The Power of "Simple "...To seek and understand the extraordinary in the ordinary
Lipi B. Read
Lipi B. Read
Article Published in the Samvit magazine
March 2019
March 2019
The Article in plain Text follows the images below.
http://www.srisaradamath.org/samvit.php
To seek and understand the extraordinary in the ordinary…
Lessons from the life of Sri Sarada Devi.
These “Hidden Stars” are the “Diamonds in the Raw”..Gems of immeasurable value though uncut and unpolished to others.
In a world where advertising one’s achievements, marketing oneself on social media, posting endless ‘selfies’ and self-glorifying posts on Twitter and Facebook and fighting to be seen and heard at every step of the way, Rare indeed is that individual who shuns the limelight and adulation...
Hard to believe that there are some people who never seek a large number of followers and ‘ fans’ on Facebook or Instagram but quietly live and achieve perfection even if they do it unseen and unheard.
Yet somewhere in the depths of human consciousness, there is a subtle awareness that such values as humility, simplicity, self-abnegation and inner depth are more valuable than any outer show of glory.
That is why the Mahatma Gandhi’s and Neil Armstrong’s (first man to set foot on the Moon yet known for his humility) are idolized by generations to come.
For us of Indian origin and more so followers of the eclectic and man making ideals of Sri Ramakrishna as propagated by Swami Vivekananda We have one of the greatest examples of greatness and extraordinary giftings hidden in unsurpassable simplicity and humility which is in the example of Sri Sarada Devi the wife, spiritual partner and Sri Ramakrishna’s greatest gift to the world… Her life and her message and personality are more important and relevant today than perhaps they were 150 years ago. Let us see why.
As a young immigrant, moving alone to the West almost 20 years ago I learnt some very hard but powerful life lessons. One is that there will be a time and place in life where we must all walk alone. Where one’s birth, family name, job title, status, prestige, qualifications or achievements will have absolutely no value to anyone and where suddenly at any given time in life we must all start our life again from zero. How can we deal with this unless we have an example of a tremendous spiritual ideal in front of us? That ideal is Sri Sarada Devi. Her life and teachings have all the answers.
Your job title does not define who you are.
No Job is too humble. Your job title does not define who you are. Most people in the world put their entire worth and value on a person based on their Job Title, financial worth and social status. In fact, in India people shamelessly advertise the worth of a potential groom in terms of status and money worth. That is prevalent in most of the world in different forms.
One of the greatest social equalizers in the West (North America, USA and Canada) is that there is dignity in labour and that most children start working during their high school holidays.
However, many new immigrants with high qualifications have to start with entry-level jobs and even after working their selves up, many have to return to these jobs someday if the economy is on a downtrend.
Sri Sarada Devi was the wife of Sri Ramakrishna who was greatly respected and worshipped by many including the rich and famous of Bengal during his time.
Yet even during his lifetime she, his wife out of her choice lived a very simple and hardworking life. She personally cooked for her “Devotee children”, Cleaned their plates and leftovers. Washed heavy utensils, swept the floor and set an example of doing one’s own work with dignity till her senior years. ( Can we imagine women of honour and high position doing that anywhere today?)
Even in her later life at Jayrambati where she was looked upon and worshipped as a Mother Goddess not only by the villagers and her Monk disciples but also by thousands of people from Calcutta, what made her so extraordinary was that she did the most ordinary household work with utter love and perfection.
An Example: She once told a person in her household to keep away the broom carefully and respectfully after using it. Her lesson was that if we show respect to an object it will respect us. Plus she pointed out that a person’s true character is seen in the way they do their smallest tasks.
In addition to that, she taught her disciples that every work is worship and that in every action we should seek to bless and serve others.
What a tremendous lesson if company owners constantly thought about how they can make their workplace a safer and happier environment for their workers and clients. If each professional whether a server at a Fast food restaurant or a CA of a company thought about how they can make their clients feel more valued and respected than looking upon them as a burden and a means to an end?
How can we make an ordinary experience extraordinary?
Principles of Equality :
The new “caste system” in the world is not only that of ethnicity and race but of wealth and status.
In Multi-Cultural cities of the world whether New York or Toronto or London or anywhere else it is a matter of ethnic diversity and people from many country and races of the world living and working together in the same cities.
In India, it is people from all parts of the country converging in the Metropolises. The financial social divide is also great.
In order to preserve peace and harmony and equality, some very strict ground rules of social behaviour and treating “People of all Diversities” are laid out in developed countries.
In India as in the West, though laws exist, many wealthier people or people of certain ethnic backgrounds treat people of poorer classes with great disrespect and everything from the tone of voice to the way they are treated and looked upon.
Once again, the life and lessons of Sri Sarada Devi are as much if not more relevant today as they were a hundred and more years ago.
One example, a Muslim devotee name Amjad who belonged to the lowest strata of society in those days would visit Holy Mother and she treated him with great love and compassion. She would accept his humble gifts, listen to his woes and worries and feed him with great love and care.
Once a family member instead of serving him with respect threw food at his plate like he was an animal and not a human.
That person also chided Sri Sarada Devi for treating a man of his religious background/ caste and criminal history with such honour.
Sri Sarada Devi gave her a classic reply “Amjad is my son, he is as dear to me as is Sarat Maharaj “ (Swami Saradananda Maharaj was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and the General Secretary of the Ramakrishna order at that time)
What a great lesson in equality, what a great lesson in genuine respect.
Sri Sarada Devi’s teaching on this one is also a great lesson in management and parenting.
Most organizations or families fail when the leadership or management or parents are perceived as unjust, having favouritism to one or a few and unless they seriously work on it, they will head towards disaster.
Following the ideals of Sri Sarada Devi, the Ramakrishna Math and Mission and Sri Sarada Math and Mission were pioneers in breaking the caste rules of Indian society and respectfully serving and treating everyone, especially those from the poorest strata of society as equals in every way.
One can learn from these Institutions in India and in other countries around the world how to imbibe these great human laws as part of a living culture and not because society imposes them upon us.
Simplicity and Modesty:
In this generation probably more than any other in the past there is tremendous pressure on the youngsters to be something that they are not.
Extremely unrealistic superficial goals in appearance and achievements are set to the degree that suicides and mental breakdowns have become common. This is not only in the West but also in the East.
Here in N America, it is not uncommon to see young school-going girls and boys dying their hair in unnatural colours, dressing outlandishly, Pushing themselves to breaking limits to be seen on social media and to fit into the peer group ideas of success and beauty.
Money, wealth and fame are the driving forces. Worse still is that most of society no matter what generation judge a person by their wealth, clothing, appearance, title and “Social Following”.
In this kind of world, what is the lesson from Sri Sarada Ma's life?
Holy Mother was a “Hidden Beauty”. Sri Ramakrishna had declared that she was “Ma Saraswati Devi’ herself and had hidden her celestial beauty so that men would not look at her with evil “eyes”.
Throughout her life, she has spoken against vanity and outward show. Some of her thoughts on this: To a fashionable woman devotee, she said “Why so much of vanity my dear? When we die we will all be just a mound of ashes”.
She emphasized on developing our inner character and spiritual life and spending less and less time on the outer show.
To another devotee “Do not spend too much time in self-grooming and pampering yourself, life is short, the pleasures of the world are transient give your mind and thoughts on spiritual principles of something higher.
One of her best quotes on womanhood “Modesty is the only ornament of a woman”. In her own life, she was known for her extreme simplicity, shyness and modesty.
Once in Banaras Mother was there with her woman companion Golap Ma. A first-time visitor who came in underestimated Sri Sarada Devi by her simple appearance and bowed to her companion Golap ma instead.
Golap Ma protested and scolded the devotee. “Can you not “ see”, can you not recognize true divinity by the peaceful countenance and divine aura around Mother”? she asked…The lesson: “ To See” and become more “ Conscious” of divinity. We are hypnotized by glitter and wealth and trappings and beauty and are not conscious of that which is “hidden or veiling itself”.
There is always a field of purity and peace and spiritual strength around certain personalities.
Spiritual practice makes us more in drawn and contemplative and sensitive to the “energy” and thoughts of others. Then we can perceive the real beauty and holiness and value of things. Then we can stop running after “false props of beauty” . We can see the extraordinary in the ordinary and strive to awaken and become that ourselves.
Now more than ever before parents should instil great self-confidence and spiritual principles in their children.
The regular company of Noble-minded and spiritually evolved men and women and surrounding children with good company and spiritual influencers can help instil in them very great values that will help them withstand and overcome negative peer pressure and social influences.
Especially in International and interracial societies the teachings of Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada, Swami Vivekananda which are very eclectic, universal and uniting can help youngsters stay grounded and look inward and not outward for social acceptance and strength.
We attract what we think on. Those who value depth will find that people of depth and true courage come into their lives.
In her own life, Mother Sarada would quote a parable about a priceless uncut diamond lying by the banks of a river. Some would look at it and clean their feet with it. Some would value it as worth just a few coins…but only a skilled jeweller could guess its true worth and understand that it was priceless.
Holy Mother herself was like that. So simple that most people who did not know her would probably have underestimated her.
Gender Equality :
Today as never before women are neck to men in every walk of life. In space stations and police stations. In ocean dives and mountaineering, …women have scaled every peak there is actually and metaphorically.
However, Sri Sarada Devi has left a powerful message in her life and teachings. A woman’s strength has unique qualities and in whatever walk of life or station that she finds herself, she can enrich the world and influence others by intelligently using her inner nurturing (Motherly) heart and mind. She does not have to become a " Man" or manly to prove herself.
Sri Ramakrishna had left Sri Sarada Devi to manifest the Motherly Love that is a divine quality and is present in every human heart. More so in women.
If and when women project the Motherly qualities in themselves they become better colleagues, workers, Managers, friends and life partners.
In sharp contrast to this In the west from a young age, a woman is encouraged to enhance the “seductive” side of her personality ( like a Barbie doll) and/or to become manly and aggressive in competitiveness.
In India, girls are addressed as ‘Ma’ ( Mother) from a very young age and encouraged to enhance the more motherly and caring side of their personalities.
When professionalism combines side by side with compassion, sensitivity towards others and a sense of caring and giving, this can produce immense positive energy all around. However, when a woman no matter how successful she is, projects an aggressive, manipulative, controlling, insensitive and selfish environment around herself, this can lead to disaster.
Sri Sarada Devi was not only the wife of Sri Ramakrishna ( considered to be the divine avatar of this age by many ) but she was also the spiritual Mother of The Ramakrishna organization founded by Swami Vivekananda.
She showed the world in her simple practical wisdom and everyday actions how a woman can have the authority and yet be soft and gentle, wise and compassionate, strong and understanding and create a legacy and culture that stands on firm legs for time immemorial.
Caring for the Environment and compassion for the weakest:
As natural disasters hit the planet and weather patterns change and species disappear “Environmental awareness” and ‘Back to nature” are the new catch Phrases and `Mantras’ for the modern world.
Sri Sarada Devi was way ahead of her time in her sensitivity to environment and compassion for every living being. If we observe her simple everyday thoughts and actions and words, we can find the solutions to some of the greatest issues facing the world today.
Some examples: Some monks of the Ramakrishna order had thrown away a good basket after removing the fruits it contained. Sri Sarada Devi asked a `Sevak’ to retrieve it, wash it and reuse it. “They are all renouncing monks,” she said,” What is a basket to them?” Today we speak of recycling, Mother Sarada Devi showed us how we can start recycling by being observant and careful and not wasteful in everyday life.
When fruits and vegetables would be cleaned and peeled in her huge kitchen at Jayrambati she would ask that the peels be preserved and fed to the animals in the barn. “Every “Jiva” should get his share, “she said. “We must hold the peels to the mouth of the cows and feed them with love. Even a beggar should get his share. Give him a coin with respect and do not throw it at him she once said about a beggar who sang for her. Similarly, she taught that no service should be taken from anyone without paying them in a fair and timely manner for it.
When there was a debate about raising the price or tax on milk she spoke in favour of the milkmen and said that taxing them would cause them to raise prices and dilute their product. This is some of the ways in which she cared for all …. even the meekest and weakest.
We see Mother Sarada's sensitivity to even those elements which we consider to be non-living and some of her immortal quotes give us an inkling to her greatness and super sensitivity which can only come from one who is absolutely divine:
They are lessons to the world to care for all living creatures including the waters and the plants and to be sensitive and aware of every being including the smallest…here are her immortal thoughts;
In Puri ( Jagganth) The holy mother was at the seaside with a group of devotees and monks when someone asked her why the sea roars and cries. She gave a deep and profound insight.
Sri Sarada Devi said that during the `Samundar Manthan’ ( mythological churning of the seas) the Gods and Demons came and took everything from the Ocean and the Demons even kidnapped the daughter of the seas..the Father Ocean is crying in pain and sorrow till this day for the loss of his beloved daughter. What a profound thought..what a warning to mankind to stop polluting and killing the children and life forms of the seas and oceans.!
One early morning Mother asked a devotee to be silent and aware of her surroundings.” There is a great worship taking place every moment in the Universe. We can hear it is the song of the birds and see it in the bloom of the flowers. Live each moment of your life carefully”.
And last but not least. Her teachings on the power of silence, especially in spiritual life and prayer” God can hear the tinkle of the bells on the anklets of an Ant..he can hear every prayer that is whispered in your heart”.
In this noisy, boisterous, loud and over displayed age. Maybe the simple secrets of an extraordinary divine Mother who lived and taught in a very ordinary light. Her teachings will show us the way to truly live as worthy and humble humans.
Acknowledgement: I give my sincere and humble thanks to Revered Divvyanandaprana Mataji and to Sri Sarada Math Dakshinehwar for publishing the above article in the renowned Samvit magazine where Mataji is the Editor and where many renowned writers on spirituality contribute their pieces.
Revered Divvyanandaprana Mataji is a senior monastic member of the Sri Ramakrishna Sarada Math and Mission, she is the Principal of the sister Nivedita school in New Delhi and a motivational and inspiring speaker not only at the various centres in India and abroad but also at the prestigious IIT institutes. Her talks can be heard on youtube
Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPIJYHDVFwU&t=516s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynAa8fWH-uQ
Plus many more .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynAa8fWH-uQ
Plus many more .
