Spirit of Accomodation

Spirit of Accomodation

When one of my students had left the Ashram for some reason, I at once felt that his valuable experience and faculty should not be lost for the service of humanity. So I wrote thus:-

“I was sending you money for your pocket expenses. The money was returned with the remark: ‘Left the Place.’ I am always at thy feet to serve you at all times. You only refuse it. Why should you depend on anybody, when I am here to serve you in all ways? Why should you live in cities with worldly persons? There are various sections here in which you can work, gently, mildly, slowly, a little, without mixing with anybody, independently, having connections with me only.

“All sections of work suffer for want of people and proper supervision. Even if you look after a little work in the correspondence section, it will be a great help to the world. You can assist me in a hundred ways. Do not work hard as before. You do a little work without any responsibility. This is God’s Blessing and Grace. Take plenty of rest and do a little work. You can remain away from the Ashram. Your food will be placed in your room. I shall give you money for your expenses.

“There is no dearth for food for you here. I do not refuse food to any one. Why should you live in cities? Gradually you will lose all your faculties when you are not in touch with work. The worldly atmosphere is not congenial to spiritual progress. Therefore come at once to Rishikesh. May I send you train fare? If you like, you can live here for six months and six months in cities.

“If you change your outlook, vision, imagination and attitude a bit, you can be happy here and everywhere. Man suffers on account of his own imagination and his old habit of thinking. He never allows himself to be changed. This is Maya. Adjust and adapt. Be happy and cheerful at all times. Evolve quickly and become a dynamic Yogi and bring Light and Knowledge to the whole world.”

WHO CAN START ASHRAMS

An Ashram is a Glorious centre to ensure World Peace. Many enthusiastic persons start Ashrams with a fine letterhead. That is not enough. The starting of new Ashrams by beginners will not bring good results to the world. It needs special faculties to run an Ashram successfully. For beginners, that will be a hindrance, and for advanced students that will be a downfall. Many years ago some Sannyasins wrote to me for financial help and advice for improving the activities of their Ashrams, and the reply I gave to one of them is reproduced below. That clearly explains my attitude and principles:

“Beloved Swamiji, Your achievements, ambitions, aims and objects are laudable, indeed. O Swamiji, aspire not for Gurudom, comforts, name and fame when you start an Ashram or a religious Society. Generally those who start Ashrams are humble in the beginning and do some service. When they become rich and well established, they care not for public service or individual evolution. They become arrogant and autocratic. Beware of temptations and work as a meek Sevak always. Even after Self-realisation, leave not the daily routine of Sadhana.

“I do not know any rich Rajah or Zamindar. I have no disciples. Some aspirants who want real spiritual training, consider me as their Guru. I take great care of them. That is all. I cannot help you with money. I am serving the world by a variety of ways and work through all Ashrams, Mutts and religious institutions.

“If you do public service with a selfless spirit, if people see the spirit of renunciation in you, then they themselves will volunteer to help you in every way. Do not move heaven or earth for money. Try not your luck through Derby Sweep. It is a pity for Sadhus to think of such schemes.

“Nowadays aspirants do not care to look to their spiritual progress. They shave their head, colour their clothes and remain at Rishikesh for some time and then pass for great Yogis. They begin to collect money for starting Ashrams for leading comfortable life.

“There are enough Ashrams and Mutts in India. Sincere, selfless workers are rare. Before one starts an Ashram, one must have been leading an exemplary life. His very presence must give peace, power and bliss to all. Only then can one successfully run the institution.

IDEALS MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN

“Before starting an Ashram, the mottoes, ambitions and aims are no doubt grand, charming and attractive. As soon as a little fund and fame come, the ideal is forgotten. The spirit of selfless service dwindles away. The objects are abandoned. The Founders want to lead a comfortable life with some chosen disciples and followers. Even granting that the founders are able to live an ideal life, their disciples will not be able to manage it with the same spirit later. It becomes a place of quarrel or a business-house. The head of the Ashram and the inmates there should lead a life of Vairagya, absolute renunciation. The Ashram run by such people stands as a centre, a nucleus of perennial peace, bliss and joy. It attracts everyone. Millions all over the world derive inspiration. The world is always in need of such Ashrams.

“Every Sannyasi, every Yogic student has got some defect or other. It is only a full-blown Yogi who will be absolutely free from evil qualities and defects. All are in the path of evolution. Everybody is likely to err sometimes, even very often. Become tolerant. See good in everything. Slight rupture or friction is bound to come between friends and workers, at times between Sannyasins, too. One must excuse the other, must reunite and forget the past. You must have a tendency to grasp only the good in others and try to emphasise it in your everyday life. No one is entirely bad. Remember this point welt. You must have adaptability when you mix with others. Have perfect control over impulses. Only then will more workers feel happy to live with you and serve your Ashram. May the noble Mission established by you gloriously prosper. I shall be always happy to help you.”

Spirit of Accomodation – Harmony, Understanding, and Peaceful Living

Spirit of Accomodation is a noble quality that helps people live together with peace, patience, and mutual respect. Human life is full of differences. People differ in temperament, belief, habit, language, culture, opinion, lifestyle, and level of understanding. If everyone insists only on their own way, conflict becomes unavoidable. But when there is willingness to adjust, understand, and make space for others, harmony becomes possible.

This quality does not mean weakness or lack of principles. It does not mean blindly accepting everything or allowing wrong actions. It means having a broad heart, a flexible mind, and a peaceful attitude. A person with this virtue knows how to preserve truth without harshness, how to express disagreement without hatred, and how to live with others without constant friction.

Spirit of Accomodation is especially important in family life. In a home, every person has different likes, dislikes, moods, needs, and expectations. If family members become rigid, small matters become big problems. But when they learn to listen, forgive, adjust, and respect each other’s space, the home becomes peaceful. Love grows not through domination, but through understanding.

In society also, this quality is very necessary. Communities are made of many kinds of people. Some are educated, some simple, some emotional, some intellectual, some traditional, and some modern. A peaceful society is not created by forcing everyone to think alike. It is created when people learn to live together with dignity, tolerance, and goodwill.

Spirit of Accomodation is deeply connected with spiritual life. A spiritual seeker should not be hard, narrow, or easily offended. The ego always wants its own opinion to be accepted. It says, “My way is best,” “My view alone is correct,” and “Others must change according to me.” This attitude creates pride and separation. A humble seeker learns to make room for different paths and personalities.

Vedanta teaches that the same consciousness shines in all beings. Bodies, minds, beliefs, and expressions may differ, but the inner self is one. When this understanding becomes strong, narrowness becomes weak. The seeker begins to respect others, even when they do not agree with them outwardly. This vision gives rise to compassion and patience.

This spirit is also needed in religious life. Different people worship the Divine in different ways. Some love form, some love the formless, some follow devotion, some follow meditation, some follow service, and some follow knowledge. A wise person does not condemn sincere paths. They understand that different temperaments require different approaches. Truth is one, but paths may be many.

Spirit of Accomodation does not mean compromising with falsehood, cruelty, or injustice. There is a difference between tolerance and carelessness. One should stand for truth and dharma, but without anger, hatred, or egoistic violence. Firmness and kindness can exist together. A mature person can be strong without being harsh and gentle without being weak.

In daily life, this quality helps reduce unnecessary conflict. Many arguments arise not because of great principles, but because of ego, impatience, and personal preference. If a person learns to pause before reacting, listen before judging, and understand before criticizing, many problems can be avoided. Peace often begins with a small act of adjustment.

The opposite of this quality is rigidity. A rigid mind cannot learn, forgive, or grow. It breaks relationships, creates loneliness, and increases inner tension. Flexibility, on the other hand, makes life smoother. A flexible person can adapt to situations without losing inner balance. They can work with different people and remain peaceful in changing conditions.

Spirit of Accomodation also requires control of speech. Words can create harmony or division. A careless word can wound deeply, while a gentle word can heal. The seeker should speak truthfully, but also kindly and appropriately. Silence is sometimes better than argument. A soft answer can prevent anger from growing.

This quality is useful in spiritual communities, workplaces, and friendships. When people work together, differences naturally arise. Some are fast, some slow, some organized, some creative, some emotional, and some practical. A cooperative attitude helps everyone contribute according to their capacity. Without it, even noble work becomes disturbed by ego and misunderstanding.

To develop this virtue, one must practice humility. Humility reminds us that we do not know everything and that our viewpoint is not always complete. Others may also have valid experiences and insights. When humility grows, listening becomes easier. When listening improves, understanding deepens. When understanding deepens, love becomes natural.

Meditation also supports this quality. A restless mind reacts quickly. A calm mind responds wisely. When the seeker observes thoughts and emotions, they become less controlled by irritation, pride, and impatience. Inner silence gives space for patience. The more peaceful the mind becomes, the easier it is to live harmoniously with others.

Spirit of Accomodation should begin with small steps. Accept minor differences without complaint. Give others time to grow. Avoid unnecessary criticism. Respect another person’s difficulty. Be willing to adjust in food, comfort, routine, and opinion when dharma is not harmed. These small practices slowly make the heart broad and generous.

In the end, Spirit of Accomodation is the art of living with wisdom, kindness, and inner balance. It teaches us to adjust without losing truth, to disagree without hatred, and to love without possessiveness. It brings peace in family, harmony in society, maturity in spiritual life, and humility in the heart. When this quality is practiced sincerely, life becomes less rigid, relationships become sweeter, and the mind becomes fit for higher wisdom.

Introduction to Vedanta