大象传媒

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Seeta Lakhani, Hindu Tutor at Eton College

Inner Strength

Good morning.

Hinduism is full of stories of empowerment.

Once upon a time there was a lioness that gave birth to a lion cub. Unfortunately the lioness didn鈥檛 make it, and the lion cub was left to fend for himself. As he wondered around helplessly, he spotted a flock of sheep.

Desperate for company, the lion cub rushed over and started to observe the sheep. He watched how they were huddled together, happily chewing grass and bleating. The lion cub was intrigued and followed them around. Eventually he learnt their ways. He started to bleat and graze, and became part of the flock of sheep.

One day a lion was passing by, and he was shocked. A lion cub huddled in with a flock of sheep! The lion rushed over, picked up the cub and took him to the edge of the river. The lion said to the cub, look at your reflection in the water and tell me, who do you look like? Do you look like those sheep, or do you look like me?

The lion cub, frightened and hesitant, cautiously looked down at his reflection. For the first time in his life he realised he didn鈥檛 look anything like those sheep. In fact he looked more like the lion. The little lion cub realised who he really was, and for the first time in his life, he roared.

This story really resonates with me. I grew up in a family with a tremendously spiritual outlook. It鈥檚 reminded me throughout my life to always remember that inner strength. To remember that we are more powerful than we realise. Aham Brahmasmi is a potent Hindu mantra which reminds us: I am divine.

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