July 2015
By Shivi Verma
The spiritual path has the power to make you a hero, says Shivi Verma
I often feel that courage is the most crucial yet least discussed part of spirituality.
The closer I have gone to God the clearer I have seen Her intentions. Not only does She want to liberate you, She wants to make you great. And greatness comes from courage. Without courage, growth is not possible. The soul glows brightly in the faces of those with moral courage. The path to exemplary heroism is made up of small courageous steps taken in mundane matters of life. Mahatma Gandhi, before becoming known for his greatness, started with little acts of courage when nobody was looking. As a student he refused to copy an answer he did not know from his friend’s notebook even though his teacher prodded and later pulled him up for his non-compliance. The small letter he wrote to his father confessing his follies of youth was a hallmark of moral courage.
But what does heroism mean?
Speaking the truth to yourself : This is bravery. People will willingly climb the Everest but react violently if asked to look within. It takes courage to go on a self-inventory, and take responsibility for your mistakes. It is heroic and the rewards that follow are huge.
People will willingly climb the Everest but react violently if asked to look within. It takes courage to go on a self- inventory, and take responsibility for your mistakes.
Doing the right thing: Following your conscience and saying what is true, and doing what is right is heroic. This is not easy because centres of power, be it at home, society, or the government, thrive on your subservience, meekness and fear. Can you express what you feel, even though it is against the popular opinion? Can you stop unfairness from happening before you? Can you refuse if asked to do something unethical by your superior? Many diseases have their origin in muffling up your inner voice for the fear of losing things, security or people. Once I was travelling by rickshaw with my mother. As he was parking his vehicle, a cop standing nearby raised his stick to hit him, since the rickshawpuller was parking in a no-parking zone. Instantly my hands went up and I motioned him to stop. Surprisingly, he stopped. Though he mouthed a few invectives, yet the satisfaction of having yielded to my inner voice, was way more than any discomfort caused by the offensive language.
Plunging in the unknown: This does not mean retiring to the Himalayas in search of Truth (though it is no less courageous). It means being open to ideas that have the power to change your life as you know it. For people ensconced in the security of old beliefs, not changing with times often results in deep pain. And those who listen to their hearts as opposed to the injunctions of the mind often create a new way of living. The late Steve Job’s life confirms this.
Surrender: It is the mother of all forms of courage. When you lead an aware life you yield to the call of your soul. This call can thrust you on unchartered paths, throws you on rugged roads, and makes you do things that challenge reason and norms. This force has the power to chisel a diamond out of you. Yet people resist it because they are unable to see the Divine safety net it comes with.
Your choices can make you a hero, or plunge you into ignominy, or misery. Thankfully life would not rest until it has made you a hero. Does it not explain why life can be tough? But it is beautiful too.
About the author : Deputy Editor with Life Positive, Shivi Verma is a devotee who found all her answers in loving God passionately.
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