Arya Samaj

Shishya · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:24 pm Post subject: Back to the Basics

Back to the Basics
by
Arya Putra

In this country (USA), we often hear the phrase, “Take Care.” Unfortunately, this is usually just another empty ‘good-bye.’ Until we say ‘good-bye’ to our violence we will continue to live careless lives. Until we become more selective of the food we eat, the thoughts we hold, and the company we keep, we will never have good health, peace of mind, and a healing spirit (good vibration).

Some people take better care of their pets than they do their children. They are more kind to their dog or cat than they are to their husband or wife. They save the whales and cry for the seals but kill the cows and eat veal without any shame.

People campaign for world peace but have not made peace with themselves. People convert others to their religion without converting their own noble intentions into good actions. In fact, often people’s intentions are not really noble, because most people are brainwashed to believe that what is false is true, what is harmful is helpful, and what is unreal is real.

We need to go back to the basics. Krinvanto Swayam Aryam. We need to make ourselves noble by removing that which is ignoble within ourselves. Only then have we taken the first step in making the whole world noble (Krinvanto Vishvam Aryam).

People are inclined to maim and kill human beings because they have had lots of practice killing and eating animals, birds, and other creatures. Human beings have lost touch with their own humanity. They have forgotten their Real Nature.

The Isha Upanishad tells us: Om Asuryaa Naama Te Lokaa Andhena Tamasaa Vritaaha. Taamste Pretyaabhigacchanti Ye Ke Caatmahano Janaaha. This mantra is saying that people who act contrary to their real nature (who do not act as Wise men and women), remain stuck in their negativity and are suffocated by their own dense ignorance. People who deliberately ignore their conscience are murdering their own soul (consciousness).

When people cause injury to other living beings for their pleasure or due to carelessness, they are acting ignorantly and are inflicting pain on themselves without realizing it. Eventually they cannot stand to suffer anymore and look for ways to end their pain and suffering. The answers lie within but as long as we keep lying to ourselves we never look within. We are lying to ourselves when we blame our problems on things outside of ourselves.

Religion is NOT the answer. The answer is found in Truth, and Truth is found in truthfulness. There is ‘something’ absolutely pure and good within every man, woman, and child on this planet Earth. That ‘something’ is our Essence which is the very basis of our being. If we stick to the basic truths (and the most basic one of all is Non-Violence), then our Self-knowledge (the knowledge of our Essence) will grow in our mind. If the mind is guided with divine wisdom, that knowledge will grow rapidly. When that knowledge (of the Self) is applied, our problems go away.

The mind which is NOT purified with wisdom will eventually putrefy, and its ugliness will create hell on earth. This is the problem in the world today. Ignorance prevails because people are ignoring the basics. The cry for “Back to the Vedas” is a noble one, but equally important is the call for ‘Back to the Basics.’

Prabhat · Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:21 am Post subject:

Namaste,

i like this
Religion is NOT the answer. The answer is found in Truth, and Truth is found in truthfulness.

but this is where the problem is i think. everybody thinks that theres is the ONLY truth

The mind which is NOT purified with wisdom will eventually putrefy, and its ugliness will create hell on earth. This is the problem in the world today. Ignorance prevails because people are ignoring the basics. The cry for “Back to the Vedas” is a noble one, but equally important is the call for ‘Back to the Basics.’

and what is the basics?
_________________
Namaste,
Prabhat

Arya Putra · Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 4:06 am Post subject:

The Basics

Shishya · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 1:18 am Post subject:

Namaste Arya Ji,

Thank you very much for both the original article and your explanatory addition. This has brought me to an idea for a project that I would like to share with you and which I hope could be of benefit to other members here at the forum:

After reading what you wrote, I was struck with the idea of how useful it could be if we as a group were to discuss each of the Yamas and Niyamas individually and in-depth. I think each one of them is sufficient to start an interesting discussion - if nothing else, a short article on each one could serve to make some of us think about their application to our daily lives.

Would you be interested in leading such a series of dicussions? I think one Yama or Niyama per month would be sufficient, and would give us all time to think of way to apply them to our lives.

There is, of course, no pressure on you here. I understand that you are a busy individual and might not have the time to embark on such a venture. But I think I speak for all when I say that such a series would be most fruitful.

Please consider it. namaste

_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Prabhat · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 2:04 am Post subject:

Namaste Shisya,

i like the idea. this wil spice up the forum a litle bit. i was thinking the forum is going in a sleep-mode.

so i hope bro Arya wil do this.
_________________
Namaste,
Prabhat

Shishya · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:58 pm Post subject:

Namaste All,

I am very pleased to announce the creation of a new sub-forum here at the Arya Samaj Forum which shall deal specifically with practical spirituality, i.e. the Yamas and Niyamas. Click the link below to access the new forum:

Spiritual Discipline Forum
_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads