Hari
Om
Each 'Choose-day' we will investigate the process by
which we can reassess our activity and interaction with the world of plurality
and become more congruent within our personality.
We
are reading the small booklet called "Not
Too Loose, Not Too tight - Just right!" This is written by Swamini
Vimalananda, and gives a very general overview of Vedanta for the beginner,
with emphasis on the sattvic, rajasic and tamasic approaches to life. Remember,
we are a mixture of all; use this as your mirror.
कर्म /karma - actions/undertakings.
Action
is the insignia of life. Man cannot live without actions. Actions by themselves
are neither good nor bad. It is the intentions
behind them which make them such. For example, when a doctor performs
surgery, it is not called assault with grievous bodily harm, even though sharp
implements are used and the body is slit open. It is being done with the
intention of improving health. All
undertakings in life may be categorised per the triguna, depending upon the
intentions behind them.
Sattvic; proper and deep thought behind an
action makes it a sattvic undertaking. One thinks about the goal which
engenders the action, the consequences and/or results which may ensue. One also
thinks about the time, effort, cost and so on. Sattvic thinking enables strong
prioritising and setting of clear goals. There is also a consideration for the
effects upon others when carrying out the action, or what might arise as a
result of it. There is strong assessment as to whether any given action is a
worthy one or, indeed, worthwhile (ie, is it sufficiently noble or even worth
our investment of time etc). Gurudev often said, "Plan out your work and
then work out your plan!" After planning well, when all one's energies are
focused on one's actions, it is more likely to be efficient and successful.
What is more, if variations and hurdles arise, one is better equipped to deal
with them - as our planning ought to contain 'contingency'. Benefits of sattvic
action are often sustainable and long-lasting.
Rajasic; incomplete and distracted thinking
makes an undertaking rajasic. Actions based on immature or hurried thinking,
half-baked plans or overly sentimental promptings often fall short in terms of
purpose and fulfilment. Having too many goals (multitasking) is likely to
result in lesser standard of completions...the term 'jack of all trades and
master of none' was made for such as this! Improper thinking, procrastination,
disorganisation, stress… all arise in rajasic action. Undoubtedly things will
get done, but very often without appropriate satisfaction and the benefits are
likely to short term.
Tamasic; rash, whimsical, indiscriminate,
impulsive...these are words often associated with tamasic action. The term 'act
in haste and repent at leisure' would apply here. Often, tamasic action is
driven almost purely by strong emotion, logic having left the building! There
is rarely any positive result for such; immediate gratification perhaps, but
this is followed by more immediate need and cycles of guilt, regret and misery
are created.
Today
we have seen 'action' in terms of the physical doing of things. This is what
karma is. Manifest action. There is, however, another form action which relates
to our talents, tendencies and duties of life - these are the things which
inform our intentions which may then manifest as per the above. This we will see next week.
