ass-like and swanlike mentality amongst the kanishta-adhikaris and madhyama-adhikaris

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Sectarianism in Spirituality

 

 

 

 

by Shrila Sacchidananda Bhaktivinoda

Thakura in Shri Krishna Samhita

 

 

Sectarianism is a natural byproduct of the Absolute Truth. When acaryas first ascertain and instruct the Truth, it is not polluted with sectarianism. But the rules and regulations received through disciplic succession regarding the goal and the method of achieving it are changed in due course of time according to the mentality and locale of the people. A rule that is followed by one society is not necessarily accepted in another society. That is why one community is different from another. As a community gradually develops more respect for its own standards, it develops hatred towards other communities and considers their standards inferior. These sectarian symptoms are seen in all countries since time immemorial. This is prominent amongst neophytes and found to some extent amongst madhyama-adhikaris. Amongst uttama-adhikaris, however, there is no trace of sectarianism.

Adherence to a particular standard is the prominent symptom of a society. There are three types of standards—alocakagata, alocanagata and alocyagata. Alocakagata is when sectarianists accept some external signs. Examples of alocakagata are tilaka, neck beads, saffron robes, and the baptism that is practiced abroad. The different activities practiced in the process of worship are called alocanagata. Examples of alocanagata are sacrifices, austerities, fire sacrifices, vows, studying scriptures, deity worship, constructing temples, respecting the purity of various trees and rivers, dressing like sannyasis, acting like acaryas, dressing like brahmacaris or grhasthas, closing one's eyes, respecting particular types of books, rules and regulations in eating, and respecting the purity of particular times and places. The examples of alocyagata are attributing personalism or impersonalism on the Supreme Lord, installing deities, exhibiting the mood of an incarnation of the Lord, speculating on heaven and hell, and describing the future destination of the soul.

The different forms of these spiritual activities create divisions of sectarianism. Differences that arise from places, times, languages, behaviors, foods, dresses, and natures of various communities are incorporated within people's spiritual practices and gradually make one community so completely different from another community that even the consideration that everyone is a human being may cease to exist. Due to these differences there is disagreement, cessation of social intercourse, and fighting, even up to the point of killing on another. When an ass-like mentality becomes prominent within the kanishta-adhikaris, they certainly indulge in these things. But if they develop a swanlike mentality, then they do not take part in quarrels; rather, they endeavor to attain a higher level. Madhyama-adhikaris do not quarrel so much about external standards, but they are always attacked by philosophical disagreements. Sometimes they condemn the standards of neophytes and establish their own standards as superior. They condemn the neophytes' deity worship in order to establish the worship-able Lord as formless. In such cases, they are also considered ass-like people.

Otherwise, if they had a swanlike mentality and a desire to attain a higher level, they would respect others' practices and inquire about higher topics. Contradictions actually arise only due to ass-like mentality. Swanlike persons consider the necessity for different practices to one's qualification, so they are naturally detached from sectarian quarrels. In this regard, it should be understood that both ass-like and swanlike people are found amongst the kanishta-adhikaris and madhyama-adhikaris. I do not expect that ass-like people will accept this book with respect. If neophytes and madhyama-adhikaris become completely indifferent in regard to the contradictions found in various practices and try to advance further, then they become swanlike persons. Then they are our respectable and dear friends. Although swanlike personalities may accept a particular practice from birth or childhood according to instructions they have received, they nevertheless remain indifferent and non-sectarian.

 

 

Transcendence and Integration of Experience:

 

At some point we may reach a stage of transcendent consciousness. In this new awareness ritual and religion (and mundane aspects of spirituality) may no longer hold deep significance for our conscious living. It is as if the living entity now has her feet in two worlds - the transcendent and the mundane - (madhyama - middle platform).

 

The devotee who now resides in these two worlds begins to gradually integrate all experiences, within and without her conscious awareness. Rather than tear down that which exists in the lower world, she integrates it; knowing well that ritual and religion serves its purpose for those who have not yet risen.

 

The danger for the newly arrived who exists in these two dimensions is a potential for a kind of psychosis - which is infact caused by the perverted reflection of spiritual substance; ie the living entities own conditioned experience of perverted truths (dogmatic religion) - which remain in the mind as scars.

 

In that immature stage of god consciousness on the madhyama platform (lack of integration of experience), the living entity will often attack all things that exist in the lower realm - which she sees as false spirituality (religion). The cause of this is simply, the inability of the living entity to integrate her minds experiences.

 

Religion has become for her the cause of madness. Such can be the existential crisis for the conscious entity who has found herself consciously aware in two worlds.

 

In another case, a neophyte can be harmful in behaviour. She falsely believes that her experience is transcendental. When infact all that is known is 'non self-realized knowledge' from books.

 

The neophyte needs to raise herself to the madhyama platform. And then by some good fortune may gradually integrate all things and become uttama (topmost) in behaviour.

 

These are some thoughts that have developed in my contemplation of the above article; from my own internal development, and also observing conflict within others of spiritual/religious ilk and inclination. Even to the point of war and killing, over the course of history.

 

 

This is also my rebuttal of dogmatic fundamentalism which is prevalent and growing in todays societies.