Volume
Vol. 8a, Sufi Teachings
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The Tuning of the Heart (1)
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1. Heart Affected by Environment
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Vol. 8a, Sufi Teachings
The Tuning of the Heart (1)
1. Heart Affected by Environment
Many will object, 'But does not our heart depend also upon our everyday environment, on the circumstances of life? If the environment is not agreeable, how can we make it right?' Indeed, the first stage of our development depends upon environment and circumstances; but there is nothing in this world which we cannot try to improve. There are many things that we can help and improve, if we would only try. Sometimes it is difficult, but often we think it is difficult while it is not really so.
The greatest difficulty is loss of patience. When patience is exhausted things cannot be made better, and then they remain in the same condition; but when one really wants to make one's environment better and sacrifice all one can in order to do so, then one can. Too often one expects from others more than they are able to give, and that makes one helpless and dependent.
Once a person has become so independent that without the help of others he can keep his feelings untouched, he becomes like the sun which burns without oil; and in that it differs from lamps which burn with oil, for when the oil is finished then their light goes out.
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