Let Buddhi Abound...Wisely!

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.

बुद्धि /buddhi - intellect.

Our intellect has a very important role in life. It is the driver of our life and can lead us to great heights or to our downfall. It has the ability to observe, discriminate, understand, analyse, judge and decide what ought to be done in a given situation. It can be sattvic, rajasic or tamasic.

Sattvic; this intellect can figure out clearly, correctly and promptly what should be done and what should not be done under all circumstances. It knows right from wrong. It tells us what where our duty lies and what to leave alone. It tells us what not to fear, or what it is that we ought to be careful of. The sattvic intellect helps understanding of what will cause bondage and sorrow and what will give lasting joy and freedom; it knows that attachment leads to issues of loss and therefore is a trouble to us, whilst living a disciplined life with strong values will bring the contentment we cherish. The Gita advises tat we take refuge in the sattvic intellect as it will lead us to glory and success.

Rajasic; the rajasic intellect gets easily confused, is vague at times, fluctuates in moods and thoughts and is therefore indecisive. Such people change their decisions often and often second guess themselves.  Their actions are, therefore, not focused and their minds agitated and worried. Some people are very good at deciding what others should do, but not so good at applying it to themselves! They may become good consultants and counsellors, but their own homes may be in turmoil.

Tamasic; such intellects either do not understand at all or misunderstand people and situations, coming to wrong conclusions. For example, a teacher was demonstrating the harmful effects of alcohol. A student, after seeing how worms died in the glass of alcohol concluded "When we have worms in the stomach, we must drink alcohol!"  such intellect confuses the lines between right and wrong and results in erroneous and even sinful acts. They will justify their bullyboy tactics or that "you only live once so play is the only way to live".