Vedanta - Take a Back Seat

SADHU VISHWAMURTIDAS





Some people are compulsive exhibitionists. You find them almost anywhere; they do anything to get noticed. At a wedding, they want to be the bride and at a funeral, the corpse. Julius Caesar, who was an incorrigible egotist, was kidnapped when he was a child. He was held for a ransom of 11,000 gold pieces. Horrified, he exhorted his captors to raise the ransom amount to 2,50,000 gold pieces to preserve his prestige! There are very few people who don't like being the centre of attraction. A famous boxer once refused to fasten his seat belt aboard a plane. “Superman doesn't need a belt,“ he resisted. Tying his belt for him, the air hostess replied, “Superman doesn't need a plane eith er.“ The truly great are those who know their weaknesses and aren't afraid to admit them.They accept their limita tions because they know that when it comes to the basics, everyone's the same.Whether rich or poor, American or Indian, we all have the same emotions deep within us.So why not contribute to the good of the world and to leave one's mark, however small?
Even an ant doesn't go through this world without affecting its outcome in some way or other.To sustain their narcissistic beliefs, some can go to the extent of humiliating others under any banner or guise, be it religion, country or justice.
God-consciousness is the permanent cure for egomania.Ego usually translates into `he-go' or `she-go'. With Godconsciousness, it transforms into `I-go'. Explains Lord Swaminarayan, “When one realises the infinite greatness and glory of God, where is the room for self-pride?“