by Smt. Susmita Devi
‘Acceptance has nothing to do with education’ was
the headline of an article in the Times of India, dated September 9th,
2018. This headline reminded me immediately about one of the ‘formulas’ heard
at the saintly feet of Satguru Sri Sri Babathakur, which says: “Accept,
adjust, accommodate to reach the Absolute.” (formula of fourfold A). Let
me elaborate a bit more on this formula.
The first one is to ‘Accept’. We all have innate biases or prejudices to what is acceptable (or not) in regard to food or/and social behavior, but even more so in regard to religion. Acquired biases may change over time, and are mostly inherited from the society one is brought up in or lives in… be it behavior, food or courtesies. Cultural diversities are innumerable, but if one’s mind is (more or less!) flexible, it is possible to adjust to such diversities. But, if one is a staunch follower of only one culture, adjustment to and eventual merger of diversities, may appear difficult or impossible, according to one’s upbringing, and thus mindset.
Travels to different areas of the world, especially when young, helps greatly in accepting all kinds of varieties (languages, clothing, food, religions, behavior patterns etc.). I was born in Denmark and brought up partly in Denmark and partly in Norway. My basic training in life was thus imprinted by my living in those countries. My Guru, Sri Sri Babathakur - whom I first met on the subtle plane during intense meditations in Denmark, and later sought out in physically form - brought me to India (West Bengal).
So, as you can see, I have experienced all kinds of cultural patterns… to end up seeking a way to reach the Innerscient (Godly) way of living. The last step on my approach was to include (or at least sample) a bit of the ways of the multiple expressions of Indian culture. I was ready to accept a vast variety of differences in all spheres of life – mundane as well as spiritual. So, to return to the practical use of a formula presented by Sri Sri Babathakur can, and actually has, helped me lead a more harmonious life in the midst of the ordinary humdrum. Below are the parts of the formula of fourfold A explained.
Acceptance is the very first step of transformation - from a rather materialistic outlook to, slowly but surely, a state of full acceptance of the line of teaching which Sri Sri Babathakur has provided. Being in His presence made the incomprehensible, comprehensible. For the direct follower of a saintly personage, one’s pattern of action and reaction (as imbibed from the society one was brought up in) slowly changes to become more accommodating, comprehensive and lucid.
The second step, Adjustment to circumstances of life, requires dedication to the purpose. Adjustment implies the self-effort to make the mind fine-tune itself to new and/or unconventional ways of thinking and reacting - and in that way, reassess and perceive the events of one’s life in a different way. Adjustment of one’s thought and activity patterns (willingly or unwillingly), however is not always easy. A great deal of control of one’s mind-work and change of some habits are undoubtedly, needed.
Accommodation The word implies to consciously make room (in the mind and memory) for instructions and inspiration of Divine origin - like the enlightening talks from a Satguru. It calls for incorporating the directives given by the Satguru in one’s practical daily life - which while initially demand some willing effort, will slowly and eventually become one’s way of living.
Absolute is the highest point to reach in accepting, understanding and actively using the guidance a saintly personage like Satguru Sri Sri Babathakur. The word ‘Absolute’ (with capital A) implies the words and teachings of a Satguru being remembered and used in all circumstances for the remainder of one’s life.
It is, truly worth practicing acceptance and adjustment and to accommodate the features of one’s daily life, towards the end result of reaching the Absolute. And if one does sincerely practice this, the endeavor is bound to facilitate greater awareness of one’s thinking, doings and reactions.
Such awareness enables one to be less perturbed by the events/happenings of a common life…in fact, being perturbed becomes uncommon! This of utmost importance to a spiritual seeker, and particularly to one who is a householder (irrespective of gender) striving to lead a harmonious family life (that otherwise is fraught with discords like jealousy, envy, and disrespect).
The first one is to ‘Accept’. We all have innate biases or prejudices to what is acceptable (or not) in regard to food or/and social behavior, but even more so in regard to religion. Acquired biases may change over time, and are mostly inherited from the society one is brought up in or lives in… be it behavior, food or courtesies. Cultural diversities are innumerable, but if one’s mind is (more or less!) flexible, it is possible to adjust to such diversities. But, if one is a staunch follower of only one culture, adjustment to and eventual merger of diversities, may appear difficult or impossible, according to one’s upbringing, and thus mindset.
Travels to different areas of the world, especially when young, helps greatly in accepting all kinds of varieties (languages, clothing, food, religions, behavior patterns etc.). I was born in Denmark and brought up partly in Denmark and partly in Norway. My basic training in life was thus imprinted by my living in those countries. My Guru, Sri Sri Babathakur - whom I first met on the subtle plane during intense meditations in Denmark, and later sought out in physically form - brought me to India (West Bengal).
So, as you can see, I have experienced all kinds of cultural patterns… to end up seeking a way to reach the Innerscient (Godly) way of living. The last step on my approach was to include (or at least sample) a bit of the ways of the multiple expressions of Indian culture. I was ready to accept a vast variety of differences in all spheres of life – mundane as well as spiritual. So, to return to the practical use of a formula presented by Sri Sri Babathakur can, and actually has, helped me lead a more harmonious life in the midst of the ordinary humdrum. Below are the parts of the formula of fourfold A explained.
Acceptance is the very first step of transformation - from a rather materialistic outlook to, slowly but surely, a state of full acceptance of the line of teaching which Sri Sri Babathakur has provided. Being in His presence made the incomprehensible, comprehensible. For the direct follower of a saintly personage, one’s pattern of action and reaction (as imbibed from the society one was brought up in) slowly changes to become more accommodating, comprehensive and lucid.
The second step, Adjustment to circumstances of life, requires dedication to the purpose. Adjustment implies the self-effort to make the mind fine-tune itself to new and/or unconventional ways of thinking and reacting - and in that way, reassess and perceive the events of one’s life in a different way. Adjustment of one’s thought and activity patterns (willingly or unwillingly), however is not always easy. A great deal of control of one’s mind-work and change of some habits are undoubtedly, needed.
Accommodation The word implies to consciously make room (in the mind and memory) for instructions and inspiration of Divine origin - like the enlightening talks from a Satguru. It calls for incorporating the directives given by the Satguru in one’s practical daily life - which while initially demand some willing effort, will slowly and eventually become one’s way of living.
Absolute is the highest point to reach in accepting, understanding and actively using the guidance a saintly personage like Satguru Sri Sri Babathakur. The word ‘Absolute’ (with capital A) implies the words and teachings of a Satguru being remembered and used in all circumstances for the remainder of one’s life.
It is, truly worth practicing acceptance and adjustment and to accommodate the features of one’s daily life, towards the end result of reaching the Absolute. And if one does sincerely practice this, the endeavor is bound to facilitate greater awareness of one’s thinking, doings and reactions.
Such awareness enables one to be less perturbed by the events/happenings of a common life…in fact, being perturbed becomes uncommon! This of utmost importance to a spiritual seeker, and particularly to one who is a householder (irrespective of gender) striving to lead a harmonious family life (that otherwise is fraught with discords like jealousy, envy, and disrespect).
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