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. We continue exploring points raised by HH Pujya
Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda-ji in the publication of this name. Remember, you
can purchase, (very economically!), the book from Chinmaya
Mission Publications or if you
prefer, the Amazon Link. Thus you can read
Gurudev's words directly and bring your own voice to the discussion.
Chapter
nine is titled THE PATH OF PERFECTION.
Gurudev utilises the teacher's prerogative of reiteration. We are
reminded that the physical body is nothing but a vessel carry the mind and
intellect within. Also, that the mind and intellect themselves have varying
quality according to our vaasana-s, those habits and tendencies which are
'native' to us. Further, that nothing is 'written in stone' - we can reshape
our inner selves through the guidance given by philosophy and religion.
Colouration
of our personality is further affected as a result of our indriya-s; the
senses. We have constant input via sight, sound, taste, touch and smell. The
mind-intellect duo work on that input and instruct the body to perform output
in response, via the organs of action (tongue, hands, legs, anus and genitals).
Wise
minds or ancient times, in conjunction with Divine guidance, developed methods
by which we could wield self-control and regulate our lives to gain maximum
benefit not just in this life, but in preparation for existence outside the
physical. To live according to such principles is to seek the path of
perfection. All faith systems have an
understanding of this; that from the cradle to the grave everything we think we
'own' is nothing but detritius; that all we are born with and all we can take
away is the essence of "me", that core being of awareness. The only
unchanging aspect of life is the 'me' identity. Which, if we are paying
attention, raises the question of WHO IS THIS I???
The
human-being alone of all creatures has the wherewithal to understand the place
of things and circumstances and take action to minimise the effects they have
upon his or her psyche. To get the best out of the world, we need to be
balanced and complete in our personality. Our emotions must be controlled and
our mind and intellect equipment purified and clarified through appropriate
contemplation and practices.
We
have all experienced and observed that there are things called 'natural
talents'; some things we are brilliant at and other things which can defeat us,
whilst our siblings or mates will have different propensities and skills.
Similarly we note that in different and trying environments everyone will react
and manage in different levels of capability.
Some appear to float above the trials and tribulations, others may be
embroiled but manage nonetheless, and yet others seem almost to drown in the
situation. That which separates these people is the conditioning of their mind
and intellect. That in turn is said to be determined by the vaasanas with which
they were born. Yet those very vaasanas can be researched by the person and the
negatives rooted out, replacing with and strengthening the existing positive
tendencies.
Vedanta
provides the 'mirror' in which we can see our make-up and educate ourselves on
the reality of things. Only when we can see and be fully aware of the blemish
can we take action to eradicate.
Often
we can point to society and blame it for negativity. What we must always bear
in mind is that 'society' includes us and is a representation of the balance of
the mentality and intellectual application therein. If every individual in a
society was working towards the noble goal of Self-Realisation, we would indeed
have the ideal world. Sadly, this is not something that can happen because each
individual must live out its karmic debt and thus we have the tapestry which
creates the texture and pattern of our world.
All that we can do is ensure that ours is one of the brightest threads.
If we can find other bright threads to link with so much the better. Perfection
can be spread, just as gold can be spun. It begins here.
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