YOUTH FORUM

integrated personality:
THE CRUCIAL NEED OF THE YOUTH

Swami Budhananda

(Continued from the previous issue)

The Secret of IP

We have undoubtedly discussed some of the grand ideas known in human thought which are open-ended and unlimited. But in the actualization of these ideas, the secret is held by a well-disciplined life. Only through such a life lived from day to day, can these grand ideas be reduced to habit patterns which, as a matter of course, become one's IP.

Sri Krishna teaches in the Gita:

'Yoga is not for him who eats too much nor for him who eats too little. It is not for him, O Arjuna, who sleeps too much nor for him who sleeps too little.'

'For him who is temperate in his food and recreation, temperate in his exertion at work, temperate in sleep and waking, yoga puts an end to all sorrows.' (6.17)

'When the disciplined mind rests in the Self alone, free from longing for objects, then is one said to have attained yoga.' (6.18)

In the above verses, the obvious emphasis is on the supreme importance of a well-regulated life for the seekers who aspire to succeed in the practice of yoga. No one living a haphazard and chaotic life will be able to build IP.

A person without an IP can never become a yogi. Whatever our aspiration, either to become a worthy person, or to become a yogi, the foundation in both cases has to be laid on a well-regulated life.

Tiruvalluvar said:

'Discipline of life is more precious than life itself, for it is out of that discipline that life derives value. One may study many philosophies and clear his doubts but it is the well-regulated life that ultimately avails and nothing else. Therefore, guard it whatever may be the difficulty involved.

'The well-regulated life ennobles every rank of life. Where this fails, good or noble parentage will not save the man.

'The Brahmin can read again what he has forgotten of the scriptures and make up for lost memory. But if he neglects regulation of life he forfeits for ever the advantage of his birth.

'A well-regulated life brings honour. Neglect of it will lead to utter disgrace.

'The learned really betray ignorance when in spite of their learning they fail to regulate their lives in accordance with the principle of co-operation.'

Sri Ramakrishna said:

'Sacred books only point out the way to God. Once you have known the way, what is the use of books? Then comes the time for the culture of the soul in solitary communion with God. A person received a letter from his village-home asking him to send certain things to his kinsmen. When he was going to order for them, he wanted to ascertain again from the letter the articles requisitioned. So he searched for the letter which was then missing. At last, to his great delight, it was found after a long search. He took it up eagerly, and went through the contents which ran as follows: "Please send five seers of sweetmeats, a hundred oranges, and eight pieces of cloth." Knowing the contents, he threw the letter aside and set about procuring the articles.

'How long then does one care for such a letter? So long as one does not know the contents. The contents being once known, the next step is to put forth the necessary effort to get the things desired. Similarly the sacred books tell us only the way to God, i.e., of the means for the realization of God. That way being known, the next step is to work one's way to the goal. Realization is the goal.'

We have worked sufficiently to have an idea about an IP. Let us equate it with the word 'character' and observe its effect.

Character and Conduct

Character in good part is conduct. You behave as you are. You cannot behave better for any length of time unless you are better. How do you become better than yourself? This can be done by deliberately practising approved or ethical conduct. What is to be considered approved conduct should not be decided impulsively according to one's fancy but, learnt from scriptures. About ethical or approved conduct Apastamba-Dharma-Sutra (22.14) enjoins:

Absence of anger, elation, indignation, avarice, delusion, vanity and enmity; speaking truth; moderation in eating; refraining from exposing others' weak points; freedom from jealousy; sharing one's good things with others; sacrifice; straightforwardness; gentleness; quietude; self-control; friendliness with all beings; absence of cruelty; contentment--these form the approved conduct for men of all stations of life. By observing them duly one becomes universally benevolent.

It is significant that many items of approved or ethical conduct are identical with divine treasures, daivi sampat as taught in the first three verses of the sixteenth chapter of the Gita.

But ethical conduct cannot stand the strain of various trying situations of life for any length of time unless we have a cultivated firm commitment to a sound scheme of values which takes care of the totality of the human personality and its fulfilment. Indian scheme of values names four in the list; pleasures of life, wealth, righteousness and attainment of spiritual illumination. The psychology of the person is to be so trained that he finds meaning in pursuing the pleasures of life and wealth through righteousness and he discovers an increasing purpose of righteousness in spiritual illumination.

Character is the acquired dynamics of the self-chastening process set going within oneself through self-effort. This process is initiated through an unremitting but well-regulated struggle within oneself by way of habituating discrimination between the true and the untrue, discarding what is untrue and concentrating with love and tenacity on truth. Cultivation of the powers of concentration and the powers of detachment must go hand in hand. The secret of success in all worthwhile undertaking is the development of the will-power. By loving to do what we ought to do, we can develop will-power.

Though there is much to learn as to how we should conduct ourselves in various situations of life, it is hardly possible to know beforehand all about the situations we shall be required to face. And no one need feel concerned on that score. Right conduct cannot be designed for all occasions and times. Premeditated right conduct may prove to be artificial, our good intention notwithstanding.

Perfection of Integrated Personality

There are varying needs for various individuals, societies and nations. They are worked for in various ways. But there is one universal need for all lands, for all mankind. That need is of IP.

Mankind has come to a pass today when every thoughtful person anywhere in the world needs to have a fresh look at this desideratum--building of ampler IP, growing in abundant IP, and helping members of his family and society to do the same in any way he can, combining all the methods mentioned above or by devising other methods but in any case becoming a truer, and worthier human being. So Vivekananda taught--'Be and make. Let this be our motto.'

Concluded