Burst Fifteen (For Youth):
Arrogance
It is a sign of poverty of heart when our thoughts, words or actions are violent. We impose our views on others and pressurize them to toe our line. “Do it my way or hit the highway!” We may mistake such an outlook for a sign of assertive leadership. Such behavior on our part often brings to us some ‘success’ in this world, no doubt. It is short-lived, shallow and makes us pay a heavy price in certain other respects. Often we stand victorious amidst the debris of a spoilt relationship. Though we are powerful outwardly, there is fear inside us. The tenderness of love and friendship is lost and both the sides carry on with bruised spirits. Superficially, we have won and they have lost. Really speaking, both of us have lost.
Seeking an image is the seed of violence. We want to be ‘good, great, able, rich, talented or pious’. In our own eyes and in the eyes of others, we wish to be ‘somebody’. Desire to protect our prestige sustains this malady. Entertaining thoughts of our future status lends more strength to the psychological phenomenon of our haughtiness. Of course, if we have certain weakness for sense pleasures, it becomes all the more difficult to observe the perversion in the way we treat others. When the senses run wild, our sensitivity becomes dimmer.
Is there not a way of living where our bosom is like a green meadow lit by the morning sun, and right action rises from that land?
“I have already finished off this enemy of mine; I shall eliminate others too. I am the boss here; I accomplish and enjoy; all pleasure and power are mine.” Geeta 16:14
Swami Chidananda
Monday, July 24, 2003