<p>Today, most of us lead a life based on expectations. When we help others, there are many expectations attached to it. It is so subtle that we may never recognise them consciously. <br /><br />Even the desire for words of appreciation, a thank you, or a grateful smile is an expectation. <br /><br />There is a Vedantic saying - "Our own left hand should be unaware of what the right hand gives." Such should be our selflessness and humility. <br /><br />Without understanding this, and unaware of the abundant bounty showered upon us by God, we cling to people expecting their constant support in our daily lives. <br /><br />If they are busy or pre-occupied, we feel neglected and offended. Rather than seeing how we can help others, we expect others to drop everything and attend to us. <br />In short, our expectations have turned us into creepers.<br /><br />We lead a ‘creeper life’ by attaching ourselves to many unwanted things in life. This attachment depletes our inner strength and we are inclined to cling to our profession, money, name and fame. <br /><br />None of these objects on which we depend are permanent. Every time they undergo a change or slip from our grasp, we suffer pain. We hold on possessively not only to material objects, but also to our own desires, expectations and weaknesses. <br />We excuse our own shortcomings, but expect others to be perfect.<br /><br />There is a beautiful prayer in the Yajur Veda that says, “Oh God, bless me with a long and healthy life to spread Your message of divine aspirations every minute. Fill me with Your love and mighty strength to perform noble deeds. Grant me a hundred years to lead a life of self respect instead of arrogance and pride.”<br /><br />“Let me live without being a burden to anyone else. Bless me that I may be like a tree - standing tall, straight and strong. May all those who need support hold on to me so that I can pass on Your grace and blessings to them.”<br /><br />“ May many come to seek refuge under my Tree. Let me not cling like a creeper to any person, situation or object other than You. Bless me that I may always be a Tree and never a creeper, my Lord." <br /><br />So today, instead of being trees that are straight and tall, we have become creepers to sap the strength of others. <br /><br />That is why the scriptures say - "Cling like a creeper only to God or your Guru and allow them to transform you into a Tree that gives shade, flowers, fruits and life's bounty to you and others too." <br /><br />Let us cling only to the Divine. <br /><br />This will transform us into Kalpavrikshas, or the wish-fulfilling trees with vast canopies , which shelter all the living beings in this world.</p>
<p>Today, most of us lead a life based on expectations. When we help others, there are many expectations attached to it. It is so subtle that we may never recognise them consciously. <br /><br />Even the desire for words of appreciation, a thank you, or a grateful smile is an expectation. <br /><br />There is a Vedantic saying - "Our own left hand should be unaware of what the right hand gives." Such should be our selflessness and humility. <br /><br />Without understanding this, and unaware of the abundant bounty showered upon us by God, we cling to people expecting their constant support in our daily lives. <br /><br />If they are busy or pre-occupied, we feel neglected and offended. Rather than seeing how we can help others, we expect others to drop everything and attend to us. <br />In short, our expectations have turned us into creepers.<br /><br />We lead a ‘creeper life’ by attaching ourselves to many unwanted things in life. This attachment depletes our inner strength and we are inclined to cling to our profession, money, name and fame. <br /><br />None of these objects on which we depend are permanent. Every time they undergo a change or slip from our grasp, we suffer pain. We hold on possessively not only to material objects, but also to our own desires, expectations and weaknesses. <br />We excuse our own shortcomings, but expect others to be perfect.<br /><br />There is a beautiful prayer in the Yajur Veda that says, “Oh God, bless me with a long and healthy life to spread Your message of divine aspirations every minute. Fill me with Your love and mighty strength to perform noble deeds. Grant me a hundred years to lead a life of self respect instead of arrogance and pride.”<br /><br />“Let me live without being a burden to anyone else. Bless me that I may be like a tree - standing tall, straight and strong. May all those who need support hold on to me so that I can pass on Your grace and blessings to them.”<br /><br />“ May many come to seek refuge under my Tree. Let me not cling like a creeper to any person, situation or object other than You. Bless me that I may always be a Tree and never a creeper, my Lord." <br /><br />So today, instead of being trees that are straight and tall, we have become creepers to sap the strength of others. <br /><br />That is why the scriptures say - "Cling like a creeper only to God or your Guru and allow them to transform you into a Tree that gives shade, flowers, fruits and life's bounty to you and others too." <br /><br />Let us cling only to the Divine. <br /><br />This will transform us into Kalpavrikshas, or the wish-fulfilling trees with vast canopies , which shelter all the living beings in this world.</p>
