MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS
In finding peace within yourself, the whole idea would be by non-attachment. Yet, we are so attached to everything around us and all the happenings we encounter or observe in the world. So, the question remains, why? This is based on one thing: it is not your business. Mind your own business! Then, the attachment ceases. But the environment is such, and our minds are so conditioned that we cannot help observing everything around us, although it is not our business. You might be living next to neighbours who are more concerned about what you are doing than what they are doing.
The possible solution to not being disturbed by the environment could only come from our stability and, thereby, our observation without forming any attachment.
Another reason could be because of your love for this world. You would like to see everything go smoothly in this world and see everyone’s life joyous. However, that quality does not come from attachment but a real love for people. If it comes from genuine love to see the environment improving, then you are pursuing something worthwhile. But if it is because of attachment to these things, then you open yourself up to be affected by them, which could be harmful and detrimental.
Here, we have two qualities: attachment and all-giving love. One produces misery, and the other produces joy, in spite of the environment and circumstances being the same.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG IN THIS WORLD
All this happens within ourselves. The world is alright, as it should be. There is nothing wrong in this world. The world is passing through a specific phase of evolution, and this is what we term in Sanskrit as the ” Kali Yuga.” These things will happen. In the Kali Yuga, the opposing forces of nature are most potent in opposing each other. Therefore, in this yuga or this age, there will be greater and greater friction. There are different ages, like the Dvapara Yuga and the Satya Yuga, where although the three gunas still play a part and are the essence of all material existence, there will be a more excellent balance. We cannot call this an age of enlightenment, a pipe dream. But there is somewhat of a more excellent balance, where a slightly more significant amount of love flows between man and man.
But this is the time, Kali Yuga, where a man in his capacity can find peace far quicker than in the other yugas, which contain a more significant amount of tranquillity. The reason is that the opposing forces force upon you a challenge, and meeting up with these challenges, your evolution is expedited. It is far easier to find self-realization in the Kali Yuga than in any other age because of the intensity of the friction.
Do you want to be attached to the friction, or do you want to be detached from the friction? If you attach yourself more to the conflict of the world, then that is a blessing in disguise. For the more significant amount of friction, the greater calm comes after that within yourself, and when you become detached from the friction, you are escaping from it.
NON-INTERFERENCE
When we say we mind our own business and just be concerned with our evolution, it means non-interference. All you try to do is not make this world a better place as long as this yuga, this Kali Yuga, lasts. You can reduce friction in individuals, but collectively it is not possible. You will always have wars. You will always have what we call the negative qualities in man, like lust, greed, avarice, and covetousness; all these things will be there. Though there have been great reformers in this world: Buddha, Christ, Krishna, and Mahavir, they have not succeeded. This world is not better than it was in those years.
Technologically, we have progressed, but that only means a particular mind opening, where more significant and extraordinary skills have been learned, and discoveries have been made into the subtler laws of nature. But that has not made man a better man collectively.
One can be non-concern about what is happening around, and non-concern does not mean detachment. You are concerned about your fellow man, but being non-attached to the concern makes it non-concern. You are in it all, and yet you can stand aside and watch it all.
Unfortunately, there is very little that can be done collectively. All the world’s various governments try to pass laws for the masses, and how many of those laws have benefitted humanity or uplifted humanity? They will give you a tax rebate when it comes to new election time to get themselves re-elected, and after that is over, six months later, the tax goes up by another 20 percent.
It is the lust for power and position that runs this world. So, where will there be total peace for the people who run this world, who control the happenings in this world for man’s so-called benefit, who start with the wrong basis? They begin with the greed for position and power and the almighty dollar. The tragedy is that on the dollar is written: “In God We Trust.” It is a tragedy. Is that dollar devoted to God, or is it devoted to greed? I am not only referring to America. This is in every country.
BORN FROM FRICTION
No one can change this world, but you can change yourself. You can find stability within yourself and observe the happenings that have happened for millions of years. Even during primitive times, when man started recognizing himself as man, they had their battles, and they had their quarrels, and they had their wars with clubs, and today, we use machine guns and atom bombs. But the principle is the same: man is a creature born from friction, made of friction, and constituted by friction.
This peace that we all dream of can only come about within yourself, by yourself, with some guidance. When you are stable enough within yourself, you will understand that everything happening in this world is a must! When you grind corn, there has to be friction. But that very grinding of the corn or the wheat produces a nice loaf of bread. You have to go through the mill.
At this particular stage, the world is going through the mill, so there is greater friction. But the result is that there will be far more calm when this age ends and reaches another age.
Buddha would put it differently: I will not go into nirvana, that is, total salvation until everyone else has reached that stage. The poor guy was dreaming then, for this will never happen. We are a small section in this vast continuum, and as evolved souls pass away from this orbit, other lower souls are coming into this section that we are talking about. So collectively, there will always be these problems.
If there is any attachment, do not let it be for the entire world because you do not have the capacity. But you have the power to do something for the immediate environment. If there is attachment, let it be within your sphere, capability, and ability. If everyone accepts this – “just let me help my surroundings” – then greater peace could be brought. Because of all these frictions here in the Kali Yuga, man can evolve faster. Ancient Rishis said that in Kali Yuga, man can achieve total realization in six months. And I know it can be done. It depends on your deep desire to find Divinity and what you will do to find it.
… Gururaj Ananda Yogi: Satsang US 1982 – 16
