Do Not Give Importance to the Impressions on the Mind

Question: Objects in the outside world form impressions on our mind thus affecting us; what should we do in such situations?

Answer: Do not value, do not give so much importance to the impressions. When we seem to like something, when it appears pleasing or likable to us, then there is desire to acquire it. Even on forming such an impression the inner sentiments must be such that this thing is not mine. Instead of giving importance to the impressions made by the object, value the truth. By considering the impressions as significant, you lose sight of the real fact. From today onwards have a firm resolve that I will no longer accept the impressions, rather I will only accept the truth. Impressions are formed sometimes, not all the time; but when you consider these to be permanent then that is a mistake. In truth, you are not the body. The body that you had in childhood, it is not there anymore, but you are the same. Therefore please have mercy, and kindly do not give any importance to the impressions. One should only be influenced and affected by the Truth. If an impression of the untruth is formed, then it should not be given any importance. The truth is that we are not the body and the body is not ours.On the path of liberation, on turning towards God, neither the gross, nor the subtle nor the causal body is of any aid. The body is of use to the family, to the society, to the world. It is of no use to us at all. Therefore engage this body, keep it busy in the service of the family, society and the world at large; this is an extremely important and an invaluable point. Accept this point, then you will be ever happy. It is nothing but a plain misconception that with this body we will benefit, that we will gain.

If this world leaves an impression on you, then do not be concerned about it, simply do not accept it, then it will go away. By giving importance to the impressions of the world, you are depriving yourself of great benefits. Therefore if impressions are formed, let them be, but in your mind understand them to be unreal. Unreal objects can only leave unreal (false) impressions, how can they be real? When someone cheats you off your money, his talks appears true to you, you become enchanted by him and then only you get trapped in being cheated. Similarly letting worldly impressions fall you is absolutely letting yourself be cheated. It is stupidity.

One very important point is that the impressions are made on the body-senses-mind-intellect, not on you (self). Objects can affect other objects which are of a similar type; thus impression is never formed on the self, which is of a different class altogether. This body, this world is inert, whereas you the self, is sentient. How can inert affect the sentient? Inert can only impress upon the inert (body). This is the absolute truth. Understand this point right now then at this very minute all work will be complete! It is due to the eyes that impressions of sight are perceived. It is due to the ears that the impressions of sounds are heard. The significant point is that the objects of a similar type affect each other. Hence, whatever impressions occur, do not consider it real. The essence of the self is not affected by anything. It is entirely untouched, untainted - "Asango hyaayam purushah" (Brhad. Up. 4/3/15).

If mind-intellect is affected, let them be affected. Mind-intellect are not ours. These have the same constituents as the objects that make an impression on them.

A Special Teacher

Years ago a John Hopkin's professor gave a group of graduate students this assignment: Go to the slums. Take 200 boys, between the ages of 12 and 16, and investigate their background and environment. Then predict their chances for the future. The students, after consulting social statistics, talking to the boys, and compiling much data, concluded that 90 percent of the boys would spend some time in jail.

Twenty-five years later another group of graduate students was given the job of testing the prediction. They went back to the same area. Some of the boys - by then men - were still there, a few had died, some had moved away, but they got in touch with 180 of the original 200. They found that only four of the group had ever been sent to jail.

Why was it that these men, who had lived in a breeding place of crime, had such a surprisingly good record? The researchers were continually told: "Well, there was a teacher..." They pressed further, and found that in 75 percent of the cases it was the same woman.

The researchers went to this teacher, now living in a home for retired teachers. How had she exerted this remarkable influence over that group of children? Could she give them any reason why these boys should have remembered her? "No," she said, "no I really couldn't." And then, thinking back over the years, she said amusingly, more to herself than to her questioners: "I loved those boys..."

Hell and Heaven

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like. "The Lord led the holy man to two doors.He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.

The holy man said, "I don't understand." "It is simple" said the Lord, "it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. While the greedy think only of themselves."

Morgan Freeman

Fish

The Law of the Garbage Truck

By David J. Pollay

How often do you let other people’s nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you’re the Terminator, for an instant you’re probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly that person can get back their focus on what’s important. I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here’s what happened:I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car’s back end by just inches! Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson.

The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. And I mean, he was friendly

I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, “I’m not going to do it anymore.”I began to see garbage trucks. Like in the movie “The Sixth Sense,” the little boy said, “I see Dead People.” Well, now “I see Garbage Trucks.” I see the load they’re carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don’t make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best.Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about. The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by? Here’s my bet.

You’ll be happier.

Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..

Love the people who treat you right.

Forget about the ones who don’t.

Believe that everything happens for a reason.

If you get a chance , TAKE IT!

If it changes your life , LET IT!

Nobody said it would be easy…

They just promised it would be worth it!

Little boy who had a bad temper.

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper.Make sure you read all the way down to the last sentence. (Most importantly the last sentence).His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.Finally the ! day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper..The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.It won't matter how many times you say "I'm sorry", the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.