seven words, resting

This week, seven words came and sat in the baithak — dhairya, the strength that holds still. Muditā, joy at another's joy. Mauna, the silence that is full. Śraddhā, the placing of the heart. Kṣamā, the forgiveness that bears. Santoṣa, the settled gladness of enough. Sneha, the affection that is also oil.

They are not a syllabus. There is no test, and there is nothing to keep up. Think of them as a shelf — use one, forget six, reach back for another in some October when it is suddenly needed. The words have waited several thousand years already; they are unbothered by your pace.

If only one stayed with you, that was the right one.

You can stop here.