What To Do in Certain Situations

Date: 02 Dec 2012 22:32:17 -0000
From: "Divyatma  Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: What To Do in Certain Situations

Baba

== WHAT TO DO IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS ==

Namaskar,
I remember when one senior Dada became seriously ill. In that moment, some people were very sad while others became very happy. This type of reaction is the common human tendency. There are always some who derive pleasure by seeing others suffer. We should all consider how far this is appropriate and consistent with Baba’s teachings.

MANY OTHER EXAMPLES

Actually there are many examples where incidents incite opposing reactions, or when people derive happiness from seeing others in pain and misery.

For instance:

(a) When the Twin Towers crashed to the ground on 9-11, many Americans were distraught while some radical Muslims were feeling quite happy;

(b) In his book Nagina ji says that when his boss - who used to harass him regularly - was punished by the higher authorities then Nagina became very happy. The next time he saw Baba, then Baba scolded him for his behaviour;

(c) When Shraddhanandji was sick then his supporters were very concerned for his well-being, while those who hated him due to his political ties became happy;

(d) Likewise when there are riots in the street, then some feel happy watching the protesters get knocked down, and others feel happy seeing their pain.

Here the point is that there are always some who derive pleasure from watching others suffer. They become happy seeing another's misery. This is a very common occurrence.

Why? Because this is the way the human mind works. In the mind there is one propensity known as kru'rata', or sadistic tendency. It is this vrtti which leads people to think in this hurtful manner.

Yet Baba guides us to follow the path of benevolence. So we should all be aware about Guru's teachings and overcome this tendency of kru'rata', i.e. sadistic mentality.

WHAT GENERALLY HAPPENS

Amongst the general populace, if your friend is having a problem, then you also feel unhappy as you do not wish to see your friend or family member suffer. Whereas if an enemy - or someone you do not like - is undergoing difficult circumstances, then people often feel happy. This is the common human tendency.

But this latter approach is of a sadistic nature; i.e. people derive happiness from watching others undergo suffering and troubles. This is not at all an appropriate response, especially for a sadhaka. Why? Because malevolence is a very bad quality and antithetical to spirituality; and sadhana can only be practiced when the mind is in a calm, balanced state.

So we should not harbor any vrtti that is sadistic in nature, as it is wrong to derive pleasure from another's suffering and it will pull one far from the path of spirituality and universal welfare. Then one will be going against the code of neo-humanism and one will not be able to perform sadhana. Even then there are some who pray to the Lord to destroy their enemies. That is even more negative; that is tamasik devotion.

HOW TO CURE ONE OF THIS SADISTIC MENTALITY - PERMANENTLY

This type of disease - a sadistic outlook - can plague anyone. It is a mental vrtti or psychic propensity, and if one's mind has not been purified by regular spiritual practice, then they will be prone to feelings of this nature: deriving pleasure by seeing others in distress.

In essence, Baba has given a two-step approach for ridding oneself of this sadistic mentality: (a) neutralise and (b) chanenelise.

Neutralising the mind means brining it back into a balanced state. By harboring the ideal of compassion (karun'a), then that a person will shed themselves of this sadistic mentality, in a very natural way. They will regain their integrity of mind and softness of mind. In a phrase, compassion is the medicine. It will cure a sadistic mind-set. Then one will gain a stance of equipoise. That is the whole aim of neutralising the mind - to return it to a balanced state.

Then, the mind is primed and ready to be goaded toward the spiritual realm. By channelising the mind towards Parama Purusa, through the devotional practices of kiirtan and sadhana etc, the mind will become more refined and subtle. That person will become vibrated in His flow. That is the main idea: To channelise the mind towards Parama Purusa and become one with Him.

At that point, one will never be able to think ill of others. That sadhaka will always be grounded in feelings of neo-humanism, ever ready to help those in distress and always thinking of the Goal.

BABA'S TEACHINGS

Here below Baba reviews one important shloka about cultivating benevolence and compassion towards others. In so doing, He presents critical life scenarios that are invaluable to us all.

Baba says, "Suppose someone is very sad; seeing his miserable fate people will say, “Well done! He deserved it!” But this is not the proper approach. The proper approach should be to show compassion, thinking “What a pity he is in great trouble. Had I also been in such a difficult position, how badly I would feel.” In this way the feeling of compassion (karuńa) should be aroused in one’s mind." (Ananda Marga Ideology Way of Life, Part 11)

And here again Baba guides us about what our approach should be upon seeing someone sick or in problem.

Baba says, "“Again on seeing a person in distress one should have the feeling – “Alas, how miserable is the condition of this person! Let his miseries be over expeditiously...I shall also try to remove his misery as early as possible.”” (Shabda Cayanika-4, Discourse: 27)

In yet another discourse, Baba pointedly describes how we are to feel towards those undergoing difficulties.

Baba says, ""And for those people who live in misery one should develop an attitude of compassion. One should never feel happy upon seeing the sorrows of others, but should think, “What a miserable life that person is leading. I hope things get better for him soon.”" (Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell, Part 8)

Thus, irrespective of how good or bad someone is, if they are suffering we should have empathy and compassion for their situation. That is the only way. Failing that, the mind gets twisted and it makes doing sadhana impossible.

Indeed, during PC or dharma samiiksa, Baba would point out such circumstances where a person rejoiced in another's misfortune. Baba wants that we overcome such a defective mentality. That is His clear-cut message: Do not derive pleasure from seeing others in pain.

OUR OUTLOOK

By all of the above, and by understanding the teachings of neo-humanism, as sadhakas we should strive to see all as the manifestation of Parama Purusa. Regardless of who is in problem and suffering, one must not feel happy by their misery. That is Baba's teaching.

We are to impose the karuna vrtti and arouse compassion to make the mind balanced. Then that balanced mind should be channelised towards the thought of the Great - i.e. Parama Purusa.

The whole point is that in seeing others suffer one must not become happy. We must have empathy for their plight and help relieve them of their distress. That is quality of a sadhaka. We are to think that Narayan has come in this form. Then we can render real service and help them.

In this regard there must not be any duality or hypocrisy. If anyone is in trouble or undergoing difficulties, we must be sincere in cultivating compassionate thoughts within and offer our help. There must be no difference between our internal feeling and our external expression.

HOW TO RESPOND TO SOMEONE'S SUFFERING

Thus when anyone has fallen sick with a life-threatening illness, there is only one response: compassion. We must empathize with their condition and do what we can to sincerely help relieve them of pain. No matter what our personal feelings may be for anyone's political or group interests, when they are sick the only response is 100% compassion and support. That is Baba's teaching. That is what every sadhaka should follow.

It is not that only their group cohorts should help them and those who deem that person as an enemy should rejoice in their suffering. This is not the way. To plunge in deriving sadistic pleasure from anyone's painful condition is against Guru's teaching. Such a person is only creating negative samskaras for themselves and thus inviting their own pain and suffering. No one should plunge themselves into such a lowly predicament.

The singular stand is having compassion for the plight of those suffering and wishing for their welfare and recovery. That is the way of a true Ananda Margii. Such sadhaka will be ever-ready to help others and their mind will always be inclined toward the thought of Parama Purusa. And that is the way to live in this world: Thinking of Him and serving those in need.

BABA'S BLESSING

Here again is Baba's dharmic guideline.

Baba says, ""And for those people who live in misery one should develop an attitude of compassion. One should never feel happy upon seeing the sorrows of others, but should think, “What a miserable life that person is leading. I hope things get better for him soon.”" (Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutsell - 8)

Namaskar,
in HIM,
Divyatma Deva

Note 1: OUR SAMSKRTA NAMES

Baba says, "At the time of initiation or shortly afterwards, those who do not have a Samskrta name should be given one by the ácárya/á. The word deva should be suffixed to the name...the more the usage of deva as a title, the better it is. The Samskrta name should be used in all worldly dealings." (Caryacarya-1)

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"A'mi toma'ri katha' shun'i go a'r toma'ri ga'n ga'i..."  (PS 3980)

Purport:

Baba, You are my everything. By Your grace, I always listen to and think about Your divine tales; and, thinking of You, I go on singing Your song - dancing according to Your desire, following Your supreme guidelines day and night.   

Baba, by Your grace, I keep my vision fixed on You. Regardless of what I am doing with my hands, always my mind thinks incessantly about You. O' Parama Purusa, You are my everything; You are my Goal. Baba, in my life there is no second entity. I surrender everything unto You - at Your lotus feet. You are the be-all and end-all of my life. Baba, except You, no one else is mine.  

Baba, in the early dawn during paincajanya when the day starts, then with my peaceful heart I go on calling You intently - with a deep yearning in my mental abode. All the while I remain constantly looking towards You - doing Your dhyana.   

Baba, You are mine - only mine. In my life there is no one else who is so close and so intimate. Baba, by Your grace when I think about You and feel Your close proximity, then with Your divine presence You wipe away all the darkness from my mind. By Your infinite compassion all the sins and all the negative things which hinder my movement towards You get evaporated. Baba, I feel a deep attraction for You. It isYour grace. Thinking about Your greatness and proximity tears roll down.

Baba, You are the holy shelter of everyone and everything. Without You nothing can exist. You Yourself do not need any base or shelter. You are beyond. Baba, when I think about Your divine grace, Your sweet attractive appearance, and the showering of Your love, then my whole existence becomes blissful and gets ensconced in You.

Baba, please shower Your causeless grace and keep me at Your lotus feet - forever and ever...