Joy to the world

When I was young, there was a catch phase " work and no play make Jack, a dull boy". That was years ago and now, the catch phase "balance life". The new term means we should balance work with our private life or leisure time. It took so many years for people to re-coin a similar wisdom in life. It is never easy because we are a member of the human race and this means everyday is a rat race. chasing for more wealth, more status and more power. The motivation is "more".

There are two factors which give fire for us to pursue material achievements and that is "Greed" and the "fear of losing". During one of my yoga session, my teacher asked all her student to disclosed their fear and one of them say her fear is "poverty". Yes, this is very real especially for those young people who have yet to save enough to have the "enough" financial security and freedom. At different stages of one's life, this could be one of the main concern and this provides the motivation and inspiration for people to be greedy. There is nothing wrong with wanting to have more or get more but often this desire can drive us to cross the line of sanity and caused conflict among people.

The fear of losing is actually " our ego". We must always do better or more intelligent or stronger than others. We cannot lose and we must protect our "face" and not to embarass ourself or our family. We must be doctors, lawyers, engineers or accountants to have the income and status and not out of own choice and interest.Such decisions will cause us misery and hardship in our life. If we do not want to do work, it is to do something we like or have passion for. However, another way of thinking is that competition inspire improvements. But, at the same time,it caused sufferings. In competition, it is always winners takes all.

Our personal sufferings often is not only confine to ourself. It spreads through our actions and thoughts and it hurts the people around us or who come in contact with us. We influence other people or act as mentors to them or through our words and actions inspire them and transfer our suffering to them. In extreme, we could hurt our loved ones physically and mentally.

Many great teachers have advise us to slow down and look into ourself and search for a balance. A balance in life and not to get all worked up and ran a mad race. In yoga practise, if your pose is balance, your body will carry yourself and it will be effortless and painless. Your mind and body will shine naturally and you will be a joyful suspension without awareness. You are in perfect harmony with all the elements in yourself and the external elecments.

When we are in this mode, our inner joy will shine through and brigthen the world and your positive energy will make your circle of friends shine as well. Don't under estimate this power or your power to bring joy to the world.

Namaste.