What is progress

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WHAT IS PROGRESS?

 

This is an article from one of our readers, Dr. P. Vijayaraghavan,

M.D. who is working as Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Madras

Medical College & Govt. General Hospital , Chennai.

 

Know That, knowing which, you will know everything that is to be

known

 

Upanishads

 

The above saying from the Upanishads, represents the acme of human

thought. It implies that when one becomes aware of a higher

perspective, one comes to know of things encompassed by that higher

perspective (the highest perspective being that of Universal

Consciousness or `God').

 

What is Progress?

 

This axiom is frequently useful in the worldly context and helps to

solve difficult problems. Progress, growth and eradication of poverty

are debating points in today's world. `Progress' is a term being used

by various people: the politician, economist, scientist, common

citizen, industrialist, the businessman - each has his or her own

interpretation. However, we frequently find that a particular idea of

progress is being projected as the one representative of all the

others.

 

Thus, we find that at the social level, material progress as

evidenced by the modern development of cities is frequently regarded

as a sign of progress. Consequently `growth' is considered to be the

increase in material possessions and poverty is regarded as lacking

in material needs. These are superficial interpretations, which have

been perpetuated and have come to be accepted, by and large.

However these assertions do not stand close scrutiny. Progress and

growth have no meaning if the human being is unable to enjoy them.

Good physical and spiritual health form the basic requirements for

material possessions to have a meaning. Material progress is hollow

inside, if people are lacking in inner peace. Today we find that

whatever inner bliss people may be having is being constantly eroded

by the materialistic socio-political environment, which is at

conflict with the core requirement of inner well-being. Such a hollow

progress is fragile and always at the risk of collapse. As Baba tells

us,

 

`The individual, the society and the nation constitute an

inextricably linked organism. The peace and welfare of the nation

depend on the peace and progress of society, which in their turn are

dependent on the peace and good conduct of individuals. Unless

individuals develop mutual regard and tolerance and cultivate equal-

mindedness towards each other, there can be no peace and harmony in

the community. Material progress alone cannot bring about peace and

harmony and happiness among people.'

(Divine Discourse on 12-5-84 )

 

True Progress

 

True progress can be considered as strengthening our inner peace and

contentment. If this is recognized and preserved then superficial

material possessions will be added on to it as and when required.

This is the law of nature. Whether this law becomes operational

depends on one's preference at the individual level and the political

process at the state level.

 

For true progress of the state or the nation, we need a political

structure that is in tune with this law of nature. This is possible

when the individual's heart, the abode of bliss, is made the

touchstone for all political processes. It is a question of society

recognizing and reposing faith in this law of nature that will

provide prosperity based on inner peace.

 

Once progress is viewed from this perspective, it throws light on the

present distressing global phenomenon of terrorism and suicide

bombers. Those who indulge in such inhuman acts are empty of `inner

bliss' and instead they are filled with negative feelings. It would

be wise to try and find why they have come to reach such a state

of `lovelessness', and try to correct the conditions that have led

them to such a state. Simply trying to counter terrorism without

addressing the basic cause would be shortsighted and counter-

productive. True progress would take into account the grievances of

people whoever and wherever they are.

 

One Arrow, Two Birds

 

In his book My Baba and I, Mr. Hislop refers to a conversation he had

with Swami. Mr. Hislop asks Swami how to reconcile the fact that

material needs are unavoidable in this world, though spiritual

fulfillment appears to be the desirable objective of life. In His

beautiful reply, Swami explains it as follows:

 

`Imagine a man climbing a coconut tree to the top to get the

coconuts. As he climbs, in the shadow cast by the tree, the shadow of

the man also climbs to reach the top. Spiritual pursuit is the real

man climbing the real tree. If this is taken care of then the

material aspect represented by the shadow, would take care of itself.'

Dwell on the Inner Bliss

 

The above explanation forms the core of this article. All we need to

do is to constantly dwell on the Lord or the `Inner Bliss' - the

manifestation of God who is within each one of us. The Lord then

takes care of the individual's needs, as Lord Krishna says to Arjuna

in the Bhagavad Gita. Accepting this word of God implies faith in the

Divine Plan and that whatever happens, being under the purview of

God, is ultimately for our own good.

 

We are blessed to have realized that Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is

the Lord Himself in our midst. His teachings simplify our

understanding of complex problems. His instruction to `Bend the body,

Mend the senses and End the mind' guides our Sadhana. When we `end

our mind' by taking refuge in Swami, it is He who will inspire our

life – taking care of today's needs and even our thoughts, words and

deeds. To attain this goal He prescribes Chintana (constant

contemplation of God), Namasmarana (constant repetition of God's

name) and exhorts us to `Be Good, See Good and Do Good'. This

purifies our minds day by day and keeps us focused on our goal.

What is found to be true on the individual level can also be true for

society as a whole. If human society is able to stay focused on

the `Inner Bliss', or feeling of well-being, within each one of us,

then society's material needs should be taken care of by the all-

pervasive God. This is possible by utilising the Conscience (which is

a manifestation of God) in the structures of society such as

politics, health care and education. Swami has said that we should

constantly endeavour to find solutions to the problems of the

society, especially of the poor and the needy and He urges us to

utilize our energies towards this end.

 

ABC of Life - Always Be Careful.

 

Speak the Truth; avoid speaking truth that is unpleasant.

Follow the Master, Face the devil, Fight till the end and Finish the

game. are some of His words which have guided the author. Swami

inspires us by His untiring Work, instills wisdom by His illuminating

speeches, teaches us by His exemplary conduct and soothes us by His

Compassion and Love. If we put into practise even a fraction of His

life, which is His message, then our lives would be redeemed and

fulfilled.

(It is the author's view that human society can stay focused on

the `inner bliss' through the mechanism of Partyless Democracy based

on the individual's conscience, which is elaborated in his `Musings

on Partyless Democracy' available at

http://partylessdemocracy.rediffblogs.com/)

 

Ram Chugani

Kobe, Japan