A fellow was renouncing the material world - he was to take what Jains call "sanyas" which means giving up what creates temptation. Before that however, the family of that fellow throws a huge bash - that's the tradition, some of the kings were amongst those who renounced the world, and since then this tradition continues. It's a going away present. He sits on a kingly stage and everybody sits on the floor around him, there's more food than a small city could eat, and no shortage of music and festivities. This is perhaps not as ironic as it is thought provoking - perhaps his family wanted to send him off with a bang and meaning to let the world know that he is worth all that for understanding and taking a courageous step to renounce this world.
However, Im reminded of an incident from not too long ago, when I met a Sikh man, who told me how many of them renounce state-of-mind-altering substances (alcohol, drugs, tobacco etc.,) but they dont renounce the world. They live in this world, they are to develop the world, they are to find ways to make this world a better place, and they are to understand themselves better not by renouncing everything, but by renouncing that which gives them temptation and alters their mind temporarily or permanently. and not by just giving it all up - that's a sign of weakness, a sign of not enough willpower.
Yes it does take a lot of will to decide to give everything up but the basic necessities (as a sanyasi would do) but isn't it even harder to get to know yourself better by facing the challenge head on? Being in the midst of all of the temptation creating objects but not surrendering to them.
This is of course about perspective, and there is no way that I want to play down the courage of the fellow who was to become a 'sanyasi'. I hope he finds himself.
However, Im reminded of an incident from not too long ago, when I met a Sikh man, who told me how many of them renounce state-of-mind-altering substances (alcohol, drugs, tobacco etc.,) but they dont renounce the world. They live in this world, they are to develop the world, they are to find ways to make this world a better place, and they are to understand themselves better not by renouncing everything, but by renouncing that which gives them temptation and alters their mind temporarily or permanently. and not by just giving it all up - that's a sign of weakness, a sign of not enough willpower.
Yes it does take a lot of will to decide to give everything up but the basic necessities (as a sanyasi would do) but isn't it even harder to get to know yourself better by facing the challenge head on? Being in the midst of all of the temptation creating objects but not surrendering to them.
This is of course about perspective, and there is no way that I want to play down the courage of the fellow who was to become a 'sanyasi'. I hope he finds himself.
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