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cafe discussion
December 2009 
Cafe Discussions: This Modern Life~ a perspective
Posted on Jun 24th, 2009
by 
Meenakshi
Meenakshi
In the Gaia Lounge,one of our lovely Gaia Team members, Jessica, has started a discussion in which she asks:
Is modern life too stressful? If so, how can we create simplicity and strengthen supportive connections and community?
Take a look at the different responses. They all led me to this realization:
Jessica, If by modern life you mean “in general”, then I can know by seeing people around me that it is so. I am quite sure that it is something that people have always felt in every generation when they use the words 'modern life'. In one way, the pace of life has accelerated.
However, if as I think you mean, you'd like us to talk from experience, then I would say that in my life- in the midst of one of the most hectic and difficult times of parents in India, kids growing up, economic crisis, physical aging and extra work - the inner stillness is ever more present. In this, I am with Siona. I remember reading in youth about a sage's ability in being alone in a crowd and connected when alone. I find many people with that same still quality.
However, I do see people internalizing the outer pace as stress. So
“how can we create simplicity and strengthen supportive connections and community?”
Perhaps by accepting all ways to connect : technology connecting us to people in this thread whom I may never meet, but have already bonded with; the same technology perhaps helping us fly towards each other when, like you said, Mamakat, we can look into each other's eyes, bringing the warmth and loneliness of our offline lives to spread warmth and assuage loneliness online - and vice versa.
Just let it be, and focus on what is real…
Thank you for the thought -provoking questions and the responses that further led to other thoughts.
Seems simple and warm community to me!
Hi all! [waving to all the friends I see gathered here].
Jessica, If by modern life you mean “in general”, then I can know by seeing people around me that it is so. I am quite sure that it is something that people have always felt in every generation when they use the words 'modern life'. In one way, the pace of life has accelerated.
However, if as I think you mean, you'd like us to talk from experience, then I would say that in my life- in the midst of one of the most hectic and difficult times of parents in India, kids growing up, economic crisis, physical aging and extra work - the inner stillness is ever more present. In this, I am with Siona. I remember reading in youth about a sage's ability in being alone in a crowd and connected when alone. I find many people with that same still quality.
However, I do see people internalizing the outer pace as stress. So
“how can we create simplicity and strengthen supportive connections and community?”
Perhaps by accepting all ways to connect : technology connecting us to people in this thread whom I may never meet, but have already bonded with; the same technology perhaps helping us fly towards each other when, like you said, Mamakat, we can look into each other's eyes, bringing the warmth and loneliness of our offline lives to spread warmth and assuage loneliness online - and vice versa.
Just let it be, and focus on what is real…
Thank you for the thought -provoking questions and the responses that further led to other thoughts.
Seems simple and warm community to me!
Access: PublicTagged with: gaia lounge, cafe discussion, modern life, stressful, stillness, technology, supportive, connections, community
Anandamayee Ma has often answered various questions by her devotees. Here is an interesting discussion which is very relevant in this context (the bold font is mine to highlight the relevant part):
Question: When will this state of unrest come to an end?
SRI MA: The fact that many of you feel concerned about it and ask: ‘When will it end?’ is also one of the ways of His Self-manifestation.
Jagat (world) means ceaseless movement, and obviously there can be no rest in movement. How could there be peace in perpetual coming and going? Peace reigns where no coming exists and no going, no melting and no burning. Reverse your course, advance towards Him then there will be hope of peace.
By your japa and meditation those who are close to you will also benefit through the helpful influence of your presence. In order to develop a taste for meditation you have to make a deliberate and sustained effort 3 just as children have to be made to sit and study, be it by persuasion or coercion. By taking medicine or having injections a patient may get well; even if you do not feel inclined to meditate, conquer your reluctance and make an attempt. The habit of countless lives is pulling you in the opposite direction and making it difficult for you - persevere in spite of it! By your tenacity you will gain strength and be moulded; that is to say, you will develop the capability to do sadhana. Make up your mind that however arduous the task, it will have to be accomplished. Recognition and fame last for a short time only, they do not accompany you when you leave this world. If your thought does not naturally flow towards the Eternal, fix it there by an effort of will.
Some severe blow of fate will drive you towards God. This will be but an expression of His Mercy; however painful, it is by such blows that one learns one’s lesson.
The obstinacy of the mind must be curbed with resoluteness. Whether the mind co-operates or not, you must be adamant in your determination to do a certain amount of practice without fail - simply because sadhana is man’s real work. For so long you have been accustomed to perform actions that fetter, therefore from sheer force of habit you feel the urge to bind yourself by activity again and again. But if you try hard for some time, you will be able to see for yourself how you are caught in your work, and that the more you engage in sadhana the quicker will be your advance.
As to self-surrender: by constantly endeavouring to live a life of self-dedication, it will come about one day. What does self-surrender mean, if not to surrender to one’s very own Self!
From Words of Sri Anandamayee MaRestlessness, because of the running all the time. There is no time to sit down. The running is after the money and for the money. Money should be running behind the people. people should not run after money. That is how the money too running in the front. Normal life still rules in the rural areas but people are trying to convert those areas also to run after money. Relaxation comes in the state of meditation and other similar practices but people fear to relax because while they relax the money will be running away from them.
Sanmugan, your thoughts are so insightful. I come from a family where no one gave all that much importance to money- it was culture and learning that was more sought after.
Eli, thank you so much for blessing this blog with your presence and the words of Sri Anandamayee Ma. Teachings such as these permeate so many communities in our world, and since they are largely silent, they can be known only in the stillness of our hearts.