The general complaint is that, the world is full of evil and imperfections, disturbances and despairs, and one often wonders how peace and tranquillity could be found in their midst. But there is no need to despair, for we should bear in mind that a rough surface is, as a rule, essential for sharpening any dull instrument.
When one knows the art of applying the tool to the grindstone, it is the roughness of the stone that alone sharpens the tool. So too, in life, when we understand the “Art of establishing Right Contact” with the world, we chasten and edify our subjective personality.
The evils of the world, therefore, are not great problems and impediments, but man’s lack of dexterity in facing the challenges confronting him, is the real problem.
In not recognizing this simple truth, the right perspective of life is lost and humanity perpetually complains of bad times and a bad world.
Consider for instance, a glass only half filled with milk. It is viewed differently by different people according to their own emotional and intellectual stature. One looks at the empty upper half and complains that it is not full while another views the bottom portion and freely enjoys it. When we carefully analyse the attitude of people in general, we find a continuous procession of such unintelligent mourners.
A lame man on a wheel chair despairs at the sight of healthy pair of legs walking past him, but the man who can walk, sighs at another, swiftly passing him on a scooter; the man with a scooter again is jealous of the motor car owner and the latter pines away at the thought of having to pay his income tax. Such, indeed, are the sorrows of all, but there is no need to despair, for, the remedy is quite evident.
Let us develop a sense of gratitude to the Lord, by focussing our attention on what we have, which, a good many less fortunate have not, and are yearning for. By refusing to crave for objects, which we do not have, we shall be conserving a lot of mental energy, which alone can give us peace within, and a capacity to act rightly in the world.