ADVENTURES IN ADVAITA VEDANTA...

Adventures in Advaita Vedanta, the philosophy and science of spirit. We are one you and I; are you curious why?..


Tweaking Vision

Hari OM

Application - that is what 'Workings-days' are about!

VEDANTA IN ACTION.
This is the title of a publication from CM which, whilst it of course has items by Gurudev, also includes selections of writing from other well-esteemed Gurus from the Vedantic tradition as well as leading businessmen. Its focus is the working life. We shall be exploring these essays for the next few weeks on Workings-day as, clearly, they pertain directly to the premise of this section of AVBlog! As ever, you are encouraged to read back over previous posts, to ensure full benefit.

Part 1; Vedanta in Management.

The Secrets to Profit (Gurudev) cont'd. - an excerpt from a talk given 4/16/1980 to the AGM of the Bombay Industries Assocn.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna confronted this same situation and he similarly thought he should run away from the problem. He felt that the situation was futile and should be abandoned. Krishna had to hold Arjuna back by the shoulders and admonish him, saying, "D not run away, you must learn to face the situation. You must come out and confront your challenges."

In order to face such challenges, a lot of courage is required. This courage comes only when the mind is strong and poised, for only then it can rediscover its own efficiency, ability and beauty of performance; all of which ensure profit and success in life.

How does this equipoise come about? It comes when the individual's mind is ignited by a larger vision, when he comes to understand his importance in life, his nobility and the great contribution that he is expected to make during his lifetime. Even thought the situation outside seemed impossible before, he now develops the courage to face it.  He realizes that he has been selected to do that particular job. He recognizes his own importance. With the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita, this mental vitality returned to Arjuna.  He was brought to see the shallowness of his micro-vision, his self-centred view of life. His vision expanded to a macro-vision, with the understanding that he is not a single, solitary individual fighting against the world of multiplicity, but that he is one with the whole universe, one with the Lord who is the cosmic Person. The whole universe arises in Him, exists in Him and disappears in Him, just as the waves rise in the ocean, play in the ocean and disappear into the ocean.  The waves are nothing more than the ocean itself, with all its depth and beauty. The oneness of the larger reality of life and the incidental play around him was thus perceived by Arjuna.

Once you understand that the entire world is one harmonious tapestry and that all individuals are interrelated, with each one of us having certain responsibilities and duties to society, then you will no longer ask "Why should I feel responsible for my neighbour?" Instead, you will feel naturally interested and responsible for our neighbour, because your neighbour is part of that whole.

You may object, saying the "My neighbour cannot be me. I am limited in my body. What do I have to do with him? He is a different person. How can I feel one with him?"

Just think for a moment! Have you ever paused and looked at your own hands and legs? Is the hand like the leg? Are not the shapes and functions different? The names are different, names being given to ensure no mistake of one for the other in relation to function… yet are they not both 'yours'? Your entire body has many different parts and functions, but they are all part of you. To cut your toe off damages you as a whole, does it not? Please think! You now that even though your limbs are different to each other, the are all part of the greater whole which is your body. The 'you' which knows this is present in each and every part of said body. What they feel, you feel. If you understand this idea, then you will see the whole universe as one mighty expression of the Divine Body, the Spark of Existence.

Life is then seen as One, expressing through diverse forms.  If this much is understood, the macro-vision automatically comes.

This is not esoteric philosophy. This is a very practical and necessary philosophy if you want to live effectively in the world. Developing macro-vision is the practical result of the philosophy. [Avblog Gurudev now writes a paragraph discussing nuclear threat and such like;.. The essence of the paragraph being that this is now very much a global society, more than at any other time of Earth's history, and that incidents in what may seem insignificant countries can affect the superpowers ….] ...The days of isolated warfare are gone; small local wars now have global repercussions. Today more than ever it is apparent that all nations are woven in the same fabric.

This large macro-vision does not come automatically to an individual. It has to be cultivated. The entire discourse of the Gita had to be given to Arjuna before he was able to throw off his moodiness and overcome his mental confusion. It is very important to note that Krishna did not alter the situation, nor order it to change. Every one of the Pandavas and Kauravas was stil standing on the battlefront ready to advance. He merely talked to Arjuna in order to lift him from his funk and to rediscover his efficiency and potency. [...in so doing, whilst the situation had not changed, Arjuna's coping mechanisms were improved and his tactical prowess flowed back to him, thus the situation could be faced differently and with confidence.]

This attitude of mental poise is unavoidable if you really want to become an industrial visionary, a developer, [successful in all career fields.]