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.
The text ‘Kindle Life’, as has been stated before, is actually
made up of a number of presentations given by Gurudev. It is as comprehensive a
‘starter’ text as is likely to be found anywhere for a philosophical
exploration. It is designed to make the potential student THINK! It is for
those who would question following such a philosophy – even for those who would
decry any form of spiritual pursuit.
Here at Aatmaavrajanam, it has been split between ‘the day of
choice’ and ‘the day of work’, those which have been named here as Choose-days
and Workings-days. Chapter 30 of the book contains transcripts of discourses
given to Indian Government Officials which hold a great deal of interest but
are not particularly relevant to this introduction to Vedanta, though they may
be referred to at a later date. Chapters
31 and 32 are brief and will be taken up on Free-days. Chapter 25 is under
discussion on Workings-day posts and will be followed in that position with a
chapters 27 – 29. Here on Choose-day, the last chapter immediately relevant to
making a choice to make further investigation is begun. Chapter 26 is lengthy and will therefore, be
given in portions.
“There are among men those who have come up only to the animal level in their inner evolution. When, in any generation, the majority is of this type there will be a greater rejection of the higher values of life and the very quest of the Supreme would become unfashionable…”
It is a fact that the more integrated the personality, the higher
the individual’s mind and intellect can soar; in doing this, the wider becomes
the perspective, the broader the view and the more inclusive the
considerations. Is it not that when travelling new territory, climbing hills
and mountains is the best way to see ‘the lay of the land’?
Of course, this does require a sense of adventure, of curiosity
and, for most, serve a clear purpose.
Sometimes, if we have climbed onto a hill and looked back at our
village or town, for example, we can become a bit disgusted, for despite
displaying the breadth of our land, it also shows up the damage being wrought
upon it; we become sharply aware of pollution, for example. Similarly, when
integrating our mind and intellect to ever greater strengths, we start to see
life with a cleaner perspective, noticing how it can become polluted with the ‘smog’
of physical activity to such an extent, it hinders and even blinds us to the
greater purpose of life.
The more congruent our personality, the greater is our capacity to
see beyond our physical constraints. The subtlety and depth of our thinking
permits the analysis of the whys and wherefores of ‘life’ in all its forms.
Connections are sought, questions asked.
For the one who has developed a universality of understanding, the
dynamism which underpins ‘life’ becomes his research. He observes the ebb and
flow of it, from cradle to grave; it is at that end point that confusions and
the strongest demand for clarity arise. The question of ‘the beyond’ is what
drives him to ever more intense and inward research. Gurudev puts this so
eloquently;
“If life is thus a meaningless madness, in which we are all to sing a song of sorrow and, slipping through stupidities must end our pilgrimage from the womb to the tomb, then nature has gone off her nuts and she is to be considered a dangerous lunatic!”
The
deep thinkers of this same Nature, ask one of the most profound questions of
all… ‘Is it a meaningless event, this
thing called life?’
…to be continued…