Why organise?

29 March 1976, Hyderabad

Professor Kasturi's English.

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Renunciation alone leads to Immortality As a first step they advised the discarding of violence which has egotism and greed as its roots. The (ancient sacred scriptures), the (spiritual sciences), the Epics and the (mythological legends) that they collated or composed, carry this message. Man is afflicted by misery since he is caught in the coils of never-ending desire and all consuming greed, Casting off these trammels, man has to march on towards the goal of realising God which is his Innermost Truth. The swimmer has to push the water behind him so that he might proceed forward. So, too, while attempting to march forward, man has to push back from him the evil thoughts, habits, deeds and Impulses that crowd into him. The Organisation has to teach this lesson, not by precepts elaborately described in elegant language, but by example that spreads conviction, Instils faith and assures success. Members of this Organisation must be examples also of the joy that can be derived from 'giving up' rather than from 'accumulating.' The proclaim that "Renunciation alone leads to Immortality". . In spite of this man looks for ease, yet reeks with 'dis-ease.' He pursues ( enjoyment) and is rewarded with ( disease). Saint the great mystic singer, had realised that (Treasure house of the Divine) is far more preferable to (treasures of men). The most desirable treasure is Truth- Righteousness-Peace-Love.

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Truth about oneself is to be learnt first. When man does not know his own Truth, how can he judge others or deal with others? When man knows that he is the Indestructible, Eternal , he is free from fear. Truth can shine forth only from a purified mind and a clarified intellect. The units of the Organisations must be ever active in following and observing the disciplines laid clown for these two processes. Man has to overcome the animal in him. The (beast) his to be laid low and the ( Master of living beings, God) installed In the heart. This aim has to be constantly borne, in mind by the organisation and its members; the journey towards it has to be steady and fervent.

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devotees must free themselves of all prejudices Patience, tolerance, fortitude, equanimity, fraternity - these, will prove invaluable equipment for the pilgrim. Do not distinguish between one fellow-pilgrim and another on the basis of caste, creed or colour, and do not divide them Into friends or foes. Recognise only the common traits, the uniting efforts, the basic Divinity. Rich and poor, scholar and illiterate - these are distinctions that do not hold good for long, for they are but outer frills. A flower radiates fragrance and charm, whether held in the right hand or the left. It does not limit that gift to some and deny lt to others. Everyone who comes near, is blessed. The members of the units of this organisation must be ever engaged in the twin processes of purifying the mind and clarifying the intellect. They have to free themselves from all prejudices and misunderstandings. They have to speak softly and sweetly, and give every one the respect and attention due to them sincerely. Humility and tolerance must characterise the behaviour of a devotee. When the wind agitates the serene waters of a lake, wavelets dance all over its face, and a thousand Suns sparkle. When calm descends, and the waters are still, the shadow of the Sun Within the lake is one full image.

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should not be tarnished by pride When one fixes one's entire attention on the sun instead of on the images and the water that caused them, there is only the one sun that is real. The sparkling little images in the agitated lake represent the symbol of (duality); the complete image in the depths of the serene lake is the symbol of (qualified dualism); the one Sun which is reflected as one or many is the Adhwaithic (non-dualistic) Truth. This fact is clearly, revealed in the three, statements made one after the other by Jesus: "I am the Messenger of God," "I. am the Son of God," and "I and my Father are One." The three statements are revelations of the dhwaithic, visishtadhwaithic and adhwaithic points of view. The Organisation must help people to realise the Unity behind all this apparent multiplicity which is only a super-imposition by the human mind on the One that is all this. The proclaim that God is One, that the Goal is the same and that Truth stands Self-revealed when the Goal is the same and that Truth stands Self-revealed when the veil of the world is cast away or torn off.

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One simple way to realise this Unity is through ( selfless service), that is not tarnished by a superiority complex, or by pride or even by a sense of duty towards the organisation with which you are bound. Revere the dweller within, not the house where He resides. The dweller is the same in every house, whether it is a palace or a hovel. Therefore devotion to the dweller must persuade you to worship every individual through acts of service intelligently executed with sincere enthusiasm.

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All Units are parts of one Organisation We have five principal units in the Organisation, and in every village or town where we have these, there should be exemplary unity and cooperation between them. They are like the five fingers of a hand. The little finger is the , the group devoted to singing the Glory of God. But they should not be proud that they are the pioneers and primary workers. The ring finger is the (Children's educational wing). On the precious gold plate of juvenile hearts, the (preceptor) affixes the gems of goodness and Godliness. That is the ring which this finger wears. But that should neither make the proud nor make the feel that the work done by it is the most important and so it has to be honoured most. The sense of unity and co-operation must prevail. The middle finger is the (Service Corps), helping the two units on one side and the two on the other. But it should not hold its head high and claim to be superior to all the rest. The index finger is the (Women's division), the unit which is composed of women who point to the good, the great, the useful, the right, etc. They, too, should not be filled with overweening conceit. The thumb, naturally, is the ( Organisation), the over-all executive, the guide and guardian, the promoter and provider. Thus each finger must feel that strength lies in working with the rest, that all are but parts of one hand which they cannot ignore. In a world torn by factions based on the flimsy grounds of caste, creed and colour, you have to prove that it is possible to have faith in being the motivator for every living being, and get Inspiration for genuine service from that faith. Service to the in the other person must be your daily act of worship. Of all , this is. the most effective. Seek out the slum dwellers, the poor, neglected dwellers in hamlets, and take love and light to them in plenty. "God is the refuge of those who have no place to rest," says a proverb. Go to places where you can find such, and carry the message of hope and strength into their hearts. Be grateful to them when they welcome you and provide you chances to serve them. Your happiness depends on their happiness; your health depends on their health. You keep your houses clean; their houses, too, are yours, for the same that resides In you resides In them. Until all houses and their surroundings are bright and clean, how can you feel clean and bright? The Organisation must promote this high sense of unity and responsibility. It must constantly enthuse and educate members to engage themselves In the sadhana of service.