大象传媒

Good Morning.聽 I was in a crowd boarding a bus to return home, which was to be a long journey for me. There were already people on board and our contingent was slowly making our way. I was to be the last one on but the driver said that I couldn鈥檛 board because they were full. I looked at him incredulously and he looked back apologetically, but with resolve. It meant I had to wait an hour for the next bus, just me.

Kicking my heels, and wishing I was kicking the driver, I fumed about the now deserted station. And then I saw a sign for a train company inviting me to Stay Cool, Calm, and Connected.

This resonated. The Bhagavad Gita, one of the popular texts sacred to Hindus, speaks about staying cool. There it means curbing anger, harsh words, and the hardheartedness that comes when we lose control, lose our cool. Anger is seen as a fire caused by our frustrated desire, easily burning better judgement, and blinding us with the smoke of our own fuming. The result is a shrunken vision, leaving us bewildered and despondent.

In the Gita Krishna says staying calm means that when difficulties come there's always a broader context.聽 There is much we cannot understand about our difficulty but there is always a bigger picture.聽 And all difficulties will pass.

I thought of the old man who had taken the last seat on the bus. I hadn't seen his face. Just his frame struggling to climb three steps onto the bus. I knew nothing of his story, but could imagine what that seat might have meant to an old man. I am grateful Lord, to all those who remind me of principles I need to remember, of virtue I have forgotten, and kindness I need to share. Hare Krishna.