Recognise the Right Spiritual Master
Theodore Levitt, the proponent of the concept of the product life cycle theory in marketing management likens the introduction, growth, maturity, decline and decay of products in the market to the evolutionary stages in human life: birth, growth, middle age, old age and death. Just as marketing efforts and improved product features prolong the life of products, human life, too, could get an extra lease through medical intervention and lifestyle changes. However, life has a definite time span. One's lifespan is indeterminate: it could be short, moderate or long. The success of a product's performance in the market place is based on its intrinsic strengths in terms of the value it delivers. Similarly. the success or otherwise of our mortal lives is reflected through our intent and deeds. Just as ful products are based on good performance as experienced by consumers, we generate impressions and perceptions based on what and how we express ourselves and how we res pond to different situations and circumstances. Management theory stresses the importance of leaders who practise what they say by 'walking the talk'. So also in the field of dharma or spiritual practice, it is important to actually demonstrate words through deeds. A spiritual teacher who talks of the virtues of simplicity, truthfulness, equipoise and moral values, loses credibility if he lives a life of affluence, is vain or adopts questionable moral values. A parent who teaches his child the virtues of good conduct and upright behaviour would find it difficult to convince the child if he himself practises the very opposite in real life. Ultimately this creates confusion in the child; so it is important to seek the guidance of the right guru, who not only preaches well but also lives by example. How does one identify the right guru? Ramana Maharshi has answered this question: "Seek the guru, in whose presence you feel peaceful and the mind turns calm". He highlighted the fact that a great and true Master speaks less than he transmits for what he transmits goes beyond words. It is a power that transcends words, as the very presence of a realised and genuine Master exudes peace to his seekers. The true guru's deeds resonate with the import of what he teaches his students because he practises what he preaches. Hence he is a credible role model. British journalist Paul Brunton, who was deeply interested in Indian spirituality, has chronicled his experiences in A Search in Secret India. He vividly recounts how Ramana Maharshi kept him spellbound in his presence. The Maharshi clarified to Brunton that as long as the world exists. so too would the seeming vagaries and inequities of life persist. No living sage would ever be able to fully mitigate the world of its suffering. The mind creates the world and its perplexities and the way out of this is to direct one's thought inwards to the Supreme Power that sustains and propels everything. Shirdi Sai Baba, a Sufi mystic, practised what he preached, eschewing all the trappings of the material world. His deeds and words continue to inspire and guide a growing number of people. The true Master transmits good vibes and creates the right current of thoughts and actions in his vicinity. He transmits spiritual energy, which in fact silently works beneficially for the good of humanity. Equally importantly, his deeds are transparent, unselfish, unbiased and in tune with his message. His actions convey the conviction of his messages through which Truth triumphs and envelops lifespans and life cycles.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Vijay Vancheswar kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Vijay Vancheswar Speaking Tree,Times of India
Recognise the Right Spiritual Master
Theodore Levitt, the proponent of the concept of the product life cycle theory in marketing management likens the introduction, growth, maturity, decline and decay of products in the market to the evolutionary stages in human life: birth, growth, middle age, old age and death. Just as marketing efforts and improved product features prolong the life of products, human life, too, could get an extra lease through medical intervention and lifestyle changes. However, life has a definite time span. One's lifespan is indeterminate: it could be short, moderate or long. The success of a product's performance in the market place is based on its intrinsic strengths in terms of the value it delivers. Similarly. the success or otherwise of our mortal lives is reflected through our intent and deeds. Just as ful products are based on good performance as experienced by consumers, we generate impressions and perceptions based on what and how we express ourselves and how we res pond to different situations and circumstances. Management theory stresses the importance of leaders who practise what they say by 'walking the talk'. So also in the field of dharma or spiritual practice, it is important to actually demonstrate words through deeds. A spiritual teacher who talks of the virtues of simplicity, truthfulness, equipoise and moral values, loses credibility if he lives a life of affluence, is vain or adopts questionable moral values. A parent who teaches his child the virtues of good conduct and upright behaviour would find it difficult to convince the child if he himself practises the very opposite in real life. Ultimately this creates confusion in the child; so it is important to seek the guidance of the right guru, who not only preaches well but also lives by example. How does one identify the right guru? Ramana Maharshi has answered this question: "Seek the guru, in whose presence you feel peaceful and the mind turns calm". He highlighted the fact that a great and true Master speaks less than he transmits for what he transmits goes beyond words. It is a power that transcends words, as the very presence of a realised and genuine Master exudes peace to his seekers. The true guru's deeds resonate with the import of what he teaches his students because he practises what he preaches. Hence he is a credible role model. British journalist Paul Brunton, who was deeply interested in Indian spirituality, has chronicled his experiences in A Search in Secret India. He vividly recounts how Ramana Maharshi kept him spellbound in his presence. The Maharshi clarified to Brunton that as long as the world exists. so too would the seeming vagaries and inequities of life persist. No living sage would ever be able to fully mitigate the world of its suffering. The mind creates the world and its perplexities and the way out of this is to direct one's thought inwards to the Supreme Power that sustains and propels everything. Shirdi Sai Baba, a Sufi mystic, practised what he preached, eschewing all the trappings of the material world. His deeds and words continue to inspire and guide a growing number of people. The true Master transmits good vibes and creates the right current of thoughts and actions in his vicinity. He transmits spiritual energy, which in fact silently works beneficially for the good of humanity. Equally importantly, his deeds are transparent, unselfish, unbiased and in tune with his message. His actions convey the conviction of his messages through which Truth triumphs and envelops lifespans and life cycles.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Vijay Vancheswar kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Vijay Vancheswar Speaking Tree,Times of India