Just pause for a moment and think about the meaning of the above sentence – If your compassion does not include yourself, it’s not complete. I have read that Gandhi loved everyone except himself. He came up with various methods to torture his soul, body and mind. He took brahmacharya to the extremes, often experimenting and testing his ‘limits’
Sushila Nayar, the attractive sister of Gandhi’s secretary, also his personal physician, attended Gandhi from girlhood. She used to sleep and bathe with Gandhi. When challenged, he explained “While she is bathing I keep my eyes tightly shut,” he said, “I do not know … whether she bathes naked or with her underwear on. I can tell from the sound that she uses soap.”
Source : http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/thrill-of-the-chaste-the-truth-about-gandhis-sex-life-1937411.html
I have seen many ‘good’ people who find happiness in showing extreme violence, to themselves : be it the mom who skips her breakfast and ends up with incurable ulcer in her tummy, because she was too busy tending to her kids, or the leader at office, who gladly accepts all the work ( out of love for his team mates ) but then looses his health and peace of mind because of that.
I believe, when you shun violence, it should be inside as well as outside. Don’t you hear the cries of your heart and soul ? It’s asking for vengeance. May be it’s time that we hear our own voice and STOP the violence – against our own selves. There is nothing great, in putting ourselves through unbearable pain. When we stop, or atleast reduce this violence against us, we begin to see beauty emerging, love flowing and godliness spreading, in and around us.
My dear friend, today is the day to lover thyself as you love thy neighbor. Remember you cannot give to others, what you yourself do not have. If you hate yourself, making life difficult for you, by setting unreachable goals, and fill yourself with distress and pain, how could you show love and compassion to people around you ? My friend taught me this important lesson, in 2014 and I have been following it, ever since.
I am reminded of this quote from the movie ‘Coach Carter’, when I think about loving oneself and realizing one’s power which comes from that.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. You playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
(based on quote by Nelson Mandela )
