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Chapter Giving up Insignificance
We need to understand the positive role of serenity and the negative one of shallowness. We should give up the insignificance and install serenity in its place. In other words, we should scare away crow and set swan in its place. A serene person is entitled to get respect. Those picking up disputes on minor issues, lose the affection of even the lovable ones. One can make progress in life, when he cultivates serenity and learns to forsake the faults of others. By indulging in insignificance, he would reduce his stature and court misery for himself. One fails to experience pleasure when the mind becomes shallow. He gets overtaken by anger and remains gloomy; his temper would go off, if he is not well-received or is not properly respected.
It is therefore necessary to adopt the concept of 'forgive and forget'. That is a vital approach and can occur when one develops generosity at heart. How is it possible to experience pleasure, if the mind is afflicted with prejudices? The life is not embedded with misery; we happen to create the misery and make ourselves unhappy. For instance, we spoil our stomach by eating too much; we drive away the serenity and indulge in insignificance. It is therefore said, 'Fill the mind with knowledge and keep the belly a little empty.' If the mind is imbibed with good thoughts and wholesome approach, what we utter would be sweet and beneficial.
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