Affirmation
O Spirit, bless me, that I may find Thee in the temple of each thought and activity. Finding Thee within, I shall find Thee without, in all people and all conditions.
Even-Minded Endurance – Rise Above Disturbances
Even-minded endurance is called titiksha in Sanskrit. I have practiced this mental neutrality. I have sat and meditated all night long in icy water in bitterly cold weather. Similarly, I have sat from morning till evening on the burning hot sands in India. I gained great mental strength by doing so. When you have practiced such self-discipline, your mind becomes impervious to all disturbing circumstances. If you think you can’t do something, your mind is a slave. Free yourself.
I don’t mean that you should be rash. Try to rise above disturbances gradually. Endurance is what you must have. Whatever may be your trouble, make a supreme effort to remedy it without worry; and until it is resolved, practice titiksha.
-Paramahansa Yogananda, The Divine Romance p 194; Affirmation, Metaphysical Meditations p 55.
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Such titiksha is rare
Like Yogananda Vivekananda did this also
In the centuries in the past, Hindus has much emphasis on endurance. To all hardship.
If someone hurts you, endure. Don’t retaliate
Titiksha is 3 fold.
Physical – like Yogananda showed.
Mental – not even having an emotional component to the hardships of life
Spiritual – patiently waiting till spiritual growth and millions of different spiritual experiences occur. Did I say millions? My mistake. Trillions and trillions experiences
The more the titiksha the greater the happiness that follows. Immensely more. This is part of karma.
Western culture – especially in USA teaches something different. You don’t have to endure. The attorneys will get you money. This constant mentality has brought mental instability, road rage and when you can’t endure or fix situation brings depression
I am not placing judgement value. Merely consequences of our actions / attitude
Not as I saying that this is scientific proof.
There are many other social and economic factors and past life karma, interest in moksha etc that play a role
The key factor that supersedes all is grace of God and Guru
Bhavin