Saturday, February 20, 2010

Post 880.. The fire of sorrow and joy burns when the fuel of impulses is fed into the furnace of the mind...

The fire of sorrow and joy burns when the fuel of impulses is fed into the furnace of the mind. Take away the fuel and the fire dries out. Take away the force of impulses, promptings and urges and you become your own master.

An attitude of generosity, of fortitude in the presence of sorrow and loss, a spirit of enthusiasm to do good, to be of service to the best of one's capacity - these build up the mind as well as the body. Practice the attitude of joy when others are joyful and of grief when others around you are grieved. Let your heart move in sympathy. But, the joy and grief have to be translated into service; they should not be mere emotions.