‘Ethics in Vedanta’ is a series of blogs we will be publishing from the book, ‘The Choice is Yours‘ by Swami Chinmayananda. Our choices should be based on some ethics and values. Here we understand what are the ethics mentioned in Vedanta. After reading and understanding each value we will be better equipped to make the ‘Right Choice.’
Dynamism is generated when we discover for ourselves a goal and dedicate ourselves to it with reverence and love. When once we have a clear concept of the goal and have surrendered ourselves to it, the goal or ideal itself will provide us with the necessary inspiration and strength. One can draw in exhaustible strength from a chosen ideal. No sacrifice will be found too great for the sake of the ideal and life itself would be cast off with a smile in dedication at that altar. In this way, martyrs could walk to the gallows with a smile on their faces.
What is important is that one should choose the right ideal – an ideal worthy enough to sacrifice one’s own life for. The ideal should be inspiring; it should rouse the spring of activity in us. Thus, the discovery of the right ideal is the secret of generating in ourselves dynamism and vitality in its fullness. Take the case of Swami Vivekananda; he was a very ordinary man until he was inspired by Sri Ramakrishna to work for a goal. Mahatma Gandhi was only an ordinary law clerk until he discovered a noble goal and set out to pursue it.
It is an observed fact that people are generally lacking in dynamism. Dynamism may be present, but it is misspent, dissipated, and wasted in unproductive channels. Instead of directing the dynamism along the right felids of activity and gearing it for constructive purposes, it is being wasted in harmful ends. This occurs when individuals have no spiritual goal, no noble ideal to strive for and no chosen field of endeavour. If, however, they can gear up their faculties and utilize them to achieve a noble goal, they too can develop into great men of achievement. This is what the philosophy of Vedanta proclaims.
According to Vedanta, conservation of vitality so generated can be achieved by a distinct way of living. It is a mode of living, that while contacting world outside the mental reactions, the thought agitations, and the dissipation of the mind are all substantially reduced. The mind should always strive to remain undisturbed. Calmness, serenity and tranquillity of mind lead to conservation of vitality.
Often, however, we lose our equanimity and peace of mind over trivial issues. We get irritated at the state of things around us and in the society. We believe that everything is wrong and that every person except ourselves is wrong. And we give vent to anger and thus dissipate our energy. Whenever a thought arises in our mind and goes out, energy is wasted. We suffer from a million thoughts and agitations every waking moment, and so energy is constantly getting depleted. When the mind is seized with desire and agitation due to worry, all our faculties dry up. It is therefore essential for the mind to be disciplined.
You would like to read Great minds make a great nation by Swami Chinmayananda.
Through mental discipline, energies and faculties get conserved. Why is it that an intelligent student does not think of going to the movie theatre during his exams? It is because he is trying to conserve all his energy to apply to the studies. Thus, he is conserving his mental vitality and is strengthening it to achieve a set purpose, which in this instance is success in the examination. This inner vitality is one’s real wealth and all mental decapitations deplete this wealth.
In today’s world, this important aspect of the human personality lies neglected. It is hardly the fault of man since he knows not the state of his inner personality. Therefore, religion holds a mirror up to man’s real nature within and progeny holds a mirror up to man’s real nature within and provides him with the ways and means of chastening his emotions and edifying his thoughts, thereby enabling him to conserve the inner vitality and live a more dynamic and cheerful life.
As we cultivate and train the mind and intellect, so shall we become. Tune them to the impermanent lower values of negativity, and we become insensible animals. Train them to think and act in terms of higher and permanent values of love, tolerance, and mercy, and we become cultured and perfected architects of our future.
The mind and intellect of man need to be carefully tended and nurtured in order that they may usher him into a freer and more expansive existence. It is therefore necessary for us to put forth our efforts in the direction indicated in the scriptures to enable us to grow inwardly and help bring about a progressive and healthy society.