Hari Om everyone,
Here's this past weekend's update.
What is dharma? Why only we human species have books and rules about dharma?
We started the class with these questions. Through our discussions, we figured that all other species function as per their limitations, according to their birth. A lion can't wake up one day and decide 'it is wrong to kill other animals, maybe I should turn vegetarian!' Water can't decide, 'I am bored of flowing downhill always, maybe I will flow uphill for the rest of the month' :)). They are what they are and live according to their 'inherent dharma'. They do not have the free-will/choice to make such decisions.
Humans, on the other hand, have an intellect that allows them to judge, decide and make choices. It becomes very essential then, to make the right choices. That which are beneficial not just for themselves but to everyone else. How are we to know if we are making the right choices? That is where our shaastras come to our rescue. They lead us towards making informed unbiased decisions so that our actions are righteous. The prescriptions given for our choices are what we call 'dharma'! We need to have complete faith in our shaastras and imbibe the teachings.
We then discussed how we are truly different from all other beings in the world? We concluded that - consuming food, sleep, fear and procreation - these 4 are common among all animals, including us humans. That which truly sets us apart from the rest of the creation is 'dharma' alone! There is no big difference otherwise. Devoid of dharma, we would be equal to animals, actually! So, more of a reason to know and follow dharma.
We also discussed another difference between humans and animals. We saw how animals are horizontal and humans are vertical. Meaning, the organs of reproduction, stomach, heart and head - are all at the same level for animals. Whereas, we stand vertical with an erect spine, stacking up these organs in a hierarchy. Likewise should be our priorities for these organs. Intellect gets a much higher position than the stomach.
This brought out an interesting discussion. When we said, 'animals are horizontal', we were immediately refuted by examples! How about the Penguins? How about Lemurs? Oh, we forgot the long-necked giraffe?! So on an so forth! Impressive, aren't they? The kids had every reason to bring out these examples. Of course, a giraffe's head is at a much higher elevation than it's stomach! But then, we had to refute their rebuttal with the basic point we had already mentioned - 'an erect spine'. None of these animals has an erect spine that stacks up and holds these organs like in humans. There is a reason for this - the energy from the base of the spine has to be able to travel upwards towards the top of the head, without any hindrance and that is possible ONLY in humans! Only humans can build that energy to travel in this manner and that sets them apart from all other beings.
Amidst all these, we discussed the movie 'Antman', cluster flies, different planes of realities, etc. One main point that was made here - 'if we can think it, that is already a reality in some other plane'. Has to be! 'The Lord who gave me the capacity to think of an idea would have certainly thought about it already' :).
We ended the class with a fabulous note. One of them said, 'I think everything already exists in nature in some form or the other, I am only a channel to express it'. Bingo! These kids are way ahead in the game of understanding vedaanta :).
Until next class, happy contemplating.
Regards,
Rashmi and Sitaram.
Rashmi and Sitaram.
