Morning Circus

The schools have started again and the traffic is all over the place. It has once again gotten busy in the mornings. Like at mine, the Morning hustle-bustle similar to a circus must have begun at several homes. It’s quite a sight in the mornings to see half-asleep kids being hurried into the buses as early as 6.30 AM. Will it not be better to start elemenatary school a bit later, say at 8.30? I wonder. More kids will then eat a healthier breakfast. 
One day, amidst all the morning circus, my little one  asked – Mama, Why shouldn’t I be a bird or a butterfly? I wouldn't have to go to school. I will be so free, so happy! I wouldn’t have to wake up so early.

This is indeed a serious question especailly as it was asked by a 5 year old at 5.45 in the morning. Hence I gave it some thought. I want to tell my little one:

Aridhu aridhu manidarai pirathal aridhu,

adhaninum aridhu goon, kurudu, sevidu pedu neengi, pirathal aridhu,

nyanamum kalviyum nayathal aridhu,  dhanamum dhanamum seivadharidhu.

The above means – “To be born a human is most venerable;  even more revered is to be born as a human without goon (hump on the back), blindness, deafness or sickness. This is because humans have the freewill to seek knowledge, to learn and to have the ability to do dhanam (charity/help others)”

There is a also nice saying with similar intent in the 3^rd chapter of Bhagvadh Gita:

mayi sarvāṇi karmāṇi

sannyasyādhyātma-cetasā

nirāśīr nirmamo bhūtvā

yudhyasva vigata-jvaraḥ

The above is one of the most important verses on Karma Yoga, which is based on 5 principles :

1)  Adhyatma Cetasa – Humans have the ability to choose and pursue spiritual goals.They can choose: To take a bigger perspective of life and to be peaceful. To know the difference between Atma and Anatma, Nithya and Anithya. To think and prioritise things such as service to mankind over the daily run of the mill in life, and to choose spiritual happiness over materialistic happiness.

Often misconstrued is the meaning of ‘To be peaceful’. This does not mean one has to renounce all actions and becomes a saint. Infact the scriptures laud the people who are active in the world, yet practice Karmayoga. Karma means ‘Action’ and yoga means ’Attitude’. Thus doing the right action with the right attitude is the gist of the 2 words given above.

2)  Mayi sarvani karmani – Right action is a huge subject – what does right action mean? there are several chapters that talk about this subject in the scriptures. The simplest definition is to do things that will not prick our conscience – i.e. to do actions that will not disturb our peace and does not become the reason to wake up at night. It is said that even a thief knows that stealing is a wrong deed. He hears the inner voice, however quashes it. Do not quash your inner voice, listen and act rightfully. And dedicate these actions to God.

3)  Nirāśīr – is to be free from hankering for the rewards of the actions. This means to do actions ‘with’ happiness rather than ‘for’ happiness, and to let go of worrying (about results). Worrying is not a deliberate action – it is a sign of not being in control. Again do not confuse with Planning – Planning is a good thing –  we should plan for right actions and for rightful goals. Mahatma Gandhi had rightful goals, so did Mother Terasa. Having a goal and planning for it is a good thing,  but worrying is not a good thing. 

4)  Nirmamo – in simple terms means to be humble. Humility is the greatest virtue and nirmamah means to be without a sense of Ego.To denounce the ‘I did it!’ attitude on getting success and to look at things in a humble and understanding manner.

5)  Vigata-jvaraḥ – To perform without a sense of grief.  This has a slightly deeper connotation. To have a equanimous  and balanced attitude towards deeds. To have a 'Work is worship' attitude and to love the work one has to do. In spite of the work not being in line with one’s Swabava (liking). In case you do the work you love, you are double blessed, otherwise love the work you do.

It is said that these principles will help us understand why it is better off being a human than a bird.

I want to tell my little one all of the above. However, I realise the timing may not be right. Hence I pack his school bag and hurry him into the bus. As the bus drives away and his gleamng eyes go past me, I ponder what Gandhiji said.

"The best way to find you is to lose yourself in the service of others", said the Mahatma.

This note is for all the moms and dads who do the Morning Circus!

Adieu

Incredible Teens

When I was a teenager, the best display at my school science exhibition was that of a wind turbine model. Now a days Teens do amazing things - they have built working models of cars, planes, created bio-plastic from banana peels, written hundreds of mobile apps etc. Their access to information, ideas, images and sounds is unimaginably huge and is without any precedent.

Yet it appears, Teens are doing 2 things simultaneously - they are growing up way too fast on one hand and on another they are not growing up at all. The tween to teen transition seems to equally tough on the parent and the Teen. The sweet child who would cuddle on my arms and hang around family members is undergoing changes both cognitively and behaviourally. There are several changes that a parent of a Teen can list - for example the increase in bbming, texting, surfing and calling friends is equally compensated by his/her decreased communication with family members.

I think the point here is that we, the people around the Teen (as parents, teachers, neighbours, friends) do not change our behavior towards them. This is because Teens still depend a great deal on family and friend in spite of their assertion for independence. Though they appear to have become less caring and less communicative, we should strive to understand them and talk to them as much as possible. Often, the reason for their angst is imprudent and is of miniscule significance in the vast landscape of life that beckons them ahead. Yet these small issues appear as larger than life problems in front of them. It will be easier if we acknowledge the concern as they visualize it (and not to write it off with our experience), listen and provide guidance in a manner their mind can make sense of it. The crux obviously is to talk and to gain their confidence.

Neurologists say the assertion and moodiness of teenagers is apparently due to their developing brain cells which are slightly out of sync. "The brakes become functional somewhat later than the accelerator" - Apparently the limbic system (the emotional seat of the brain) develops faster than the prefrontal cortex (rational seat) and the brain can be out of sync for up to 5 years during the teen years.

As a parent, teacher or friend - the cognizance that the tough exterior a Teen portrays is a wrap over a very vulnerable, sensitive inner self may help us provide the right support. Towards building a strong sense of self confidence and righteousness in the Teen as they transform into becoming future citizens of the world.

There is an interesting connect with Vedanta on the above subject - comforting the distressed and the "student" in particular has been acknowledged as one of the Panchamaha Yagnas (5 Selfless Services) in Vedanta. Perhaps the plight of a Teen/ Student has not changed much over the course of 5000 years!

The 5 Yagnas (Selfless services) are as follows.

1.    Bhoota-Yagna - This is the service to the plants, trees, birds, animals, insects and the environment by and large. Watering trees, providing food to birds and animals and being kind to them is a noble service recognized as a maha (great) Yagna (service).

2.    Manusha-Yagna - Service to humanity and society is a great service and is the only way to distribute happiness and wealth to others. It is said that one should spend a part of his earnings  in charity and social service. Service to the poor and needy, comforting distressed people and students have a special reference here.

3.    Brahma-Yagna - Learning scriptures, understanding and practicing the stated and teaching others.

4.    Pitr-Yagna -  Prayers to parents, forefathers and ancestors as they are the reasons for a person's existence. Taking good care of parents and elders has a special reference here.

5.    Deva-Yagna - Any form of worship for inner purification, could be meditation, praying etc.

It is said that by performing the Panchamaha Yagnas (5 Selfless Services) every day, we will develop kindness, hatred/selfishness will vanish and the egoistic heart will soften and we will have a wider perspective of life.

 Cheers 

Action

The power of the choice of the common man became evident when a brand new kid in the bloc rallied against veteran bureaucrats and politicians and formed a government recently. This has re-kindled hopes in a billion people over the despondency created by scams, scandals, rising prices and corruption. Desperate to have a change & as a drowning man clutches a straw - people have univocally voted for change. The power of democracy resonates even after one and half centuries and reminds us of Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg words.
 

Much as voting is an action that a person has to exercise to see change, it does not guarantee the result he or she wishes for.

A famous couplet from the Geetha deals with actions and results.
 

Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshou kada chana

Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhur: matey Sangostva Akarmani

The first quarter says A person has the choice of doing action - he has freewill - he can choose one action over other. This is the reason why people act differently in similar situations.

"Phaleshou adhikara kada chana Maam" - However, he or she does not have a choice on the results.
 

Though the verse is quite popular, this is supposedly the most misinterpreted verse.


There is a friend of mine who talks about this whenever he does not get the desired result - this is fate or this is god's will or there is a predetermined outcome - so why perform action?

I vote for a party - and when the results are announced and the party I voted for wins – I feel elated, I say "see, my vote mattered". What if the party did not win? -
here as well, my vote mattered, but there were other factors that mattered as well. Results are decided by my action but not by my action alone.

 

People had assembled for a Geetha class on a rainy evening. Just as the teacher started teaching the meaning of the above verse, there was an electricity failure and the microphone stopped working. When the power came back after a few minutes, the teacher said: "The desired action today is to take the Geetha class - so I have done my bit which is to come to the class. However I wouldn’t have taken the class if many of you had decided not to attend the class (due to the rain). Had you all come and had I not arrived, then too the desired results would not have been produced. Even if all of us attend but if the electricity fails, then too the desired result will not be produced. He continued, “To produce the desired result – your action is important. Your action contributes to the result but is not the sole determinant of the result".

 

 

Having freewill to act also means we act according to dharma. The basis of all beliefs are absolutely identical. The Hasshōdō of Japanese and the astanagamarga of Sanskrit or for that matter of any other belief is exactly the same - right action, right intention, right speech etc. The rituals followed may be different but the principles remain the same.
 

Whatever you do may be small (insignificant), but it is very important that you do it. - Mahatma Gandhi

Society does not go down because of the activities of criminals but because of the inaction of good people.  - Swami Vivekananda