By: Arnav Chugh and Saadhvi Mamidi
Notes by Arnav:
Reflections/Summary/Key points from previous week’s Class:
The “how” of the science of right action
- Reign in senses with the mind itself
- Engage our mind with the purpose
- Letting go of the outcomes
Responsibilities are opportunities:
- Responsibilities come unasked with age
- Responsibilities are thankless (no expectations of rewards)
- Ignorance isn’t an excuse
Evolution:
- Regular responsibilities: constantly moving and accumulating
- Special responsibilities: occasional, hard but will get easier as you do more
Devolution:
- Selfish Actions: for example, sleeping late every day or staying on phone for hours
- Prohibited Actions: illegal actions
We require deadlines so the means of self-development is through right action
Discourse:
Actions aren’t good or bad
Our intentions determine such (good or bad)
What determines the quality of action:
- Our intention, the motivation we have for acting
- Our attitude while acting and while receiving results
These two will help us determine if we evolve or devolve:
No point in doing the activities if you have the wrong intent
- Ex: volunteering, if you just want the most hours, then your action is bad
The results of any action are tied to the doer of that action.
Will go into more depth next week: Quality of action is determined by intent
Activity
We need clarity for our actions:
List of words was shared with groups (traits/characteristics). Students chose 2–3 words that will empower themselves throughout their journeys. They answered prompts answering how the words they chose were relevant to them.
Notes by Saadhvi:
Recap
- How do we engage in the science of right action?
- By engaging in our responsibilities
- We must…
- Reign in senses with our mind itself
- Engage our mind with purpose
- Let go of the outcome
- Nature of responsibilities
- Come unasked and with age
- Thankless
- Ignorance of them is no use
- Devolving — engaging in selfish actions, detract from ourselves
- Evolving — engaging in regular responsibilities
- We require deadlines to fulfill our responsibilities — outcome driven (analogy of a sprinter — no endurance)
- Action driven — we become more motivated and driven (long-distance runner: can sustain for longer)
DISCOURSE: Action for Evolution
- No action is inherently bad or good (all action is neutral)
For example, society makes laws about murder, but there are different charges based on intention of the action (self-defense, pre-mediated, etc.)
Doctor kills a patient (tried their best)
Soldier — duty to fight and defend country
Both doctor and soldier can kill, but with a good intention
- What determines if an action will help us evolve or devolve?
Intention — determines the quality of action
Attitude — while acting and after receiving results
- With complete and direct attention comes better quality of action
- Others clean room, more superficial
- You clean room, more thorough
What does it mean to volunteer?
- Attitude of social responsibility (w/o personal gain)
- Someone who gives time, effort w/o personal gain
- Someone who gives time and effort to meet a need and further a cause without needing anything in return
When we engage in action for self-development, we are no longer bound by results (action begin to free us)
ACTIVITY: Select 2–3 words to empower you on the path of right action over the year ahead
Quiet
- Why did you select this word?
By having a quiet mind, I can give my full attention to the task at hand
I can focus and be productive, while giving my full effort to something
- How do I already embody this word?
I try and speak only when I have something useful to say, although I could improve
- How do I think this word will help me develop?
I can become a more attentive listener
I’ll be more able to absorb the world around me
I can focus more and longer
- What negative tendencies will this word help get rid of?
Gossiping
Talking too much
Hearing, but not listening
Being distracted
- How will you remind yourself to follow this word before, during, and after a given act?
Ask the question “Will what I have to say contribute to the conversation positively?” before saying something
During — focus and listen, bring my attention back to what someone is saying instead of thinking about what I want to say next
After — reflect, can I recall what the other person said? Am I missing details?
Sumanji: Before writing on a new page, write an Om with your word under it to remind yourself