Excerpts from Gurudev’s first global tour : 3. Published by ChinmayaMission.
========================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22/01/2020.
POST-3.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first chapter describes the state of dejection of Arjuna – the victim of a psychological break up in himself and wanting to escape from life’s battles.
The following chapters give the way of life, which diligently lived, the shattered person can be rejuvenated and reoriented to face the challenges of life.”
Wednesday, the 7th April, started with a very busy schedule. A half an hour at 8.30 a.m. there was a very interesting discussion with Professor Robinson of the University of Wisconsin over the radio.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. What is the difference between materialism and spirituality?
A. Materialism is when man turns outward for sense gratification. Spirituality is turning inward, seeking for a sense of satisfaction .
Q. Do you object to sense gratification ?
A. Not at all.
Q . A man looks on to enjoy forever a bird, or a woman. Would you call it as a sensual act ?
A. It is not what you look at that is of significance, but what your vision is at the time of looking at things. To live with the senses is a noble life, to live by the senses is a tragedy. If a noble and inspired ideal is thrilling the heart, it is immaterial what is the object you are gazing upon. The right relationship is ordered by the mental attitude and the intellectual value of the individual.
Q. Is it necessary to give up sex for spiritual attainment?
A. Sex should not be given up, but should be transcended. There is a tremendous power in sex. The sex energy can be sublimated to spiritual vitality. Concentration and contemplation need subtle energy and one will find less of sex in all true artists, scientists, politicians and authors, etc., who are creatively thinking constantly.
Q. American biologists says that sex has nothing to do with intellectual development. What do you say ?
A. A man who is well fed will grow just like an animal, and if a person concentrates on sex and the gratification of physical demands only, he is no more than an animal. Attraction between a girl and a boy is a natural phenomenon, and sex control cannot be accomplished by rules and regulations. Overeating is one of the causes of sexual excitement and, therefore, if a couple wishes to live for noble aspirations, sex may be controlled by dieting and divinising the relationship so that the sexual energy – 0jas – can be converted into the brilliance of spirituality (tejas).
Q. Most intellectual boys will not agree with you; they feel sexual consummation can be there along with spirituality – What is your comment ?
A. All the boys and girls will not be able to live up to the great ideals. In India, it is prescribed in the scriptures that the first 20 years should be that of a Brahmachari, without any sex indulgence, but plenty of reading and discussions on sex. The second 20 years are for a happy married life, entirely faithful to each other, satisfying the mutual sex demands more with the ideal of procreation, learning to live nobly during the time, practising the greater values of life at the same time.
Q. In India, people identify with their own castes and creeds, not feeling strongly for national interests. What do you say?
A. Indians have been striving under the pressure of foreign domination far the past two centuries which has sapped out all philosophy from the majority of the urban population. The only education available was supervised by the missionaries and they did their best in destroying our students’ faith in their own religion. After independence we were concerned mainly in removing our national poverty as soon as possible. Therefore, our attention was in rapid industrialization. There is now a growing interest in nationalism and the average student is very much interested in the Hindu philosophy and religion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The interview was mainly directed to the 12,000 students of the university, and according to information, it was well received.
On the 20th of April, Mrs. Lee Graham interviewed Swamiji for Radio WNYC for 25 minutes for broadcast under the “People and Ideas “program. After introducing him, Mrs. Graham asked Swamiji a number of questions:-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. When did your interest in spirituality start ?
A. First, I was almost an atheist or, say, a sceptic. After University education, I studied various scriptures which confirmed there is something higher to seek for. So I went for contemplation and study in the Himalayas under a master in the right atmosphere.
Q. Do you find marked differences between Eastern and Western students ?
A. Western students initially find it difficult to understand Eastern philosophy, but they are more anxious to live it, whereas Eastern students are more curious to know philosophy. In fact, West studies Eastern philosophy more intelligently and pursues its paths more diligenty.
Q. You have been lecturing in various universities. What are your impressions in general ?
A. I don’t know how far it will be treading on the toes of your country. But here is my honest impression. Christianity seems to have failed to satisfy the youth here. They feel that there is something lacking in their religion, and they tell you this openly and straight. They naturally are trying to understand the Eastern philosophy if it can fill up the vacuum. They make an honest attempt, and in fact, many American universities have now separate department to deal with Indian and Asian studies and schools of religions.
Q. Do you think that Christianity is not able to give the necessary spirituality ?
A. It is not that the Christian religion has nothing to offer. But it is just that the Church is not able to satisfy the rational demand of the modern youth for explanations. It is not Christ or the Bible that have failed, but the Priests and Sermons have cheated the youth. Even in India the students are not inclined to discuss the Truth of life unless it is interpreted to them in a language that they can understand.
Q. Why did you feel compelled to do this overseas trip?
A. Our younger generation is being Americanized and this, coupled with the industrial revolution in India have resulted in labour troubles and other problems, economic and social. I want to see in America their social and psychological problems born as a result of the material and scientific pursuit without an equally diligent emphasis upon the spiritual values. For example, scattered concepts of morality, the emotional imbalance, the shattering of the personality, harmony, etc. Once I get a clear picture of these, then I can plan up for India some remedy to avoid these catastrophes by warning my people against possible dangers and training some to deal with such calamities should they arise.
THE END.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
========================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22/01/2020.
POST-3.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first chapter describes the state of dejection of Arjuna – the victim of a psychological break up in himself and wanting to escape from life’s battles.
The following chapters give the way of life, which diligently lived, the shattered person can be rejuvenated and reoriented to face the challenges of life.”
Wednesday, the 7th April, started with a very busy schedule. A half an hour at 8.30 a.m. there was a very interesting discussion with Professor Robinson of the University of Wisconsin over the radio.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. What is the difference between materialism and spirituality?
A. Materialism is when man turns outward for sense gratification. Spirituality is turning inward, seeking for a sense of satisfaction .
Q. Do you object to sense gratification ?
A. Not at all.
Q . A man looks on to enjoy forever a bird, or a woman. Would you call it as a sensual act ?
A. It is not what you look at that is of significance, but what your vision is at the time of looking at things. To live with the senses is a noble life, to live by the senses is a tragedy. If a noble and inspired ideal is thrilling the heart, it is immaterial what is the object you are gazing upon. The right relationship is ordered by the mental attitude and the intellectual value of the individual.
Q. Is it necessary to give up sex for spiritual attainment?
A. Sex should not be given up, but should be transcended. There is a tremendous power in sex. The sex energy can be sublimated to spiritual vitality. Concentration and contemplation need subtle energy and one will find less of sex in all true artists, scientists, politicians and authors, etc., who are creatively thinking constantly.
Q. American biologists says that sex has nothing to do with intellectual development. What do you say ?
A. A man who is well fed will grow just like an animal, and if a person concentrates on sex and the gratification of physical demands only, he is no more than an animal. Attraction between a girl and a boy is a natural phenomenon, and sex control cannot be accomplished by rules and regulations. Overeating is one of the causes of sexual excitement and, therefore, if a couple wishes to live for noble aspirations, sex may be controlled by dieting and divinising the relationship so that the sexual energy – 0jas – can be converted into the brilliance of spirituality (tejas).
Q. Most intellectual boys will not agree with you; they feel sexual consummation can be there along with spirituality – What is your comment ?
A. All the boys and girls will not be able to live up to the great ideals. In India, it is prescribed in the scriptures that the first 20 years should be that of a Brahmachari, without any sex indulgence, but plenty of reading and discussions on sex. The second 20 years are for a happy married life, entirely faithful to each other, satisfying the mutual sex demands more with the ideal of procreation, learning to live nobly during the time, practising the greater values of life at the same time.
Q. In India, people identify with their own castes and creeds, not feeling strongly for national interests. What do you say?
A. Indians have been striving under the pressure of foreign domination far the past two centuries which has sapped out all philosophy from the majority of the urban population. The only education available was supervised by the missionaries and they did their best in destroying our students’ faith in their own religion. After independence we were concerned mainly in removing our national poverty as soon as possible. Therefore, our attention was in rapid industrialization. There is now a growing interest in nationalism and the average student is very much interested in the Hindu philosophy and religion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The interview was mainly directed to the 12,000 students of the university, and according to information, it was well received.
On the 20th of April, Mrs. Lee Graham interviewed Swamiji for Radio WNYC for 25 minutes for broadcast under the “People and Ideas “program. After introducing him, Mrs. Graham asked Swamiji a number of questions:-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. When did your interest in spirituality start ?
A. First, I was almost an atheist or, say, a sceptic. After University education, I studied various scriptures which confirmed there is something higher to seek for. So I went for contemplation and study in the Himalayas under a master in the right atmosphere.
Q. Do you find marked differences between Eastern and Western students ?
A. Western students initially find it difficult to understand Eastern philosophy, but they are more anxious to live it, whereas Eastern students are more curious to know philosophy. In fact, West studies Eastern philosophy more intelligently and pursues its paths more diligenty.
Q. You have been lecturing in various universities. What are your impressions in general ?
A. I don’t know how far it will be treading on the toes of your country. But here is my honest impression. Christianity seems to have failed to satisfy the youth here. They feel that there is something lacking in their religion, and they tell you this openly and straight. They naturally are trying to understand the Eastern philosophy if it can fill up the vacuum. They make an honest attempt, and in fact, many American universities have now separate department to deal with Indian and Asian studies and schools of religions.
Q. Do you think that Christianity is not able to give the necessary spirituality ?
A. It is not that the Christian religion has nothing to offer. But it is just that the Church is not able to satisfy the rational demand of the modern youth for explanations. It is not Christ or the Bible that have failed, but the Priests and Sermons have cheated the youth. Even in India the students are not inclined to discuss the Truth of life unless it is interpreted to them in a language that they can understand.
Q. Why did you feel compelled to do this overseas trip?
A. Our younger generation is being Americanized and this, coupled with the industrial revolution in India have resulted in labour troubles and other problems, economic and social. I want to see in America their social and psychological problems born as a result of the material and scientific pursuit without an equally diligent emphasis upon the spiritual values. For example, scattered concepts of morality, the emotional imbalance, the shattering of the personality, harmony, etc. Once I get a clear picture of these, then I can plan up for India some remedy to avoid these catastrophes by warning my people against possible dangers and training some to deal with such calamities should they arise.
THE END.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
========================================================================
Comments