ARANI SERIES
March 23, 2016
Spark 19
ATTACK IN BRUSSELS AIRPORT
Terrorism outside is a reflection of terrorism inside human mind. Unrest can anytime lead to violence – both within us and outside us.
Geeta talks1 of a boat being taken in an utterly unwanted direction by unfavorable winds. The holy book employs this analogy to illustrate what could happen to us if our mind is led by indulgent senses. A well-informed intellect has to guide our mind, the seat of desires and other emotions. Such an intellect is the favorable wind here. If we have either not studied the scriptures or have studied but have let such knowledge take a back seat, our intellect would be ‘ill-informed’. Such an incompetent intellect fails to lead the mind. It is then that the senses, which are ever tempted by the attractive sense objects of the world, would emerge as the sole dictator in the scenario.
Well-informed intellect (buddhi) is like favorable winds; the boat goes in the right direction.
Senses, falling prey to sense objects, are like the unfavorable winds; the boat then goes in unwanted directions. The senses get this power because our intellect is too weak or has no wisdom at all.
Lack of self-control thus can ruin our spirituality.
Terrorism has to be tackled. The two-fold crisis in the inner personality, very much like terrorism, has to be firmly handled. On one hand, our senses have been pampered; they tend to be turbulent. On the other, our intellect is soaked in worldly knowledge and has no radiance of viveka (vibrant discrimination between right and wrong). We must train the senses and give up our weaknesses. We must study the Vedanta carefully and bring luster to our buddhi.
Swami Chidananda
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Notes:
1 vāyur-nāvam-iva-ambhasā – Geeta 2.67