This
title may kindle your curiosity, and some of you may wonder how there can be
just a single solution to the various, and often intolerable, problems in the
world.
I do not have a magic wand
Let
me warn you. I do not possess any magic potion or instant cure. I can only
give you something to work on, the seeds of a solution.
Once,
a hungry person went to a shop to buy apples. Instead of apples, he was given
seeds to plant, that would grow into trees yielding apples in abundance.
Similarly, I can give you seeds of thought that remove all your problems –
only if you work on them.
The Nature of
Problems
Let
us first focus on problems. If we analyse and observe, we will find that
actually situations in life are what
become problems. If you are comfortably sitting in your own house and begin
to feel hungry, the hunger does not pose a problem. There is food in the
kitchen; if not, you just go to a restaurant. But if you are in a remote
place and food is not available, or you do not have enough money to buy food,
then hunger becomes a problem, because you don't know how to deal with it.
Inability to deal with Situations
Whenever
there is an inability to handle the situation, then that situation becomes a
problem.
Firstly,
if you don't understand the situation, it becomes a problem. Secondly, you
may understand it, but find no remedy, it becomes a problem. Thirdly, if the
remedy is there, but it isn't within reach, then also it becomes a problem.
Finally, everything may be within reach, but if you don't know how to make
use of it, then, of course, it remains a problem.
Human
beings have a peculiar ability – whatever we touch becomes a problem. It is
like the Midas touch – whatever he touched turned into gold, whether it was
his clothes, his food or even his own daughter. Even the fulfillment of his
wish became a problem!
Categorising the Problem
So
what should we do? The very first thing is to look at the given situation
objectively and assess why it is a problem. At this stage itself we may find
that the situation is simply a situation and not a problem at all. However,
if it still continues to appear as a problem, proceed to categorise it. It
could be any of the following kinds:
•
A factual problem like a financial crisis, a disease of the body, or even a
leaking roof.
•
An imaginary problem like the fear of a
car crash, a bleak view of one's career, or visualising a serious illness
from the symptoms of a common cold.
•
A subjective thinking problem based on strong likes and dislikes, prejudices,
attachments and so on.
Identifying the Solution
The
next step is to find the solution. If it is a factual problem, you can do the
following:
a.
Sit quietly with a paper and pen.
b.
Write down the situation that is posing the problem.
c.
Jot down all possible solutions for it.
d.
Shortlist the most practical solutions.
e.
Further shortlist and pick the solution that is within your capability to
implement.
f.
Allow it to happen – implement it.
For
example, if you want to go from Hyderabad to Mumbai, list out the alternative
ways of travel - by air, foot, road or rail. Strike out the impractical ones
such as travelling by foot. If air travel does not fit your budget, strike it
out. Now your alternatives are down to road and rail, and you can choose
based on availability, personal comfort and timing.
Once
you have found a solution, relax and allow it to happen. There are some
people who worry even after they are seated in the plane: "I hope the
pilot is well trained. I hope there are no hijackers. The weather seems bad.
What if there is a storm?" There is no point in worrying about things
over which we have no control. Dispel these worries and relax.
Right Thinking - the One True Solution
If
it is an imaginary problem, right thinking will reveal that it is not a
problem at all. It simply dissolves into thin air! The fear of a car crash or
ill health is only in our minds. I alone can remove the problem from my mind with
the help of right thinking
Vedanta says that all problems arise from lack of right thinking alone. It remains the root cause of all our bondage, sorrow and problems. It is said: 'avichara krto bandhah vicharena nivartate – bondage caused by lack of thinking, is removed by proper thinking.' Hence, right thinking is the one solution for all our problems. Source : Swami Tejomayananda http://www.speakingtree.in |
MySAR for 25th November
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