Finding Solutions Through Alternative Ideas

Once the true reasons for an existing problem are seen clearly, a person can then seek out alternative solutions that will truly help the situation. Just as seeing past the myth that economic theory proffered, seeing that these theories will not help has allowed the professor to seek out the actual dynamics that resulted in abject poverty.

In all aspects of society, including business, health, and education, questioning and seeking the truth beyond the myth, allows a person to discover helpful alternative solutions. But one must be able to think for themselves. For example, in the field of health, there is a general notion in allopathic medicine that disease is addressed by treating symptoms. It is further stated that some diseases cannot be healed and that the causes of some diseases are unknown. Ayurvedic medicine, on the other hand, looks beyond these myths and addresses the root cause of illness, thus these alternative healing methods help many people with so-called incurable disorders.

It is often asked, ‘what makes a good leader? ’ Lately, some have begun to question the view of the ‘few knows best’ model (few ruling the many) because leaders have failed to offer real solutions in many areas of life, such as government, business, education, health, and environment. As people looked past the myth of authoritarianism, they found that many successful leaders are listeners; they are servants to their employees and customers; they are compassionate, honoring workers rights and environmental health. They follow what is called a ‘win-win’ philosophy. Instead of addressing the outer symptoms of life, they listen to learn the real root-causes of any situation.

If an old-school leader observes that a worker is slowing down, they might use fear or intimidation to ‘motivate’ that worker. This may work for a short time, but the underlying cause of the slowdown remains unaddressed, and unless the situation is resolved, the worker Conversely, a leader who seeks out the root of the worker’s slowed productivity might ask the worker if everything is alright at home, or if there are any issues at work causing the person to naturally slow down. Studies have found that simply showing more concern about a worker is enough to improve the productivity and job satisfaction. Now in the 21st century, most of societies’ systems are 20th century. It will require piercing the theoretical myths, seeing the real reason things are broken, and only then will new, successful solutions appear.

Myth-dispelling is at the core of spiritual life as well. Dispelling the myth that the body, feelings, and thoughts are the true Self, is achieved through asking questions such as, ‘Who am I’ or ‘How can I feel God’s eternal Divine love’?

The Vedic literature speaks of piercing the veils of illusion (maya), the myths of what is real in a temporary sense, compared with what is eternal, and gradually realize one’s eternal Soul or eternal bliss (sat chit ananda).

Self-Realization means not becoming lost or confused about who you are and what you life purpose is. One sees the eternal in everything ― seeing all things as one, undifferentiated. There is no difference between your individual Soul, the Soul of the rock, and God, the Universal Soul, the all-is-One Eternal Soul.

In all areas of life, proper educational methods (ie, direct experience) must be employed to arrive at the root of an issue. This requires continually asking with sincerity and humility.

Krishna says that even the most sinful of sinners can cross the ocean of sin by the boat of knowledge. Here, knowledge means direct experience of Soul or God, and sin means denying oneself the grace of Soul-Realization. We see this in the story of Tulsidass, who was a criminal, but because of his association with saints, he eventually became a saint and wrote Ramacharita Manasa, a devotional version of the Ramayana.

Some say we are born with ‘original sin’ and have to work to remove it. It could be argued that if God is within us we are born with ‘original grace, ’ with which we can focus and nurture and grow this Divine aspect of ourselves until it flowers and takes over the rest of our life ― no matter how many faults and shortcomings we may have.

The dictionary defines sin as a “transgression of divine law, an estrangement from God.” If we follow the laws, our lives flow along with all of nature. So by not sinning one is not restrained from joy, rather, it gives an opportunity to experience the eternal joy inherent in life. While Western religions may teach the above definitions, colloquially, sin is often thought of as an arbitrary offence devised by a vindictive God.

Conversely, the Vedic view is that acting sinfully inflicts self-harm, or at least prevents true joy; destroying one’s real dreams and deepest heart’s desire. The Vedic standpoint is that one can know God directly, and experience eternal joy even in this life. So the sin of estrangement from God means you are missing an opportunity to experience greater divine joy. It’s a shame, not an imposition. In the West sin is something people often want; in the East, sin is something people really want to avoid.

Plant Seeds of Love

Make life a mantra for God — a song of loving praise. Read scriptures, ethical philosophers, spend time in nature and with God’s creatures, practice compassion, understanding, and trust; devote all thoughts and actions to God and to the betterment of humans and nature. Share your divine love whenever and wherever you can.

Trust others and you will find that most people are trustworthy. In these ways you are constantly planting seeds of love, compassion, den blossoming with God’s grace and love.

Giving away the flowers from this garden leaves space for more flowers to grow. And just like some flowers, when it is pruned, two growths appear where there was just one. So the more you give away your Divine love, the more it grows in your life. Once a person tastes the nectar of Divine love― even a drop― they will devote more and more of their actions and thoughts to sharing that nectar, that Divine love.

Wisdom Versus Ignorance

Krishna continues to extol knowledge. He says, nothing as purifying as knowledge. Having faith in something greater than oneself (God, nature, ethics), a person gains greater knowledge. Knowledge in this discussion refers to that gained through of questioning, analyzing, and living that unlocks truth.

A person who doubts their Divine experiences, on the other hand, one who doubts compassion and mistrusts people, cannot know the next world.

The cause of doubt is ignorance. By not questioning, by not searching for the root-cause of issues in life, a person remains only with theories and ‘group-think.’ If a person does not think for themselves, they can never know truth and remove doubt.

Krishna continues. This form of knowledge is a sword that destroys ignorance and doubt. Thus, it is important to know truth through proper study and to use that knowledge to destroy ignorance and O Arjuna, sacrifice of knowledge is superior to sacrifice of material possessions. Actions do not ensnare when performed with wisdom. [33]

This wisdom is learned through reverence, inquiry, and humble service to the wise who have realized their eternal Souls; they will teach you this supreme wisdom. [34]

O Arjuna, by knowing this mystical science you shall never again be deluded; you will realize all creation is in the Soul, and then in Me. [35]

Even the most sinful of the sinners can cross over the ocean of sins and miseries by the bark of this eternal wisdom. [36]

O Arjuna, just as a fire reduces wood to ashes, so too the fire of knowledge burns away (desires for the rewards of) actions. [37]

Nothing in this world purifies like eternal Soul wisdom. Those perfected by yoga, in time, realize this wisdom within themselves. [38]

A person with unflinching faith, who has mastered the senses, realizes their Soul, and thus eternal peace and bliss. [39]

Those ignorant of this teaching are without faith, and this leads to doubt that causes their ruin. For one afflicted by doubt and uncertainty, there is no happiness in this world or the next. [40]

O Arjuna, actions cannot ensnare the person who acts selflessly, self-possessed and uprooting doubt, they realize their eternal, joyful Soul. [41]

Therefore with the sword of eternal knowledge, cut asunder self-doubt born of ignorance that resides in the heart. Take shelter in the mystical science of Self-Realization and arise for battle, O Arjuna. [42]

Summary:

 

Avatars:

• God comes to earth in human form when virtue runs the risk of being destroyed by vice.

• Reincarnation is defined as the Soul moving from body to body until one body realizes they are the Soul. Death is just the exchange of bodies, such as discarding old, worn clothes for new apparel.

• Each religion claims that their God is the only way. There are, in fact, many paths to the same, one goal — Divine realization.

• God created the gunas that do the work of creation, maintenance, and destruction in all of life; As eternal and unbounded, God is beyond all activity and material limitations.

 

Dispelling the Myth of the Caste System:

• People perform best according to their innate God-given abilities, thus making specialization of labor important; one job is not superior to another; all are interdependent.

• Righteous action is action that is done for selfless reasons, and unrighteous actions are those actions that are done for selfish reasons.

When a person is aware of their eternally still Soul, even while they are acting, they have succeeded in becoming detached.

 

Detachment, Gratitude, and Contentment:

• The secrets to easy living: gratitude, contentment, and detachment are discovered when being content with whatever comes without undue effort.

 

Different Forms of Sacrifice (Selfless Service):

•

Sacrifice can involve controlling one’s senses, offering money, charity work, austerities, spiritual practices, scriptural study, breath control, and the highest, letting go of personal desires.

 

How to Gain Knowledge:

• Through sincerity and humility a person gains true knowledge.

 

Dispelling the Myths of the Habits of the Poor:

• When given an opportunity — a hand-up, the poor prove to be as honest or more honest, reliable, and intelligent as others who have had more opportunities in their life.

 

Knowledge Through Alternatives:

• Focusing on the root of problems instead of addressing the symptoms, allows you to realize alternative ways to correct situations in all areas of life.

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