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2014/12

纪律 -- 虔诚的一个强制性的必要条件(上）

（录自1996年6月19日所赐予的神圣讲道）

鸟兽虽然没有接受教育，但是，
牠们也能过一个正规的生活。
有天赋智能的人类，
为什么不能利用他们所获得的知识好好地生活，一如这些鸟兽？

诸位圣爱的化身！

纪律是每一个生命体所不可或缺的，而尤其人类，更是需要，因为它确实是人类品德的骨干。纪律意指恪守条例，规则和原则，而如果缺乏它，生活的步伐就完全被破坏了。失去了在一个道德架构内定义的条例与规则，对人类整体来说，势必遭受到悲哀的下场。其实，古人已说过，一个缺乏道德价值的社会是不能有幸福和繁荣的。

纪律不能得之于书本及课室。正确地说，它只通过从早到晚，严格地监察日常生活的每一个活动，才能根深蒂固；而一旦获得了，纪律就必须成为一个人的生活方式，只要他一息尚存。

纪律是一个必需品，不仅是个人需要，大机构，政治体系，其实，整个社会都需要。事实是，从公共机关乃至于国家，没有一个能在没有纪律的情况下生存，因为促进个人之间的团结与统一而把他们结合于社会之内并使整个族群成为一体的就是纪律。换句话说，纪律是富有意义的人生的一个基本要素。

甚至在简单的事务里，如谈话，歌唱和游玩，纪律也在所必需。例如，当赞唱峇赞时，人人必须严格遵守‘圣音’（sruthi），也就是说，维持绝对的纯净音调。如果一个歌者唱到变调，这将破坏和谐，造成刺耳难闻。同样，在运动场上，每一个竞赛者必须无条件地服从裁判员的决定，不论是在字面形式上和精神实质上。有时，由于太过沉溺于比赛，选手往往会在无意间犯规。那违规逃不过裁判敏锐的眼睛而他立即吹起哨子予以警示。当哨子一响，犯规的选手必须服从裁判的裁决，而比赛必须立即暂停；若不遵照，那就是运动精神的一个严重的违规了。

在生活中，纪律是绝对必需的。近来，大多数人完全不在乎这个要求而无视于纪律；无怪乎整个人生已变得不堪忍受了。有自律能力的人确实少得可怜，简直如凤毛麟角。

身居要职者，不论是在哪一方面的活动 -- 农业，商业或其他 -- 都必须严格遵守他们份内的条例和规则。即便是一个有权势的人，他也不能肆无忌惮地畅所欲言，或发号施令；一个领导者，不论所做何事，他都必须在条规之下行事。因此，在言谈时，一个人必须据礼而发。同样，当发出一则书面的指令时，发函者必须停下来反省一下，这书面指令会带来什么冲击以及它会产生的后果。绝对不要仓促行事而忘了细心加以分析和考虑。职务的威信必须以有原则性和纪律性的权力行使而予以精心的保存和保护。一个人一旦恪守纪律，他就不需要更深一层的保护，因为‘自律’本身就成为他最佳的甲胄。

在任何情况下，纪律都是不可或缺的，不论是谈话，微笑，坐下或走路。例如，在街道上，一些人到处乱走，虽然马路宽阔，有足够的空间方便他走在一边。一个人必须只在人行道上步行，以免干扰车子的流动。随意乱走不仅触犯道路交通规则也妨碍他人；你千万不要引起他人的不便或痛苦。这就是斯瓦米所说的：总得助人，不可伤人。其实，甚至在帮助他人的当儿，纪律也在所必需。

遵守纪律必须在早年就开始。这就是为什么斯瓦米常劝导你们，‘趁早启程，缓慢驾驶而安全抵达’ 的原因。纪律是不可或缺的，不仅是对孩子和学生，即便是成人，包括教师，官员等也不例外，其实，它包括每一个公民。就是再小的事，也必须遵守纪律，如欢迎一个人也有适当的仪礼；展示对长者的尊敬；当他人在场的时候，了解什么时候该保持站立，什么时候该坐下，等等情况。

许多孩子在坐着的时候，七歪八倒地，精神显得萎靡不振，这是不良的习惯。坐直是必需的，为的是激励好的思想，增进智能及获得快速的专注。一个挺直的坐姿显著地增强潜在灵力的醒觉性。脊骨有33环节，位于第9和第22环节的是Sushmna nadi（脊髓神经管道）。它充当昆达利尼能量（Kundalini Shakti）或灵力的通道；此通道是从底部的Mooladhara（尾闾，或会阴），即脊骨的末端而向上到终点Sahasrara（百会）也就是千瓣莲花。

昆达利尼能量到底意味着什么？根据一些瑜伽师的解释是这样的，有一只叫昆达利尼的蛇，卷曲于尾闾或会阴，而在牠被激发起来时，牠会沿循着各个环节上升到头顶的百会。这是对昆达利尼能量的一个完全错误的解释和描述；其实，在体内绝没有蛇的存在。真正的情况是，在执行Pranayama（调息）时，我们吸气，屏息然后呼气。在屏息时，昆达利尼能量受到刺激而沿循脊骨33环节慢慢上升。

为了促进昆达利尼能量的向上提升，使其通道舒畅，瑜伽修习者必须保持挺直的姿态，同时也附带地大大增强了专注的能力。坐直因此是Pranayama（调息）的一个基本要求。这样的纪律或修习只有通过严格遵守某些净化之类的要求才能达到。首先，身体必须保持纯净，这纯净不是用肥皂和水去清洗身体的纯净而是借从事好的行为去净化它。同样，心念也必须凭借注入好的思想去净化。当心念中的好的思想转变为好的行为时，身体自然得到灵性净化了。使到菩提（buddhi）或灵性的辨识力获得重大增长的，就是靠这种思想和行动的净化。

人们在指自己时，通常都用‘我’这个字；很少人认识到，这个‘我’或Aham在梵文中是指一个人的根本素质。这Aham来自永恒的，不朽的阿特瑪（Atma 自性）。从Aham中产生chitta或心念，而就其组成部分而言，心念（chitta）是vak（语言）的源头。因此，Aham或‘我’，chitta或‘心念’，及vak或‘语言’（记得它发自肉体），都隶属阿特瑪的宗系，并因此而被期待反映出阿特瑪的绝对纯净。

语言是最圣洁的，而最大的罪恶莫过于违背诺言了，这就是巴力（Emperor Bali）大帝所宣称的金言玉语。有一则与舍尔地（Shirdi）神化身相关的故事，强调一诺千金的重要性。当舍尔地峇峇在世时，有一个叫班德拉（Bandra）的地方（地处孟买郊外）住有一个名叫达尔卡德（Tarkad）的律师。达尔卡德隶属Brahmo Samaj （梵社，一支十九世紀的印度教改革運動）而不相信朝圣这等事。他的妻子却是热诚的舍尔地峇峇信徒并很想带她的16岁的儿子到舍尔地去朝圣。达尔卡德答应让妻子去朝圣，自己却拒绝与她同行。正因为这样，达尔卡德未能了解到，信仰各有不同但神只有一个；拒绝承认神的普遍性是灵性脆弱的一个明显的信号。

妻子完全不受达尔卡德脾性的干扰，她为能成行而感到雀跃。然而儿子却不然，他不想跟母亲一道去。这令到达尔卡德甚感惊讶，因为孩子也是个虔诚的舍尔地峇峇信徒。当父亲问他为什么不去舍尔地时，儿子回答，“我每天都向峇峇祈祷。在供奉糖果之后，我吃下这些作为prasadam或神圣祭品的糖果。到舍尔地去会干扰我每天的作业，这就是我要留下的原因。”

感动于儿子对峇峇的虔诚，达尔卡德要他儿子陪同母亲一起去，并答应他会代儿子执行每日的仪礼，包括供奉糖果。儿子要父亲保证，于是问达尔卡德，“您可要遵守诺言，如我所膜拜的方式执行每日的祭礼，供奉糖果作为祭品，然后吃下糖果？除非您答应这么做，否则我不会去舍尔地。”

愧于不具跟儿子一样的坚强的信心和纪律，达尔卡德于是庄重地向儿子承诺他会每天遵照儿子膜拜的方式去膜拜。儿子对膜拜得以继续而不受到干扰，甚感欣喜，他于是就随母亲到舍尔地去。达尔卡德果然守诺，虔诚地执行膜拜仪式，也没忘记供奉糖果，然后吃下作为prasadam的糖果。

母子离开了三天。那天是星期四，一周中的圣洁之日，而刚好达尔卡德有一个重要的案件必须上法庭。他如常地洗澡，膜拜，匆匆吃早餐，然后赶到法庭。午餐时间，达尔卡德回家，在用餐前，他叫厨师拿出祭品的糖果出来。厨师说，“先生，今天早上你并没有供奉糖果。” 意识到自己的疏忽，达尔卡德甚感痛苦，因为忘记了对儿子许下的诺言。

第二天，当达尔卡德的妻子与儿子出席达瞻（Darshan）时，峇峇告诉他们，“昨天我照旧地到你们位于班德拉的家去，但是，我得不到任何祭品，连通常所供奉的糖果都没有，而我只得空着肚子回来。你们现在可以供奉一些供品给我吗？”达尔卡德的儿子听了，心都碎了。稍后，他靠在母亲的怀里，放声大哭并说，“父亲答应的，但他不守信诺，让峇峇失望而归！母亲，我不能在此待下去了。我不想失职，现在就要回到班德拉去。”

就在那时，峇峇的朋友，乔（Jog）出现并说他带来了峇峇的口信，那就是：“峇峇说，你不必回去。那不是你的错而是你父亲违背他的诺言。我赐福你，而你可以在此待下去，要多久就多久。”虽然对诺言的不能实践感到不快，孩子跟母亲还是在舍尔地住了十天才回去；但在他们的整个居留期间，孩子一直为峇峇得不到任何供奉，空着肚子回去，而感到伤痛。

回到班德拉，孩子向父亲抱怨不守诺言之事。感到痛苦的父亲说，“儿子，你比我年轻得多，但我还是要向你赔罪，请你原谅我。”儿子回答，“父亲，你应该寻求峇峇的原谅，不是我的原谅。坚持真实对你而言是重要的。身为律师，你必须在法庭上辩论。想想看，假如你背离实情，有多少家庭会因此而受害。你肯定听说过国王马努（Manu）及其秉持正义的故事。如果作为一个律师，在法庭辩论时背离实情，这不会伤害到许多家庭吗？不固守实情，你的律师资格岂不被糟蹋了？你必须是一个律师（lawyer），而不是一个撒谎者（liar）。”这就是一个16岁的孩子如何纠正他父亲的故事。

不论一个人属于哪一种信仰，Brahmo Samaj也好，Arya Samaj也罢，诺言终归是诺言，一言既出驷马难追，决不食言。恪守纪律因此是极其重要的，一切日常职责都必须以高度的纪律去履行；如果你这么做，你肯定超凡入圣，达至神的境界。

你从早到晚都没察觉
永恒而神圣的神。
而你全不在乎所学得的教诲，
只以填饱肚子为优先。
哦，人啊！深切地反省，你如何利用你的时间
并告诉我，糟蹋你的生命
换来的是什么样的高尚福乐？

待续。。。

DISCIPLINE – A MANDATORY PREREQUISITE FOR DEVOTION (Part 1)

(Based on Divine Discourse delivered on June 19, 1996)

Though lacking education,
Birds and animals lead regulated lives.
Why then can’t humans,
Bestowed with the capacity for wisdom
Use their knowledge to live properly?

Embodiments of Divine Love,

Discipline is a must for every living being, more so for humans for whom it is verily the moral backbone. Discipline implies strict adherence to rules, regulations and principles, without which life would be totally ruined. Bereft of rules and regulations defined within a moral framework, humanity as a whole would come to grief. There is in fact an ancient saying that a society deficient in moral values cannot be happy and prosperous.

Discipline cannot be acquired from books and classrooms. Rather, it becomes ingrained only through the strict regulation of every single activity of daily life from dawn to dusk; and once acquired, discipline must become a way of life as long as one lives.

Discipline is a necessity not merely for individuals but also for organisations, political systems and indeed the whole of society. The fact is that from institutions to nations none can survive without discipline, for it is discipline that promotes unity between individuals, bonds them to society and unifies entire communities. In other words, discipline is an essential component of meaningful human existence.

Discipline is essential even in simple matters like talking, singing and playing. For example, while singing bhajans everyone must strictly adhere to sruthi, i.e., maintain absolute tonal purity. Harmony would be ruined even if one singer goes off-key and the outcome could be most jarring. Likewise, in sports every player must unconditionally submit to the decisions of the umpire or referee, in letter and in spirit. At times, deeply absorbed in the game a player might unconsciously violate a rule. That breach, however, does not escape the watchful eyes of the referee who then promptly blows the whistle. The moment the whistle is heard, the player at fault must bow to the ruling of the referee and play must stop immediately; failure to do so would be a serious violation of the spirit of sports.

In life, discipline is absolutely essential. Totally indifferent to this requirement, most people these days merrily flout discipline; no wonder life as a whole has become unbearable. Sadly these days, people exercising self-control have become rare exceptions.

People in positions of authority whatever be the field of activity –agriculture, business or whatever – must strictly adhere to the rules and regulations they are bound by. Just because one is powerful, one cannot speak as one likes or pass orders as one pleases; whatever a leader does must be within the bounds of law. Thus, a person has to observe decorum and propriety while speaking. Likewise, when issuing a written order, the person concerned must pause to reflect on the impact the order would have, as well as its likely consequences. Never must an order be passed in haste, without careful prior analysis and deep reflection. The prestige of office must be meticulously preserved and protected by the principled and disciplined exercise of authority. Once one strictly abides by rules, one does not need any further protection because self-discipline itself becomes one’s best armour.

Discipline is needed on all occasions, whether one is talking, laughing, sitting or walking. For example, some people walk randomly while going along a road, even if the road is broad and there is enough space to stay conveniently to one side. One must walk only on the sidewalk or pavement so as not to disturb vehicular traffic. Walking randomly not only violates road discipline but also hinders others; one must never cause inconvenience or pain to others, which is why Swami often says help ever and hurt never. Indeed, discipline is needed even while helping others.

Observance of discipline must start at an early age, which is why Swami often advises you to start early, drive slowly and reach safely. Discipline is indispensable not only for children and students but also for all adults including teachers, officials, etc., indeed every single citizen. It must be observed even in small matters such as greeting a person in an appropriate manner, showing respect to elders, knowing when to remain standing and when to sit while in the presence of others, and so on.

Many children slouch while sitting, which is a bad habit. Sitting erect is essential for stimulating good thoughts, improving the intellect and achieving rapid concentration. An erect posture significantly enhances the awakening of latent spiritual forces. The spinal column has 33 rings and located between the 9th and the 22nd is the Sushmna nadi that acts as the passage for Kundalani Shakti or spiritual power, from its base Mooladhara located at the base of the spine to its destination Sahasrara1, also referred to as the Thousand-petalled Lotus.

What exactly does the Kundalini Shakti mean? According to some experts in Yoga, there is a serpent named Kundalini that lies coiled up in Mooladhara which, when aroused, makes its way up (in stages) to Sahasrara. This is a totally wrong description of Kundalini Shakti; in fact, there is no serpent within. What really happens is that while engaging in pranayama or meditative breathing exercises, air is inhaled, held back or retained for a while and then exhaled. During the retention period, the Kundalini power gets stimulated and slowly makes its way upwards through the 33 rings in the spine.

It is to facilitate the smooth upward passage of Kundalini power that yoga practitioners maintain an erect posture which, incidentally, also greatly enhances the ability to concentrate. Sitting erect is thus an essential requirement of pranayama. Such discipline comes only through strict observance of certain types of purification. To start with, the body must be kept pure, not by cleaning the body with soap and water but by engaging in good actions. Likewise, the mind too must be purified by filling it with good thoughts. When good thoughts in the mind get translated into good actions, the body automatically becomes spiritually purified. It is through such purity of thought and action that buddhi or the power of spiritual discrimination becomes significantly enhanced.

People often use the word I while referring to themselves, scarcely realising that this ‘I’ or Aham as it is referred to in Sanskrit is the primordial essence of oneself. This Aham is born of the Eternal and Indestructible Atma. From Aham emerges chitta or the mind, and for its part, chitta is the source of Vak or the Word. Thus Aham or ‘I’, chitta or the mind and Vak or the word (which, remember, originates from the body) all belong to the lineage of the Atma, and are thus expected to reflect the absolute purity of the Atma.

Word is most sacred and there can be no greater sin than going back on the given word, declared Emperor Bali. There is an incident associated with the Shirdi Avatar that highlights the importance of adhering to one’s promise. During the days of Shirdi Baba there lived in a place called Bandra (a suburb of Bombay now renamed Mumbai), a man named Tarkad who was a lawyer. Tarkad belonged to the Brahmo Samaj and did not believe in pilgrimages. His wife, however, was an ardent devotee of Shirdi Baba and wished to go on a pilgrimage to Shirdi, along with her sixteen year old son. Tarkad gave his consent while excusing himself. In doing so, Tarkad failed to realise that though people may profess different faiths, there is only one God; refusing to acknowledge the universality of the Divine is a clear sign of spiritual weakness.

The wife was least bothered by Tarkad’s disposition and was happy that she could go. The son, however, said he did not wish to go along with his mother, which surprised Tarkad since the boy too was an ardent devotee of Shirdi Baba. When asked by his father why he did not want to go to Shirdi, the son replied, “Every day I offer prayers to Baba, at the end of which I make an offering of sugar candy; later I eat that candy as prasaadam or a Divine gift. Going to Shirdi would interfere with my daily routine, which is why I prefer to stay here.”

Touched by his son’s fervent devotion to Baba, Tarkad asked his son to accompany his mother, promising that he, Tarkad, would perform the daily ritual on the boy’s behalf, including the offering of candy. Wanting to be assured the son asked Tarkad, “Do you give your solemn word that you would perform the worship the way I do, offer the candy as naivedyam and later partake of it as prasaadam? Unless you promise you would do so, I will not go to Shirdi.”

Embarrassed that he did not have the tremendous faith and discipline his son had, Tarkad solemnly promised to his son that he would offer regular worship exactly as the latter did. Happy that the worship of Baba would continue uninterrupted, the son then left for Shirdi along with his mother. For his part, Tarkad performed the ritual in all sincerity, not forgetting to offer candy to Baba at the end of the worship, which he later ate as prasaadam.

Three days had passed since mother and son left for Shirdi. It was Thursday a sacred day of the week and Tarkad had an important case coming up in the Court. He had his bath as usual, offered worship, hurriedly ate breakfast and rushed to the Court. Returning home at lunch time Tarkad asked the cook to bring Baba’s prasaadam before serving lunch. The cook replied, “Sir, this morning you did not offer candy and so I cannot serve you any prasaadam.” Realising his mistake Tarkad felt miserable, especially because he had defaulted on the promise made to his son.

On the following day when Tarkad’s wife and son went for Darshan, Baba told them, “Yesterday I went as usual to your house in Bandra but no food was offered to Me. I did not even get the customary sugar candy and had to return hungry. Will you give Me something now?” Hearing this, Tarkad’s son was absolutely shattered. Later, sitting on his mother’s lap the boy wept bitterly and said, “Father gave his word but failed to make the offering. That is why Baba returned disappointed! Mother, I cannot stay here any longer. I do not wish to miss my duties and am returning to Bandra right now.”

Just then, Baba’s companion Jog showed up and said that he had a message from Baba which was: “Baba says there is no need for you to go back. You are not at fault and it is your father who broke his promise. You have My blessings and you can stay here as long as you like.” Though somewhat unhappy about the broken promise, the boy and his mother stayed in Shirdi for ten days and then returned; but throughout their stay, the boy was feeling miserable that Baba had been sent back without being offered anything.

When they returned to Bandra, the son complained to his father about the broken promise. Deeply anguished the father said, “Son, you are much younger than me but I do have to ask you to excuse me.” The son replied, “Father, you should seek pardon from Baba and not from me. It is important for you to adhere to Truth. As a lawyer you argue in a Court of Law. Think about how many families would be ruined if you deviate from Truth. Surely you are aware of Emperor Manu and his strict adherence to Dharma. If as a lawyer, you deviate from truth while arguing in court, would it not harm many families? Your entire training as a lawyer would be a waste if you do not adhere to truth. You must be a lawyer and not a liar.” This is how the sixteen-year old corrected his father.

Irrespective of the faith group to which one might belong, be it Brahmo Samaj or Arya Samaj, promise is a promise and once made should never be broken. Strict adherence to discipline is thus vitally important, and all the daily duties must be performed in a highly disciplined manner; if one does so one is sure to attain the Divine.

Oblivious you are from dawn to dusk,
To the Eternal and the Divine.
And indifferent you remain to lessons learnt,
Preoccupied with just filling your belly.
O Man! Reflect deeply on how you spend your time
And tell me what great happiness have you attained,
By so wasting your life?

To be continued…