Think good; Act better; Deliver the best
The prosperity of any nation lies primarily in the hands of youngsters who work hard with energy and enthusiasm.
When the individual works hard to raise his standard of living, indirectly he helps the nation to prosper.
While the energy comes from within, one should be careful not to waste it. If he diverts his attention from his work, it will dissipate his energy. Then it will be very difficult for him to achieve the desired goal from his work.
Why do all people not have the same level of energy when they enter the field of action?
Mere energy cannot kindle the spirit in a person to perform better in the outer field. For that to happen, he must have an ideal goal to achieve. That goal must inspire the individual to strive to his full capacity to achieve the goal.
Even after fixing the goal, all cannot achieve, what they desired to achieve. What is the reason behind it?
In all human beings, "ego" is the propelling force to activate the inspiration to achieve the goal. If one wants to raise his standard, ego is very essential.
"Without ego, one cannot grow"
We have wrong notions about ego. Ego denotes will-power, self-effort, self-confidence and strong faith in successfully completing the work. Yet, if it grows beyond the limit, it may make the man arrogant.
But, when the ego lies dormant, inspiration cannot take place and the goal fixed by the individual will become merely a dream.
Considering the nature, mental attitude and behaviour of the human beings, they can be divided into three groups, viz. "Un-active", " Active" and "Inactive".
Let us analyse the groups with reference to their nature, mental attitude and behaviour.
Un-active Type:- (Here, "Un-active" does not mean physically inactive or mentally passive. It refers to those who are inwardly quiet, yet fully alert and capable of action when circumstances demand it)
Salient features:-
1. Sublimated Ego.
2. Humility.
3. No regrets; No expectations.
4. Being present in the 'present.'
5. Sub-conscious mind .. free
from all kinds of debris.
6. Detached attachment.
7. Introvert by nature.
8. Works like a tool
in "HIS" hands.
9. Free from emotions.
The people of "Un-active" type will always keep themselves away from the crowd. Even in the midst of the crowd, they will maintain their "aloneness". Where they have to mingle with the people, they will know how to maintain their "inner silence".
At any given situation, they will never react; if found necessary, they will only respond.
Normally they will not come forward to act in the outer world. If circumstances create a situation where they have to act, they will act without expecting anything in return. Their action will be a 'desireless action'.
They will not consider either the "means" or the "end". They will just do what they have to do, as they know pretty well that they are behaving like a tool in "HIS" hands.
Because of their 'introvert' tendency, they might have deeply studied the life structure as a whole and realised that the real 'peace' comes from the within.
If anybody approached them with reverence, they will surely guide him as to how he can conduct his 'way of life' which will lift his standard of life.
(People of old-age, ill-health and lazy are not to be considered under this type. They may be physically un-active but mentally may not be un-active.)
Inactive Type:- (Unable to act on their own initiative)
Salient features:-
1. Sleepiness will be their nature.
2. In them, the 'Ego' will be in a dormant stage. So, they cannot get any inspiration to act voluntarily.
3. Being emotional, they will react dangerously when instigated by someone who utilise them for their advantages.
4. Some may have intelligence; yet, because of their laziness they cannot use the 'power of discrimination'.
5. In many cases, their life will be led by others.
6. They may have many number of desires; but being lazy, they may not have any plan to fulfill the desires.
"Active Type"
Most of the youngsters are coming under this 'Type'. But, we can sub-divide them into three groups, viz. 'Un-selfish', 'Self-centered' and 'Selfish'.
Active Type .. Unselfish
Salient features:-
They will always work for a higher cause.
Wherever possible, they will try to help others .. Physically as well as financially.
For them, serving the mankind is more important than worshipping the God.
After meeting the minimum requirements of the family, they will utilise their time and energy to work for the upliftment of 'others' in the society.
For them, not only the "end", but also the "means" are important. So, they will not follow "unethical means" to achieve their "end".
Even when they work for a good cause without expecting anything in return, people around them will not hesitate to slander them and to criticise their activities.
The experiences will also force them to approach the people of un-active types for their guidance.
Such experiences gained by them from their activities in the outer world will force them to introspect very often. The introspection, when continued for a long time, will take them away from the 'Active type' to the 'Un-active type'.
Being straight-forward and honest, they will become a 'role model' for future generations.
Active Type .. Self-centered
Salient features:-
Self-centered people cannot be considered either as "Unselfish" or as "Selfish".
Their interest will be to look after their own family well.
They may not set any specific goal to achieve.
They will never do any harm to others.
They will not indulge in any corrupt practices.
Normally they will be law-abiding citizens.
Because of the softness of character, they will not fight with others.
Some of them may have a desire to serve the man-kind. But, for want of time and financial resources, they cannot do it. In spite of these constraints, they may help others whenever it is feasible to do so; without disturbing the welfare of their own family.
Active Type .. Selfish
Salient features:-
Of all the types, people belonging to this type are the most mischievous.
Their motto will be to accumulate wealth to the maximum possible.
For them, end is important and not the means.
They will never hesitate to indulge in corrupt practices to earn money.
They will utilise the services of the people of "inactive" type to their advantage.
If they come to power, they will not worry about the nation's welfare; they will simply exploit the position to multiply their wealth.
Their never-ending desire may lead to their downfall also.
Throughout their life they will not understand that the money they chase will never bring them any peace.
The 'Ego' of each type of people can be classified as below:-
Un-active Type:-
Sublimated Ego.
Their intention will be to eliminate the ego fully so as to reach a stage of 'No Ego'.
To attain this level, all impressions recorded in their sub-conscious mind are to be fully cleared.
Active Type .. Unselfish:-
Inflated Ego.
Because of the inflated Ego, they might have a goal to achieve.
Being 'unselfish', their goal may be an ideal one.
Active Type .. Self-centered:-
Ego is neither inflated nor dormant.
Being soft in their behavior, they cannot fix any goal to achieve.
Active Type .. Selfish:-
Inflated Ego.
Because of the inflated Ego, they might have a goal to attain.
Yet, being 'selfish', their goal may not be an ideal one.
For them, the goal is to amass wealth.
In-active Type:-
Dormant Ego.
The Ego will always be dormant in nature.
When instigated by others, they
may flare up in their acton; but the ego will ever be in a dormant stage.
Of all the types mentioned above, only the 'Unselfish' and 'Selfish' type of people will have a goal to attain.
But only the 'Unselfish' type of people will have an ideal goal to achieve. What should they do to achieve the "ideal goal"?
Swami Chinmayananda has given a brief but lucid advice for them to follow:-
"First we should discover a goal, to draw inspiration from and stop all wastage of that inspiration in unintelligent regrets of the past, or in equally unintelligent imagination of the future, or in the excitement of the present. Thus if we work on in the world, with the head and heart (meaning the intellect and the mind) where the hand is working, the very work gains the stamp of great efficiency and speed; and the joy of work is ours."
... Excerpt from 'Kindle Life' by Swami Chinmayananda.
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