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Meditation
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Simple Yet Effective Practices for Overcoming Ego-Involvement
by Swami Kriyananda, from Sadhu, Beware!
If you see others eager to air their views, be generous to them: let them speak. Add thoughts of your own only if you see that those others might be interested in what you have to say.
Many people are so convinced of the merit of their own thoughts—a certainty that isn’t always backed by real merit!—that even to respond with your own ideas might lower the discussion to a level of competition.
Better, in such a case, to let them have their say. Listen for any benefit you might find in their words and ideas. If you see none (as, let’s face it, may often be the case!) show the other person respect, but share the humor of the situation, inwardly, with God.
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Don’t try constantly to explain or define for other’s gratification who and what you are. Let your actions, and your inner reality, speak for you. Never try, without some good and definite reason, to justify your actions, ideas, or accomplishments. Whatever you’ve done, give it mentally to God.
If someone scolds you for something you didn’t do, you may see some good reasons for letting him know that you’re not guilty. If it doesn’t really matter who did it, however, you will gain more, spiritually, if you say nothing.
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Never place yourself mentally in competition with others. Release from your heart any desire you may feel to outshine others, or even to shine at all whatever you do. Do the best you can, always, but give the fruits of your efforts to God.
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When people fail to credit you for something you did and did well, say nothing. In your heart, however, give all the credit to God. When people praise you for any reason don’t accept their praise in your heart. Thank people sincerely, but then give the credit to God.
When someone has a good idea that you’ve had already, it will help you in the practice of humility to tell yourself, “It’s the idea that counts, not the person who had it.” Reply simply, therefore, “That’s a good idea. Let’s give it a try.”
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Live always in a spirit of joyful freedom from ego-consciousness. Try not to call attention to yourself. If you want to call attention to some thought, try to be sure in your own mind that your desire isn’t based on a desire merely to be heard. Overcome the natural need for self-importance by enjoying your own unimportance!
The important thing is that any thought of yourself should be offered up instantly to God. |
