Page 37 - NAMAH-Jan-2018

Namah The power of harmony in times of crisis

natural rule of the spirit, the inherent law (sattwa). But sattwa itself does not give the
and spontaneous consequence of unity in highest or the integral perfection; it has
multiplicity, of unity in diversity, of a various always a quality of the limited nature; sattvic
manifestation of oneness (9). In other words, knowledge is the light of a limited mentality
there is a point of magic, where all comes (10). True harmony requires a transcendence
together, where there is unity but also a of dualities, into a totality where each unique
living diversity, where one does not have to aspect is in its right place; it is no longer ‘this
mentally force fit things but can simply just versus that’. There is a symphony, a rhythm,
flow as integral totality. This is the power a wholeness with non-contradicting parts,
of harmony. Harmony is the force of love making the flower of life come alive. It is this
and oneness poured in action, dynamically that is pictorially depicted in the diagram
expressed as unity in diversity, in a multiple shown.
oneness.
To illustrate the principle of harmony, let
The following two sections talks about the us take the ecological crisis as an example.
principle of harmony, giving geometrical and In the ecological crisis, often the human is
living sense of what harmony is. pitted against Nature. The two are seen as
separate. Many argue that the earth has been
made for humans, thus the needs of human
beings must get a priority. Others argue
that since humanity has violated Nature
for years altogether, now one must respect
the earth and not care about stupid human
beings. Many others argue for a balance
between humans and Nature, that we take
into account the needs of both humans and
Nature, without a like-dislike towards any.
The law of harmony demands us to go a step
further. It sees humans and Nature as one.
Point of balance Their needs are not separate. Nature and
Figure 1: Diagramatic Representation of Harmony
humans both need to thrive for manifesting
Principle of harmony the Divine on earth.

In the lower nature, the dualities — attraction Characteristics of harmony
and repulsion, capacity and incapacity, liking
and disliking, pleasure and pain, joy and A critical aspect of harmony is totality. Wherever
sorrow, acceptance and repugnance — are the there is harmony, there is completeness, totality,
inevitable effect of the play of rajas (principle wholeness. The Mother affirms, “Each thing
of movement) and tamas (principle of inertia). in its place, in harmony with all the rest, then
The balance between these two opposite one can begin to understand and to live (11).”
extremes, of inertia and restless movement Even all that is not harmonious and out of
brings a certain light, harmony and balance place or all that involves pain and suffering

37