On a train, when we travel long distance,too much of luggage does become an unbearable discomfort, doesn’t it dear readers? ‘Less luggage – More comfort’ is the best slogan not only for a train journey but also for our journey of life. We stuff our minds with a lot of trash and lead a restless life. Unloading
it would certainly provide us with a great relief. Recently I read a book by Haemin Sunim – a Buddhist Zen Philosopher. The title of the
book – “The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down”, captivated me and I finished reading it without a break. I must share its contents
with you all.
The author advises us to reduce our speed in our day today activities in order to see everything clearly and perfectly. Many people betray
us in our life and stab at our back. Their appearances are deceptive but we realise it only when it is too late. Some people rob us of
our possessions and meet us again with fake innocence on their face. Most of these hypocrites pretend like veteran actors. They say what they do not mean and they also mean what they do not say. The author says we must learn to forgive such people, though it can be done only by a step after step, in a measured
pace and in stages. Forgiving them is infact not for their welfare but for our welfare, according to the writer Haemin Sunim. He explains how
to be calm in today’s busy world. Asking whether such people deserve to be forgiven is meaningless. We must be contendedthat forgiving them makes us true humanists.
It is an experiment with ourselves. Failing in it would only make us below average persons. We would thereby belittle ourselves.
Forgiving them takes off the load from our minds. By defenestration of excess load we shall feel comfortable. Nursing a grudge, thirst for revenge and vengeance deprives us of our happiness and peace. Giving vent to our stifled anger hastily would only be harmful. We alone are responsible for our pains
and pleasures – not others. Greater pleasure lies in giving; not in receiving. Let us give more to this society than we receive. We must behave at all times as we would like others to behave.
When we expect a friend to remember our birthday, let us ask ourselves if we remember his birthday. Parents advise their children not to spend much time watching T.V. but they themselves keep watching third rate programmes for long hours. Let us all correct ourselves first, says the author of this book. When shall we begin it? Right from this moment. There are many more thoughts of wisdom in this book, meant to be chewed and digested,
