Swami's Teaching - pinpointer for protection of environment and society

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Light and Love Every day Swami's Teaching becomes more actual as

destruction of natural resources on the planet by consumer technogenic society

will turn more and more global. No management of technogenic systems and

whatsoever 'tricks' to create more powerful cleaning systems of water, air and

soil will preserve planetary natural resources and do not keep a planet from

natural disasters caused by human wicked desires to obtain more riches, wealth

and comfort. Humanity should change the style of thinking and the scale of

human values concern to the attitude to the nature including the human society.

Swami's Teaching is entirely devoted to the development human mind and

spiritual culture. His Teaching has many aspects. One of these is world wide

educational system (EHV, educational human values) with hundreds schools on

different levels. Every Sri Sathya Sai Baba Organization’s (SSSBO) entity and

EHV SSSB School system has its own experience and program what is directly in

accord with Swami's directions. There are hundreds different experiences.

For preservation the Earth's resources for the future generations the main

aspect is the reduction of irresponsible, superfluous and unnecessary

consumption. It is possible by reduction of desires and by increasing the

spiritual awareness about the essence of life and Atmic reality. Swami's

Teaching is based on His two directions. They are: Nine Point Code of Conduct

and Ten Principles for the Noble Life. These directions serve as foundations

for practice and experience of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa (Truth,

Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non-violence). These directions are not only for

the benefit of devotees, but for all humanity, for the spiritual development of

every human being. These directions are guidelines for every SSSBO and SSSB EHV

system and represented in every their programs over the Earth. Swami's

guidelines are also published in

'Sifi':http://sify.com/news/sathyasaibaba/fullstory.php?id=13312779 (I do

not repeat all guidelines once more, as they are widely known and have

mentioned in previous contributions. One, who is not aware from what to begin

the spiritual education/self education, may click to the site above or:

http://www.kingdomofsai.org/9point.html). The ninth point of 'Nine Point

Code of Conduct' declares: "Practice placing a ceiling on desires -

consciously and continuously striving to eliminate the tendency to waste time,

money, food, and energy - and utilizing the savings for service to mankind."

This point serves as the Divine Guideline from Swami for sustainable

development and world wide environment protection i. e., for the whole

environmental/ecology movement. The last is directed towards the preservation,

restoration, or enhancement of the natural environment, protection of

biodiversity on spiritual, aesthetic and cultural grounds. The natural

environment is also of interest in the area of scientific movement focused on

Gaia theories*, uniqueness of the Earth and other inter-relations between human

sciences and human responsibilities. Environmental health movement more related

to nutrition, preventive medicine and aging and other human's specific

concerns. (*Gaia is a scientific model of the biosphere where life fosters

and maintains suitable conditions for itself by affecting Earth's environment.

The first author of Gaia is the English atmospheric scientist James Lovelock in

1969. He hypothesized that the living matter of the planet functioned like a

single organism, self-regulating living system and named it after the Greek

goddess Gaia). Theories of Gaia and Lovelock's hypothesis was received much

antagonism by some scientific communities. But at present most scientists

accept this. No controversy exists in these theories: life and the physical

environment significantly influence one another. Gaia theory brings modern

science closer to spirituality, to spiritual values of the Universe, Creation).

Mentioned streams of environment protection belong to the Deep Ecology as a

scientific aspect today's science what promotes a reconnection with ecological

values, and encourages actions that can lead to experiences that transform old

ways of thinking and develop a more spiritually connected way of living. By my

view Swami's Teaching is the foundation for the Deep Ecology scientific aspect.

Deep ecologists believe that humankind has a sacred relationship with the Earth

and all other living beings, and through such a relationship will develop an

international movement for a viable future. On a more individual level, Deep

Ecology can provide a path towards self-realization and a compass for day to

day action. Deep Ecology's main standpoints are the following. 1.Continuing

inquiry into the appropriate human roles on the Earth. 2. The conservation and

restoration of ecosystems in all Earth's ecoregions. 3. Root cause analysis of

unsustainable practices and uneconomic growth of consumption. 4. Reduction of

human meaningless consumption. Environmental movements often are linked with

other social movements as Peace, human rights, endemic diseases, poverty,

hunger, etc.. (Information above has taken from Reet's lectures of

environmental sciences for teachers and specialists, 2005). Human’s desires

are infinite. The desires for material riches, power and luxury are growing from

day to day as 'x' squared or cubed. However, humanity is living on the planet

with limited resources. Manufacturing processes and modern technology demand

great expenditures of energy, treasures of the soil and other materials mostly

from non-renewable sources and their use in turn cause a new pollution. How to

reduce the pollution of planet? It is possible through development awareness

as spiritual consciousness what is integrated with science, culture and social

movements. The reduction of pollution (both, physical and mental) begins

from reduction of human’s desires and correction the values in human's mind.

The medicine for such global enlightenment is Swami's Teaching in accord with

ancient wisdom of Vedas and Avatars, what Swami's transforms to our generation

with His own Directions and with His Divine Energy to the devotees and to all

others who long for awareness. It is urgent need for all humanity to follow at

least one of His significant directions to ceiling of desires for the benefit

of planet's nature and human society. There is no time to wait, destruction and

pollution of natural environment as environment of humans mind is quickly

increasing. Swami explains His own status as example, as one of other

humans, as source of inspiration and instruction. "I eat as you do, move

about as you do, I talk in your language, and behave as you can understand, for

your sake, not for My sake. I direct you towards the Divine, winning your

confidence, your love, your loyalty, by being among you, as one of you. My aim

is to transmute you into spiritual aspirants so as to enable you to know your

true being, becoming aware of the Truth of the Universe, which is but a

projection of your own Truth. I am the inner spring in all that moves and

exists. I am the energy, the power that propels and impels. I am the knower,

the known and the knowledge. But, I do not display capriciously or confound

you. I am an example, and inspiration, an instruction. My Life is a commentary

on this message." (N. Kasturi. "Sathyam Sivam Sundaram". Chapter, "So Kind! So

Kind!"). Swami tells that "The five elements - ether, air, fire, water,

and earth - are the vesture of God, as well as of man. Use them moderately and

with wisdom, with fear and humility. Their characteristics, for which they are

sought after, are sound of the sky (representing ether), touch of wind, form of

fire, taste of water, and smell of earth. Even these, sounds and others, have to

be moderate if they are to confer comfort." (Sathya Sai Baba, Sathya Sai Speaks

Vol. 4, Chapter 27). Human being is deluded by unlimited desires. He is

forgetting his/her true Reality and Cosmic Oneness -Atma, i. e. Cosmic

Consciousness (Paratattwa). He is forgetting selflessly to give but wishes to

receive from nature all what make his/her life easier and worldly happier. That

is why it is important to keep desires under control, to place a ceiling on

them. By Swami, for example, we are spending too much money. Instead of

inordinately spending for our own pleasure, we should be spending for the

relief of the poor and needy. This is the real meaning of ceiling on desires.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that giving money is all that is needed,

however. Do not give to others while allowing your own desires to continue to

multiply. Human can be freed only by limiting his wants. You should have desire

only for life's bare necessities. How can humans to reduce the desires?

His directions are represented as compilation on the site

http://www.freewebs.com/sathwicfood/ceiling_on_desires.htm . Below are excerpts

from this. Firstly, consider the food we consume. Eat only what you need to

eat. Do not take more than you can eat and waste the rest, because wasting food

is a great sin. The surplus food can feed another stomach. Do not waste food,

because food is God, life is God, and human is born from food. Food is the main

source of life, body, mind and character. A minute part of the water consumed

becomes the life force (prana). The nature of the food and water that we take

in decides our character. Only by controlling the quality of our food and water

can we attain Divinity. This is why food is said to be God. Hence, to waste food

is to waste God. Eat only what you need, and be sure that what you eat is

Sathwic. Give any surplus food to those in need. Secondly, consider the ways

in which money is spent. Indians consider money or wealth as the Goddess

Lakshmi. Do not misuse money. By doing so, you will only become a slave to bad

qualities, bad ideas, and bad habits. Use your money wisely for good deeds.

Thirdly, examine the usage of time. The most important, the most needed factor

is time. Time should be spent in a useful manner. Time should be sanctified

because everything in this creation is dependent on time. Even our scriptures

say that God is referred to as Time and Beyond Time.The main reason for man's

birth and death is time. Time is the main factor in our growth and essential

part of life. Do not degrade time by spending it participating in unnecessary

conversations, or by getting involved in other's personal matters. The truth

behind the saying "Don't waste time" is that no time should be wasted in evil

thoughts and acts. Instead, make use of time in an efficient way. Fourthly,

conservation of energy is very important. Our physical, mental, and spiritual

energies should never be wasted. Seeing bad things, hearing bad things,

speaking evil, thinking evil thoughts, and doing evil deeds all waste your

energy. Conserve your energy in all these five areas, and make your life more

meaningful. (There is much Swami's directions concern to desires and

their classification. Which desires human being must ceiling and which freeing

and which developing? About it and other Swami's advises on this topic in the

serial 'Swami teaches..', time by time). Ceiling on desires is the

central link for human spiritual development and attaining liberation. Gautama

Buddha pointed that desire is the cause of suffering and sorrow. His 'The Four

Noble Truths' and 'The Noble Eightfold Path is the fundamental insight in

Buddhism. Below the both are represented in brief as the ancient wisdom

what has incarnated in new conditions of modern consumer-society as a part from

Swami's Teaching. The Truth is always the same, but time is responsible for that

several enlighten persons and Avatars incarnated on the Earth to spread this

Truth for different humans’ generations. The Four Noble Truths 1.

Dukkha: All worldly life is unsatisfactory, disjointed, suffering. 2.

Samudaya: There is a cause of suffering, which is attachment or desire. 3.

Nirodha: There is a way out of suffering, which is to eliminate attachment and

desire. 4. Marga: The path that leads out of suffering is called the Noble

Eightfold Path.

 

The Noble Eightfold Path, as taught by Gautama Buddha, is the way to the

cessation of suffering, the fourth part of the Four Noble Truths. Buddha

explained that cultivation of the Eightfold Path lead to the development of two

further stages once enlightenment has been achieved. These are Right Knowledge

and Right Liberation (or Right Release). The Noble Eightfold Path describes the

way to the end of suffering. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental

development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and

delusions what finally leads to understanding the truth about all things.

Together with the Four Noble Truths it constitutes the gist of Buddhism. Great

emphasis is put on the practical aspect, it is only through practice one can

attain a higher level of knowledge. Eight aspects of the path are not to be

understood as a single steps, they are highly interdependent principles with

each other. 1. Right View (Right Understanding or Right Perspective)

Right view is the beginning and the end of the path, it simply means to see and

to understand things as they really are and to realize the Four Noble Truth. It

is the cognitive aspect of wisdom. It means to see things through, to grasp the

impermanent and imperfect nature of worldly objects and ideas, and to understand

the law of karma and karmic conditioning. Right view is not necessarily an

intellectual capacity, just as wisdom is not just a matter of intelligence.

Instead, right view is attained, sustained, and enhanced through all capacities

of mind. It begins with the intuitive insight that all beings are subject to

suffering and it ends with complete understanding of the true nature of all

things. Right view yields right thoughts and right actions. 2. Right

Intention (Right Thought, or Right Resolve) While right view refers to the

cognitive aspect of wisdom, right intention refers to the volitional aspect,

i.e. the kind of mental energy that controls our actions. Right intention can

be described best as commitment to ethical and mental self-improvement. Buddha

distinguishes three types of right intentions: renunciation, which means

resistance to the pull of desire, good will, meaning resistance to feelings of

anger and aversion, and harmlessness, meaning not to think or act cruelly,

violently, or aggressively, and to develop compassion. 3. Right Speech

(Ethical Conduct) Right speech is the first principle of ethical conduct in

the eightfold path. Ethical conduct is viewed as a guideline to moral

discipline, which supports the other principles of the path. This aspect is not

self-sufficient, however, essential, because mental purification can only be

achieved through the cultivation of ethical conduct. The importance of speech

in the context of Buddhist ethics is obvious: words can break or save lives,

make enemies or friends, start war or create peace. In general, Buddha

explained right speech to tell the truth, to speak friendly, warm, and gently

and to talk only when necessary. 4. Right Action It involves the body as

natural means of expression, as it refers to deeds that involve bodily actions.

Unwholesome actions lead to unsound states of mind, while wholesome actions

lead to sound states of mind. Positively formulated, right action means to act

kindly and compassionately, to be honest, to respect the belongings of others,

and to keep sexual relationships harmless to others. 5. Right Livelihood

It means that one should earn one's living in a righteous way and that wealth

should be gained legally and peacefully. The Buddha mentions four specific

activities that harm other beings and that one should avoid for this reason:

dealing in weapons, dealing in living beings (including raising animals for

slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), working in meat production

and butchery, selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs.

6. Right Effort (Mental Development or Right Endeavour) It can be seen as a

prerequisite for the other principles of the path. Without effort, which is in

itself an act of will, nothing can be achieved, whereas misguided effort

distracts the mind from its task, and confusion will be the consequence. Mental

energy is the force behind right effort; it can occur in either wholesome or

unwholesome states. The same type of energy that fuels desire, envy,

aggression, and violence can on the other side fuel self-discipline, honesty,

benevolence, and kindness. Right effort is detailed in four types of endeavors

that rank in ascending order of perfection: to prevent the arising of unarisen

unwholesome states, to abandon unwholesome states that have already arisen, to

arouse wholesome states that have not yet arisen and to maintain and perfect

wholesome states already arisen. 7. Right Mindfulness It is the mental

ability to see things as they are, with clear consciousness. We almost always

conceptualize sense impressions and thoughts immediately. We interpret them and

set them in relation to other thoughts and experiences, which naturally go

beyond the facticity of the original impression. The mind then posits concepts,

joins concepts into constructs, and weaves those constructs into complex

interpretative schemes. All this ‘happens’ only half consciously, and as a

result we often see things obscured. Right mindfulness is anchored in clear

perception and it penetrates impressions without getting carried away. Right

mindfulness enables us to be aware and observe of the process of

conceptualization and control the way our thoughts go. Buddha accounted for

this as the four foundations of mindfulness: contemplation of the body,

contemplation of feeling (repulsive, attractive, or neutral), contemplation of

the state of mind, and contemplation of the phenomena. 8. Right

Concentration (samadhi) The eighth principle of the path, right

concentration, refers to the development of a mental force that occurs in

natural consciousness. Here concentration is described as one-pointedness of

mind, meaning a state where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto

one particular object. Right concentration for the purpose of the eightfold

path means wholesome concentration, i.e. concentration on wholesome thoughts

and actions. The meditating mind focuses on a selected object. It first directs

itself onto it, then sustains concentration, and finally intensifies

concentration step by step. Through this practice it becomes natural to apply

elevated levels concentration also in everyday situations. References:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bullitt/theravada.html

http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/eightfoldpath.html Namaste - Reet