Quality Involves Waiting Patiently

James Garfield, who later became the twentieth president of the United States, was, at an earlier time, president of Hiram College in Ohio.  He was once approached by the father of a young student, seeking admission to the college.  The father criticised the length and the harshness of the required curriculum. “Can’t you simplify the course work? My son will never get through all this academic work. There should be a shorter route.”

Garfield replied, “I believe I can arrange such a plan. But it all depends upon what you want for your son. When God wants to make an oak tree, he takes a hundred years. And, when God wants to make a melon, he requires only two months.” 

“There is no substitute for hard work.” “Great success demands great sacrifice.” There is no shortcut.

Indian Thoughts Archives 

Mission Methodologies 2

‘The second important mission methodology that I want to teach you is ‘Professional Mission Methodology’. Have you any idea what this could be?’ the Baba asked Atma Prakashji.

‘No guruji. Please teach me’ Atma Prakash requested.

‘You have been a seeker of excellence in all that you do. ‘Professionalism’ in anything is also a part of this quest for excellence. Any divine mission must involve a quest for excellence and professionalism. You must put all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength into it. Hence, this ‘Professional Mission Methodology’ will be a very useful methodology for you in your divine mission.’ The Baba began.

‘It involves eight professional steps or stages: visualization, formulation, mobilization, organization, coordination, implementation, evaluation and documentation…

‘The first step is ‘visualization’. It means making a mental picture first. We need to create a mental picture of what is to be done, why, how, who, when and where…

‘The next step is ‘formulation’. It means putting your plan down on paper. Seek suggestions from a close circle of friends and professionals before your finalize it. After finalizing and adopting the plan, make it your ‘master plan’. It is something like the final plan for a house made by an Architect before you start the construction work… Formulate your final plan of action and make it your basis for future action. Stick to it. Do not lose your focus and deviate from this master plan ….

‘Mobilizing the necessary resources for the mission is the next step. Here divine grace and human endeavor have to join hands. Prayer is an important ingredient at this stage. The necessary resources will come. You need to be willing and ready to recognize the many opportunities that God will be opening up for you…. 

‘The fourth step is ‘organization’. Set up you office. Select your staff. Establish communication and transportation facilities. You need to be well organized if you have to be effective and fruitful in a great mission. Selection of your staff is the most important aspect of this stage. Select those who share your vision and mission. They have to be your ‘partners-in-mission’. Invest time and energy in their training and orientation. Without the right kind of partners-in-mission, your mission will not take off and reach great heights. It is better to go alone rather than having the wrong kind of partners-in-mission with you…..…

‘Then comes ‘coordination’. You need to coordinate your efforts, and network with like-minded people and organizations. No great goal can be achieved just by one organization or institution. Great missions need great teamwork and networking, and a good amount of coordination and collaboration with like-minded agencies…

‘Good networking and coordination will lead to effective implementation of the mission. ‘Implementation’ is the sixth step. The mission is implemented effectively at this stage based on SMART goals… This means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound goals….

‘Evaluation’ is the seventh step. We need to not only carry out the final evaluation of the results achieved through the mission, but also carry out periodic evaluations of the progress being made. It is here our third methodology which I have named ‘Growth Orientation Methodology’ will come in handy…..

‘The eighth and final stage of Professional Mission Methodology is ‘documentation’. We need to audit the accounts, prepare a written Report, and keep copies of all other relevant documents for future reference and study. This will be very helpful for others….

‘This my son is the ‘Professional Mission Methodology’. Have you understood it well? Can you repeat the 8 stages in this methodology?’ the Baba asked Atma Prakash.

‘Yes guruji. Visualization, formulation, mobilization, organization, coordination, implementation, evaluation and documentation are the eight stages of the Professional Mission Methodology, oh revered one’ Atma Prakash replied.

Excerpts from Integral Revolution

WHITHER DEMOCRACY?

Democracy is in trouble. Democracy and Unity of Humanity received serious blows in UK and USA in 2016. The referendum in UK to pull out (Brexit) of the European Union on the basis of narrow national interests does not bode well for unity of humanity and the advance of true democracy. Even though full-fledged democracy is incompatible with constitutional monarchy in UK, the citizens of that country have the power to abolish monarchy through referendum or electoral vote when they choose. The election of Trump as president of the USA poses many questions. His utter disregard for truth, his disrespect for women, minorities, and the handicapped, his lack of civil discourse with his opponents, and his war with the press (media) are of serious concern. USA, the oldest democracy, survived a civil war (1861-1865) and prolonged civil rights struggles and fights in the 1960’s. The political grid-lock that on occasions paralyzed the US government during the last 6 years of Obama administration needs to be also taken note of seriously.

Trump stated that his Tower in New York had 68 stories while it had only 58. He justified the lie calling it a “truthful hyperbole”. He both defends and praises “truthful hyperbole” in the Art of the Deal, the phenomenally successful book his ghostwriter wrote for him, “as an innocent form of exaggeration and a very effective form of promotion”. The ghostwriter, Tony Schwarts, regretted writing the book and felt “deep remorse” saying “I put a lipstick on a pig” as Trump took credit for writing the book. Schwats said: “If he (Trump) could lie on that, he is likely to lie about anything.” As a promoter Trump is reported to have made extensive use of truthful hyperbole as an effective technique. In 1973 US Justice Department charged Trump of violating Fair Housing Act by denying access to African Americans. His mentor, Roy Cohn, was charged for professional misconduct three times by Federal Investigations during the 1970’s and 1980’s In 1986 Cohn was disbarred by a five judge panel of the New York Supreme Court for unethical and unprofessional misconduct. Interestingly Cohn also was the chief counsel for discredited senator Joseph McCarthy who created horror for many innocent citizens during his senate hearings and communist witch-hunt in the 1950’s. Trump when asked before the elections if he would accept the election results, he did not answer since he openly talked about election fraud. Another person who greatly influenced Trump was Aaron Banks, Godfather of Brexit, who visited Trump’s campaign rallies giving advice on campaign tactics. Banks did not mind playing dirty tricks. He told Trump: “Never apologize, Facts are white noise.” Trump might have thought truthful facts related to the inauguration crowd, mere whit noise. But the media would not let him get away with it.

In India the biggest democracy, that started gloriously at mid-night of August 15, 1947 with a speech of Nehru talking about “India’s tryst with destiny”. What has happened? Democracy has deteriorated into caste and clan politics, political horse-trading and opportunistic political and religious alliances, political dynasties, and finally even into murder politics. Rampant nepotism and corruption are the order of the day.

What is needed for democracy to set it back on the right course? We need civil and respectful discourse, tolerance, election of persons on the basis of their merits and proven qualities to take care of everyone’s needs. Persons of integrity who do not sacrifice truths for their personal gains, vested interests, and propaganda are also of paramount importance.

Brexit and the election of Trump might be temporary roadblocks on humanity’s march to democracy and unity of humanity. The messages that we get from these events can energize us to fight vigorously for the genuine rights of humanity while we wish everyone including Trump and Banks the very best including a chance to repent. 

Swami Snehanand Jyoti  

What a Fool I’ve Been!

There’s a story about a tenant farmer who worked hard for many years to improve the production of the land.  Then something happened that caused him to become very bitter. When it was time to renew the lease, the owner told him that he was going to sell the farm to his son, who was getting married. The tenant farmer made several generous offers to buy the farm for himself, hoping that the owner’s decision would be changed.  But it was all in vain.

As the day drew near for the tenant to vacate his home, his weeks of angry brooding finally got the best of him.  He gathered seeds from some of the most pesky and noxious weeds he could find. Then he spent many hours scattering them on the fertile soil of the farm, along with a lot of trash and stones.

To his dismay, the very next morning the owner informed him that the plans for his son’s wedding fell through¸ therefore, he’d be happy to renew the tenant’s lease.  The owner couldn’t understand why the tenant exclaimed in such agonizing tones, “Oh, Lord, what a fool I’ve been!”

Hatred and revenge are very much like the mythical vampire, which first sucks out the life blood of the host. Their host is the their first and worst victim.

Indian Thoughts Archives

Life Requires a Rhythm

A professor of biology, studying the horseshoe crabs discovered something very interesting. Their metabolism has a measurable and adaptable rhythm. 

Horseshoe crabs live in shallow tidal pools along the Atlantic Ocean.  When the tide comes in, they feed.  When the tide is out, they rest.  As one might expect, their metabolic rates spike at the time of high tide, and they are quiet when the tide ebbs.  The metabolic rhythm remains constant even when the crabs are captured and placed in laboratory aquariums.

The professor doing this study moved from the East Coast to Chicago.  Naturally, he brought his experimental crustaceans with him.  Remarkably, he discovered that the rhythm of life for those horseshoe crabs adjusted to the move.  In a matter of a few days, their metabolic rates increased at the precise hour that the tide would reach Chicago, if Chicago had a tide!

Even crabs have enough sense to recognize that life requires a rhythm, a certain regularity, and when one’s circumstances change, one must adjust.  It is the rule of nature that everyone still needs a time for work and a time for rest.

Indian Thoughts Archives

Development Methodologies

‘We will add to the four pillars and five principles of enlightened leadership the following three enlightened leadership development methodologies. I have termed them as ‘Promotional Methodology’, ‘Cornerstone Methodology’ and ‘Innerspring Methodology’… said the Baba.

He continued after a pause:

‘The ‘Promotional Methodology’ is the first. It is actually similar to the best marketing methodology taught in the Management Schools of the world. It says: ‘Market yourself first, market your vision and ideology next. The marketing of your products will take care of itself’….

‘In fact the marketing of the products will be very easy after the first two steps are taken effectively. That is why an intelligent CEO of a Company or Organization often throws and attends ‘parties’ after he has taken up the responsibility of being the CEO. Through these ‘parties’ he is actually marketing himself and building up a good ‘public relation network’ for himself. He then organizes meetings, seminars, workshops etc. to market the vision and ideology of his Company or Organization. Once he is well accepted by people who matter, and once they are inspired by his vision and ideology, the marketing of the products will take care of itself…. 

‘As a prophet and proponent of an Integral Revolution, you have to ‘market’ yourself first. This can be done only by integrating your life and your mission so that your life becomes your message and mission. Follow the examples of Sadguru Jesus Christ and Mahatma Gandhi. Their lives were their messages. You have to unfold your potentials and become a great and powerful sovereign spiritual person first. Your light must shine forth and your love must reach out …

‘The next step will be to effectively communicate and promote the vision and philosophy of the Integral Revolution. The vision of ‘Dharma Rajya’ and the philosophy of ‘Dharmodaya’ should be promoted among the people, especially among the educated people of India and the world. For this task you will need a good number of sovereign spiritual persons to help you. Preparing such a cadre of enlightened leaders will be a very urgent and important task ahead of you….

‘The Integral Revolution has to begin with and from India. Reach out to the youth and women of India with the message of the Integral Revolution for the fruitfulness of your mission. You also have to be an effective communicator with the power of spirit... 

‘This is the ‘Promotional Methodology’ my son. Have you understood it well?’ the Baba asked.

‘Yes, guruji. Please teach me the other two enlightened leadership development methodolies also.’ Atma Prakash requested.

‘The next enlightened leadership development methodology is ‘Cornerstone Methodology’. It only means that a truly enlightened leader should be to his organization and people like a ‘cornerstone’ of a building. The cornerstone is not seen outside, but the entire building stands on the foundation built on the strong cornerstone. The foundation of a building is not visible above the ground level. It is laid below the ground level. However, the strength of the building is on its foundation. Enlightned leaders are sovereign spiritual persons providing the foundation for the Integral Revolution. You are called to be the cornerstone. This is the meaning of ‘Cornerstone Methodology’.….Have you got it, my son?’ the Baba asked.

‘Yes, guruji. I will ever strive to be like the cornerstone of the Integral Revolution.’ Atma Prakasha replied.

‘May God bless you, my son. Now the third methodology. It is termed ‘Innerspring Methodology’. It only means that you should not be like a water tank, but should be like a deep well with strong inner springs….

‘A water tank gets dried up once the external supply is stopped and the water within it is already distributed. But the deep well with strong inner springs will not get dried up. The more water you draw from it, the better it becomes…..

‘Do not depend on external sources for the sustainability and strength of your Integral Revolution. Depend on your own resources, especially your inner spiritual resources and the inner spiritual resources of your mission-partners. Like a deep well with strong inner springs, you must also find your resources and strength from inner spiritual springs…

‘Spend time to be alone with the ALONE. Seek out God’s will and plan for you and your mission always through constant prayer, meditation and reflection. Study the subject well before speaking on it. Let your words and deeds reflect the depth of your knowledge and the power of your conviction….

‘Build up the Integral Revolution from the inner resources of the people. Tyagarchana and Pancha Sutra can be very useful in this process. Through Tyagarchana you can also develop and mobilize the necessary financial and spiritual resources….”

Excerpts from Integral Revolution

Emotional Dishonesty

Emotional dishonesty is a frequently used defense mechanism to defend oneself from revealing one’s real motives. It is different from moral or unethical dishonesty. In moral dishonesty one is aware that one is dishonest. One is aware that one is intentionally hiding one’s real motives. In emotional dishonesty one is not aware that one is not telling the true motive for doing what one is doing. The true motive, though not immoral or unethical, is not socially acceptable or agreeable to oneself or one’s partner or others. Emotional dishonesty often involves convenient excuses or justifications for one’s behavior. Interestingly, the one who engages in emotional dishonesty will not accept the same kind of excuses in others.

An emotionally dishonest person wants to please others. He or she is very sensitive to any criticism; he/she feels not appreciated by the one who constructively criticizes or even offers helpful suggestions; and is likely to repeat the same mistakes. This person can be often very committed and helpful; is led by likes and dislikes; emotions are not generally modulated by reason; can be impulsive and aggressive; does not mutually reciprocate; rarely apologizes, and does often think that he or she is the one who suffers rather than the one who causes the suffering. He or she is likely to use projection as a defense mechanism. If you were to tell this person, for instance, that he or is not aware of what is going on within, he or she will likely shoot right back: “You are the one who is not aware.” It will be difficult to carry on a rational conversation with this person or even agree to disagree in an agreeable way.

An emotionally dishonest person has no time for introspection, self-reflection, and meditation; keeps self very busy often engaging in valuable and helpful activities; and can be very caring and loving. This person spends time listening to the so-called experts; is less likely to have own considered opinion; and is unlikely to be creative and experimenting. In marriage if one partner is well-intentioned but emotionally dishonest, the other partner tries to adjust in great tolerance and love without rocking the boat too much while not compromising one’s own truth. It is a difficult balancing indeed.

Swami Snehananda Jyoti

Deadly Prophecy

A medieval Jewish astrologer prophesied to a king that his favourite mistress would soon die.

Sure enough, the woman died a short time later.  The king was outraged at the astrologer, certain that his prophecy had brought about the woman's death.  He summoned the astrologer and gave him this command: "Prophet, tell me when you will die!"

 The astrologer realized that the king was planning to kill him, immediately, no matter what answer he gave.  So he said, finally,  "I do not know when I will die.  I only know that whenever I die, you will die three days later."

Indian Thoughts Archives

EGO OR IGNORANCE

Christ and Buddha asked humanity to get rid of our ego or egotism. It is a very difficult proposition. Our ego expresses itself in one form or another ever so imperceptively. The fact that we are body-bound, it is very difficult for our mind, without great discipline (sadhana), to exercise control over body and bodily wants. In a way we are on a constant ego-trip. Deep awareness alone can keep vigilant watch over our ego so that we are not detracted from our spiritual goal. 

 In psychoanalytic psychology, ego carries out the executive function that mediates between the conscious and the unconscious, and anchors the person in reality testing, giving also a sense of personal identity. In philosophy, ego can be considered to be the conscious, thinking subject or the self. In ordinary life it may mean a person’s self-esteem or even self-importance. But the problem begins when a person is said to have a big ego and there is no place for any other ego. This is when a person is obsessed with oneself or is ego-centric; this person does not have a balanced ego. This kind of ego is frequently seen in politics and religion.

It is often difficult to discern between ego in the sense of undue self-importance and ignorance. Ego that is generally supposed to be conscious is not adequately conscious, and is clouded or even blinded by one’s ambition and self-inflation in this age of consumerism and materialism. Persons not having sufficient self-worth look for models to be led, and end up in the nets of narcissistic politicians or self-worshipping god-men and women. Even with the explosion of knowledge and communication persons in general are not secure enough to chart their own course in their God-given freedom to achieve their unique destiny of God-realization.

Characteristic of this age is the unwillingness of propagandists of consumer goods and self-aggrandized politicians and religionists to listen to simple messages given to them by ordinary persons. They interpret things in their own way that suits them. These misguided leaders often misinterpret the signs of the times because they are only in touch with their own ego swimming as it is in adulation and acclamation given them by the uncritical general populace. We can forgive the blind followers and their blinder leaders giving them the benefit of the doubt following one of the last statements of Christ before he died on the cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”. But we cannot absolve ourselves of our grave responsibility in expressing our views received from insights as a result of relentless sadhana (spiritual exercise) and search for truth.

Swami Snehananda Jyoti 

Chickens in a basket

One day two Polish men were walking down the road. One man had a basket with chickens in it.

At that time he said to the other man, "If you can guess how many chickens are in this basket I'll give you one of them."

So the other man says "No, I want two chickens."

The man with the chickens says,  "OK, if you can guess how many chickens are in this basket I'll give you both of them!"

The other man says three.

Most of us are like this foolish Polish man. We don’t care for the clues we have; instead we fall into pits for sure.

Indian Thoughts Archives

GC81 020117 Be a platinum personality

The year 2016 is over. We are entering into a brand New Year 2017. It is time to look back into 2016 to find out for ourselves the value (worth) of our presence (life) in our home, in our neighbourhood, in our country and in the world, during the one long year. Can you make a list of all the positive contributions you have made in some of the above areas. If you cannot find a single one, your one year of life is insignificant. If you can find one item only, it is only an accident. If you can find two positive contributions, still it is only a coincidence. But if you can find three or more than three positive contributions, it is an attitude of yours. Then your positive contributions are a part of your character. You are a person of great value to this world. Do you want the coming year 2017 for you to be a platinum year in your life? Then start to contribute positively, consciously and regularly in your home, society, country or the world. Hope to see you, the great personality at the end of year 2017. 

The glorious year 2017 has bloomed up. We have evaluated ourselves by counting the positive contributions we have done during the past year. We found ourselves as great and worthy contributors to our family and society, the nation and the world. We are satisfied and happy about our achievements. But we want this 2017 to be a golden year in our life. For this, we will need to visualize a greater picture of ourselves as a target by the end of 2017. In other words, we have to set goals for ourselves in seven different areas such family relationships, social relationships, growth in Physical, intellectual, emotional, want to be in each of these areas. At the beginning of each month, keeping these goals in mind plan for activities that will lead us to our dreams for the year. At the beginning of each week, let us set goals for the week. Every morning just believe that we belong to platinum personality type. Let us go ahead consciously and really living the life as a platinum personality. By the end of the year, we will find that we had a golden year. 

(The writer Shri. Jose Paul, veteran mathematics teacher from Delhi, who is a long time friend of Indian Thoughts has sent this New Year message)