Activities and Their Effects
Activities are of three kinds; karma (action), akarma (inaction), and vikarma (un-action). Of these, un-action is the most subtle of activities for it is neither sloth nor action motivated by desire. It is simple awareness, deepest experience. It is neither tamasic, (dull, inaction) nor rajasic (passionate, action urged on by selfish motives). But un-action is satwic (pure, unagitated). Based on these three types of ‘activity’, the nature of humans can also be distinguished as characteristic of three types:
The beast man: Those who do not pay attention to anything other than their own selfish ends belong to the beast-man level. They have no trace of devotion and dedication. They do not share in helping others. They have no concern with the sorrows and sufferings of the others. They do not take them to heart. They do not worry over the children they have borne or the life partner they are wedded to.
The man-men: [These], however, involve themselves in the welfare of their wives and children and the small circle of their kith and kin. They spend their lives in this restricted sphere. Of course, the nature of these people is not laudable; but, there is at least the possibility of the little spark of love becoming brilliant and expansive through contacts with society, impact of saints, or participation in some projects of selfless service. Man-men can raise themselves up into [being] God-men.
The God-men: [These] are described in the Bhagavad Gita as ‘sathatham yoginah’—”Always associated with God. They are never apart from God.” They experience God in and through all things at all times. Whatever they see or do, they believe it is in God and for God.
Digest 2, p.5
He is in you, and it is God that has prompted you to project Him into the outer world as this idol or that image to listen to your outpouring and give you peace. Without the inspiration, solace, and joy that He confers from within, you will be raving mad, as one who has lost his moorings and is tossed about rudderless on a stormy sea. Hold on to Him in the heart; hear Him whisper in the silent words of counsel and consolation. Hold converse with Him, guide your footsteps as He directs, and you reach the goal safe and soon. The picture before which you sit, the flowers that you place on it, the hymns you recite, the vows you impose on yourself, the vigils you go through, these are the activities that cleanse, that remove obstacles in the way of your getting aware of the God within.
My Baba and I, p.16
