by Gurani Anjali
When I think of violence and non-violence – causes and effects come to my mind. Man must evolve – animal life must evolve – plant life must evolve – mineral life must evolve, etc., etc.
In order for this to unfold, suppression, regression and progression is necessary. How and when this takes place is a matter of great importance. Since mankind desires the no-pain life he is compelled to act for the preservation of his species; both through articulate and sophisticated means, and sometimes through sheer brute force.
Every revolutionary has felt a tension within his personal circumference of circumstances. Nationwide, and worldwide, the tremors are felt when a stand is taken for the preservation of human dignity.
To penetrate the complexity of the situation at hand, great consideration must be taken; ideas and actions must be measured against the relativistic, but not unnecessary, experience of reality. Upon closer observation of the problems that confront man, the conflict to set a mode of activity becomes complex, irreducible, fragmented, and dynamic.
In contemporary life psychological reductionism is often used when men of history are elevated. Great leaders have held a place of high standing precisely because of their personal direct experience with revolutionary struggle.
Mohandas Gandhi has become a symbol for the people confronted by problems. His mode of activity for the liberation of his people was non-violence (ahimsa). He was influenced by many great minds and he was strong in himself to take the stand.
Martin Luther King, hero in America, took a stand to lead the oppressed. He, like Gandhi, felt the pain and the anguish of his people and cried with a loud voice, “I have a dream,” “I’ve been to the mountain.” The people heard him; political status quo, economic relationships, and the ramifications of all actions were acutely watched, understood, and grasped. He gave to African Americans a model role and assigned to them the task to reform the structure of the racist imperialism within, thereby [individually] becoming responsible for the death of racism around the globe.
No one wants pain, yet the experience is necessary. If one is born blind or maimed in any way, that pain one [must] live through. But pain caused by social conditions is not tolerated for long; which is one reason why revolutionaries rise up from time to time and their life is held in the balance – becomes the sacrifice – the Avatara (living embodiment) – an Ideal.
Men – women – children – wake up and learn the truth of life and live it. Take responsibility for your life and your actions; then there won’t be a need for leaders, for all will be able to live.
Think of Christ, Buddha, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, all the philosophers and many, many others who raised their voices, made themselves known, so that you may know. They have rid themselves of the world – will the world be able to rid itself of them? The price they paid was too great and that was their individual lives – their Life! Many have died in the pursuit of freedom and many are yet to die. So many wars have been fought, in the dense jungles, in the air, in the deserts, man against man…if you know of a veteran who was on the battlefield, give him your attention, hear him, try to see through his eyes. Yes, many come back beat up and torn up, they don’t know which side is up or down, which way to go. The government gives them consolation prizes, gifts, badges, veteran benefits, G.I. checks – does that make up for the pain encountered? No, my friend, their blood and tears are upon every house, that’s why you are not happy no matter how much wealth and prosperity you may have. You will never see the daylight – all knowledge will remain a theory – until you move to rid the world of ignorance by the example you set for yourself. Yes, many have died and are yet to die – will you be responsible?
This is the scientific age in which philosophy and religion have to fight to stay alive. And it has been my experience in the many circumstances of my life to witness the yearning look of each individual I meet. The look which says “I don’t care anymore” or “I want to know” of the true actions and reactions of life; the causes and effects and the reason of it all.
The field of science is trying to bring these facts to the masses – will they succeed? In order for man to live a harmonious life in society it will be necessary to adopt a way of life for entire masses, which is an impossibility in this age of science and technology. However, the practice of yoga could alleviate some of the problems that face mankind, thus enabling him to find a place in the culture amidst the chaos and turmoil of day to day existence.
Astanga — Raja Yoga
Asanas: For the body, the home you live in, the vehicle through which you move in order to penetrate the many mysteries of life.
Yama and Niyama: Disciplines for the mind to guide the thoughts in the pathways of your life.
Pratyahara: Knowledge derived from the practice of the yamas and niyama, comes the experience of the withdrawal of cultural notions, values, and falseness of all kinds – acute attachment to the realness of life through direct experience sets in – pratyahara, is a state of awareness.
There is a man-made world and there is the Natural Phenomena. You must know both – because you live in both worlds. And yet you live in neither, because you are beyond time, beyond place, beyond form. Some know it and some don’t. Therefore know all things and be free.
Dharana: To hold firm with the thoughts, the subject desired to be understood and known. Why? Because there is a reason for everything and the curiosity of man must be appeased.
Pranayama: To fill the body and the mind with pranic energy to revitalize the nervous system, so that you can know what is to be known and enjoy your existence.
Dhyana: To contemplate and to realize the existence of all existence within you.
Samadhi: This is an experience no one can talk or write about; however many attempts have been made. Some individuals never remember this experience. Samadhi-born people are rare – you can never figure them out. They show a remarkable amount of intelligence, strength, vigor, charisma, power, and their love is intoxicating. Man is being pressured on all sides – this must cease. Be a Jnani and know through the mind the understanding of life. Then live and be happy.
Om, shanti,
Gurani Anjali