Stories For The Heart - Develop Equanimity

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There

is a method by which the demands of the senses can be reconciled and

harmonized. This is by treating both good and bad with

equal-mindedness. There are people who display such equanimity.

Tukaram

is an illustrious example. He was a saintly person. His wife was a

termagant. By his calmness and forbearance, Tukaram managed to get one

with her. Once, Tukaram was bringing home in his cart the sugarcane

crop harvested from his small farm. As he was going home, the children

of the village gathered round him and pleaded for a piece of sugarcane.

In his boundless goodness, Tukaram allowed the children to help

themselves to the cane on the cart. By the time he reached home, there

was only one stalk of cane left. Seeing this, his wife got enraged,

abused Tukaram, and taking out the cane, struck Tukaram with it. The

cane broke into three pieces. Tukaram calmly remarked, “I was wondering

how to distribute the single remaining cane to the members of the

family. You have solved the problem. You can keep one piece and give

the other two to the children.”Such

forbearance and equanimity can be found only in a few high-souled

persons. These qualities can be acquired only through devotion and

faith.You need not feel

disheartened at the prospect of being unable to control the senses. By

developing one-pointed devotion, the senses can be brought under

control.Kabir

is an example of a godly man in a different situation. His wife was

highly devoted and faithful, totally dedicated to serving the husband.

One day, Kabir was plying his loom, chanting the name of “Ram” all the

time. Suddenly, he called his wife and said that one thread had snapped

and asked her to bring a lamp. It was noon and when she brought the

lighted lamp, Kabir told her to take it away as it was not necessary.

She silently took it back without any argument. With such a dutiful

wife, Kabir was able to develop his devotion and expressed his

gratitude to God for His grace.Here

you have two examples of saintly men, who, despite their different

family situations, pursued their godly ways equally well. It is not the

environment that matters. It is the purity of our impulses which count.

Don’t worry about the external environment.

(Sathya Sai Speaks Vol XXIII – Chap 12) For inspiring divine messages, texts, movies, videos, etc.,Visit : Sai Messages : http://saimessages.blogspot.com/ Sai Divine Inspirations : http://saidivineinspirations.blogspot.com/ Love Is My Form : http://loveismyform.blogspot.com/ (for non-Sai members)