We are faced with challenging situations every day. Some tasks are difficult, some words are harsh or even some attitudes are very negative. Sometimes, it is the behaviour of one’s supervisor or colleagues that hurt or at times it is some news that brings despondency to us.

How do we deal with these situations?

How should we ideally deal with such events?

We, some students, have been struggling with the administration of a university in the pursuance of our MPhil / PhD. After several long years, we thought we saw light at the end of the tunnel as we received exam notification and dates. Exams were / are scheduled to begin this coming week. Studies were going on in full earnest. I had cancelled our vacation plans at the cost of huge financial loss as well as disappointments on the children’s faces. But now it seems that the light we saw was only an artificial light and not the day light at the end of the tunnel. We just received news that still there are some problems and the decisions regarding exams are not yet final.

For some time after I read the mail, my mind was in turmoil. A mixture of emotions – anger, frustration, disappointment, sadness, etc…flooded in. I even called up my hubby dear to vent out my frustration (he was of no help though- only commented “What can I do about this?”)

As time passed, I recalled a passage which I had only today morning. It was from a letter of Sri Aurobindo regarding equality. “Equality means a quiet and unmoved mind and vital, it means not to be touched or disturbed by things that happen or things said or done to you, but to look at them with a straight look, free from distortions created by personal feeling, and to try to understand what is behind them, why they happen, what is to be learnt from them….” (Letters on Yoga, pg. 661)

As I read this passage again, I felt a calm and peace within. All the negative emotions within me were gone, as a cloud drifted away by wind…. Level headed, I started thinking of the ways to proceed rather than being bitter…

It is not to say that I have attained equality of vital or mind…This blog is only a humble note about how the masters’ words guide me on the path, however rough it might be…

I called my dear husband to inform him that I am taking the kids to the swimming pool. He was in the middle of a surgery (which I confirmed later) and did not pick up the call. So I left a message and proceeded as planned. Later when I met him at the pool as I had asked him to pick us up from there he asked whether I brought his stuff. Obviously I hadn’t. And I had several excuses “ As you didn’t pick my call, I assumed you were in the middle of a surgery and would be too tired when you come to pick us up, so wouldn’t swim”. Also, “You hadn’t swam till now in this season, so I thought you would not swim even today.” After a little while, I said something about some one ( I exactly don’t remember now about whom and what) who was passing by…

And my husband asked me a question which set me thinking, “Why do you make so many assumptions?”

As I reflected on his question, I realized that I form many assumptions throughout the day, every day. The range is very wide. Most of them may be right, some of them wrong, but I don’t verify. I just assume things even when they do not have any connection to me. I wondered whether assumption is a general habit of human beings!

If I say it is a general habit, it will again be an assumption…

Is it possible to keep one’s mind clear of assumptions?
Is it easy to not think anything (positive or negative) about anybody?
Can I be an open vessel to the Divine influence only without any influence from anyone (mental / vital)?

I know the answer to all these questions…but the more important question is whether I have the strength to go ahead…

The path is not easy or smooth, but will I ever know without even trying…

“What is very important is to maintain very alert the will to live and be what one knows to be the truth.” The Mother (CWMCE 14, pg 30)