An Effective Capability

There is a common complaint about people not following any advice related to idealistic pursuits. It is being said that these days no one takes interest in idealism, nor does one take the subject seriously.

Such statements do have some degree of truth since it is believed that efforts to motivate people for promotion of ideals are not always successful. Had the truth been otherwise, the preachers, who were not lesser in number in ancient times, would have totally revolutionized the world. There was a time, when this country had only Seven Principal Rishis. The number was small, but the personalities were so imposing that their ideologies influenced civilizations throughout the world and in the seven continents their doctrines of spirituality were accepted by citizens of all countries. In those days, there was a limited number of Sadhus and Brahmans in India; but they could reach the remotest corners of the country and educating people in codes of ethics, motivated them to become aware of advantages of duty-consciousness and mutual goodwill. What is the mystery behind disappearance of those mystical powers in religious movements of today? Why should clouds shower sand when they are capable of providing life-giving water?

There is a simple explanation to the decreasing influence of present day sadhus (saints and preachers). It is only the high levels of character of a person which leaves an impression on the common man. People with base character do not have competence to convince anyone about the validity of their statements. It is not possible for such persons to make others accept those doctrines which the former advocate as being contributory to excellence.

The status of a public speaker has to be higher than that of the audience. That is why a speaker is provided an elevated platform. It would not be possible for a speaker sitting at a lower elevation to communicate with people looking down at him. In order to motivate others for imbibitions of idealism in life, the adviser must be in a position to withstand any test, for credibility of one's own excellence of character. Otherwise, the advocacy would be regarded as hypocrisy. Introduction of any subject in the initial state necessitates a high level of expertise. Even in a preparatory school such teachers are engaged who have higher qualification in the subject to be taught. For example, authenticity of experience of a music teacher is insured before taking lessons in music from him. Whereas in other fields of learning this aspect of higher qualification of teacher may at times be ignored, in context of spiritual preachings related to idealistic and reformist transformation in life, it becomes an absolute necessity that the preacher also firmly believes in and follows in thoughts and action, the doctrines being advocated for others. While listening to a preacher people are much more interested in knowing how far the former has incorporated the recommendations being made in his own life. The upliftment of any country, religion, society or culture depends on only one factor and that is the related persons must create profound impact of the characteristic high values on those coming in contact by virtue of their own character and present themselves as an example. It must be emphasized that these values are not merely a facade of external appearance but are a product of emotional involvement, profound faith, and absolute conviction and its translation into action.

A combination of emotional involvement, faith and absolute conviction invariably attracts camp followers. With these faculties even non-virtuous persons attract many weak-willed persons, who become their associates in bad habits. This is how bands of drunkards and drug addicts are formed and gangs of thieves, bandits and vagabonds are created. The reason is a simple one. The leaders and motivators actually practice, what they preach irrespective of the propriety of their action or otherwise.

Words and deeds are like the two poles of an electrical field. By connecting them, the current of force in the sermon is produced. Otherwise, people begin to question the practicability of the recommendations of preacher. They become skeptical, wondering why the speaker does not adopt those very values in his own life which are being forcefully advocated as being of the highest order and capable of inducing a metamorphosis in others? A crosscurrent of thoughts passes through the minds of such persons. Is the idea of the person giving sermon practical and reform possible? Do the contemporary practices really need any change? Or otherwise, even if the arguments of the reformist are valid, then, while guiding others why does not the former imbibe the doctrines being advocated in his own life? The listener reaches only one conclusion i.e. the speaker is a confidence- trickster and the objective of his lip-service is simply to gain public acclamation. Further, while adopting low standards for self, of skepticism which alienates people from preachers of morality. he is attempting to derive those advantages which many other selfish persons and cheats obtain in their own specific ways. This is the type Vichar Kranti (Revolution of Ideologies) cannot be made possible by putting forth arguments like an advocate. In this manner, one may, at the most clarify some ambiguities of concepts, but it is not possible to establish new traditions with that much only. Disguised in many forms, within the personality of a preacher are a variety of evil traits like selfish motives, vested interests, false pride of personal superiority and a veiled sense of contempt for others. Unless control is exercised over them, the status of reformists is reduced to those of persons in a revelry changing masks and entertaining people. In society hypocritic actions of people assume many forms. It is seen that while marrying their daughters, parents oppose dowry, but when looking for a bride for their sons they openly or secretly take the advantage of this evil custom. This is how hypocrites in a reformist movement retard its progress. Persons arranging expensive exhibitionist marriages become poor and dishonest and change their masks according to personal requirements. Because of such persons, great revolutions like Vichar Kranti also become a subject of mockery.

If preachers also honestly resort to practicing their doctrines, they would not find any dearth of followers. The trustworthiness of saints like Nanak and Kabir for their sincerity of purpose and their unusually high talents had always strongly stimulated and motivated sensitive persons and attracted innumerable camp followers. However, to achieve it, the latter had to withstand acid tests of hardships and adversities of environments in their time.

A more or less foolproof methodology for counteracting the present day problems of mankind would require reorientation of mass thinking so that prevalent counterproductive ideologies are discarded and the society is made to accept a tradition of responsible, prudent way of interaction by presentation of logic, facts, evidence and experiences. This is, in a nutshell the process of Vichar Kranti. The second phase consists of transmutation of behavioral pattern. In other words, we may call it a process of eradication of evil traits and augmentation of virtuous traits in society. An endeavor to build up mass-resistance against the prevailing counterproductive values in the society and reverting the destructive trends into constructive ones needs a great deal of courage. Mustering courage for utilization of one's talent for a high objective is known as Pratibha Parishkar (Refinement of talents). This mega-revolution of the century would be made possible with progressive implementation of the above two plans of action.

The decisive factor for the success of this mega revolution is requirement of dedicated donation of time from zealous, energetic talented persons. TIME-DONATION (Samaya Daan) is the best amongst all types of donations for one simple reason. This particular act of giving incorporates an active personal participation of donor in the act of benevolence along with an interaction with the Almighty, since it comprises the only conjunction of God-given-time and personal endeavor of body which is also created by God. In order to be effective this process must combine physical activity and strong compassionate urge and involvement. TIME DONATION becomes fruitful only when it appropriately coordinates time, activity, pledge and dedication. With such a practice of TIME DONATION, man is undoubtedly capable of bringing the formidable task of Yug Parivartan (Establishing a New World Order) to successful completion.

 Source: Donation of Time - The Supreme Charity by Sri Ram Sharma Acharya