MANTHAN (मंथन)

The first paradox that Daaji explores is that of Change.

“Change is the only Constant” is an oft-repeated quote. How can something be Constant and still be changing !! That’s a paradox !

As we grow, one of the main objectives of human life is to seek stability. But at the same time, there is this drive for betterment that results in a change.

The Change in our lives can happen in two ways :

Self-initiated transformation : We may be seeking a better career opportunity or better place to live etc. Such desire to make improvements in our lives brings in changes to our external situations. We may have to deal with a new work environment or a different neighborhood, etc.

Externally thrust change : While the self-initiated change can be planned to suit our appetite, the change that is externally thrust upon us, may be more difficult to manage. Also, some times, we may have prior knowledge of such forthcoming changes and at other times, these may come as sudden surprises.

For example, I would know that my home lease is expiring in the next 6 months, so I must work on looking for a new apartment and be prepared for the move and all the tasks that are related to moving into a new surrounding. Relocating to a new house or a city can be financially as well as mentally draining. But we can overcome these obstacles by increasing our desire or passion for change and envisioning the positive outcomes that await us after the change is accomplished.

But some external changes may be sudden, e.g. death of a key family member or some job loss, etc. These changes test our tenacity and resilience of character. So, Daaji says, the investments we have made in developing the Inner Self and also creating goodwill in the community will help us manage and endure as we go through unforeseen changes in our lives.

So, we have a complex relationship with change. It is seen that instead of flowing with the change, we often seek stability during the times of transition and seek change when our lives are stable.

Even during the meditation practices such as Heartfulness, we experience different states of consciousness. But it is very important to get out of our Comfort Zones ! The initial stages of change may look and feel unfamiliar, and we may experience discomfort. But as we gradually adapt to the new state of consciousness, we will be more receptive to the newer blissful states of levels of transformation.

When it comes to resolution of such paradoxes, it is important to address the underlying causes. For example, we might recognize that stability is not the absence of of change, but a pattern of predictable change. So, as our outer circumstances shift, if we are able to bring stability to our mental state, we will be able to handle the change in a much better way.

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In Mahabharat, Arjun is faced with a number of such paradoxical situations. Lord Krishna guides him gently through the medium of Bhagvad Geeta to highlight this aspect of changing nature of life and the permanent nature of the Self.

वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि।
तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णान्यन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही ॥ २.२२ ॥

Just as a man casts off worn-out clothes and puts on new ones, so also the embodied Self casts off worn-out bodies and enters others which are new. He tells Arjun about the changing nature of the embodied life and tells him to realize the presence changeless Self that resides within.

अव्यक्तोऽयमचिन्त्योऽयमविकार्योऽयमुच्यते।
तस्मादेवं विदित्वैनं नानुशोचितुमर्हसि ॥ २.२५ ॥

This Self is said to be unmanifested (अव्यक्तः), unthinkable (अचिन्त्यः) and unchangeable (अविकार्यः). Therefore, knowing This to be such, you should not grieve.