Showing posts with label humility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label humility. Show all posts

Saturday, 20 April 2019

Prayer by an aging person

Prayer of an Anonymous Abbess:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and especially from the unfortunate habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and at every opportunity.

Release me from the idea that I must straighten out other peoples' affairs. With my immense treasure of experience and wisdom, it seems a pity not to let everybody partake of it. But thou knowest, Lord, that in the end I will need a few friends.

Keep me from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Grant me the patience to listen to the complaints of others; help me to endure them with charity. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains -- they increase with the increasing years and my inclination to recount them is also increasing.

I will not ask thee for improved memory, only for a little more humility and less self-assurance when my own memory doesn't agree with that of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.

Keep me reasonably gentle. I do not have the ambition to become a saint -- it is so hard to live with some of them -- but a harsh old person is one of the devil's masterpieces.

Make me sympathetic without being sentimental, helpful but not bossy. Let me discover merits where I had not expected them, and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any. And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.

Amen
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Margot Benary-Isbert

Tuesday, 1 January 2019

Traits of Mahapurushas (Colossus)

Among virtuous men the jnani is the best. Such a jnani is a mahapurusha — the greatest among the great. A mahapurusha overshadows the rest. The presence of the others will not be noticed when a mahapurusha is present. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says He is the best in every category. 

Mahapurushas perform all their duties, with a view to pleasing God. They are detached and reach God through bhakti or prapatti. They recite the Pranava mantra. Mahapurushas are not only knowledgeable about the dharma sastras, but also act according to them.

They are also humble. Mahapurushas are never arrogant. Being humble is not easy. That is why mahapurushas are respected - because of their humility. They think clearly and are never in a confused state of mind. Their lifestyle is simple. Their merciful glances can destroy our sins.

Sunday, 12 November 2017

PV Sindhu's headweight increase may cost her future career



  • Prima facie it appears that Sindhu was at fault and whatever happened subsequently with Indigo Airline staff is a different matter.
  • Instead of cooperating and complying with airline rules, arguing and forcing the issue indicates increased head weight only.
  • Subsequently instead of regretting the imbroglio publicising the matter in social media is uncalled for.
  • If she continues to feel that she is above all other people with superior rights & no obligations, this increased head weight is sure to pull her future performance in the sports.
  • Success in any chosen field must result in humility. Otherwise it is a waste.

There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; 
true nobility is being superior to your former self ... Ernest Hemingway