In Japanese institutions, meditation exercises form an integral part of their educational activities. This is one of the important reasons that the Japanese show a profound sense of responsibility. They are sincere and duty conscious. This does not mean that they are not aware of their rights. The Japanese workers and labourers also fight for their rights; they hold demonstrations to show their protest. But they do so without disrupting the normal activities. Nor do they cause any loss to their national property. If a Japanese worker wants to protest against some injustice he displays a black band on his arm. The Japanese never resort to violence or sabotage. Contrary to this, in India the first step to protest against any injustice is to stop the work, whether the cause is justified or not. Then follows the destruction of private and national property. Just to shows their protest and anger, people commit unimaginable and distasteful crimes without any provocation.
If Japanese are so responsible and duty conscious it is because they are taught the art of meditation in educational institutions. Meditation teaches man to exercise control over his mind. It restrains the waywardness of the thought process. Hence, man does not behave in an irresponsible manner. If all individuals who form the society behave in a restrained manner, the entire society becomes disciplined. One who meditates regularly will neither commit a crime nor get involved in anti-social activities.
In past few decades Japan has emerged as one of the most prosperous and technically advanced country. Whereas India with its rich cultural heritage is still lingering in the initial stages of development. We aspire to be counted among the most developed nations of the world but our actions are unfortunately taking us in the opposite direction.
We indulge in slogan shouting. It unnecessarily increase the noise-level. The environment is constantly disturbed by ear-splitting noises that create tension among people. As a result, unruly elements indulge in destruction of national and private property. These misguided people are too unwise to realize that by doing so they are harming themselves alone.
We dream for a brighter future for our country. But that dream cannot be materialized until we have a clear idea of our responsibility. We should perform our duties consciously and devote ourselves whole heartedly to our work. We should not destroy what is ours just to show our protest or dissent. Only then the national production will go up and the country will prosper.
Here comes the importance of meditation. Meditation will discipline individuals and help us in forming a restrained society—a society where people realize the importance of self-control.
NOISE POLLUTION
Noise pollution is the burning problem of the day. The blessing of science have made our living much easier and more comfortable than before. But at the same time the progress in technology has created several problems for mankind. Pollution is one of the major problems that the world is facing today. The soil on which we grow our food is polluted, the water we drink and the air we breathe are polluted too.
To make the things worse, noise created by several machines, factories and auto mobiles have polluted our total environment. Noise in the environment produces adverse effect on our working and thinking capabilities. It creates disturbances and we fail to concentrate. As soon as any machine or a mechanical gadget starts. It inevitably creates noise. Out of the noises we hear everyday probably the ticking of a clock is the faintest. As a result of noise pollution our sensitivity to sound is decreasing day by day. A stage has come that in order to hear the ticking of own wristwatch we have to bring it close to our ears. The Central and State Governments have taken some measures to reduce noise pollution.
We, as individuals, should also contribute our bit. We can achieve this to some extent by exercising restraint on our speech.
RESTRAINT SPEECH—IMPORTANT FOR MEDITATION
Sampada does not mean material wealth alone. Sampada is closely associated to meditation. It forms the crux of human life. All endeavour involved hard labour. No artist can accomplish his work unless he vigorously follows all rules, regulations and Upsampadas related to art. If we wish to pursue meditation, we will have to follow certain principles.
There are five principles which have to be observed before embarking upon meditation. These are:
- Thought Process (Bhava Kriya)
- Freeing oneself from all reactionary activities (Pratikriya Virati)
- Amity (Maitry)
- Diet-control (Mitahar)
- Speech-control (Mitbhashan)
We have studied these principles in previous classes also. It is essential to exercise restrain on speech in order to achieve success in meditation (Dhyan). Here, we will discuss how to restrain speech in details.
A new born baby kept in isolation can never learn to speak. Generally, we speak only when someone is present to hear us. No doubt, speech is inevitable in social interaction. But it is most essential to remain silent while exercising meditation (Dhyan). While it is easily possible to remain silent, total concentration is possible only when control is exercised over the thought-process (Bhava Kriya) also. If our thoughts run in all directions, we will not be able to concentrate. It is, therefore, most essential for one to exercise total control over speech as well as thoughts while doing Prekshadhyan (meditation)
Following suggestions can serve as guidelines for exercising restrain over our speech and thoughts:
- One must pause before speaking in order to ascertain whether speaking at that juncture is essential or not.
- If speaking at any particular moment is not necessary, one must remain silent.
- If at all speaking becomes necessary, one must pause again to ascertain how much should one speak.
- One must speak only what is relevant.
- While speaking one must keep the volume of the voice low, so as to avoid noise pollution.
- Raising of voice should only depend on the need for doing so.
- One must avoid using loud-speakers as far as possible.
- Those who are exercising meditation, must exercise total speech-control. They should not communicate even by gestures or writing.
Thus by exercising speech-control, one who meditates can contribute a lot to the prevention of noise pollution. Thereby, he can fulfil his obligations to society to a great extent. Restrain in speech will also help him in his personal development.
Speech control is also associated with four Upsampadas. It is essential to restrain our speech while eating. If we speak while eating we spit some portions of the food. There are chances that we may even bite our tongue. Moreover, if we speak our attention is diverted towards discussion. This reduces the good effect of food on our body. Therefore, it is important to remain silent while eating. If it is not possible to be totally quiet, then speech-control should be exercised.
Speech control is closely related to Amity (Maitry Sampada). We generally see that people themselves talk too much and unnecessarily. On the other hand they are not interested in listening to others. Often we undermine the Upsampada of amity by not letting others speak. Amity depends upon equity. Amity can prosper only when we listen to and appreciate the viewpoint of others. Speech control, therefore, plays an important role in creating, strengthening and perpetuating amity.
Speech control is also closely related to the Upsampada of the STATE OF ABSOLUTE ABSENCE OF REACTION. Often we see that people promptly express their verbal reaction on any situation or even whether it is related to them or not. If we exercise speech control we will succeed in achieving the above mentioned state.
Another element connected with speech is the Upsampada of THOUGHT PROCESS (BhavaKriya). To be able to think in a positive manner is possible only when one can fully concentrate. The state of concentration should be of such depth that it should cause total oblivion to one's existence. By remaining absolutely silent one can attain the Upsampada of Thought Process.
The Sampada of speech control not only help one in acquiring the above said four Upsampadas but it is also very important from the point of view of self-sustenance.
EXERCISE
- What is the major difference in the national character of Japan and India?
- Why is speech restrain essential?
- How does speech control reduce pollution?
- How is speech control related to Thought Process?
- How is speech control related to the Upsampada of the state of absolute absence of reaction?
- What is the connection between speech control and amity?
- Why is speech control essential while eating food?
