Enthusiasm and Inspiration - Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati.(Regional Head of Chinmaya Mission Delhi-NCR.)

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Wednesday, August 25, 2021. 7:12. AM.
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Utsahavardhakaya is one who creates enthusiasm or generates inspiration in the hearts of his devotees.

Inspiration :

Some people provide motivation, others instigation, but the best give inspiration. Instigation pulls us down, motivation takes us forward and inspiration takes us upwards. Enthusiasm inspires us to raise ourselves to a higher plane. If one is tämasic, it motivates one to become rajasic. If rajasic, it encourages one to become sattvic. The sattvic, are inspired to go even beyond sattva; the worldly are enthused to follow the spiritual path; those on the spiritual path are inspired to take it seriously and attain God.

Just being in the company of great saints and sages helps us to develop an intense thirst and enthusiasm to attain God. At one stage, a strange desire arises in the mind, to give up even one’s life, if necessary, in order to attain the Supreme. This is the unique power of the Teacher who creates enthusiasm to pursue the path of spirituality and attain Self-knowledge.

Plato’s Cave :

Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda used to narrate the allegory of Plato’s cave. There was a huge cave inhabited by a tribe. Their entire world was darkness; they were born in darkness and lived in it. However, one of them was an explorer. He set off to find another world. He family and friends discouraged him, but he went forth. Sometimes walking, sometimes crawling, he finally came to a place where he felt a breeze and saw a bright light in the distance. Fearful and shaken, he gathered courage and went towards it. When he arrived at the source of the light, he saw a whole new world. He found sunlight, water, green grass and flowers. He was in ecstasy. Delighted with this wonderful discovery, he decided to return to the dark world and bring all his brethren with him to enjoy the paradise. His heart was full of compassion and love. Stumbling and falling in the dark, he went back.

Full of excitement, he related his experiences, but his kinsmen were sceptical. They thought that he was insane. He tried to convince people, but to no avail. Among the multitudes, one young man believed him. Both of them now started their journey to the land of light. Half-way through, the youth developed cold feet; he wanted to turn back and had to be coaxed and cajoled to move on. Eventually, they reached the promised land. The pioneer was satisfied at seeing the joy of the young man. Both of them returned to the cave to try and bring some more people out of their misery.

This is the path of great Mahatmas. They constantly try to inspire people to come out of the darkness of ignorance into the brilliance of Self-knowledge. Unfortunately, there is a huge credibility gap. Ignorant people believe in and understand only other ignorant people. Only spiritual Masters shake us out of this lethargy.

Different Techniques :

Gurudev intuitively knew the level of each devotee and would inspire them accordingly. Some were told to perform karmas, others were given higher sadhanas. Once, a young man complained to Gurudev about politicians and the entire political structure. Gurudev inspired him to become a politician and change the system. Similarly he encouraged business people to run their businesses efficiently.

To inspire the student, the Master even becomes humble. In the Mahābharāta, Lord Krishna, took on the lowly position of a saarathi and became Arjuna’s charioteer.

One Individual’s Vision :

Gurudev was a lone crusader. He came from Kerala, went to study in the Himalayas and gained the Knowledge. Out of his deep compassion, he decided to come to the plains and liberate the masses. Even his Teacher was unconvinced and told him not to go because he felt that people were so caught up in the world that they would not listen to this Knowledge. Gurudev persisted and Tapovan Maharaj gave his blessings.

Gurudev’s inspiration was infectious. Millions around the world heard his message and were transformed. Even today, we continue to be inspired by his vision: individual transformation leads to the transformation of the world.

History is witness to this fact. All the great religions of the world were started by one individual - one Gautam Buddha, one Jesus Christ, one Mohammed. Our own country has nurtured so many great Mahatmas and powerful personalities who have transformed millions.

This is the power of spirituality.

End.

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