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.
3: Actionless Action.
Meditation in Action (Swami Ajaya)
Common Aspects of Meditation and Meditation in
Action.
There
is actually little difference between the way we master our thoughts during
meditation and the way we must learn to deal with ourselves in the midst of
action. Consider what happens in meditation. You sit still, withdrawing your
awareness from the external world and attempt to centre yourself on a single
point of focus. You may be told to become aware of your breath or be given a
mantra and asked to become more and more absorbed in it, leaving your
restlessness and preoccupations behind. It is a simple thing that you are asked
to do. Yet it is difficult, because many other thoughts that are embedded in
your memory come into your awareness. The hopes, expectations, fears, joys, all
sorts of things arise from the unconscious. They distract you and disrupt your
tranquillity. The practice of meditation is a process of learning how to remain
centred even though such thoughts come pouring into the mind. As we advance in
skill, we learn not to be disturbed by these intruders. Rather than becoming
involved in them, we become a mere observer of them.
Dealing
with the world outside in meditation in action is essentially the same process.
Here you learn to centre your mind on a particular thought in the midst of your
work. In this case, the disrupting thought do not come only from your memory,
but from all the suggestions, events and melodramas of the waking world. Many
of these also release further deep memories.
Quantitatively
there may seem to be more to deal with when we are actively involved in the
world, but qualitatively there is little difference. Thoughts are thoughts, no
matter where, when or how they occur. The process of meditation is, in each
case, learning not to identify with or to become absorbed in those thoughts,
regardless of their type or number.
Meditation
in action seems more difficult because of the complexity and quantity of
stimulation with which we must deal. In a sense, sitting meditation might be
thought of as a simplified preliminary practice. The complexity is purposely
reduced so that we can find our centre and learn how to watch our thoughts.
When we learn to play an instrument, we do not begin with grade eight
compositions. We work separately with first familiarising ourselves with the
instrument and the technicalities of playing; fingering, scales, rhythm and so
on. Eventually we must also deal with the world itself, just as the
accomplished musician must learn to play an intricate piece. The more we evolve
in our meditational practice, the more we become interested in applying what we
are learning to the more complex situations.
Applying
meditation to action is like being aware of two channels at once. You take part
in and notice your actions, at the same time you maintain awareness of a centre
within. That centre can be a mantra, watching your breath or another such
stabilising focus. Even though there is
an outward activity, you remember that centre and remain calm. You are like a
wheel. The outermost part is spinning rapidly, but the axle-point is still. As
long as you identify with the outer rim you are restless and agitated; but when
you identify with the hub, you are at peace. The behaviour you engage in and
the activities that are going on around you are just like the thoughts that
come before your mind in meditation. They are part of your awareness, but the
do not affect you adversely.
In
the Bhagavad Gita it is stated that even the advanced meditator has many
thoughts coming before his conscious mind. However, these thoughts do not lead
him to become disturbed or unbalanced because he does not identify with them.
Thoughts don't disrupt him, don't carry him off from that centre so that he
throws his weight out onto one section of the rim of the wheel, creating
imbalance. Similarly, as we go through the day, if we can have part of our mind
focused on a calm centre such as a mantra or breath, we will be able to
maintain peace and tranquillity in the midst of confusion. If you could observe
yourself in your actions from this centre, serenity would be yours.
...tbc...
