Many people think that power to face means reacting strongly, dominating others, shouting loudly, or proving physical strength. In Raja Yoga, the meaning is completely different. Power to face can only be positive. It means looking at life straight in the eye. Whatever situation comes, whatever person stands before us, whatever challenge appears, we do not run away from it. We are prepared to see it clearly, understand it deeply, and acknowledge it honestly.
If we do not face a problem, we cannot understand it. If we do not understand it, we cannot solve it. This is why power to face becomes the first essential step toward every solution. In the business world also, people are taught to first investigate and understand the problem before making decisions. Raja Yoga teaches the same principle. Face the situation first. Look deeper and deeper until you completely understand what is happening.
Very often, people try to escape instead of facing. I remember a friend whose young child was diagnosed with a serious illness. The illness could not be cured, but it could be managed carefully. The mother faced the situation immediately. She researched the illness, searched for specialists across Europe, read everything possible, and looked for ways to make the child’s life easier. She accepted the reality and began searching for solutions.
The father reacted differently. Instead of focusing on helping the child, he became distracted by finding out whose gene caused the illness. Was it his gene or the mother’s gene? He thought he was facing the issue, but actually he was diverting himself from the real problem. He was trying to escape emotionally. Eventually, the DNA test showed it was his gene, but that information did not change the situation. The child still needed support, understanding, and care.
Through this process, the mother kept growing because she was facing reality and learning from it. The father stagnated because he was running away. When one person grows and the other stops developing, distance naturally increases in the relationship. This example clearly shows the difference between facing and escaping.
Facing Is Not Reacting
Power to face has nothing to do with reacting aggressively or responding emotionally. Facing is not fighting. Facing is recognizing, acknowledging, investigating, and understanding. Only after understanding can we move toward solving.
People often ask about the difference between power to tolerate and power to face. I always say: always face and always tolerate. There is no need to separate them. Real tolerance is not suppressing emotions or silently suffering. Real tolerance comes naturally from love.
When you truly love someone, you tolerate without feeling burdened by it. You do not repeat internally, “I must tolerate this.” The moment you feel forced to tolerate, it is no longer true tolerance. Genuine tolerance flows naturally from unconditional love.
At the same time, tolerance does not mean ignoring situations that need attention. If something is affecting your responsibility, your growth, or your peace, then you need to face it and solve it wisely.
Life is like a great stage drama. Every event becomes an opportunity for learning and growth. Our potential continuously brings situations that help us move closer to our higher self. But this growth is only possible when we face life honestly.
When we face challenges, we grow. When we escape, we remain stuck. Therefore, always face and always tolerate with understanding, awareness, and love.
The Journey Within
Every challenge in life invites us to discover inner power. We often rush toward solutions, but the first step is always understanding the reality before us. When we face awareness and tolerate with love, irritation, anxiety, and confusion begin to reduce. We stop reacting blindly and start learning consciously. This is the beauty of Raja Yoga. It teaches us not to run away from life but to look, grow continuously, and move closer to our potential through every experience.
The more we face situations, the more we understand ourselves. Every experience becomes a teacher instead of a burden. Rajyoga reminds us that growth begins the moment we stop escaping and start facing life with patience and love
BK Dusha, National Coordinator, Brahma Kumaris, Macedonian