Selflessness and Intrinsic Motivation
- The Devotional Service to the Power of Self
(Based on Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 12)
Whether it is Self Realisation (Spiritual Knowledge) or Self Actualisation (Secular Knowledge) there are a host of qualities that need to be developed to reach perfection. Selflessness is the ultimate of those qualities. Sattwic qualities have to predominate over Rajasic and Tamasic tendencies to propel the seeker forward in both the worlds of the mundane and the mystic.
There is always the doubt as to whether getting practical knowledge is superior to acquiring abstract knowledge. One can definitely say that getting practical knowledge is easier and faster, as the more physical the concepts, the easier it is for the mind and intellect to assimilate the knowledge. But in either case what is required is the need to focus the mind and intellect towards acquiring knowledge. Ultimately keeping focus and engaging in activities for the welfare of all is what matters.
If keeping focus (steadfastness) is difficult, then one needs to put in self effort to keep up purposefulness. If even that is difficult then one need to try and accomplish the assimilation of knowledge through setting priorities. If even that is not possible, the only other way, and possibly the best recourse, is to engage in actions purely for the sake of those actions and not for the results thereof. This is the state of unselfishness or the state of intrinsic motivation that brings out the creative best in people.
It is said that having knowledge is better than mere practise; having experienced (contemplated) knowledge is superior to mere abstract knowledge; and ultimately the most superior is the knowledge born out of unselfish actions or work emanating out of intrinsic motivation. Those who are thus selflessly engaged in activities will be at peace with oneself and the world at large.
Engaging in selfless activities through intrinsic motivation, as mentioned above, in pursuit of ‘identification with knowledge’, is the ultimate devotional service to the ‘Power of the Self’ within. This is the perfect devotional union with Truth. Noble and pure qualities already inherent in the individual, but veiled by selfish passions and ignorance will be slowly but surely unveiled in a progressive manner. Pure qualities of faith (belief with knowledge), determination, compassion, equanimity of mind, equipoise of intellect, self esteem born out of self confidence devoid of any egoistic pride and finally an ultimate sense of selflessness will prevail over such individuals. For them the Knowledge of Truth will dawn and peace and tranquillity will prevail. They will easily identify themselves with the Truth and become one with it. Their inherent value systems will acquire maturity and grow into ubiquity (become spontaneous) very soon and such people will exhibit perennial peace and tranquillity.
Therefore avoid dependence on extraneous factors for motivating yourself to do selfless service for the betterment of others and the actualisation of self capabilities. This is true devotion to the Supreme Self
Aum Tat Sat!!
References:
Bhagavad Gita references (Chapter 12)
Bhagavad Gita Bhashya – Adi Sankaracharya
The Complete Works - Swami Vivekananda
Gita Vahini - Sri Sathya Sai Baba
The Holy Gita – Swami Chinmayananda
God Talks With Arjuna: Royal Science of God-Realization - Paramahansa Yogananda
Bhagavad Gita - International Gita Society
Also interpretations of Bhagavad Gita by - Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
Others:
Creativity, Innovation and Society - Sociology 214, spring 2008, Princeton University
“How we think”, John Dewey, 1910
4 comments:
Not the quality of unselfishness seems to be easy,but the state of intrinsic motivation,eventhough both are same.Work emanating out of intrinsic motivation is the superior state for a true Bhaktha,right?Then you are persuading every one to start with the superior state!But it seems to be not that difficult.Very good alternative.Should become easy for a parent to guide their children towards the path of unselfishness and to cleance themselves too.waiting for more tools.
KRISHNAKUMAR MENON
This concept of selfeless love or devotion is pure and is directed towards your community or your nation or fellow -beings. This is brought out in the beautiful poem, "Abou Ben Adhem" by James Henry Leigh Hunt. It speaks of pure love.An angel went around collecting the names of those who loved the Lord. Abou Ben Adem asked the angel if his name found a place in that list. The angel replied, "Nay, not so". Abou then implored that his name be noted as someone who loves his fellow-men. The angel complied with his request. He presented the list to God. The lord then prepared out of it a list of those whom He loved. And lo! Ben Adhem's name was right on top.
Abou ben Adhem
Abou Ben Adhem(may his tribe increase)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
making it rich and like a lily in bloom.
An angel writing in a book of gold:
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the precsence in the room he said,
What writiest thou?- The vision raised it's head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, " The names of those who love the Lord"
"And is mine?, said Abou. 'Nay, not so'
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, 'I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men'.
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
Selfeless love or devotion is universal. It is directed neither to individuals nor to nations. It prevades everywhere, resides nowhere. IT IS DIVINE.
Absolutely wonderful picturisation of selfless actualisation!! Thanks for the beautiful story as an anecdote.
LOVE IS ACTION
Motivate self towards selfless activity by seeing happiness on others through our action.
For a person who is hungry, Food is GOD.
We can see GOD on others happiness.
Can we see GOD on our self-centered activity?
Watch nature, trees, animals and birds,, watching them we can LEARN acting selflessly.
SELFLESS ACTION -> LOVE -> GOD.
"LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL".
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