Approach – it is the way we do things naturally, instinctively. It defines our attitude, hence our reaction to various situations in which we are placed and thereby the ‘charm of our successes’ and ‘the dignity of our failures’.

Without getting into elaborate introduction, let’s dive further.

Primarily, there are three ways to get on a task or three approaches:

1. प्रबलता – Through power and brute force

This is the natural way of one who bears authority, one who ‘thinks’ he’s in control of the things (but in reality one only is in control of his or her own actions and approach, never the results. And talking of the powerful, they are seldom in control of even their approach, because of their natural disposition).

Examples would be – a king (for his subjects), a spouse (for his counterpart), an over protective and over possessive parent (for his son/daughter).

This approach is the easiest. It’s the instinctive way, giving expression to our evolutionary memory, and depicting our own animal nature in our demeanour. The truest example would be us – modern human beings, being constantly torn between his conflicting desires and compulsions.

2. प्रार्थना – Through requests, prayers, pleading and appeasements

This is the natural way of one who knows that he’s not in control, and realises the interdependence and interconnectedness of the world. He knows his limitations. He respects the duties of everyone including himself. He’s in a constant transaction. He sees everyone as as-important-as himself.

Examples would be – a family including mother, father and children (but not of parents, sons or daughters; pls mind the differentiation), partners in working relationships, functional teams at our workplaces – in true collaborators etc.

This approach is of a respectable and understanding person. This is the civilized way. Practicing this approach is a bit difficult, but makes us human along the way, and capable enough to live in a civilized, organized society where common greater good is the collective goal. Democracy is one effort towards pursuing this balanced approach. But due to conflicting arrangements, relationships and associated goals, and conflict of interest in overlapping dimensions of life – this way can get really complex. One of the truest depiction of this approach was in the way Shri Ram went through his life.

3. प्रेरणा – Inspiration, truth, unconditional love

This is the ultimate way of one who is self-realised in every way, wide awake at all times and in a constant and continued state of god-communion. For him he’s in everyone and everyone is in him. He’s limitless, he’s unbounded, and he’s free. He’s free of actions and results, of all the reasons and rationals, of all successes and failures, of all beginnings and conclusions. For him, nothing’s right or wrong, good or bad, high or low, but everything  just ‘is’. He’s here but not here – he’s in twilight zone, always. He embodies the perfect balance of the universe. He’s capable of doing everything – ‘literally’ but he’s a conscious non-doer. He is a witness and he’s, rare. He is Shiva.

Examples would be – a guru, a yogi and sometimes – a mother (but not when she’s a parent), a true lover (but not when he or she’s a spouse), a leader (not a manager), a father (not a statesman), a connoisseur (not a trader), a devotee (not a priest), a disciple (not a student), a friend (not a helper).

This approach is of the highest order. For this, practice is also mindfulness and the result is also mindfulness. Difference is just of the continuity, of natural and self manifested super-consciousness. Meditation, self-enquiry, introspection, devotion, are some of the methods to pursue it (not achieve it, because there’s no achievement in it – it’s an ever expanding consciousness). In this one, the approach is itself the goal, the question is only of the continuity. Practicing it in the physically manifested gross world can be very very tricky. But an adept one can navigate through it very effortlessly. Because there’s nothing to achieve or lose. A practitioner of this approach sees vivid colors in over lapping dimensions of life. For him there’s no conflict. For him everything is just as it should be – perfect. And he lives (and loves) in it perfectly. A true example of one who mastered this approach throughout his life is – Krishna.

Take Away Lesson –

It’s not about becoming something or the other (as the article is about approach). We can only ‘practice’ an approach, never ‘become’ that. The best way is to consciously choose our reaction in every moment. The best way is to – become a ‘non-doer’. ‘Non-doing something’ doesn’t translate into in-action but translates to ‘no action in self interset‘ or also called as ‘ conscious state of non – doing‘. And to practice it, the way is ‘acceptance‘ – of whatever that is around and ‘witnessing‘ of whatever that is going on.

You would wonder that how these approaches result in different circumstances.

– A failure in any action done with ‘प्रबलता approach’ results into ‘Anger’ and a success into ‘Ego’.

– A failure in an action done with ‘प्रार्थना approach’ results into frustration, while a success in happiness and joy.

– While there’s no failure and success in ‘प्रेरणा approach’, as it’s beyond those pity ideas. Probably the result is always a state of bliss, ecstacy and grace when alone, or with like minded people but of constant  pain emanating out of the self induced ignorance of others when in external world.

Hence, DO NOT react – ever, but respond with acceptance !!

If necessary at all, request 🙏

Abandon the pursuit – totally.

Ashish 

Om Swamiji’s Disciple😊