In one of the daily messages Sri Karmayogi says:
Man has not yet acquired the very first discipline of self-restraint. This is where humanity is in psychological growth.
On analysis I understood it as follows:
Material development is based on psychological development. Psychological development, as any other, requires preservation of the existing endowments and their consolidation so that we can build on it further. Dissipation of the existing capacities rule out the possibility of development. That psychological attitude which generates the self- restraint for the preservation of the present and building up of more on its basis and prevents dissipation is the psychological essence of material development. He who has the self-restraint plans, organizes, endeavours to develop according to his endowments.
Practicing self-restraint is the basis for not only for yoga, in-fact for any discipline of life.
He gives simple example for that. Should a man agree to practice self-restraint he should do it as directed by Mother. She says one should not seek comfort, and one should not seek to do the work he likes. Instead, he should evince enthusiasm in the work assigned to him. This is no ordinary effort. It means if one wishes to sit and gossip but is asked to sit and type, he can bring himself to do it as part of duty and obedience. Imagine what will be the effort required for him to enjoy his typing as he would enjoy his gossip.
That is the type of self-restraint called for to follow Mother. The day consists of 24 hours and if one decides to practice such a self-restraint, 24 hours are enough to make great progress.
If not exactly I tried Self-restraint – in the form of silent will due to two major reasons:
When we consciously practice it.
When I got a big project-for which in these difficult times I felt will be difficult to arrange for finance or even bank guarantee-as my bank asks for 200% collateral security. I may ask for advance from the client-which will be only meagre-compared to what I need. Generally, in my field there is no practice of giving any advance, as these are performance products.
So I consciously practiced silent will-not to ask for any advance. After two days, I got a call from the company with a cheque for 70% of the order value. The reason said was that-as it was year-end, they have to exhaust the fund earmarked for that -which covered all my material costs, consumables, and labour. -and completed the project not spending even a paise from my pocket.
When circumstances prevent us from speaking our thoughts.
Often I have experienced this. I always be on the rounds to work sites-to ensure quality particularly where there are higher performance parameters. Some time I get call from other site or client to come there immediately when the situation in present site where I am now -will be demanding. Circumstances prevents be to be silent-but within seconds I hear either any of my skilled labour or client saying –we will look after-if you want you can go……relieving me instantly.
Man has not yet acquired psychological self-restraint. Society compels him to behave in a certain manner and ridicules or punishes deviations. That is social restraint, external discipline. Self-restraint is to self-discipline – restraint born of one’s values and higher cultural sensitivities.
SELF-RESTRAINT REPSONDS MOST IN HOW PEOPLE BEHAVE IN UTTER FREEDOM.
