Think Beyond Yourself

By H H Maa Purnananda

“Amaanittvam Adambhittvam Ahinsa Kshaantiraarjavam; Aachaaryopaasanam Shaucham Sthairyam Aatmavinigrahah.” – (Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta – 13/7)

In pursuit of livelihood, man often forgets the importance of family-relationships. Though the common understanding of this phenomenal word “relationship” is taken at the gross level and of those developed at the physical level; the subtler understanding opens up new vistas of “relationships” that are far more superior, lasting and in fact delimiting and liberating!

To open up the higher channels of the mind-intellect equipment (Antahkaran) for the above purpose, certain virtues need to be cultivated through lifetime; and sooner the better for self-evolution, which ultimately would compel the individual to “think beyond oneself”.

The virtues mentioned in the given Shlok by none other than Sree Bhagwaan Himself, seem to be familiar, but at the same time difficult to live up to! Let us go through them one by one.

Amaanittvam/Humility is the foremost requirement on the path of self-evolution. It is our own pride, arrogance and self-importance that snatch away this wonderful virtue from us. Humility is the key to open the doors of higher, comprehensive and extensive view of knowledge.

Adambhittvam/Unpretentiousness is an important virtue to stop us from being dishonest to our own self and deceitful towards others as well. Can there be evolution when one is pretentious and dishonest?

Ahinsa/Non-violence at both mental as well as physical levels surely is very much required. Our Essential Self is absolutely peaceful and loving. So our violent acquired nature is a huge impediment on the way to Spiritual progress.

Kshantim/Forgiveness supports non-violence and promotes friendliness. This virtue nurtures the thought of inclusiveness in the individual’s mind, which in turn cultivates large-heartedness.

Arjavam/Uprightness of someone is often misunderstood as his weakness by others. On the contrary, straightforwardness is one of the most difficult virtues that anyone could practice while interacting and dealing with the objective world. This is the virtue that made Arjun deserve the rarest blessings of the Lord Himself! The Lord became Arjun’s Charioteer!!!!! What more could he have asked for in life!

Aachaaryopaasanam/Veneration for the Spiritual Guide is such a virtue which develops through passage of time after a long and close association with the venerated Guru. Upaasana includes not only faith, belief, worship and service; it also includes complete dedication, focus, discipline and obedience in implementing the Sacred Teachings imparted by the Guru. Therefore, this virtue can be cultivated only if the individual is ready to give up the unnecessary noises of his own ego and wholeheartedly adopt the instructions from the Guru.

Shaucham/Purity of mind, purity of intention and of course purity has to be maintained at the physical level as well. Purity and clarity of thought enhance the potential of the individual and are supportive to think beyond oneself while letting the horses of imagination fly freely to explore new horizons.

Sthairyam/Steadfastness is necessary even while progressing in the desirable direction. Often one becomes complacent, leading himself to callousness and disintegration much before arriving at the required level of evolution; and while trying to adapt to the higher perspective of life, the initial purpose of “thinking beyond oneself” gets diluted somewhere midway. Hence it is mandatory to cultivate steadfastness on this path.

Aatmavinigrahah/Self-control comes naturally to those who cultivate the above-mentioned virtues. Knowing very well the perils of losing self-control, the wise man tries never ever to lose it, at any cost! He knows that losing self-control leads to the loss of self-esteem, memory, time, money, peace, friends, happiness, love and of course, all sorts of relationships! Therefore, one cannot afford to lose self-control.

To conclude, I can say that it is most important to practice all the above-mentioned virtues diligently and sincerely for opening up to “think beyond oneself” by nurturing and nourishing healthy, long-lasting and worthy relationships with every bit of the beautiful Creation all around and in due course, establish constant connection with the all-pervasive Divinity.

Let us humbly prostrate and learn this at the Holy-feet of the Revered Sree Guru Parampara.