Lincoln Square Park and Taking Time for Relaxation and Introspection

Lincoln Square Park, Carlton - Melbourne

This is where I go during the lunch break at work. It’s a small area called Lincoln Square Park, situated off Swanston Street in the City of Melbourne between Queensberry and Grattan Streets, Carlton. The location is close to Melbourne's CBD, University of Melbourne and right in front of my work place. I like this place because of the beautiful and majestic trees in the Park. I simply go there to sit down and do my mantra meditation. Sometimes, I simply sit and hear to the birds sounds, see leaves and fruits of the trees. It’s also interesting to see number of people who come here to relax. They normally come here with a take away, have their lunch. What I noticed is that even while having lunch, people are talking on their Mobile. Infect, before they start eating they call someone and finish their lunch while still  conversing. Otherwise, people are busy watching Facebook or WhatsApp. I know a friend who told me that as soon as he goes home, he starts the TV so that he doesn’t feel lonely. While it is good to be social and chatty, what is happening is people are losing their ability to think, plan or introspect. They are afraid to be alone, to be silent and feel uneasy to face the realities of life. To add to this, today's life is so hectic and busy, people rarely get a chance to think deeply about themselves or the world.

Wikipedia says "Introspection is the examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings. In psychology the process of introspection relies exclusively on observation of one's mental state, while in a spiritual context it may refer to the examination of one's soul”. So how many people do this.? Very few. And, the result is constant tussle of emotions like, hankering and lamentation, attachment and renunciation, comparing oneself with others,criticize.What I feel is that, it is important for everyone to take time out in silence, close to nature which means even the simple act of sitting under a tree or watching some birds which can be done in anywhere in a city or countryside.

I would like to call Introspection as looking inside. Focusing your attention to your internal world, talking to your mind, finding out what your real intentions are. Is it really needed or required.? How does it matter, what is inside, as long as you are happy, enjoying life, talking to friends ?.

This reminds me a quote "“When you squeeze an orange, you'll always get orange juice to come out. What comes out is what's inside. The same logic applies to you: when someone squeezes you, puts pressure on you, or says something unflattering or critical, and out of you comes anger, hatred, bitterness, tension, depression, or anxiety, that is what's inside. If love and joy are what you want to give and receive, change your life by changing what's inside.” 

                                                                                                                                     ― Wayne W. Dyer."

“Speech is silver, but Silence is Golden proverbial saying, meaning that discretion can be more valuable than the most eloquent words”.

Again in Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10. Verse 38 line 3 -  Lord Krishna Says the following “maunam caivasmi guhyanam - Of secret things I am silence.Srila Prabhupada further says in his Purport to the verse "Among the confidential activities of hearing, thinking and meditating, silence is most important because by silence one can make progress very quickly".

Austerity of Speech and Socrates Test of Three

Austerity means being in a state of self-control or a state of denial.In sanskrit, it can be translated as Tapas or following a steady practice with the aim of spiritual or higher gains.In Chapter 17 of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna explains various types of austrities that elevate ones consciousness from the material or worldly platform to that of spiritual.The verse 15 below, especially talks about the austerity of speech.

“anudvega-karam vakyam

 satyam priya-hitam ca yat

 svadhyayabhyasanam caiva

 van-mayam tapa ucyate

Translation: Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature(Bg 17.15)”.

I think, this is a very important verse that is useful not only for spiritual but also for day to day basis. It is the general tendency of people to gossip about something or someone, either at work place or

meeting up with friends.Gossip - is the root cause of so many misunderstandings,tensions,friction between people and friends. The whole atmosphere and the relationships are spoilt just by this.Ever wonder why people gossip ?. I think one reason is that people who feel low or bad about themselves get a temporary relief by talking bad about others or trying to expose or show something negative in others.And, there are so many other reasons like, people gossip to get some attention, popularity, envy, to make them feel part of a group etc. It is said that if you find a fault in someone, it is because you have that same fault within you – hundreds of times more than what you are trying to show in another person. Of course, this is not same as constructive criticism by some well wishers, parents or seniors. Thus, control of tongue or urge to speak nonsense is the most important aspect of Austerity of speech.

In ancient Greece,Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of  your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test called, the Test of Three."

"Test of Three?"

"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

No," the man said, "actually I just heard about It."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued. "You may still pass though, because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and ashamed. This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.So next time, you meet someone and they want to say something to you, You know what to ask?.Is it true, useful and something good ?.