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
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.]
