The Positive Approach

There is an ancient folk story of a a wise old man and his grandson having a discussion. The grandfather tells his grandson that he has a battle raging inside of him, which no one else can see. He explains that it is a battle between two wolves. One wolf is bad – he portrays anger, jealousy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, inferiority and ego. The other wolf is good, and he portrays joy, peace, love, humility, kindness, compassion and faith. “It is an ongoing battle between the two wolves,” he tells his grandson. The grandson then asks his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The wise old man replies, “The one you feed.”

This story very simply illustrates that our life is what our thoughts make it. Perhaps more than anything else, it is our attitude and our thoughts which determine the quality of our lives.

However, nowadays it is becoming increasingly easy to spiral down the trail of negative thoughts. Looking around us, we hear all about the great injustices humankind faces in the name of religion; switching on a news channel, we mostly hear how harsh situations are in one country or another; conversations amongst friends inevitably lead to topics on poor financial climates as well as the frustrations we face in our daily lives.

Most of the time we may not even realize that we have stepped into the zone of negative thinking. If we were to examine ourselves closely, we would realize that most of us spend the day complaining rather than appreciating. Waking up in the morning to a rainy day, we complain about how the bad weather ruined our plans. Doing our meditation, our mind takes us on an endless journey of our worldly thoughts, and we end up complaining how we just cannot sit. On the way to work, stuck in a traffic jam, we complain about how much precious time is being wasted.

In the life of a disciple, a positive attitude is of utmost importance. If we are able to look at all the situations in our life in a positive manner, we will be able to sit for meditation with a light, happy heart. And the more we are able to meditate, the more positive and happy our outlook becomes.

Looking at Hazur Maharaj Ji for inspiration, we realize how, in every situation, he always looked for the positive.

As we pulled off, Maharaj Ji settled down in his seat and remarked, “Ah, fine weather!” “How can you say that? It’s wet,” we retorted. “It could be pouring,” was the optimistic reply and so typical of him throughout the trip. We weren’t allowed to say anything negative; he would immediately find something positive about it, which would always result in a burst of laughter.
_{Legacy of Love}

It is our Master who we always turn to for encouragement, and how much easier life could be if we were to start adopting a policy of always looking for the positive in our lives. As we tread this path to God-realization, we have so much to look forward to. The fact that we have been given this human birth, and have come into contact with a living Master is enough reason to be thankful for each day.

You have been given the passport to go back to your own home where your supreme Father is waiting to receive you. What greater joy, blessing or bliss can one have in this world of misery and suffering? In fact, no other person should be so happy in this world as an initiate who is on the path. He should always keep his final goal in sight – the treasures, the joys and the bliss that await him in his true home.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Quest for Light}