I don't recall our full conversation from that day but I
cherish the fact that it led to a beautiful and such a precious learning.
Bro and I must have been talking over the topic of
happiness in spiritual world. All my life I have heard the importance of
practicing what we preach. Also, it is well known fact that, the more we
practice, the more happiness it will bring to our lives. Basically, if we
practice what we preach, we'll be happier.
Bro too told me something similar that day, however in
his own style. "Chottu, our happiness is dependent on what we say and what
we do. Our actions need to match with our words, this is crucial for our
happiness."
He continued, "Sadly, our words are too high and our
actions are way too low. They don't match up. There is such a huge gap. And
amount of our happiness is inversely proportional to the size of this gap.
Since the gap is so huge, amount of our happiness is low. So we need to work on
minimizing this gap. We need to bring our actions at par with our words."
It sounded as if he was mathematizing all philosophy.
Nevertheless, I kept paying attention to what he was saying. " And this is
an ideal way of increasing amount of your happiness. But this will take time.
But still do it. And meanwhile, try and bring your words at par with your
actions. Even this will reduce the gap between your actions and words. And
therefore will bring more happiness to your life. You don't have to speak low,
but speak less. If you are unable to practice what you preach, then don't
preach. Even then you'd be happy."
I had never thought like that prior to this conversation.
And after that conversation I have never thought any other way.
Practice what you preach. If you cannot practice what you
preach, then don't preach.
From that day onwards, I have tried to apply the simple
formula of preaching less. It perhaps hasn't raised the level of my practicing
but definitely has added to my happiness. ;)
