Going Beyond Likes and Dislikes

Going Beyond #Likes And #Dislikes 

#SwamiTejomayananda

(part 1)

Objectively each one of us is born and lives in the same world made up of the five elements, in the presence of the sun, moon, rivers, mountains. Within this vast cosmos, subjectively each one creates their own world. Vedanta uses two terms - Ishwara srishti to describe the creation of the Lord common to all and jiva srishti to describe the individual world that each one creates. So we use the expression, ‘He lives in his own world.’ Even in one big house, the room of each family member is a different world.

How is my world created? The outer world of objects remains the same for the sense organs of all beings, but in each mind reside different likes and dislikes for them. If I get something I like, I feel happy. Conversely, if I get something I don’t like, I become unhappy, sad and angry. Slowly I start desiring and working for what I like. If I get it I enjoy it and am possessive about it. The greater the attachment for the pleasure, the stronger it becomes. With things I don’t like, slowly the dislike turns to hatred.

Some people have strong emotions  they hate and love not like and dislike. These emotions become strong and take hold of the mind. We experience happiness or unhappiness not because of the happenings outside but because of the relationships we have created with them. We create all our likes and dislikes. Like (raga) becomes desire (kama), dislike (dvesa) becomes anger (krodha). These in turn lead to attachment (asakti) and other negative emotions. The cause happiness or unhappiness is our own likes and dislikes, not the objects, situations or people around.

Going Beyond #Likes And #Dislikes 

#SwamiTejomayananda

(part 2)

 A person’s nature is built on personal likes and dislikes, some of which keep changing, while others are firmly rooted. As a result it becomes difficult to understand people. Likes and dislikes being unpredictable, it becomes difficult to please either oneself or others. It is perhaps for this reason some people prefer animals to humans.

This capacity to change is also the beauty of the human being. They can also change for the better. In the Gita Bhagavan reveals the means to bring about change. At first we must become aware of the likes and dislikes which govern our nature. Since they can neither be wiped out completely nor neutralized immediately, convert them to become preferences. It is better not come under their sway because then we are unable to live the knowledge, we have understood from the scriptures.

For example if you are invited for a meal and do not like what is served, let the mind not stir up a storm. Do not give way to your likes and dislikes, throw a tantrum, get upset or push the plate away. Make the best of whatever is available.

Going Beyond #Likes And #Dislikes 

#SwamiTejomayananda

(part 3)

The best way of overcoming likes and dislikes is to remain steadfast in the performance of one’s own duty – svadharma. This is higher and nobler than doing the duties of another, even though one may not see great virtue or merit in the work assigned. A doorkeeper (dvarpal) may prefer to perform the duty of the king (rajpal) but in our interest it is better to do the duties assigned to us. Do what you are supposed to do. Better to die in the performance of your own duty than to do the duty of another which is fraught with fear. If the clerk who has to prepare the bank cheque imitates the boss’ signature, it will be a crime because the duty of signing cheques is not assigned to him.

Bhagavan tells Arjuna that his duty is to defend dharma. In performing duty there is no room for personal likes and dislikes. If we are lazy we will be guided by raga and dvesa. Prohibited and selfish actions are also performed for the same reason. In performing duties we cannot be controlled by likes and dislikes. So the best way to neutralize them is to remain steadfast in the performance of obligatory duties, offered as worship of the Lord. When we perform obligatory duties and dedicate our actions to God, His heart is touched. His grace which descends on us, purifies the mind and leaves us free of raga and dvesha.

We have built our nature. Take responsibility. Understand how it has been formed. Then follow the path of transformation to reach the goal of purification and perfection!

(end)