction. Only then is a person able to do something, only then can one see the Divine qualities or the Divinity in a person.

Do you know what is the nature of Consciousness that gets distracted in different directions? Such a person always thinks of getting something or the other; something from here, or something from there and so on. This is a sign of lack and feeling like a beggar. When you become steady and established within yourself, then that is a sign of prosperity and abundance. It is a sign of being graceful and beautiful. When someone is very graceful and dignified, it means that their spirit or consciousness does not stray here and there, rather it is collected and firmly established in the Self. It means that there is a deep sense of contentment. Contentment is what makes you divine; happiness makes you divine; skillfulness makes you divine.

For all these divine qualities to blossom and manifest in you, Lord Krishna advises – You must engage in Abhyasa Yoga (regular practice). Often people associate regular practice (Abhyasa) with something that is very boring, dull and lifeless. It is not so at all. Abhyasa here means to go towards the source of all joy. The moment one understands this fact, all the Abhyasa becomes very easy and joyful.

Now if you find this understanding too abstract and difficult to bring into practice as Arjuna claims also, then Lord Krishna says, “My dear, I am here before you. Just remember Me”. This is where the importance of the Guru lies.

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/