The topic for the Hindi Satsang on Sunday, 5th May, 2013 was ‘Ahimsa.’ (Non-violence)
Following is the transcript of the Q & A between the audience and Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra.
|
Q. I am unable to detect the moment when I get angry. I realize it well after I have lashed out. What can I do?
Dr. J: Have more lashing, then you will learn. Have more criticism, more people reminding you, then gradually you will learn.
Smt. H: When this happens, naturally you will suffer more. Then more criticism, more reactions from people and so on. They say that unless a person doesn’t suffer thoroughly well in life, he doesn’t change. I would rather guide you that in that case, at least keep your mouth shut. That would be the first lesson. After you have expressed negativity, then you realize that it was too late. You will have done lots of Karmas then. So at least don’t do Karmas. Learn to be quiet, speak less and that would help you more.
Q. Speaking softly doesn’t get work done. What to do?
Dr. J: You see what happens – If you don’t speak softly, the other person also doesn’t speak softly and there is fighting and shouting.
Smt. H: And if you think that by speaking a little firmly or loudly, work will be done, we don’t say no. But at least do not get internally disturbed. If you feel there is a need to shout, then shout, but be peaceful inside. We all have to become good actors in life.
Q. If we ourselves are peaceful but another person is doing Himsa, what should we do if we do not want to be their target?
Dr. J: Just watch the show and clap.
Smt. H: Many times what happens is that if one person is angry and the other is quiet, the quiet person is actually doing inaction. What Dr. Jayadeva suggests is better. When listening to the other person, show them that you are listening and are enjoying the show. This action is necessary, which we don’t do. We tolerate the nonsense and do nothing about it, which is wrong. You should be doing your part to show him that you don’t get disturbed, you don’t suffer, no matter what he does.
Q. Is it possible, in today’s world, to not get angry?
Dr. J: Well in today’s world more and more it is happening such that people don’t show that they are angry but quietly, they do things that are hurtful. This is what is done in today’s world.
Smt. H: In today’s world everything happens with such speed that you don’t act or react according to the situations. People tolerate, or plan proper murders, but suddenly die of heart attacks also. Now this has become very common because all bottled up emotions will hurt you only in the end. Maximum deaths are occurring between ages 25-55, because of sudden heart attack or accidents, etc. This is a universal record. That is why we must be careful. Anger comes to everyone, but we don’t know how to handle it. So we end up hurting ourselves or others.
Q. If a person’s behaviour irritates us, makes us angry, what should we do? It’s obvious that verbal violence will happen. What is the solution?
Dr. J: If there is a toilet nearby, go there.
Smt. H: Go to the bathroom, or go to drink water. Go away from that place, take some time out. Instead of getting verbal, you can write and answer the person.
Q. Anger can be controlled by Mauna. But how to control or hide the expressions?
Dr. J: Well if you have controlled Mauna, you will control the expressions also. They are the same.
Smt. H: If you are able to do Mauna, you will be able to keep a smile on your face also. If not smile, at least you can keep calm. If Mauna is possible, staying calm will not be very difficult.
Q. Why do we get negative thoughts?
Dr. J: That is our nature. We have not trained ourselves.
Smt. H: That is how we are structured. It is easy for anything to fall down that lift up. For lifting up, hard work is needed. And so negative thoughts come very easily. That is why Yogis have said humans need to train their mind, which is very important. Otherwise the mind tends to go in the wrong direction.
Q. Is harming onself by thoughts, words or action also Himsa?
Dr. J: Yes.
Smt. H: My whole talk was on this itself. It definitely is Himsa.
Q. So much Himsa is happening all around us and we unknowingly become a part of it. What to do in such a case?
Dr. J: Write down whatever is happening and further in the future, talk about it.
Smt. H: There is a story of a village. When there was no electricity in the village, all the people were peaceful. But when electricity came, television came and they learnt about what was happening in the world. Earlier they were happy, but after learning about the rest of the world, they were always unhappy. That is a fact of life. Do not read too much of the newspaper, or watch too much television. Just do your duty and your work.
Satsang is an open meeting held every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz East, Mumbai. It involves an interesting presentation to the public, made by the students of the Teacher Training Course. Each week, a new presentation of a Yogic concept is made in a simple way through skits and decoration for the general public, followed by a short speech from our Gurus, Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra.