Austerity
does not mean to go without. It means to simply and purify. It means to be consciously
aware of the extremes of life.
It is through
the practice of austerity that an individual is able to attain that which
appears to be unattainable. A person practicing physical austerity, just like intellectual
austerity, must be willing to undergo hardships in order to attain happiness.
Think for a moment about happiness and joy. We only know them because we have experienced
unhappiness and despair, and it is because of these experiences that we appreciate
the simpler aspects of life.
Think about the
things you have had to give up over the last few months. Oh how you will appreciate
when you can do them again. Simple things like taking a class, traveling, going
out to dinner and having coffee with a friend.
The thing
about austerity is that things are only a hardship depending upon how you look
at them. If you are never challenged how can you grow?
Without
undergoing physical hardships self-discipline cannot be attained. Without self-discipline
appreciation and contentment is impossible.
The Gita a
Hindu scripture points out three types of austerity:
Dull
Passionate
Calm
If you practice
austerity from a place of inflexibility your life will become ridged and dull.
If you practice austerity with the idea of acquiring something your life will
be passionate and ungrounded. But if you practice austerity without any desire
other than to achieve contentment your life will become simplified and calm.
That which is attained through dull and passionate austerity will not endure,
but that which is attained through calmness of being and purpose is to attain what
to others may appear unattainable. It is called contentment.
When we
begin to understand the nature of extremes, such as hot and cold and loss and
gain, and how each can tip us off the fine edge of perfect balance we begin to
see the benefit in self-discipline; to be able to remain balanced in the face
of adversity without losing your inner strength. Austerity reminds us to stay
flexible for life is constantly changing. It also reminds us to accept and make
peace with life no matter what it hands us. Each experience in life whether
easy or hard is simply a chance to attain what might appear to be unattainable –
contentment and peace; and these will bring us happiness. But to achieve this takes
self-discipline. Let’s get started
Simplify
your life. You should always be moderate in all your activities. Balance your life
so you don’t unduly exhaust yourself. This only leads to ill health body, mind and
soul. Nothing in life can be achieved without self-discipline and undergoing some
form of hardship. When you quiet the mind and balance the energy of the body you
find the calmness of your soul. This is what it means to attain what appear to
be unattainable. This is what it means to practice austerity.
Extend out
your index finger the symbol of your ego.
Your ego can
pull you in many different directions making you ridged and dull passionate and
ungrounded. If you take this moment to pull your ego in, and then place your
thumb on top, your higher power, you will realize that staying calm in the face
of adversity strengthens your connection to your soul. Living life here you attain
the unattainable.
Namaste ~ I celebrate the place
where our souls meet
Doctor Lynn
http://www.facebook.com/DrLynnAnderson