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 2:Fulfillment Through work
"Anything is free when it spontaneously
expresses its own nature to the full in activity." (John MacMurray)
Having
looked at aspects of Vedanta from point of view of management, the subject now
taken up is that of the individual's part to play through dedication work. This
section begins with a lengthy quote of Mohandas K Gandhi (Mohatma).
"Man's
delight in renunciation differentiates him from the beasts. Some demur that
life thus understood becomes dull and devoid of art and leaves no room for the
householder. However, these critics fail to grasp the true meaning of
renunciation, which does not mean abandoning the world and running into the
forest, but rather, the infusion of the spirit of self-sacrifice into all
activities of life.
The
life of a householder may take the colour either of indulgence of
renunciation. A merchant who does his
work in a scrificial spirit will have large sums of money passing through his
hands every day, but his thoughts will be entirely devoted to service. He will not cheat or speculate, but will lead
a simple life. He will not injure a living soul, b ut will lose millions rather
than do any harm.
If
we to deeply into the matter, we shall come across men in every walk of life
who lead dedicated lives. No doubt these men of sacrifice obtain their
livelihood by their work; but livelihood is not their objective, it is only the
by-product of their vocation. Motilal
was a tailor at first and continued as a tailor after - his spirit was changed
and his work was transmuted into worship.
He began to think about the welfare of others and his life became
artistic in the highest sense of the term.
A life of sacrifice is a pinnacle of art and
is full of true joy, which ever renews itself. A man is never surfeited with it
and the spring of interest is inexhaustible. Indulgence leads to destruction.
Renunciation leads to immortality."
The
Scottish philosopher Macmurray held the belief that all knowledge only held
purpose when it manifested as action. This is the very basis of Vedantic
thinking also! Philosophy must not be permitted to rest only in academia and
become dried and dusty. Its glory shines through application of its theories.
This is Vedanta in Action.
