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Evil all around in the world

Chinmaya International Foundation > Evil all around in the world
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    • April 11, 2024 at 7:23 pm #623853
      dadmin CIF
      Keymaster

      As mentioned, such situations will always exist (and have existed). When something is not impacted me and mine, should I just focus on myself?

      From what I understand, we need to realize what we can change and what we cannot (this is also mentioned in Ch2 – aparihāryārthe na tvaṁ śocitumarhasi, and in Ch18 when describing tāmasikakarma). My understanding is that if we have the means and the resources, we should act as long as it does not disturb us. This is part of the pañca mahāyajñas. I will not be able to sit down quietly if my family, my neighborhood, my community, and other extensions are turbulent. I need to do my part — that is also the duty we have (towards society, sanatanadharma, etc.). And if we do it with the right attitude (do the right thing, offer it to īśvara, take the results as prasāda and keep going), then this is part of the sādhanā. Part of the sādhanā is to prepare the mind and these kind of opportunities provide ways to purify the mind. This of course also depends on one’s disposition, etc. Some people will not be able to not act — for them it is better to contribute in some way (e.g. even participating in some protest, etc.); otherwise they will continue to feel that they didn’t do the right thing (it depends on their nature) and that generates more disturbance for them. Others, who are by nature lot more quiet, may not feel such an urge and they can contribute by different means.

      The problem that you point out though is pretty broad and it becomes hard to discuss it in that context (e.g. terrorism in the world). But when I talk about the direct impact on my community due to propaganda and direct action, then it is my duty to spend some time to learn about it, educate others, and do whatever I should do to do the right thing. The key here is that I don’t want to fully get dragged into it such that I ‘become’ my anger/feelings/etc. So I must do it very consciously – I do want to maintain my peace of mind and ensure that the mind doesn’t get into the agitated state of mind (which is an indication that I’m not dealing with it as I should — agitation is a sign that I either didn’t do the right thing, didn’t offer the action to bhagavān, or there is anxiety about the result – meaning I don’t yet trust bhagavān to give me what is due, etc.). So, it depends on how resourceful I am, what stage of sādhanā I am in, what is called for, etc. but surely not doing anything doesn’t sound right (at least learning about the issue, and talking to members in the community to make sure they understand the issues… these kind of activities can be done).

      This can be directly related to Arjun’s situation. He also didn’t want to do anything with the war. Just quietly exit and call it a day! You can also see what Bhagavān Saṅkarācārya did, Gurudev did, etc.

    • April 11, 2024 at 7:23 pm #623851
      Arvind1 Kannan
      Participant

      The problem of evil was always there as was during the time of Mahabharata. If there is something one can do or help in whatever capacity as part of the duty I think one can do. But many things are not in our hand.

      One must stick to sadhana as the best help one can do to the world is in one’s progress. As seen many saints have transformed the world.

      Self transformation therefore plays an important role. There are other things one can do like spreading the knowledge amongst whomever we can. Through such small steps one can do one’s part. Vedanta equips one to face life in such situations, nevertheless we must not falter in our duties or what we can do within our limits.

    • April 11, 2024 at 7:23 pm #623857
      Anonymous
      Guest

      Om Shanti
      Vedanta teaches non-violence which means no tendency to violence at the mental level, there is no tendency to hate, be violent, prejudice, or harm someone. It is not at the physical level. In reality, hurting someone physically doesn’t mean harming someone. What remains beyond the physical body; what remains beyond the mind & intellect?
      Lord Krishna teaches Arjuna not to fight for individual revenge or gain, but to fight, kill for righteousness. In fact, warriors like Bhishma, Karna, Duryodhana actually get freedom from painful lives with the end of their physical bodies.
      However, time changes and that time is not now. The universe runs with the law of action. With limited tools, a human being is unable to judge what is happening in the rest of the world. With the broader picture, it seems whatever is happening, happening for good. Today, Human beings have to follow the system and the rules. But, how a human being can take the right decision while staying with the system when the mind is disturbed by all the changes in the world of objects which is not within control?
      There is no straight cut answer to every actions happening in this world.

      Vedanta teaches how to keep inner equipment calm. When the inner equipments remain calm irrespective of the changes in the external world, the right decision, the right way is possible. With the right decision, the right action is possible.

      While spiritualizing the tendency, the mind remains pure and calm, and then the power of the intellect of a human being will provide the answer at that moment.
      Om Shanti

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