18. No bumps, no jumps (14-11-1975)

      IT seems a person once saw a man struggling for life in the deep waters of a lake. The fellow could not swim and was really helplessly floundering. But without the least compunction of sympathy and without making the least effort to save him, the onlooker had the audacity to ask him, "Tell me, how deep is the lake?" Such is the behaviour of most people now-a-days. These persons are sunk In thamas---they are too wooden and dull, too hard and impervious. It is only when man gets rid of thamas {sloth and inaction) that he can rise Into rajas---the sphere of activity, emotion, devotion, compassion and service. When he rises higher into the saathwik stage (poised state of contemplation), the activity gets elevated into saadhana (spiritual discipline) and the effect is more spiritual.