In medieval times, Damascus steel was famous throughout Europe and the Middle East because it surpassed all other types of steel with its strength and flexibility. Damascus, in southwestern Syria, became a center for the production of highly prized swords and armor. Their specialized steel-making process was one of the great industrial secrets of the times. It turns out, interestingly, that the ability to make this kind of steel probably originated in India, where it is known to have existed as early as 300 BC, and may even go back to the time of the Bhagavad Gita.
The method for making this special steel was to place iron and carbon together in a crucible, which is a type of ceramic clay pot that can be heated to a very high temperature. The components must be held at high heat long enough to allow the metal to melt and fuse and the impurities, or slag, to be removed.
The more sensitive readers are probably now scratching their heads and asking themselves, “Why in the world, in what is supposed to be a spiritual blog, is he prattling on about steel and swords?” So, for you poets and bhaktis, I am now done with armor and weapons. But before you get too relaxed, I have more to say about crucibles.
In life, some people make progress faster than others. This is true in school, business, athletics, and virtually any field of activity. While some people seem to be born with more ability or in better circumstances, true greatness is made, not born. In fact, it takes many lifetimes for a soul to be forged into the human equivalent of Damascus steel.
Over the years of dealing with thousands of spiritual seekers, I’ve seen a pattern emerge. Those who allow themselves to be placed in crucibles—situations requiring the long application of fortitude and will—make faster progress than those who avoid challenges. Long periods of high intensity make these devotees strong and flexible. Eventually they are able to cut through any challenge life can throw at them. Heated to high temperatures, they become sources of light, giving love and support to countless others.
In contrast, those who avoid their tests gradually become weak and brittle. Not many of these can withstand the daily discipline required of a Kriya Yogi, nor can they last long in the crucible of a life given to God.
Given time, however, a more important quality emerges than merely the strength to withstand life’s pressures. The impurities of consciousness, the slag of delusion, begins to be burnt away.
We would do well willingly to place ourselves into a spiritual crucible from time to time. Once in a while it is good to serve above and beyond what you think are your limits. Once a week it is beneficial to meditate for several hours. Paramhansa Yogananda said that the mind must become accustomed to the demands of longer, deeper concentration before it is ready for higher states of awareness and the tremendous flow of energy that comes in samadhi. And the heart must be made ready for the blazing light of Divine Mother’s love that burns away all of our impurities.
In Joy,
Nayaswami Jyotish
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17 Comments
Thank you for these very very inspiring words. May God and Gurus bless you. Om Om Om !
Ah, my heart is powerfully touched by this article. Thank you, Jyotish.
aum
pat
I want to be Damascus steel .Keep blessing
Aum Guru
Thank you, Jyotish-ji.
Ideal example:- Crucible purifying impurities
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish Ji,
Thank you for the blog
Jai Guru
Prem
YES! YES! YES! Being purified by the Crucible and made into Damascus steel. Let the forging begin.
Blessings to you for sharing these words of wisdom.
Jai Guru, Jai freedom in God this lifetime, Jai purification,
Gopal
Dynomite, once again. Thanks, Jyotish!
Super topic, thanks sir.
Pranam Ji
Thanks for sharing Ji, which is Beautiful and Profound .
With Gratitude
R Sundararajan
A great letter! And an important example to remember for true spiritual growth.
Thank you, Jyotish.
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish, Thank you yet again for another article of – pure profound wisdom and one that has even more relevance on the impact it has and so humbling to the core. Blessed Be and may our Father God in His unfathomable Divine Mercy and Grace and Our Holy Mother Mary’s Tender Love empower us all to be worthier instruments in the varied weather/pressures of life. Aum dear Jyotish
What a beautifully poetic and potent metaphor. May the strength of your sword stand the test of time and inspire many thousands of people. AUM
Thank you for the deeply inspiring blog, Jyotish!
Wow! Many thanks for such a powerful and beautiful reminder!
Thank you Jyotish Ji for the inspiring article, for the strength and courage it motivates to see challenges thru
Your words reminded me of a passage in “David Copperfield” that the strongest steel must go through the fire. I first heard those words many, many years ago. Thank you for your blog which took those words, often repeated to myself, to an entirely new level, infusing them with wisdom for me and others on this path. Thank you for the inspiration to approach challenges with greater strength. I, too, want to be like Damascus steel. Blessings and thanks –