INNER STRENGTH

Ones Gautama Buddha went to a village. The villagers were very angry with him because they thought that Gautama Buddha was trying to divert them from the path of Religion and that he was not guiding them in the right direction. Annoyed with the fact, villagers abused him, spoke wrong words to him and were negative towards him.

Gautama Buddha maintained silence throughout the conversation. He remained calm and was in total peace. As soon as the villagers were tired of saying negative things to him, he asked “Dear ones, did anyone have to say anything else?” He said that, if all your grievances have ended then I will take a leave. Listening to this, villagers felt astonished as to how Gautama Buddha was still maintaining calm and was smiling.

The astounded villagers asked Gautama Buddha, “How are you still smiling and look so peaceful?” He replied with utter calmness that, “whatever negative you have said to me, I do not accept it”.

Gautama Buddha said, “A few days back a person wanted to give me an apple but I refused to accept it. He further asked villagers that if I refused to accept it, what would have that man done with it”. To which villagers replied, he must have taken his apple back. Now, Gautama Buddha said, “I pity all of you. Whatever negative thoughts you had for me have remained with you. I do not accept them”. Saying this he went away keeping his peace.

Learning…..!!

If we think that someone else is responsible for all our sufferings. We try to curse other people and held them guilty for whatever negative have happened to us. We consciously or unconsciously accept the negative thoughts of others and we have no control over ourselves.

But if we maintain a strong inner self then the outer environment will not affect us. Meditation is such a pathway that helps us in building a strong self and eradicates all the negative boundations of life.