In the middle of the battlefield Arjuna asked Sri Krishna the signs of a man in stithaprajna (steadfast wisdom). Sri Krisnas answer is found in chapter two of Bhagavad Gita. This portion of Gita used to be recited in the evening prayer of Gandhi at Sevagram. It throws light on the qualities of a realized person. What then are the signs of this newly programmed person? this new world? new creation (navasrushti)? this person actualizing potentials while striving for realization? This world in its physical, mental, and spiritual entity facing the struggles of being and becoming, stress and tension, and other vicissitudes of life needs to steadfastly stay on the path of realization. Before we proceed further, a word about self-actualization is in order. Kurt Goldstein, a psychologist, pointed to the organism’s master motive or basic drive or tendency for self-actualization of its full potential. Carl Rogers, also a psychologist, talked about the restorative, curative force in psychotherapy as the human’s tendency to actualize oneself, express, and activate all capacities of the organism. In the theory of hierarchy of needs of Abraham Maslow, another psychologist, self-actualization as the final development, where all mental needs are fulfilled and where full human potential is realized, was brought to prominence. Through self-actualization everyone fully becomes what one is capable of. Every person is guided by the reality principle, to use a psychoanalytic term, wherein he/she is willing to meet the stern and unavoidable demands of reality for actualization, which in turn involves delay of gratification or postponing of immediate pleasure. We need to leave at the earliest the world of consumerism, that got us stuck in the world of immediate pleasure, and that has not learnt to delay gratification for a worthy cause, and that is leading us to blind alleys.
Our current world has been in trial and error for a long time, and has learnt what to avoid, but is stuck like a car in deep snow or mud, and has to be dislodged. Like an alcoholic it has the knowledge but not the wisdom or insight to kick the habit and move onto health. Various models of humanity (for instance, Buddha, Christ, Muhammed, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Ramanna Maharshi, Vivekananda, Narayana Guru, and Gandhi, to mention a few) have identified, and the prophets living are boldly identifying ingredients for realization. There are so-called God-men/women with a lot of hype, fanfare, and extravagant promotion, who instead of being pointers to the destination or reality beyond this world try to become the destination themselves. We need to beware of such false prophets because they diminish our own humanity and divinity by appropriating all of divinity for themselves. We cannot and should not pay homage to any human being at the expense of our own humanity. The main difference between the realized and the unrealized is that the realized know that they are realized while the unrealized do not. The principle that we need to keep in mind always is that everybody has something to contribute to the development and expansion of the entire humanity. It is the restless vacuum within us that impels us and takes us to someone who we think has the answer that we are looking for. Nobody has the definitive answer. So a brief stop on a way station is alright, but to tarry and get stuck there distracts us from our destination. The real answer is within us. It is important to acquaint ourselves with all the knowledge available with regard to realization. But as the answer is within us we need to get into the depth of our own being for the answer that we have been running around for. Once our formation and training period is over, it is us, our conscience, and our God.
Even as I am writing this I do not like the news (August 4, 2011) that the international community is allowing 1. A dictator like Assad in Syria massacring over hundred persons agitating for freedom in Hama, 2. Innumerable deaths caused by unprecedented famine due to severe droughts and inhuman political system in Somalia. The cyber espionage and theft (internet hacking) that could severely affect global economies and human lives reportedly traced to China is also deplorable. Human rights violations anywhere affect all of us as inhabitants of this earth and emphasize the urgency of the new world we need to create. We are all programmed. We all live by the script given us and absorbed by our brain through the mechanism of introjections. We all act by the messages that shape us, and that have been consciously or unconsciously assimilated by us from our immediate molders (parents, religious leaders, teachers, peers, politicians, sports-persons and entertainment personalities).
We have one life to live. It is our God-given duty to choose that life in freedom without any encumbrances or interference from any quarters. Love, empathy, and compassion will be the distinguishing characteristics of a fully formed person. Everything else flows from them. This person:
Lives a spirit-led life; enters into inner self and listens to the dictates of a well-formed conscience, and acts accordingly; discerns God’s will on an on-going basis; makes serious decisions only after discernment, due reflection, and meditation.
Has purity of intention, affective detachment or earthy, involved holy indifference.
Is purpose-driven and goal-oriented and allows others what is allowed for self.
Is altruistic; loves others as loves self; does conscientiously what is expected from others.
Is free of biases and prejudices on the basis of gender, religion, race, caste, color, class, nationality, political affiliation, ideology.
Is honest, self-transparent, authentic, and genuine; states what is on mind; practices what is preached; does not manipulate others for own ends.
Accepts human beings as they are wherever they are; reveres and respects them unconditionally.
Is impartial and as objective as possible; is always on the side of truth.
Enjoys inner freedom; is fearless; distinguishes clearly means and ends; follows own path guided by a deep bond with the Supreme Consciousness.
Takes care of body, mind, and spirit through wholesome and healthy habits.
Enjoys inner peace and harmony; keeps promises made; celebrates life.
Considers the whole world to be own family; will not intentionally harm or neglect anybody.
Uses earth’s and own resources for self and others as a trustee of the Supreme Being; is mindful of ecological balance; does not exploit earth’s resources.
Is democratic in outlook; seeks widest possible consensus in decision-making with regard to family and public matters.
Examines and evaluates life, works on ever greater awareness, and reforms self.
Next:Theological Harmony
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