San Ramon Q & A: Politics and Spirituality

[Guest guest]

M.A. Center

San Ramon, CA

 

Evening Program

June 12, 2003

 

A woman reminded Amma that the previous night Amma had said

that there was no real separation between the physical and material

life. The woman needed more explanation. In particular, she thought

about the many people who had been involved in the U.S. peace

movement opposing the war in Iraq. This questioner mentioned her

favorite US presidential candidate and said that she wanted to

support him. According to the woman, in a speech Amma made before the

UN, Amma said that politics is not "the answer." The woman

said, "People say that, for evil to take over a country, all that is

needed is for good people not to participate in government." The

woman asked Amma to explain further what she meant by "Politics is

not the answer."

 

Amma replied, :"That statement means that one should understand the

basic nature of the world. When we understand the spiritual

principles, we can manage anything.

 

There are two kinds of education. One is education for

living (getting a degree) and the other is education for life.

Education for life is spirituality. Spirituality helps us understand

the constantly changing nature of life. Then we can adjust to the

changing conditions.

 

If you learn how to drive properly, you can drive safely. If

you drive safely, still you can have an accident. If you

understand the constantly changing nature of life, this will not

surprise you..

 

Suppose you know there are firecrackers in a place. When you

go there, you will not be startled by loud noises. Similarly, when

you visit an insane asylum, you adopt a witnessing attitude. What we

need is mental and emotional preparation so we can have the right

attitude at the right time. That is dharma.

 

Spirituality is what enables us to air-condition the inside

world. Materialism only air conditions the outside. Politics alone

will not solve everything. We need spirituality too. It's not that

we don't need politics. We need all of it, but we need to be awake

first. Even if there is politics and politicians in the outside

world, we need to be awake or nothing will work properly. Only when

individuals awaken will righteousness be established.

 

In spite of police, crimes are committed. In spite of the

military, the terrorists attack.

 

If people awake, there will be no more poverty or hunger.

Rich people will not keep on grabbing things, amassing wealth with

no concern for others. However, we want everything outside, the

police, the courts, the military, to solve these problems.

 

Just as we will keep a dog at home for our safety, we should take

care of our own inside.

 

Spirituality means acquiring enough inner strength to face the events

of life. Politicians, police departments, military don't do this for

us.

 

We don't pay attention so there is still poverty. Even Amma can say

[what to do] but people don't listen entirely."

 

Amma then asked the woman, "Do you think politics is the answer to

everything?"

 

"No," the woman replied. "Now I understand that politics is one of

the things that we can be involved in but that inner awakening is the

most important."

 

Amma continued."Amma did not say that politics, of the police

department, or the military is not necessary but, unless we awaken,

nothing really works.

 

In her Geneva speech, Amma said that in some countries, women

do not have a proper place in politics. In some places, a woman has

never become Prime Minister or President. Here [in the U.S.], for

instance." Laughter rippled through the audience. "Women should have

the same position and power as men. Men should not be an obstacle

for women's development."

 

You can choose any field you want. The important thing is

the attitude.

 

Go through the Geneva speech at least two or three times.

 

Amma clearly knows men's egos. They cannot be crushed so

easily.."

************************************************

 

……………From notes taken by Aikya Param