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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/05/01/stories/2003050100250900.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

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Religion

  

 

Actions depend on one's vision

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

MAY 1

 

.. Man's actions and responses to situations depend on his vision

understanding of life. And, his vision defines his value system. Suppose a

person is in need of money and someone tells him to steal the amount, will he do

it? It depends on his values. In the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna gave Arjuna only

a vision. He did not bring about any change in the external situation. The

change took place within Arjuna.

 

In the concluding chapter of the Gita, the Lord speaks of three types of

perspectives. Actually there can be as many philosophies as there are

individuals but they can all be broadly classified into three. That vision is

noble in which the person is able to see one truth in all. This is the highest

vision. The next is the mediocre type in which everything appears to be

different without anything common to them. So only the difference is apparent to

the person.

 

The third is the worst of all in which the individual gets attached to something

and takes this part to be the whole. The result of this understanding can be

seen in people's lives. For instance, some think that money is everything in

life and are convinced that with money it is possible to achieve anything. But,

actually what human beings need most in life like love, affection, health, peace

of mind and security cannot be secured with money. So if one aspect of life is

mistaken for the whole and this pursued relentlessly the person is bound to

become miserable. The majority of people led such a life and when the object of

their attachment collapsed, their life was reduced to a shambles, said Swami

Tejomayananda in his discourse.

 

In the case of those who see only difference this vision creates divisions.

Besides, attention only to difference gives rise to preferences and dislikes. As

likes and dislikes are not constant, they end up pursuing one interest after

another without finding fulfilment in life. But, if one sees the underlying

oneness despite all the differences, this vision of unity changes one's

perspective of life with the realisation that as existence one is on the same

level as all creation. A human being is certainly different from animals but as

living beings they are same. So also man can identify himself with plants, as

life is common to them. In the case of material objects identification is

possible as existence.

 

 

 

 

 

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