- STRIVE TO OVERCOME THE ANIMAL NATURE -

Why are doors erected?

To regulate the entry and exit of persons. But is the irony of the present 'Dark Age' that the door is kept open for the entry of all kinds of undesirable creatures. Man's mind is kept open for the entry of evil thoughts.

The door should be barred against the inroads of egoism and acquisitive impulses. Remember! "The door (of the mind) should be kept sacred." People participate in religious injunction. This is doubtless a good act, but it is only an auxiliary element in spiritual discipline. Yes! people take part in... Religious injunction, but are they transforming their attitudes as a result? No. All the animal qualities like bad feelings remain along with participation in religious injunction. Without getting rid of such attitudes, the continuous participation in religious injunction or performing worshiping is of no value. Another words, without removing the animal nature all participation in religious injunction continues to be a sinner.

Congregational chant or repetition of holy names should be used as a means for overcoming the animal nature. And performing of worship should lead to the elimination of animal qualities. Remember!

"Without the conquest of animal nature, all forms of external worship are of no use!"

You readers can observe in our country and the world at large. These people, the so called religious men. These people expatiate on the greatness of their scripture. Bible or Quran and praise the glory God. But it is not merely to be used as texts for reading. Of what use is it merely to read those scriptures as a routine ritual without practising their teachings?

But today, even eminent scholars treat these scriptures or the so called Quran only as a texts for (ritualistic recitation). Because of the mistaken notions of these scholars that young people today have fail to grasp the inner meaning of the scriptures.

They do not get a compelling vision of spiritual truths. All the religious propaganda that is carried on today is totally divorced from practice, few understood the inner meaning of their scriptures. All their lives were spent in external observances.

"This was a great mistake. These were meaningless practices."

What does (animal nature) mean?

Animal nature refers to (one's way of life). Everyone has to get rid of egoism. Today's man has learnt to fly in the air like birds, and swim in the sea like fish. But he has not learnt how to live as man on the earth.

But the present day men in general and the youth in particular, have forgotten our age-old culture and sacred values and bidding good bye to scriptures and God, having been enticed by modern science and technology.

Examine for a moment how various objects in creation are conducting themselves. For instance, a tree bears sweet fruits. But it does not enjoy the fruits itself. It offers them to others for enjoyment. What a spirit of sacrifice is displayed by the tree. The cow does not consume the milk it produces, but offers it to its calf and to others.

But man, despite all his intelligence and knowledge, does not exhibit this sense of sacrifice. He keeps all that he earns for the benefit of himself.

Today, in the world,the most disease to which man is selfishness. Remember! If selfishness grows, he loses his radiance and vitality.

To all readers, please remember! Our entire life is bound up with spiritual, whatever one says, whatever one does, whatever one thinks, all of it is related to the spirit. The good deeds by external instruments of the body cannot be deemed spiritual.

The very first thing one has to do is to destroy the animal nature in man. Without eliminating the animal nature, all ritual and act of worship are of no avail. Of what use is it to foster one's animal instincts, while doing acts of charity or conforming to religious injunctions?

Performing external rituals without subduing the animal nature, men are only pursuing wrong courses. However much one may contemplate on God, from time to time he is a prey to hatred and attachment. These two animal propensities have to be got rid of at the outset.


From Empty Hands,
Labis, Johore
Tel: 016-6020321

10 SEPTEMBER 2009

Next Topic: - 'DISCIPLINE' -