Clarity

Clarity is here.

Clarity is always here.

Clarity is aware of clarity.

Clarity shining through.

No need to do.

How to use clarity?

Is clarity enough by itself?

Is anything really done?

Does anything need to be known?

Who knows? Who does?

Who desires? Who gets fulfilled of desire?

What needs to be solved?

Clarity remains untouched.

What to do now? Who does?

Is there anything else?

Is there a thought of clarity?

Is there an attainment of clarity?

Is there an ‘other than’ clarity?

Sole absolute clarity.

The final refuge.

Gratitude list

As I reach 30 years of age today, let me make a list of things to be grateful for:

1. Foremost is self knowledge guided by scripture. There is nothing more important than this. Self knowledge will not be traded for anything else, neither wealth nor worldly relationship.

2. Health is decent

3. Good family upbringing and a loving family

4. Opportunity to receive knowledge from good universities and to pursue a PhD

5. Reasonably sharp intellect

6. No need to struggle for daily bread.

7. Ability to communicate clearly

8. Love of wisdom

9. Veneration for scriptures and sages

10. Ability to inspire others

11. Ability to concentrate and focus

12. Desire for liberation

13. Self confidence

However, I also realize that I have some areas of improvement, especially in the social domain which may require some addressing. :-)

Struggle of the countless

Countless beings struggle for a miniscule fraction of resources. If this is not madness, what is?
Their entire lives caught up in a struggle for so little, it's almost shameful.

Truly, it is only he who has given up all desire for posession, all desire to live who alone endures.

Fear of laziness

A great fear arises. A fear that laziness will lead to my ruin.
Fear that laziness will make me a bitter person, cynical and unable to accept the perceived success of others.

Self effort is the antidote to laziness.

Overcoming laziness

Laziness breeds fear.
Please do not justify laziness.

Laziness is ignorance and leads to ruin.

The covetousness of the lazy person eats him from the inside like a cancer. He is jealous of others who are prosperous but refuses to work to earn a living. These emotions of envy and greed, when allowed to intensify over the years will cause physical problems and affect vital organs and could lead to death. The righteous realize that all they own belongs to God. They give liberally without apprehension but the covetous, lazy man lusts after more of the world’s goods. The lottery was tailor made for him.

The desire for liberation

The tendency to wish for the misery of another is the root of your own misery.
Sometimes, we are willing to be miserable ourselves if only it would ensure that another remains in misery.

To wish well for another is the most difficult task for the mind.
To desire liberation for another is so repulsive to the mind that it would accept its own bondage rather than desire liberation for another.

To keep others in ignorance is the desire for power, which bounds the mind thus.
The only cure is to desire the welfare and liberation of all beings. No other cure is possible.
No action is of any use without the intention to liberate all beings, no matter how good or evil.

Your only choice is how long you are willing to wait to accept this truth.

That to desire liberation for others as much as you desire liberation for yourself is the only cure for your misery.

That this is the only worthy intention. To desire liberation for all beings is liberation itself.

Desiderata poem

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious
to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter, for always
there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.