One of the disciplines of Yoga is called Svadyaya


One of the disciplines of Yoga is called Svadyaya ( not sure if I spelled that
correctly). . It translates to "self study". Hopefully, thru the
practice of Yoga, we begin to open our eyes to who we are and how we seem to
others.; We begin to see that we might appear to others differently than we
see ourselves. Really, it is all about seeing with "new
eyes". Using what the Toltecs call our "second
attention". Here is a story that illustrates how things might be
different than they appear at first. If we hold off on our "jumping
to conclusions" we may find that things are different than they seem.. 
Imagine you are at an Airport. While you're waiting for your
flight, you notice a kiosk selling cookies. You buy a box, put them in your
traveling bag and then you patiently search for an available seat so you can sit
down and enjoy your cookies. Finally, you find a seat next to a gentleman.

You reach down into your traveling bag and pull out your box of cookies.As you
do so, you notice that the gentleman starts watching you intensely.

He stares as you open the box and his eyes follow your hand as you pick up the
cookie and bring it to your mouth. Just then he reaches over and takes one of
your cookies from the box, and eats it! You're more than a little surprised at
this. Actually, you're at a loss for words. Not only does he take one cookie, but also he alternates with you. For every one cookie you take, he takes one.

Now, what's your immediate impression of this guy? Crazy?
Greedy?  He's got some nerve? Can you imagine the words you might use to describe
this man to your associates back at the office? Meanwhile, you both continue
eating the cookies until there's just one left. To your surprise, the man
reaches over and takes it. But then he does something unexpected. He breaks it
in half, and gives half to you. After he's finished with his half he gets up,
and without a word, he leaves.

You think to yourself, "Did this really happen?" You're left
sitting there dumbfounded and still hungry. So you go back to the kiosk and buy
another box of cookies. You then return to your seat and begin opening your new
box of cookies when you glance down into your traveling bag.

Sitting there in your bag is your original box of cookies - still unopened. Only
then do you realize that when you reached down earlier, you had reached into the
other man's bag, and grabbed his box of cookies by mistake. Now what do you
think of the man? Generous? Tolerant?

You've just experienced a profound paradigm shift. You're seeing things from a
new point of view. Is it time to change your point of view?

Moral

Many a times, we are clouded by our own instincts and
predispositions. These hamper our relationship with our peers, subordinates and
superiors. Try to be non-judgmental and look beyond the obvious.

Celebrate Life ........