The Little Tests

I had a teacher who would do amazing things like have people meditate for hours, or put them on silence for weeks and whenever I ran across one of these little tests, I stood in wonder. The person put on silence would invariably be someone who dearly needed to listen, and yet I would see how they struggled with signs and note pads. You could clearly see that they were still insistent on being heard.

These little tests - like doing the same meditation for 1000 days straight - or being silent for 7 days - were always an amazing testament to how strong the ego fights for its self-preservation, even when there is only personal strength and growth to be had from the situation.

Today I was thinking of the power of the little tests the teacher set the student realizing that we are quite capable of setting them ourselves, only we have to be sure we are not doing them for the sake of the ego, just to prove how pious or strong or cool we are. No, the tests have to be done with the element of surrender. that's why having a teacher dictate them was so wonderful - he would be sure to push all the buttons that would challenge you. But that doesn't mean you can't challenge yourself. Think about it. Look at where your weakness is and challenge it a little. My challenge for the week is that every conscious thought has to incorporate "Thank You." What's yours?

Every now and then it's good to set yourself up with these little tests. A 40 day commitment, a new meditation, a healthier diet, silence, a new habit...whatever it is, it's going to challenge the ego and if you stick with it, you will find that when simply tolerated but essentially ignored, the ego becomes quite powerless, while you become stronger and more empowered.


Blessings.
- Darshan





© 2010 Darshan F Jessop