Page:Message of the East.djvu/21

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VEDANTA QUARTERLY—MESSAGE OF THE EAST
17

tion. It is through these varied experiences that man has grown. By trial, failure and sorrow we learn our lesson. Moreover, these very conditions provide us with opportunities for the expression of the best we possess in our nature.

When the horizon of mind has become a little darkened, I have frequently told myself: "What marvellous opportunity is here, we can be of service now by being generous, magnanimous and forgetful of self because the whole world is in distress. Now is the time to prove our worth." Is this not a better point of view than saying, "Oh, the world is going wrong; I am disappointed in everyone; the situation is hopeless"? If life were always smooth, perfect and flawless, if we never had difficulties, if we always had everything, might we not become selfish, self-satisfied and forgetful of the rest of the world? A crisis can serve to awaken our moral responsibility toward our neighbor and fellowmen. In a crisis humanity can prove that it is not altogether selfish, instead it is willing to be its brother's keeper. Thus, whatever may be the outer conditions, if we want to do the right thing and want to live by the principles of charity and kindliness ingrained in all fine human beings, we can at every turn of the way make use of the circumstances.

May I impress this upon you? Do your own part. Try not to be overcritical. It will not help to sit on the judgment seat and blame the world leaders for their shortsightedness, unwisdom and errors. Neither give excuses for your own failure by saying, "We would do our part if only our neighbors would cooperate." Even when you do not have cooperation from your neighbor, do your own part. That is all for which we give account. We do not have to answer for other people's mistakes or stupidity or selfishness. To whom do we answer? To our conscience and to the Spirit within and above, and to no one else. When we are inspired by Truth