S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 3 - 1 S p r i n g 2 0 1 7 4 7 Swami Veda Bharati Everybody’s honor is kept in this way. But it requires humility and the ability to hear the unspoken word. The Master yogis train their disciples into much subtler levels of “sensitive hearing”. Such communication is possible only in societies that do believe in non-violence at least to the extent they are able to practice it. It requires a sensitivity of the soul and the heart to communicate in this way. Speaking of many cultures, here are some examples. The Thai culture is lovable as “anger” is considered bad manners. In the Japanese culture, everyone apologizes repeatedly all the time. There is enough confrontation among nations, religions, communities – all part of “honest communication”, the main cause of the failures of diplomacy of many countries, because often there is failure in working with the people where “sensitive communication” is the norm. Those brought up in these aggressive and arrogant societies do not know how much they show what is perceived by others as disrespect, insensitivity and an attempt to dishonor, or to obtain results by “barking orders”. But it is not just one country; we find the same phenomenon in many other lands and communities (to my great disappointment, more and more in India now). Some countries stand out because of their uncontrollable show-off of power. We wish to oppose nuclear weapons but we pour into the collective mind of the planet the confrontational thoughts and words. We choose to consider the universe an adversary instead of ourselves as partners thereof. Be not an adversary. One thing I have said often: If you have a problem with someone, solve the problem she/he has with you. Do not demand rights, do loving duties selflessly. Many have the habit of seeing conflict where there is no conflict; seeing the possibility of a conflict when no such possibility exists. However, samaadadhati sajjanaah, the noble ones create a “resolving”. When seeing a conflict among several parties, remain neutral and equally balanced. Do not become emotionally reactive in favor of one or the other. Then find even the least little common ground between/among them and start there. In talking each party let each one feel equal warmth, unconditional love and understanding from you. “Sensitive communication” is a very fine art, rooted in deep spiritual philosophies. It cannot be learnt in a day. But please make start not by trying to write another chapter in the textbook of the theory of communication. This is not part of the theory of communication but of the principle of non-violence, non-anger, non-hurtfulness, humility, rejoicing at every opportunity one has to make oneself small. 7 Signs of Spiritual Progress One of the marks of spiritual progress is as follows: Less problems arise in daily life. If some problems do arise, they fail to create viShaada, “sadness”, “depression”, and kShobha, “anguish” in one’s mind, as a result of which, in a clearer, undisturbed mind, solutions arise and show shortcuts to one’s goals. If you are facing problems, figure out where your spiritual progress is lacking. The other extremely important part in our sādhanā is the reverence towards women. Our tradition is different from ritual Hinduism and from other religions’ taboos in these matters. According to the Law Book of Manu (Manu, verse 200), the first law-giver in the Indian tradition, all parts and aspects of a woman’s body and being are pure and sacred at all times. One of the rules of japa observances in the yogic tradition is: For those seeking liberation and for women there is no time restriction; they may do the practice at any time. It is believed that prayers offered by women are heard more readily. Women are considered incarnations of Mother Kundalini Shakti. As we are followers of the right-hand Tantra path, reverence towards women is most important. One or twice a year on days sacred to Divine Mother I wash the feet of nine “under-age” forms of Maatri Shakti, nine kanyaa devees, and worship them. The tantric rule is that a man should appear in the presence of a woman, any woman, well-kempt, welldressed, good-mannered. Also, that if a man is passing a group of women standing somewhere or casually chatting, he must pay them mental reverence as he is passing by. In the Ramayana (Tulasidas 1650, Shastri 1962) it is written: Younger brother Lakshmana is sent by Rama to the cave of Sugreeva to arouse him from his slumber and do his promised duty. Lakshmana arrives at the entrance to the cave palace. The message is brought to Sugreeva that wrathful Lalkshmana is at the entrance. Sugreeva asks his wife to go forward and receive Lakshmana and when he calms down, Sugreeva will welcome him: You go, Tara, because the noble ones do nothing harsh in the presence of women.
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