Sunday, August 19, 2018

How to be Happy – Inspirational Wisdom

HOW TO BE HAPPY
INSPIRATIONAL WISDOM FROM SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
By
VIKRAM KARVE

I have always been inspired by the teachings and writings of Swami Vivekananda (12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902).

I first learned about Swami Vivekananda  sometime in the 1960’s  when I was a small boy  and my father had taken us to visit Belur Math near Kolkata (then called Calcutta). 

At Belur Math – I acquired a tiny pocket book called “Thus Spake Vivekananda”.

Whenever the chips were down 
 or I felt dejected  I referred to the inspiring gems of wisdom – distilled from the complete works of Swami Vivekananda  for instant motivation and strength.

On the occasion of his birth anniversary  let me tell you about my favourite saying of Swami Vivekananda – which inspired me – and which I try to implement in my day-to-day living. 


AN INSPIRATIONAL GEM OF WISDOM FROM SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Here is an inspirational gem of wisdom, a phrase, from the sayings of Swami Vivekananda:
 
Anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually, and spiritually  reject as poison
 
I feel that the word “weak” is all-encompassing.

The term “weak” embraces anything that creates in you a stressful situation.

Thus – “weakness” includes all negative emotions – and negative feelings like anger, irritation, fury, worry, anxiety, frustration, despondency, depression, demoralization etc – in a nutshell – any emotion that causes you unhappiness.

These negative emotions disturb your inner tranquility and equanimity – they drain you emotionally and intellectually  and make you feel “weak”  just like physical weakness. 


UNHAPPINESS IS WEAKNESS

Unhappiness is a negative emotion which drains you emotionally, mentally and physically.

Hence  Unhappiness is Weakness.

Unhappiness is Poison for the soul.

Conversely  Happiness is Strength.

Happiness is Tonic for the soul.

Now – Dear Reader  how do you “reject as poison” – the “weakness” of unhappiness...?

The first step is to identify your “Unhappiness Creators”. 


IDENTIFY YOUR UNHAPPINESS CREATORS

Now sit down in a quiet tranquil place  close your eyes  introspect  and try to think of all the things that make you feel negative, unhappy and stressed out. 

Yes – think of all the things and people that create negative emotions within you. 

Reflect and introspect on all your unhappiness-creators and unhappy situations. 

These unhappiness creators can be anything  tangible and intangible  things, activities, persons etc.

“Unhappiness Creators” include:

1. Toxic individuals and incompatible persons  who irritate, annoy and hassle you.
 
2. Foods and Beverages  which do not suit you – and which are physically detrimental to your health and well-being.
 
3. Activities  social and personal  which may initially appear pleasurable  but which actually drain you out.
 
4. Technology and Gadgets  like your cell-phone  which disturb your peace of mind.

5. Strained Relationships  which are a source of unhappiness and cause you stress and anger.

6. Any activity – or a thing  that causes a guilty conscience within you

7. Disagreeable Persons and Unpleasant Activities – which are a stimulus for negative emotions – like anger, worry, fear, etc – and create negative vibes within you.

Dear Reader – Please close your eyes  introspect – and think about all aspects of your life  your work life  your home life  your social life.

Think about all the personsactivities and things that generate negative vibescreate stress and unhappiness in you – all the things that make you feel “weak”

Then  follow Swami Vivekananda's advice: 

Anything that makes you weak  physically, intellectually, and spiritually  reject as poison 

Yes  you can do it in actual life.

Just “reject” all these “poisonous” things and people – by avoiding them as far as possible.

Make an exhaustive list of all your 
“unhappiness creators”  all the things and people that make you “weak” - and try to reject them as “poison”.  
 
At first  you may be a bit skeptical about this approach.

But – when you start implementing this mantra in your day-to-day life  you will be surprised by the extent to which it is in your own control to prevent unhappiness.


SAY NO TO UNHAPPINESS CREATORS and WELCOME HAPPINESS CREATORS

While  on the one hand:

You reject the things that make you weak and unhappy

simultaneously  on the other hand:

You must reinforce the things that make you feel strong and happy

Say NO to UNHAPPINESS CREATORS

Say YES to HAPPINESS CREATORS  

Yes  if unhappiness is weakness” – then happiness is strength.
 
So – simultaneously  reflect and contemplate.

Make a list of things and persons that give you strength and joy – and make you happy and productive.

In your “Happiness Creators” list – include all the things and people that create positive feelings in you

Then – try to devote maximum time and energy towards doing these positive things – and interacting with these morale-boosting people – that give you strength – and make you feel good and happy.  


MANTRA FOR HAPPINESS (and UNHAPPINESS) - IN A NUTSHELL
 
To put it in a nutshell : 

If you want to be happy:

1. Try your best to generate happiness vibes by doing things which make you “strong” and happy 

2. Try to reduce or even eliminate negative unhappiness vibes by rejecting” things which make you weak” and unhappy. 

But – if you want to be unhappy – just do the opposite: 

Keep wallowing in negative vibes by encouraging your unhappiness creators and avoiding your happiness creators.


HOW TO CREATE HAPPINESS or UNHAPPINESS

Whenever I feel unhappy  I realize that it is because I have allowed myself to be overwhelmed by my unhappiness creators.

And – the moment I envelop myself with my happiness creators  I start feeling happy.

Remember this saying of Swami Vivekananda:

Anything that makes you weak”  physically, intellectually, and spiritually  reject as poison 

Conversely  I say: 

Anything that makes you feel strong”  imbibe as nectar

Implementing this inspiring gem of wisdom from Swami Vivekananda in your life is breathtaking in its simplicity. 

Try it – experiment – discover your happiness creators and unhappiness creators.

Start making your two lists: 

1. Your happiness creators” list 

2. Your unhappiness creators” list 

And then – you know what to do.

This works for me – and I am sure it will work for you. 

I do feel stressed out and unhappy at times  but I know why  and I know what to do. 

So – I try my best to make my unhappiness creators disappear – and I overwhelm myself with happiness creators.

Wish you a stress-free life filled with happiness.

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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Disclaimer:
All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Updated, Abridged and Revised version of my article written more than 25 years ago and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2018/01/inspirational-tonic-from-swami.html and  https://karve.wordpress.com/2017/01/12/inspirational-wisdom-from-swami-vivekananda/ etc

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