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.
KINDLE LIFE.
In the next few weeks we will
explore some of the points raised by HH Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda-ji in
the publication of this name. Each of the chapters is short and concise and
designed to prompt discussion, to raise questions, to bring out doubts… to
kick-start appropriately analytical thinking. It is a book which lays bare all
the basics of the mistakes which are made in spiritual understanding, it
understands that there will be many who are sceptical and who, in defence of
their established behaviours, will seek to argue the points.
As
stated last week, the chapters will not be recited here. You are encouraged to access Chinmaya Mission Publications
or if you prefer, the Amazon
Link where a copy of the book may be obtained, or contact or any one of the
local CM Centres (see sidebar).
For
those who take up this opportunity, at first glance the book might appear
extremely basic. Simple to the point of condescension. Remember, though, that
these early chapters are intended to stimulate discussion, to shake folk awake.
Almost always we spend our time in advanced states of confusion and information
overload that we forget just how simple things really are!
In
the first chapter, Freedom and Licence,
Gurudev very clearly and precisely states that despite all technological
advancements, despite all the comforts he has succeeded in bringing, despite
having risen from primitive and barbarous living into so-called civilized and
intelligent societies, Mankind still writhes in a mire of anxiety,
dissatisfaction, and all other sorts of negative states. Can we deny this
truth? Equally, as our historians and researchers of past civilisations are
uncovering greater insights, we find that the 'state of man' has actually
altered very little in the passage of time.
Conditions of living and utensils with which we work may have changed
beyond words; but the living of life in actual fact has changed very little
indeed.
The
great spiritual scientists (Rsis) pondered long on this matter and found
certain factors contributed to this poor state of being. Later, Western
researchers into the condition of man drew somewhat similar conclusions. Man
wants everything his own way. He will do anything he can to ensure he gets his
way. When he succeeds in this he is elated.
When he does not he falls in a heap. Man permits his animal side, the
lust and greed, the uncontrolled excesses, to dominate his desires. Absolute
freedom is what he demands; the licence to live life with abandonment of
self-control.
The
Rsis and elders of society drew up plans of living; guidelines of how to live
rightly in order to minimise the impact of such licentiousness. Man is not fond
of such disciplined thought! It is perceived as censorship and 'against my right
of freedom'. What he fails to recognise
is that true freedom is based in the mind; it is built upon responsibility for
everything he does and for living life with a higher purpose than
self-gratification. The example Gurudev uses is that of the traffic management
systems we have, without which there would be absolute chaos. This analogy
falls down a little given prevailing traffic conditions in the major centres of
the world! However, the principle still applies. We certainly appreciate that
accidents are most likely when one or other driver breaks away from the
established protocol, or when focus is taken for a moment from the road.
It
is in our inability to appreciate the difference between correct freedom and
the licentiousness we call as freedom which underpins the problems of daily
life. The tendency to turn our backs on the wisdom of our elders, whether that
comes from the church, the synagogue, the mosque or the temple - or the great
philosophers - is said by Gurudev to be the root cause of our ignorance. The
ancient texts provide grist for our intellectual mill; tools for rigorous
analysis of our condition and methods to adjustment in order to rectify the
problem.
What
is interesting is the freedom of choice - yes freedom! - to follow a higher
path, or remain on the one we have set for ourselves. Often we stay because we do not believe we have a choice. We throw our hands in the air
and say it is the fault of this or that or them… a poem which has been given
some airing of late, in different quarters, is a good one to end today's post
as it points to a clear understanding that for there to be any direction in
life, we must first be clear that we are in charge of ourselves.
INVICTUS; W E Henley
Out of the
night that covers me,
Black as
the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank
whatever gods may be
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For my
unconquerable soul.
In the
fell clutch of circumstance
I have not
winced nor cried aloud.
Under the
bludgeonings of chance
My head is
bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond
this place of wrath and tears
Looms but
the Horror of the shade,
And yet
the menace of the years
Finds, and
shall find, me unafraid.
It matters
not how strait the gate,
How
charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the
master of my fate:
I am the
captain of my soul.
SAADHANA;
Readers!
Yes you are there… consider what has been written here; if you have taken the
leap and purchased Kindle Life, even better. Ponder on it (mananam) and write
about the areas of your own life which you know to be undisciplined. Do this in
your little journal books, which you were asked to make. Here begins
introspection; an important and valuable part of spiritual training.
Don't
forget that you can raise questions and doubts right here, through the comments
box or via email.