Dear Friends,
Namaste!
Let’s briefly discuss what should take precedence between our liking and larger interests. Given the fact “Many men many minds”, there is absolutely no saying what one may like and one may not.
As long as what one likes does not really disturb others and is not against larger interests, one is free to pursue it as a hobby. However, if what one likes doing is against the “Script”, then Yoga-Shastra very strongly dissuades one from doing it.
Let’s illustrate the point with examples. Let’s take “reading” as a hobby. So we do our duty, daily chores, exercise, meditation etc. as an integral part of our routine, and then we spend an hour or so everyday in reading books as a way of relaxing and refreshing ourselves. Nothing wrong! In fact, Yoga-Shastra has urged us to pursue a hobby as a means of recreation and would encourage a benign and benevolent hobby such as “reading” if followed appropriately (in a “Yukta” manner).
However, there are hobbies that one must think twice about before plunging into! Take for example “hunting”. This has for centuries together been a very exciting pastime for “all the kings and their men”. But hunting involves killing a living being. It involves pain. It involves violence. And these things are recommended only under extreme circumstances such as during performance of duty (a soldier killing to save his country), in self-defense (stopping an aggressor who is out to kill) or to satisfy natural hunger (a tiger killing a deer). When violence has to be resorted to as a short term measure in larger interests, it is actually an act of non-violence because it may appear to be violence at a gross (physical) level but at a subtle level (which actually matters more), it is in fact aiding continuation and prosperity of Life and hence is “Dharma”! Although for most gentle souls, more often than not, this becomes an “Apad-Dharma” (evasive action forced under emergencies).
The real meaning of non-violence (“Ahimsa” which is one of the “Yama” which in turn is the first of the eight limbs in Ashtanga Yoga as we will recall) is thus to indulge in thoughts, speech and actions that aid Life as a whole regardless of their gross manifestation! As we shall see later, this Yama along with “Satya” (Truth) are two of the most important values for a Yogi. Lest we digress, we shall reserve further discussion of non-violence for later when we dive deeper into all the Yama.
But unwarranted hunting does not qualify to be a hobby as it contradicts with larger interests. Unfortunately, such hunting is continuing unabated even during the twenty first century and several species of beautiful animals are becoming endangered! Elimination of these species will surely disturb the environmental and ecological balance. It will throw the entire food chain completely out of gear and it will start crumbling, taking “Life” out on its way down.
We will do well to appreciate that human beings are at the top of evolution pyramid. We are not the foundation of Life on Earth. What this means in other words is, Life will pretty much continue uninterrupted and undisturbed if human race were to be eliminated from the surface of the earth. However, eliminating other species of fauna and eliminating flora which is at the bottom of the food chain, will cause destruction of every other link in the chain that is built on top.
It’s common sense actually. In any structure, if we take off the top, the structure becomes stunted but does not disintegrate. However if we destroy the foundation, the entire structure is bound to crumble.
Now we can appreciate why following “Dharma” in all walks of our lives is so crucial. It is directly connected with our own survival. It is directly connected with our own prosperity and happiness. “Dharmic” principles are anything but a bunch of obsolete guidelines.
This is not to belittle the importance of human race because achievement of the ultimate goal of any being (acquiring eternal, infinite and irrevocable happiness) is impossible through any other form. Without the last mile, it’s not possible to reach destination. But that last mile needs to be built on top of the journey undertaken earlier and it would be quite foolish to be oblivious to the importance of that journey and berate, neglect or even try to eliminate it. Just like there is no shortcut to success, there is no shortcut to happiness either. In real fact, success and happiness are synonymous. We cannot be called successful if we are not happy and if we are happy, no other testimony of our success is needed!
Let’s rest the discussion of “Dharma” here and move on now to further milestones in our journey.
Keep smiling...
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