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.
MANAGING THE MANAGER (cont'd) - Swami Swaroopananda
Attachments - Develop Right Thinking
Let
us look at the internal attachments, the likes and dislikes that already exist
in the mind. It is important to understand that everything in the world does
not attract us - if you do not drink alcohol, the bottle of whisky on the table
will never tempt you; but if you do, then the bottle seems almost to be calling
you! The temptation is there because of your attachment, 'raaga'. The word
raaga means ranjanatmakam, the fanciful imaginings of the mind. The mind
creates desire, which forces us into wrong channels with its power of
imagination; "what if…".
Used
rightly, this can be the source of great discoveries and scientific
developments. Gurudev would say 'imagination is the good force of the mind -
but don't imagine your dreams, work for them!' In other words, by all means let
the thought of "I wonder…" be the spark for action and don't linger
in the wondering such that you become lost and no results arise. This is when
we go into flights of fancy, prompting wrong actions and behaviours and the
ladder of fall is set.
When
a man thinks of objects, attachment for them arises; from attachment, desire is
born; from desire comes anger (from not obtaining the desired thing); from
anger arises delusion; from delusion, loss of or incorrect memory comes; from
this, destruction of discrimination and without the gift of discerning the good
from the bad, the wrong from the right, man is a poor animal indeed. Is it thus
wrong to want the objects of the world? Not entirely. It is the intention and
depth of desire behind the wanting which makes the difference. The "I want
it!" obsession of a society which is essentially wealthy tends to be
unhealthy. It knows no bounds to 'wanting' without at all needing. In such a
society, even where there are comforts, jealousies and envies arise because
others have what we want and we get disturbed at the not having… it is a bitter
cycle.
How
to overcome the negative desire, those hankerings which remain unsatisfied,
causing us pain? Draw into the object
personality and analyse the desire - discover the attachment which has been
developed and wonder at why such an attachment has developed in oneself. Weigh
up the worth of that attachment; it is costing far more than the money which
was not there to satisfy it… it is causing angst, anger, both of which work on
the physical body, draining it of essential power which could be directed
toward activity that would, in the end, satisfy that very desire! Such a
complex creature is the human being.
Tendencies
are difficult to remove, but can be replaced. On seeing the folly of the
attachment and desire in a particular direction, we can look for something else
which will satisfy, but cost us much less in our wealth and inner resources.
This what is commonly referred to as 'getting real'. Look for what can be done
and what can be obtained and what is worth your effort. Often, in doing this,
the lustre of the original object of attraction dulls.
The
mind must discover that, as shiny and sleek as that red ferrari the neighbour
has, it is a totally impractical beast for family living and school runs!
Whilst the MPV you have be able to afford not only serves the family, but your
work also, thus paying its way and helping you towards home improvements and
saving for later life.
Contemplate
with this attitude, see the difference in such choices; form the habit of right
thinking.