Expectations

[Guest guest]

Question Amma, if everyone were to lead a spiritual life and become sannyasis,

how would the world survive? What is the benefit of sannyasa?

 

Amma Not everyone can become a sannyasi. Out of a million people who try, only

a few will succeed. But just because everyone can't get a medical degree or

secure a high position, it doesn't mean that one should give up trying.

 

Amma isn't saying that everyone should become a sannyasi, but if you understand

the principle behind sannyasa and live accordingly, you can avoid suffering.

Then you will be able to overcome any obstacles with detachment.

 

Our actions shouldn't be performed with any expectation of their fruits, because

expectation is the cause of suffering.

 

A person on a fundraising drive went to a house to ask for a contribution. He

expected at least a thousand rupees, but the family gave him only five! He was

furious and refused to accept the donation. He was still angry a year later! He

nursed his anger inside. Because he hadn't received what he expected, he wasn't

able to accept what was offered. He rejected it because he was very

disappointed. If he hadn't had any expectations, he wouldn't have had to go

through all that anger and suffering. He would have been satisfied with what

little he received. We can avoid this sort of suffering on our journey through

life, if we are like beggars. A beggar knows he is a beggar, so he doesn't

grieve if he isn't given anything. He isn't sad if he doesn't receive anything

in one place, because he knows he will perhaps get something in the next place.

He knows that being given a whole armful or being left empty-handed are both

part of his experience on the journey through life. So he doesn't feel

angry with anyone. When you are a true beggar, you look upon everything as

God's will. Let your bond be with God that is all Amma is saying. The truly

spiritual have no sorrows.

 

Today people are attached to external things. This is my family this is how they

go through life, and it is for their family that they toil day and night without

rest. But they forget themselves they fail to discover their dharma and to live

accordingly. They forget God. When you live in this way, you find peace neither

in life, nor after death.

 

This doesn't mean that we should or shouldn't work. We should perform our

actions, but without harbouring any expectations or desires.

 

Happiness is not to be found in external things. Happiness lies within

ourselves.

 

When you have eaten a large portion of your favourite sweet dish, you won't feel

like eating any more of it. You would begin to hate it if you ate more. If

someone were to place another portion in front of you, you would push it away.

If it were really the sweet dish that had made you happy, would there be any

reason to push it away? Wouldn't you eat more of it? So, the mind is the cause

of your happiness and sorrow. When the mind is satiated, we begin to dislike the

object. Everything depends on the mind. Happiness is not somewhere on the

outside; it is within you. So search for it there! If you go in search of

happiness outside of yourself in your relationships with people and in external

objects your life will be wasted. This doesn't mean that you should sit idly

doing nothing. Whenever possible, do something for others. Serve those in need.

Chant a mantra. Live a spiritual life dedicated to the goal.

 

 

 

 

 

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