Recently, I have been fascinated to read accounts from people who have “crossed over”. A consistent theme has been the overwhelming sense of compassion, unconditional love, and oneness that was felt by these individuals. They described being connected with everyone around them and having such a strong feeling of empathy that they could experience the emotions of others as if the emotions were their own. They actually lived this feeling of oneness that I’ve come to appreciate and attempt to describe on the site.
With that in mind, when I read the following excerpt from the timeless and beautiful Bhagavad Gita, it begged to be shared. This excerpt has inspired me to read my copy of the Bhagavad Gita (I am a fan of Stephen Mitchell’s translations ever since reading his version of the Tao Te Ching) that has been among the (ever-growing) pile of books by my bedside to read haha I hope that it will be a source of inspiration for you too!
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Why do you worry without cause? Whom do you fear without reason? Who can kill you? The soul is neither born, nor does it die.
Whatever happened, happened for the good; whatever is happening, is happening for the good; whatever will happen, will also happen for the good only. You need not have any regrets for the past. You need not worry for the future. The present is happening…
What did you lose that you cry about? What did you bring with you, which you think you have lost? What did you produce, which you think got destroyed? You did not bring anything – whatever you have, you received from here. Whatever you have given, you have given only here. Whatever you took, you took from God. Whatever you gave, you gave to Him. You came empty handed, you will leave empty handed. What is yours today, belonged to someone else yesterday, and will belong to someone else the day after tomorrow. You are mistakenly enjoying the thought that this is yours. It is this false happiness that is the cause of your sorrows.
Whatever you took, you took from God. Whatever you gave, you gave to Him. You came empty handed, you will leave empty handed.
Change is the law of the universe. What you think of as death, is indeed life. In one instance you can be a millionaire, and in the other instance you can be steeped in poverty. Yours and mine, big and small – erase these ideas from your mind. Then everything is yours and you belong to everyone. This body is not yours, neither are you of the body. The body is made of fire, water, air, earth and ether, and will disappear into these elements. But the soul is permanent – so who are you?
Dedicate your being to God. He is the one to be ultimately relied upon. Those who know of His support are forever free from fear, worry and sorrow. Whatever you do, do it as a dedication to God. This will bring you the tremendous experience of joy and life-freedom forever.
Excerpt from Bhagavad Gita
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Photo source: progression to oneness