Book Title: Realize What You Are
Author(s): Chitrabhanu
Publisher: Jain Meditation International Centre

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Page 129
________________ 114 REALIZE WHAT YOU ARE: In order to adjust to the laws of nature, all forms accept change. We can learn even from the trees. In the fall, they give up their leaves. They do not resist. It is a process, a catharsis, a fasting, a cleansing, a shedding. It is throwing away the old in order to make room for the new. There is no sorrow or pain. There is deep patience. There is deep wisdom. They know that the life force is retained. Heat remains in their roots. The trees know. “If I want new leaves, I have to give up old ones.” Similarly, if you want to feel fresh and make room for the new, let there be a fall in every season of your life. Drop away old thoughts like dry leaves and open yourself to new ways of thinking and living. If you want to expand and grow, keep your relationship with the universe continually positive, receptive, expectant. At the heart of Eastern philosophy is the teaching of detachment. What is this philosophy? It is merely a philosophy of the seasons. It is learning to live in harmony with the seasons. It means this: the things which are relevant to this moment in time are relevant, and the things which are not relevant to this moment are not relevant. Holding on when it is not relevant to hold on-that is called attachment. When you are clinging, you don't know whether things are relevant or not. Clinging makes you do one of two things, either feel remorse when the attachment goes, or drain yourself trying to hold what cannot be held. When someone or something goes, allow the passage. Flow with the seasons.

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