Story: Father, Son and Mountain (Source: Internet)
This is the story of a father and his young son walking through the mountains. Suddenly, the son fell, hurting his leg on a rock. He screamed, “AAhhhh!” To his surprise, he heard a voice respond, “AAhhhh!”
Curious, he yelled, “Who are you?” Back came the same words: “Who are you?” Puzzled by these responses, he shouted, “Coward!” The same word echoed back: “Coward!”
He looked at his father and asked, “What’s going on?” His father smiled and said, “Son, pay attention.” Looking across the valley, his father yelled to the mountain, “I admire you!” The voice answered, “I admire you!”
Again, the man cried out, “You are a champion!” The voice replied, “You are a champion!”
The boy was amazed but also confused. So, his father explained:
“You are hearing an echo. It’s the sound of our voices bouncing back from the mountains. However, this is really how life works. What you think, say, and do returns to you. This relationship applies to all aspects of life. Life will give you everything you give to it — except life gives you even more in return. Your life is not ever a coincidence. Each moment is a reflection of you.”
The son listened and grew in understanding. Throughout the years that followed, he witnessed the truth of these words in his life.
Moral of the Echo Story
Our lives are a reflection of our thoughts and actions. If you want more love in your world, create more love in your heart. If you want to be treated with kindness, treat others with kindness. If you want more competence on your team, become more competent.
The Story of Karna and His Kavach
In the epic Mahabharata, Karna was the son of Lord Sun. The Sun gifted him a Kavach (Breastplate Armor) and Kundal (Earrings) to protect him. These divine gifts were attached to Karna’s body, ensuring that no weapon could harm him as long as they remained intact.
Karna had a daily ritual of donating after praying to the Sun each morning. As the great war of Mahabharata approached, Indra, disguised as a Brahmin, approached Karna and requested his Kavach and Kundal. True to his nature of generosity, Karna selflessly gave them to Indra, even though it meant sacrificing his invincibility.
Drawing Parallels to Everyday Life
During winter, we wear warm clothes to shield ourselves from the cold. When it gets too cold, we add a cap and muffler to further protect ourselves, ensuring that the cold air cannot penetrate. Similarly, two-wheeler riders wear jackets while driving to shield themselves from the wind. In essence, we create a protective barrier around ourselves to remain unaffected by external conditions.
In our daily lives, we encounter a variety of people and situations. Some are positive and empowering, while others can leave us feeling demoralized and down. These external factors are beyond our control; people and circumstances will always fluctuate regardless of our preferences.
Two Approaches to Life
We have two choices in dealing with life’s fluctuations:
- Reacting to External Influences
This approach seems simple but is ultimately unfulfilling. Here, we oscillate like a pendulum, reacting to people’s behavior and circumstances. For instance:
- When someone speaks kindly to us, we respond warmly.
- When faced with rudeness, office politics, or unpleasant situations, we become instigated, irritated, or ignored.
In this scenario, our emotional state is controlled by external factors, leaving us vulnerable and dependent.
- Creating a Circle of Energy
This approach requires effort but can transform our lives. Much like Karna’s Kavach, we can build a shield of positive energy around ourselves. This involves:
- Consciously shaping our thoughts about who we want to be.
- Deciding how we want to think and respond in any given situation.
By cultivating a positive aura, we remain unaffected by unpleasant events. We act with clarity and composure, taking appropriate actions without disturbing our inner peace.
The Power of the Law of Energy
Energy flows where attention goes. For example:
- Repeatedly thinking about accidents while driving increases their likelihood.
- Complaining about traffic often results in encountering more traffic.
On the other hand, when we focus on positive energy, it manifests in our surroundings:
- Visiting a religious place induces peace.
- Entering a pub brings high-energy excitement.
- Eating simple home-cooked meals evokes comfort and satisfaction.
- Moving from a bustling city to a serene village brings calmness.
Conclusion: The Mind Creates the World
Ultimately, our mind shapes our reality. If we wish to transform our world, we must begin by transforming our thoughts. By building our own protective Kavach of positivity and mindfulness, we can navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience.