The Spirit Of Spirituality: Basics of Action

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Basics of Action

I have posted several blogs related to concepts of spirituality like soul, death, Brahman, Atman etc. All of these probably appeal to the intellectual curiosity for some people probably. For most of us who are beginners in the spiritual path, it surely is a long process before we even remotely come to a stage where we can even see glimmer of hope of attaining that super state. The question then is, all this is fine, what next? What should I do next? How can I attain that super-conscious state?

The only practical thing that we can do is to try and see how we can inculcate spiritual practices in something that is already routine to us. All of us do some activities in our day to day life. The challenge is to convert these day to day activities into acts of spirituality. Before we delve deeper into this topic, it may be worthwhile to understand action more from a spiritual perspective.

Action based on intent

When we do any action with intent of self-aggrandizement, it obviously is a selfish act. But how many of us know that almost every action of ours is a selfish act in some form or another. We may rebel and say, that we do our activities daily to feed our family and keep them happy. So how can that be selfish? If we open the hood and look under, why are we really interested in their happiness? For us, it is a source of happiness when they are happy. Will I go and do something for my neighbors’ child? Probably not, because it is not a source of happiness for me!

Recently I heard some of my friends say that donating a car is pointless because the depreciation rules are changed and hence the benefit to them is less. How can a thought of donating a car only because it gives a good benefit in terms of reduced taxes be an unselfish act? Assuming the tax laws are favorable and we are donating because of that, this becomes an act of material selfishness even though to the world it seems an unselfish act. We may say, we give in charity to some activity or person. It is an unselfish act. Again looking under the hood, we get an emotional satisfaction that we have helped and that we are better than someone who has not helped. This is an act of emotional selfishness. I may give to charity to be known as a great donor. Have we not seen instances of devotees donating to a temple so that their name is broadly displayed? Though seemingly unselfish, this is an act of intellectual selfishness.

So, what is a real unselfish act or a selfless act? Only an act that is done with absolutely no expectation of any benefit, physical, emotional or intellectual is an unselfish act. This is an act that I have to do as a human being. Whether I get a fruit or not is immaterial. If that is the intention behind an act of service, it truly becomes an unselfish act. Is this true in all cases? This leads us to the next discussion of different types of action based on a “commitment”.

Action based on “commitment”

There are certain acts that have to be performed with no expectation of fruits. When I get married, I have to take care of my wife. When I have a child, I have to take care of it. I am not unlikely to get any fruits for this act nor will I have even intent of getting fruits from such action. I cannot turn back and say that I am doing activities unselfishly. These types of acts are “responsibilities” which I have to fulfill because of some decision I have taken. Just because I do not get any fruits, I cannot shun away from such activities.

Next are a set of activities where it is not wrong to expect a fruit of the action. When I work for a company and expect to get paid, it is NOT a selfish act. But then it is not unselfish too. What is it then? These types of activities can be called “duties”. These are something where we do an act expecting a result or fruit and have every right not to do duties where we do not get a fruit.

Finally there are some activities which will probably not give us any fruits, activities which we need not do. But if we do not such activities, it is pointless being born as a human being. Let us take a situation where are in some building and we notice a slum toddler playing with some toys. As we keep seeing, we see the child move towards the stairs and it is likely that its next move will send it tumbling down the stairs. As a casual bystander, I do not need to do anything. But can I or will I? Even though it is a slum child, all dirty, won’t I rush to pull the child away from a disastrous fall? Why did I do it? This is an act I have to do though there is absolutely no reward. This is an “obligatory act” that I have to do as a human being.

Action based on innate nature

Some people just do not feel like acting. They are slothful, lazy and have no enthusiasm for any activity. Else, they may do dare devil acts with absolutely no thought of consequences. We have heard of binge drinking, drug taking or driving while drunk. These are all what are called as “tamasic” activities, activities done on the spur of the moment without any thought for the consequences.

Then there are people who are always active, always tense about an act because they are worried about the results. In their act of worrying, they cannot focus on the task at hand and are unable to give off their best. These are what are called “rajasic” activities.

Finally there are people who do activities as an obligation. They do not worry about fruits. They do the act as an agent of the Lord and take no ownership for the act. These are called as “satvic” activities.

As readers may be aware, 3 of my books on spirituality are available on Amazon.com.

I invite readers of my blog to try any of the books and give me feedback so that I can make changes in the next edition.

1. My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality

My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality