Introduction

What is the filter that pushes you towards controlling and pushes you towards accepting?

We are more accepting of articles (cars with a flat tire), less accepting of circumstances (stuck in a traffic jam), least accepting/most controlling of beings (other drivers). This is why we get angry towards beings.

We feel least deeply affected by active listening/shravana (car), less deeply by active reflecting/manana (traffic) and most deeply by active contemplating/nidhidhyasana (drivers). It is only through personalization there is internalization. Too much active listening/reflecting will take away from this personalization through active contemplating.

Hinduism is a religion. Religion means “to go home” in Latin, i.e. to rediscover one’s self or to turn inward. Therefore, Hinduism is a way to Life – how to feel the relative to get to the absolute.

Hindu is a geographical reference. People who are living this way of life follow sanatana dharma, i.e. infinite nature, a path to peace. We have an unchanging responsibility to know and feel our infinite nature.

Question 1

I strive to practice humility, respect and quiet presence at work, honouring everyone regardless of their role or age. However, this is often misconstrued as lack of leadership, strength or capability. How can I stay true to my values of humility and respect while standing firmly in my authentic self in a corporate environment?

Vivekji’s Response

Absolute level: The purpose of your life is evolution, not your profession. If you have to choose, hold on to spiritual integration, not professional perception.

Relative level: Show through actions (success, achievements) that you are confident and don’t need to be recognized. Hanuman is an icon of this and showed that right actions speak the loudest.

Tactile level: Communicate in the language that the corporation wants or needs, while knowing that that’s not you. Be rajasic, but know that you are putting on a uniform.

Question 2

Why should I be motivated to plan?

Vivekji’s Response

Absolute level: Humans make plans, and God laughs – His will and His way. In the absolute level – why plan? I just need to become quiet enough to listen to God, sync with His wavelength and that becomes the plan.

Relative level: Follow the path of Shreya – large heart, long term. This causes evolution.

Tactile level: Someone who plans well, becomes adaptable. Those who don’t plan, become insistent – they can only smile if their plan happens.

Question 3

When I am physically unwell, shouldn’t this be the time to turn inward and remember Bhagawan? But this feels difficult and my mind feels chaotic. What am I meant to do in such moments?

Vivekji’s Response

Absolute level: The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war. If you are dedicated to sadhana when the body is well, then you are prepared when your body is unwell. This is a good test of sadhana as your body ages. Dedication to evolution is needed when you are born, so when your body is sick/tired/old, the mind will be used to being quiet.

Relative level: You are not the body, it is an equipment. The normalization of this thought reduces the intensity of the chaos in the mind and you take it less seriously. Sorrow is as real as you make it.

Tactile level: When your body and mind are pulling you down, sit in nature. Go for a walk, be away from people.

Question 4

There is so much pain in dvaita, why is it this way?

Vivekji’s Response

Absolute level: There is no creator, no creation. This requires purity of mind and clarity of intellect. If there is no absolute, there is no relative. In the Upanishads, the highest creation theory is that there is no creation.

Relative level: The creator is the karma phala data, the calculator and facilitator of creation. This is not subjective – everything happens for evolution, to help our learning. The creator does not have likes and dislikes.

Tactile level: You are part of the whole, and you can only do your part. So do your part really well. This way, as you fulfill your responsibility, you will not be distracted or dejected by everything else.

Question 5

What does happy living mean? Is it being cheerful regardless of circumstances?

Vivekji’s Response

Absolute level: Being independent is the greatest life lesson – i.e. you depend on yourself, and therefore context-less and are balanced. You do not internally live in dvaita.

Relative level: Happy living is coming out of vices as rapidly as possible (i.e. forgiving, forgetting etc.). Recovery is an indication of health.

Tactile level: Being focused – so nothing pulls you away.

Question 6

Why is giving without replenishing a sign of arrogance?

Vivekji’s Response

Absolute level: The Divine Creator is your parent. She is the only one who is helping. If you remember this, there will be no arrogance.  

Relative level: Your jurisdiction over vasanas is very limited. If you feel happy after helping someone, or deflated for not helping you, you have a lack of understanding of vasanas. A superiority complex and inferiority complex are both signs of Ego.

Tactile level: Do not wake up and get into the functional – it is a wasted day. Start with centering practices (sadhana) that give you metaphysical power and energy.

Question 7

As a new parent how can I intentionally create an environment where my children can learn and live both the values in Hinduism and American culture. How to do this when they are contradictory?

Vivekji’s Response

Absolute level: Actions speak louder than words. Experience is valued more than education. Children will look at parents’ actions more than words – they are resilient but impressionable.

Relative level: It is harder to influence a child as a parent than a community/peer/teacher as they grow older. Create such a community.

Tactile level: Talk about it – the reasons we value some things more than others. Avoiding does not lead to clarity – communicate.

Reflection Adventure of the Week: Invite and force someone <40 years to join Reflect and Ask.