The Spirit of Action, Acting for the Spirit


Meditation and affirmations help work on our A thoughts, that is to change our center, the object we most identify with. But during our work and other activities our B (action), and C (objects) thoughts continue to drag us down. We need to work on each of them.

A. Work on action:

1. Before each action, we should think "the Supreme Entity is doing".
In this way we don't associate with the action. Instead of being crudified by the actional flow, our mind will be elevated by the thought of the Supreme Entity. We dont get restlessness though we are active.
Tell a story:
A brahmana was laying out a garden. He looked after it day and night. One day a cow strayed into the garden and browsed on a mango sapling of which the brahmana used to take special care. When he saw the cow destroying his favorite plant, the brahmana became wild with rage, and gave such a severe beating to the animal that it died of the injuries received. The news soon spread like wild-fire that the brahmana had killed the sacred animal. When any one attributed the sin of that act to him, the brahmana, who professed himself to be a Vedantin, denied the charge, saying: " No, I have not killed the cow, it is my hand that has done it; and as the Supreme Entity Indra is the presiding deity of the hand, it is he who has incurred the sin of killing the cow, not I." Indra, in his heaven, heard of this. He assumed the shape of and old brahmana, and coming to the owner of the garden, said, "Sir, whose garden is this?"
Brahmana: Mine. Indra: It is a beautiful garden. You have got a skillful gardener; for see how neatly and artistically he has planted the trees.
Brahmana: Well, sir, that is all my work. The trees were planted under my personal supervision and direction.
Indra: Very nicely done, indeed! Who has laid out this path? It is very well-planned and neatly executed.
Brahmana: All that has been done by me.Then Indra said with folded hands, "When all these things are yours, and when you take credit for all the work done in this garden, it is not proper that poor Indra should be made responsible for killing the cow."

Also, as the Supreme Entity is perfect, your actions will become perfect. Your ability in doing things will increase.

2. Give up the fruits of action:
"I do my duty to please the Supreme Entity" and not to get something in return.
With such a mental frame, both failure and success are OK.
You just have to do your best and leave the outpout to the Supreme Entity.
To develop this mentality, take the ideation of the Supreme Entity's joy as the purpose of your action. If you are attached to some other results than His bliss, you can offer them to Him, in a special offering to the Supreme called Guru Puja Demonstrate the mudra of Guru Puja. Let them follow.
Tell a story:
One day Krsna got very ill. "Only some dust from the foot of a devotee applied to my forehead can cure me." He told. Everyone went looking for the remedy but noone dared to give the dust of their feet becauses it is a forbidden act, a terrible sin that will send the perpetrator to hell. When the simple cowherds from Vrindavan were asked, they sayed: The important is to cure Him. I don't know if I am a devotee, but you give my foot dust to him. I don't mind going to hell if He is saved."
. They were moved by this spirit.
We need to identify the things that make him happy.
What does the Supreme Entity want? Make a list together.
What do we want? What are our main goals? Make another list. Are they compatible with the Supreme Entity's goals?
We have to change the ones which are not compatible with positive ones.
When we perform any compatible actions, we have to be aware that it brings about His joy.
Choose an action, and show how it's related to the Supreme Entity.
Teach english increase communication and peace. the Supreme Entity is happy to see his children live in peace.
Fix cars allow transport of vital stuff and services, etc...
We have to see our work as an important service, a contribution to the well being of the universe that will please His creator.
Make a list of non compatible items.
robbery, murder, traffiking, smuggling, etc.


B. Work on objects:
When thinking or dealing with matter/plants/animals/people , think that they are all various expressions of the Supreme Entity.
We can repeat a mantra before each actions and take it's ideation that "all is the Supreme Entity".
Another way to develop this consciousness is to chant the mantra "Baba Nam Kevalam" which also means "the Infinite Consciousness is the essence of all things".

Silent contemplation: during a daily period of silence, you can do the following meditation:
Look at a wall or any other object until you feel the bliss emanating from it.

Related Baba story:
Another time Baba did a demonstration on Dasrathjii. Baba explained that this demonstration was called Paramatma Dhyana. Then Baba asked Dasrathjii to sit for sadhana. After some time,Baba asked him to open His eyes. Then Baba said, "See Paramatma in this pillow." Then Baba said, "See Paramatma in the wall." Like this, Baba asked him to see Paramatma in many common objects in the room. Dasrathjii remained still, becoming increasingly more rapt in bliss. Afterwards, Dasrathjii said that wherever Baba pointed he was only seeing thick, lustrous effulgence (cidghana) and was lost in bliss.

Exercise: Face another person. Feel his or her thoughts. Feel the consciousness behind. Feel that the other person's consciousness is also your consciouness and become one with him or her.

Variant of previous exercise: Look at a person. Guess what he or she is thinking. If person says "yes", then say: "beyond that thought, there is consciousness, eternal, infinite, unchanged.