As a lute out of tune

"It has often occurred to me that, a seeker after truth has to be silent." - Mahatma Gandhi, the father of Modern India.

The ravishing sound of the lute may make it an admired instrument; but the lute is a notoriously difficult instrument to tune. Once tuned, it can be guaranteed to slip out of tune, frequently and inconveniently; so much so, there is a quotation attributed to Hugh Matheson, a member of the Matheson clan in the USA who lived in the 1720s to the effect that: if a lute player has lived eighty years, he has surely spent sixty years tuning the lute. Many a human are not unlike this instrument.

They too frequently and inconsistently, revert to a state of atavism: the tendency to revert to ancestral type of animistic behaviour. In biology, an atavism is an evolutionary throwback, such as traits reappearing, which had disappeared generations before.

It is also a cultural tendency - for example, people in the modern era reverting to the ways of thinking and acting of a former time. It also proves that, be it human beings, vegetables, or galactic matter, we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player emanating from the cosmic dust of evolution.

That is why I keep repeating that, be it in character, in manner, or in style; in fact, in all things in life: the supreme excellence is simplicity; for simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

If we fail to adhere to this maxim, we will find that in the rhythm of life, we will most times find ourselves out of tune, even if there are friends and family to provide the melody while the music of life plays on.

We sow our thoughts, and we reap our actions. We sow our actions, and we reap our habits. We sow our habits, and we reap our character. We sow our character, and we reap our destiny. Thus, our past is for evaluating and learning from its memories and lessons.

Our present is for living in accordance with the constructive benefit of the knowledge and experience gained in the past. Our future is for the charting of life's course into new directions, wherever indications of possible improvement exist; and the forever attainable improvement is, under all circumstances keep an even mind. When you see strange things happening in your life and wonder why they should happen to you, take time to see how it all fits in, and you will see a reason for everything.

The reason may not be always what you expected, but nevertheless be willing to accept them and to learn by them, and do not fight against them. Life should be effortless.

A flower does not struggle to unfold in the rays of the sun, so why should you struggle to unfold in the rays of this limitless cosmos? If you do, it is your own doing, and it is not part of the cosmic plan. Let simplicity and patience be your hallmark, and keep life simple. Keep in constant contact with the cosmic forces around you, for we are all children of the cosmos: stardust contemplating star stuff.

When I was a young boy, I once saw a fledgling learning to fly. Its first efforts were very feeble; but as it used its wings more and more, they became stronger until it found the freedom of flight and was able to soar to great heights and fly great distance without any effort.

I learnt the lesson: Life improves with patience. Live with patience until it becomes rock-like and unshakable; and then, one day, you will find the true freedom of the human spirit.

When you are in tune with life, you will find yourself doing everything at the right time. All you have to do to get into tune is, take time to go into the silence and find your direct contact with the universe.

This is why those times of peace and stillness are so vitally important in life - far more important than you realise.

A musical instrument, when it is out of tune, creates discord. You, when out of tune with the universe, do the same.

A musical instrument has to be tuned and kept in tune. You, too, have to keep yourself in tune, and you cannot do it unless you take time to be still; and it can never be done while you are rushing around - anymore than a musical instrument can be tuned while it is being played.

It is in silence that the notes can be heard and be readjusted, if need be. It is in the silence that you can hear the voice of the universe. It will tell you what to do.

We all are the proud and majestic child of Universal Mind. All that the universe has is for all. You can experience it and share it with all fellow beings.

The Great Universal Mind will show us how to obtain the real wealth. The wealth that is everlasting. If you start listening to the voice of the universe, everything comes into focus. Your riches will not be the exclusive property of you, but for all to share - like how the universe shares everything with its creation, its children.

The cosmic riches are unlimited and everywhere for all to use. Can one say that Sun is mine and is the exclusive property of mine? Does Sun give sunlight to one and not to others? It gives its wealth to one-and-all. So does the universe.

The constant prayer I utter every day is, "Oh great Universe, I care little for the material riches, for you know that they are all transient.

"Nothing on this earth is everlasting. Show me the way to you - the land of everlasting.

"Tell me which way you want me to traverse; for you are the knower of all knower."

The key to your happiness and contentment lies within you, within your own heart and mind.

The way you start each day is very important; you can start off, on the right foot or the wrong one. You can wake up with a song of joy and gratitude in your heart for the new day, for being alive, for the very wonder of living, and for being in tune and harmony with the rhythm of all life.

You can expect the very best from the coming day and therefore draw it to you; or, you can start the day with a chip on your shoulder, disgruntled and out of rhythm. You are responsible for what today will bring.

You know it gives you an even greater responsibility than those souls who are not aware of it and therefore know no better. You cannot blame your state of mind on anyone else.

It all rests with you. Hence, dance and be in tune with the steps of life; and know when to tune out by not listening too much to, advice; because you may wind up and end up making other peoples mistakes.

Grow old with grace and know that the older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune - even when memory plays an old tune on the heart. However, realise that all music jars when the soul is out of tune and seek all truth in the cosmic environment, for you are the child of the universe.

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