Feb 23rd: Action and Reaction

In Sanskrit it is called, Anukriya (Action) and Pratikriya (Reaction).  We face situations in life; good and bad. We also face conflicts and disagreements on professional and family fronts.

A reaction to the above situations creates a conflict within a conflict and can intensity or deteriorate the situation. Whereas, an action creates Harmony, eases the intensity of a situation, promotes calmness & inner peace which eventually leads to resolution.

Reflect on this anecdote:

A 50 year old man lives on the 25th floor of a multi storied apartment. He was standing in his balcony. A neighbor shouted at him, "Hey Varma, your daughter Kavitha ran away with our watchman. She is a disgrace to the family!". The man thought he can't face the society and the insult, ending his life is the only solution. So he jumped from the balcony. He realized the following when falling through the floors:

20th Floor: "Wait a minute, I don't have a daughter named Kavitha"

15th Floor: "I don't have any kids and I have never been married"

10th Floor: "Oh my God! I am not even Varma...I am Sharma"

Pratikriya (Reaction)

Pratikriya (reaction) can ruins our lives. As you can see, it creates unnecessary stress and anxiety and make us loose the ability to look at things IN REALITY.  Instead of clearing the conflict, a reaction creates further disagreements and conflicts within itself.

Anukriya (action)

Anukriya (action) is simply creating harmony in a conflict by working with the conflict instead of working against the conflict.  So, an action is a wisely act of handling things without causing any mental, physical or emotional disturbances whatsoever.

The outcome of a "Reaction" is invariably bad. On the other hand, the outcome of an "Action" is always positive and productive.

Hari Om