Balancing Material With Spiritual MORE GEMS FROM THE RIGVEDA - PLEASE STUDY AND SHARE Abhee no arṣha divyaa vasooni Abhi vishwaa paarthivaa pooya-maanaḥ Abhi yena draviṇam ashna-waama Abhi aarṣheyam jamad-agni-van naḥ – Rig Veda 9:97:51 O God! Bring us two streams that will purify our perspective – one filled with divine riches and the other filled with the riches of the earth. In this way, we shall acquire both material prosperity and the blazing flame of intuitive wisdom that Rishi-Seers possess. It is important not to be poor in life. We must enjoy life’s basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter, and even more, because demands in life are increasing day by day. However, people seem to be getting so exhausted from the pursuit of nice things – a big house, private school for the kids, fancy cars – that they are time-starved and depleted. Life is luxurious but unsatisfying and simply no fun. We used to feel that more money unquestionably brings greater well-being, but a growing body of research is now positing that mere materialism is bad for emotional well-being. Researchers document an ever-growing list of downsides to acquiring and spending – damage to relationships and self-esteem, a heightened risk of depression and anxiety, less time for what truly makes people happy [like family, friendship and engaging work], and even headaches. The question is: Do we relinquish materialism and embrace the other extreme, of spirituality? The term spirituality has thus far defied genuine attempts at being defined. We can, however, safely say that when we are spiritual, we focus on a sense of peace, purpose, connection to others, and beliefs about the meaning of life. Consequently, we develop a deep regard for inner values as opposed to material interests. We devoutly engage in prayer and meditation, interact more with people and nature, and seek out a meaningful relationship with God. Which one of these two is the desired path for humanity? This current Mantra advises a happy, productive balance between the two extremes. Simply put, we won’t find peace on a hungry stomach. What would happen if everyone went off to a 3-hour meditation practice? Who would cook dinner for the kids? We need to understand that a balance between the two paths would ensure that both dinner is cooked and meditation is practiced. Few people realize that we are souls living inside material bodies. If we do something about our own spiritual life – like find out who we really are and what were meant to do – life can, and will, surely improve. The sad thing is that we put zero effort into finding our true identity and purpose while we merely keep our bodies and minds pleasantly occupied. This is like stopping for gas but never eating. What good is keeping our cars fuel tank full if were starving? So, O God, in an effort to balance the material with the spiritual, we ask that You bring us two streams – one filled with divine riches and the other filled with the riches of the earth. This would cleanse our perspective regarding life and its true purpose. Focusing on the balance between the material and the spiritual, this Mantra teaches that we must develop the skill to see both outside and inside. In seeing the outside, we see sun and moon, day and night; we see living beings and lifeless objects, we see changes in nature, in people and in things – and while seeing all of this we come to conclusions and we form ideas. Based on previous experience, we see one thing and infer another thing. Inner seeing, however, amounts to intuition, the ability to understand a concept without the need for conscious reasoning. Intuition is a direct perception of truth independent of any reasoning process. Historically, the Rishis were seers – they saw truth through the intuitive process. These Rishis had received wisdom from God in the beginning of human creation. Rishi Jamadagni was one of them. In this current Mantra, we express the wish that while we acquire material prosperity, we may also develop the blazing flame of intuitive wisdom that Rishi-Seers possess. WORD -FOR-WORD MEANING Pooyamaanah – As You purify us; Arsha – Bring; Abhi Nah – for/unto us; Divyaani Vasooni – divine riches; Vishwaani Parthivaani Vasooni – [and] all earthly riches; Yena – So that/In this way; Abhi Ashna-waama – we may acquire; Dravinam – economic/material security; Aarsheyam – and the status of the Rishis; Jamad-agni-vat – like Jamadagni Rishi, who had developed in himself the blazing fires [See Nirukta 7:24].
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 10:29:25 +0000
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