||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||
||Aum Namo Narayanaya||
There is a psychological theory which purports man as
a social being. This is probably based on our inherent longing to communicate,
share, love and form relationships. We tend to feel comfort, strength and
immense joy when in the company of someone we deem special. Besides the
personal aspects of this bonding, we come to the realisation that the society
module will fail to operate without the harmonious interaction with one
another. Great things have been achieved through the collective co-operation of
men/women for a common purpose. However, we find that in our contemporary
surroundings... these bonds are merely forged on a “superficial level” in that
it exists only if some personal benefit is derived from it. It fails to
penetrate beyond the physical layer.
As I am disillusioned by the transience of these
mundane relationships, I marvel at the level these bonds are forged amongst
spiritually elevated beings. Their union goes beyond just unity of purpose...
but they become an extension of each other by discovering and exposing the non-dualistic
nature of creation.
Once, Sri Ramakrishna had a vision in which He
explained that God has covered all with His maya.
He doesn't
let us know anything. He who puts maya
aside to see God, can see Him. Once, when I was explaining God's actions to
someone, God suddenly showed me the lake at Kamarpukur. I saw a man removing
the green scum and drinking the water. The water was clear as crystal. God
revealed to me that Satchidananda is
covered by the scum of maya. He who
puts the green scum aside can drink the water.
When we engage to form bonds with people... we take
some of the following criteria into consideration, viz: common interests,
gender, social status, wealth, physical appearance etc. These are formed on the
foundations of the green scum or maya
that Master speaks of.
In the lives of the elevated beings, we see a total
contrast from our approach. They go beyond the physical and establish these
bonds on an extremely pure level.
Our emotions are stretched to the heights of divine
euphoria when we contemplate on the relationships between Sri Rama and Hanuman
& Sri Ramakrishna and Vivekananda (Swami) who have majestically enunciated
the inextricable link that exists between every form of creation.
As much as the Master was regarded as a ‘mad man’
and was ridiculed by sections of society, it was the purity of thought and word
that emanated from Sri Ramakrishna that immediately attracted Naren (Swami
Vivekananda’s pre-monastic name) and gravitated His entire life towards Sri
Ramakrishna. So much so, that even after His mahasamadhi, Swami Vivekananda was the extension of His life and
work. During the first encounter with Hanuman - having seen
Rama and Lakshmana, Sugriva sends Hanuman to ascertain their identities.
Hanuman approaches the two brothers in the guise of a brahmin. His first words to them are such that Rama says to
Lakshmana that none could speak the way the brahmin
did unless he or she had mastered the vedas.
He notes that there is no defect in the brahmin's
countenance, eyes, forehead, brows, or any limb. He points out to Lakshmana
that his accent is captivating... adding that even an enemy with sword drawn
would be moved. He praises the disguised Hanuman further... saying that sure
success awaited the King whose emissaries were as accomplished as he was.
When Rama introduces Himself, the brahman identifies Himself as Hanuman and falls in prostration before Rama, who embraces Him warmly. How wonderfully we notice how Rama looked beyond the physical and engaged with the purity that Hanumanji was.
In the way we appreciate and express delight of these friendships, we must also understand they form the basis on how we should live our lives. If our body is the Hanuman or Vivekananda, the atman is the Rama or Ramakrishna. Instead of being subservient to the senses or the mind, we should take the atman as our master -becoming totally surrendered and absorbed in the atman- and then we shall enjoy the highest peace. We shall enjoy victory in our life and against all the challenges that confront us.
Like how taking the name of Sri Rama, Hanuman was able to scale the mighty ocean; lift the gigantic mountain; torch Lanka and defeat many demons along the way... Swami Vivekananda in total surrender to His Master was able to awaken the sleeping masses in India... sparking a spiritual revolution and taking these noble ideas to the West in order harmonise humanity in thought, word and deed.
Our bodies must become an
extension of the atman within. The
body must become an instrument of this divinity - and every action, word and
thought must reflect it. There must be complete synthesis between the inner
spirit and the outer being. It is in this great friendship and bond that great
things can be achieved. If each person can make the effort with sincerity to
achieve this, it will be the start of a revolution towards the ‘golden age’. As
we start to socialise and network with such people in the world, their
character and demeanor will become infectious and viral. Hatred, jealousy, envy
and other vices will be replaced by love and harmony.
The good and peace we want to
see in the world starts right here within us. When each and every one of us
takes a conscious decision to think and act purely, the world will surely
change. Swamiji said:
The
highest men are calm, silent and unknown. They are the men who really know the
power of thoughts; they are sure that, even if they go into a cave and close
the door and simply think five true thoughts and then pass away, these five
thoughts of theirs will live through eternity. Indeed such thoughts will
penetrate through the mountains, cross the oceans, and travel through the
world.
May we all establish a relationship like Rama and
Hanuman & Master and Swamiji between our body and soul. Let that be our
contribution towards dharma and world
peace, is my sincere prayer.
With love
and prayers always
Yogan
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