Muscles of Iron and Nerves of Steel
Happy Friday folks, it’s a beautiful rain-soaked morning here in Mumbai, and I write this piece at ease lying against my comfortable cushions. Just a little background here, while most people here in Mumbai despise the rains (the city is already on orange and red alerts since last week), I have always found my solace in it. I don’t know why, perhaps because it is the rains that bring glory to life, by washing away all the dirt and impurities.
You know what the spiritual folks would say if they get to hear this, they would say that your mind and body must be so strong in themselves that you will enjoy every season as it is, and not cringe about it. Um, sure, I get that, we are still on the verge of getting there, and will maybe someday soon enough.
Just as I mentioned a little while ago that the rains have beautified everything in here, and under this beautifying umbrella I decided to take refuge in the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. Even though the quotes that I read were profound, today I am essentially going to talk about our inner strengths.
Do you know how Swamiji would often emphasise on strength and would say that “Strength is life, and weakness is death?” He would also lay stress on the fact that all the sins we commit and all of our weaknesses prevalent inside of us are a result of our ignorance. He said that since our very childhood we have been taught that we are fragile and weak and that there is something or someone out there who will come to rescue us…
But, is there really someone? A lot of you would say yes here, and would often refer to God being the rescuer, I do not deny that. At the same time, there is this realisation in you that believes or thinks that God is going to come to your aid, and it is you that is being guided by your inner consciousness. Thus, there always was his spark lying within you, and now Swamiji says that you just have to identify it with yourselves.
He said that the weak have no place here and that his children must be the ones who are made of muscles of iron and nerves of steel. A lot of us might be misled by our own minds here, and think that Swamiji is almost asking to be stone-hearted, while in reality, it’s just the opposite. In fact, there are numerous exploits of Swamiji which herald the fact that he would often shed tears at the agony of the poor in India and would always guide people to work toward the poor and educate them.
So, why must we have muscles of iron and nerves of steel? This means that we must be able to make ourselves so strong - both physically and mentally that nothing in this world can deter us, we must think and operate from this level of strength all the time. He said that we must not look upon anyone no matter how evil he is, and instead, always strive to help him realise his real divine nature.
We must make every effort to lead the person towards the immense strength that he possesses. We must tell him that he is divine in himself and that he is all-powerful. Swamiji says that then our work is done when we have been able to guide a person towards his spiritual enlightenment.
He further says that in most cases, we will see a result in the person, and if we don’t then perhaps there has been some fault in our way of teaching.
But, how do we go about it? Can we just go around and tell people that he must act through his spiritual nature? No, before that we have to train ourselves. And, that training and self-teaching will come through knowledge and strength. Slowly and gradually, if we remain on this path for long, we will get to be people with muscles of iron and nerves of steel. At least I believe so.
As of now, I am focusing my energy on realising my inner strength and being able to build myself as Swamiji would have liked me to be. I pray to the Almighty that y’all too can realise your inner being and enlighten all those around you.
Love and peace to everyone.
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