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Journalism of Courage
Cyclically, it strikes one how the quality of joy, or ananda, is in such pitiful short supply. Our society traditionally celebrates self-control and restraint. But it seems to go only skin-deep. As long as we8217;re outwardly measured in speech, have 8216;sober8217; habits, don8217;t laugh too much or show enthusiasm, we8217;re okayed as 8216;mature8217;. Inwardly, we may be a seething snake pit of negative feelings, which makes us unable to cope with the wear and tear of daily life or with unsatisfactory relationships. Such external restraint without inner joy seems somehow unlawful! There8217;s nothing about it in the law books, but doesn8217;t it seem against the spirit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
Going by scripture and by the natural impulse of the human race of which the scripture is an attempt at interpretation, ananda is the true goal of existence. But it is also the journey. Without ananda, we cannot reach ananda. It8217;s like asking, what is life? The Upanishadic answer is 8216;prana8217;, breath. Without prana, there is no life. But prana itself is life! Quod erat, without prana we have no prana how8217;s that for swami-speak?.
The Swami8217;s system was apparently 8216;integral yoga8217;, which targeted a healthy body, senses under control, a clear, calm, well-disciplined mind, a sharp intellect, a heart full of unconditional love and compassion, a pure ego and, thereby, a life filled with peace and joy. But doesn8217;t self-control mean self-denial of gratification? Not really, if we think about it. Self-control does seem to work when it8217;s integrated with unconditional goodwill towards each other. In everyday terms, suppose someone has upset us or wounded our amour propre, this attitude could help us swallow our bile and look for a way to make things better. Is that 8216;pure8217; ego? A sense of 8216;I can do this!8217; whereas an 8216;impure8217; ego keeps us corroded by anger? Such an attitude would certainly fetch perspective on the ups and downs in our life. It could release us from the drag of those terrifyingly powerful lower-level feelings and free us to be peaceful and happy. Ananda, anyone?
