Thought for the day

JANUARY 2004

Theory & Practice of DHARMA


At Global DHARMA Conference, New Jersey in July 2003, DHARMA was interpreted in various ways by the Seers and Spiritual scientists. Some Dharmic quotes are -

*    Dharma is the matrix of norms and is the basis for human interaction with the world.

*    Dharma means the laws of nature and the duties that must be performed.

*    Dharma spells out the principles that govern human growth and happiness - natural laws.

*    Dharma is nothing but the real nature of an object. Just as the nature of fire is to burn and the nature of water is to produce a cooling effect, in the same manner, the essential nature of the soul is to seek self – realization and spiritual elevation.

*     Dharma is universal. It transcends race, religion, gender and even species.

The Dharmic traditions of India (Sanatana or Eternal Dharma, Buddha Dharma, Sikh Dharma, Jain Dharma etc.) share the Core values of Dharma which are ethical principles like ahimsa, truthfulness, compassion and renunciation. They require a respect for all life as sacred and recognition of a single consciousness as pervading the entire universe, living and nonliving.

There is no radical difference in the opinions expressed by the Enlightened on the theoretical aspects of Dharma. However when institutionalized the Core Dharma was dressed up with rituals and practices in various ways to propagate as Religion by ardent followers. In the process with time, the outfit was given more prominence than Core part of it, thus creating intolerance between individuals and communities.

Practice of Dharma in simple terms boils down to few words ‘Learn to Love and Serve all’. The Enlightened have shown the way-

1.   Simple living in Harmony with Nature. 2. Not developing self- destructive anger, hatred, jealousy, self-centeredness, selfishness and greediness. 3. Performing one’s duty with devotion and enjoying the work –big or small. 4. Having concern for less fortunate. 5. Extending helping hand and experiencing the joy of giving and 6. Sparing few minutes to meditate on the purpose of LIFE.

 

-BCH


    APRIL 2004

Yoga and Success in Life


Some of the qualities successful people have are concentration, steadiness, perseverance, inner motivation, acceptance, the ability to say ‘No’ and the ability to get along with other people. 

By practising yoga, one develops these qualities without inviting ulcers or courting angina or finding oneself in a psychiatrist’s couch.

Yoga is the art of living.  It helps one to achieve perfect health - physically, mentally, morally and spiritually.  This state of complete health equips one to take on life’s challenges with equanimity.  A disturbed mind cannot solve any problem, personal or organisational.  Yoga helps one to achieve a tranquil mind with energy, clarity and the sense of purpose to tackle problems successfully.

A successful person has an alert mind, is free from fear and anxiety and has positive attitudes that help in interpersonal relationships.  His life is free from petty jealousy, prejudice and the feeling of insecurity.  He is self-motivated and acts as a source of motivation  for others.  To achieve such an all-round development of personality, yoga has prescribed Yama and Niyama (code of ethics), Asanas (the right postures), Sattvik Ahar (the right food), Pranayama (control of bioenergy, the most easily recognized form of which is breathing) and Pratayahara (withdrawing the mind from sense objects).

Yoga says ‘action’ and ‘reaction’ are animal instincts. Stop reacting in life, but concentrate on action at the right time and in the right manner. Thus, yoga is a complete practical system of self-culture, working through the harmonious development of one’s body, mind and dormant spiritual potencies.

 

- From: ‘Yoga for All’ of The Yoga Institute


     JULY 2004

Vedic Rashtra / Rama Rajya


Vedic Rashtra in an instrumentality for creating and sustaining the state of society under the world-view described here as the Rama Rajya. The creation of the Vedic Rashtra means neither harm to any community nor appeasement of any group, community, sex or individual. Creation of the Vedic Rashtra in Bharat is a matter of historical exigency.

The ideological basis of the existing civilization is essentially sensate (truth subjected to the testimony of sense organs), materialistic (an irrevocable denial of divine purpose and the spiritual meaning of life), nihilistic (reckless denial of everything worthwhile, meaningful, intrinsic, transcendental and purposeful), technocratic (practically making human dignity and freedom subservient to technology: man for machine) and market oriented (man treated at par with goods, commodities, objects: his value determined by the currency). Under the impact of its poisonous thoughtways man is increasingly growing into a beast in terms of his attitudes, feelings, interactions with his fellow-beings, and above all, in his thinking: survival of the fittest.

Stripped of his human attributes, man is reduced to a mere competitor, a money-maker, and worst of all, a robot. We are now witnessing a global insanity; drive for death and an increasing desensitization as regards the human feelings for the human beings. The psychological consequences are de-humanized societies and cultures resulting in conflicts, wars, genocide and mental and psychosomatic disorders.

The philosophy of Rama Rajya derived from the Vedas and the Upanishads, counteracts this most destructive character of the existing civilization because it increases the distance between man and the beast, which is surely the goal of human evolution. The philosophy of Rama Rajya is therefore essentially evolutionary, and powerful enough to avert the crisis of our age, created by the anti-evolutionary forces.

The philosophy of Rama Rajya can effectively provide an alternative to Dialectical Materialism of Marx. I call it Dialectical Idealism. It gives us a wisdom contained in the Isa Upanishad. Hence, ‘the wise man, who realizes all beings as not distinct from his own Self and his own Self as the Self of all beings, does not by virtue of that perception hate anyone’. LOVE, AND NOT HATRED, SHALL BE THE BASIS OF THE VEDIC RASHTRA.

          Bhavan’s Journal, April 2004                                 Prof. Moazziz Ali Beg


  OCTOBER 2004

India, the Homeland of the Vedic Heritage


India must be protected and kept as the homeland of the Vedic heritage, Sanatana-Dharma, Hinduism. After a study of some forty years and more of the great religions of the world, I find none so perfect, none so scientific, none so philosophic, and none so spiritual as the great religion known by the name of Hinduism. The more you know it, the more you will love it; the more you try to understand it, the more deeply you will value it. Make no mistake; without Hinduism, India has no future. Hinduism is the soil into which India’s roots are struck, and torn of that she will inevitably wither, as a tree torn out from its place. Many are the religions and many are the races flourishing in India, but none of them stretches back into the far dawn of her past, nor are they necessary for her endurance as a nation. Everyone might pass away as they came and India would still remain. But let Hinduism vanish and what is she? A geographical expression of the past, a dim memory of a perished glory, her literature, her art, her monuments, all have Hindudom written across them. And if Hindus do not maintain Hinduism, who shall save it? If India’s own children do not cling to her faith, who shall guard it? India alone can save India, and India & Hinduism are one.”

          Yuva Bharti, May 2004                      Dr. Annie Besant


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