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| Happiness Event |
The place was almost full with
students, working professionals from the University of Melbourne. I was taken
back, as I opened the main door of Sidney Myer Asia Centre. The
atmosphere was abuzz with people talking to each other. Light refreshments
of Snacks and drinks were being served on few tables, and there are people
everywhere. The Lecture hall is going to be full, I thought to myself. I can
already see at least 250 plus in the foyer, waiting for the talk to begin.
On 2nd of
March, I attended this event called ‘Happiness Event ‘and the talk titled as
‘Hiding in Unnatural Happiness’, was organised by UniMelb Bhakti Yoga Club.
The speaker of the talk, Devamrita Swami, a Graduate of famous Yale
University is an international speaker, author and monk. I was told that he
travels all around the world like, USA, UK, New Zealand,Russia,India,
delivering speeches to students in from institutions like, Stanford, Yale
University, IIM and IIT's in India.
I looked around and saw few
familiar faces, Students and some of my Colleagues and University staff. How many
people does the hall accommodate- I asked one of the event organizers wearing a
T-Shirt with the logo of the Bhakti Yoga Club. The seating capacity is 500-
was the reply I got. I thought, it must be enough for the crowd that's expected to come.
Meanwhile, Devamrita Swami arrived. Walking with one of the event organizers, he looked calm, composed,
knowledgeable and contented.
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| Happiness Event - House full Crowd |
The event began shortly with a
short intro speech by one of the organizers and followed by a blissful music
and chanting of Hare Krishna Mantra, accompanied by traditional instruments like,
Hand Cymbals, Mrudanga and Harmonium. The crowd by then were quickly seated.
The response was very positive and immediately the atmosphere became blissful. It is an
amazing experience to see so many sincere, inquisitive Souls wanting to know
more about real happiness and spirituality.
After the short Kirtan and
intro speech, Devamrita Swami started talking. He began by talking about
Happiness and what it means to people. He posed some thought provoking
questions to the audience by asking 'What is your definition of Happiness?. Is it some jolt to your Psychology?, is it something physical found in relationships? a moment that comes and goes so quickly, or a
sheer sensuality?.
Devamrita Swami quoted,
Nietzsche a German Philosopher, who said that Happiness is when your power and
controls are expanding and the obstacles are removed. Or may be happiness is the good
old consumerism, which is possessing objects like latest mobile or other
electronic gadgets.
Devamrita Swami further
explained that happiness these days had become such a mystery because it has become
associated few myths. The very word myth is generally, ascribed to something primitive. But, there are myths that pervade every aspect of western society
and the rest of world is imitating western society. What are those myths that are
instinctively bound up with so called progressive society?
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| Devamrita Swami |
1. Money brings
happiness: - Though people deny the role of money, it plays an important
role in relationships and family life. Some of the popular sayings are, 'Romance without
finance is a nuisance' or 'Marry the money, love comes later'or 'Follow the money
trail'. There is no denying the fact that Money dominates our lives in a major
way. Remember the childhood days of playing Musical chairs. And, when the music
stopped and you are the one who had no chair? That feels so terrible. Although, there is
a recent Sociological research, which concluded that beyond certain middle
class levels of income providing the basic necessities, increase of wealth does not
correspond to an increase in happiness,yet people are still not ready to stick with the middle class income and everyone is after earning more money and acquiring assets.
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| Happiness Event - Happy Crowd after the session |
2. Technology brings
well-being: Today we see many of the powerful nation’s going for nuclear weapons.It
is estimated that as of today, there are about 15,000 Nuclear weapons possessed by all
nations put together. And, if only few of them go off, it is predicted that the
climate of earth will change so drastically that is never hear of. And, what
about millions and billions of dollars that is spent on these programs? And,
where does the money come from, other than the tax payers? Something has gone
drastically wrong.And, what about common, day to day technology that is supposed to bring happiness?. Proliferation of smart phones and social media created more
loneliness and depression. Can you imagine, what goes on in the minds of your
friend’s minds, when you post selfies?. They can simply makes them feel isolated and depressed.What we are noticing is that, today’s
technology is making it very difficult to develop a wholesome relationship.
3. Weapons bring security: - Today, the world is witnessing a huge stockpiles of weapons, nuclear arsenal.And, political leaders proclaim that
they need them to protect peoples freedom, security etc.But, again where does Money comes from and where is the security? . In our technologically-driven society, an alarming
number of people are afflicted by stress, anxiety and depression.
4. Earth provides
limitless resources for exploitation and,
5. Earth provides
unlimited space for used resources: - The Global Footprint Network found that the rate humanity is using the earth's resources, it would take about 1.6 Earths to provide resources.
And by the year 2050, there may be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
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| Devamrita Swami giving the talk - Happiness Event |
Devamrita Swami continued by
saying that, Can there be something known as sustainable happiness, that does
not jeopardize other human beings, environment, future generations, other
living creatures?. Why Human beings should live in such a way that the future
generations of humans and other life forms and the environment are affected?. As per the View point of ancient knowledge of India,
Bhakti yoga text, the yoga of ultimate connection, Bhagavad Gita begins with
the message that we living beings are different from the material body and mind. As explained by Krishna in
beginning of Bhagavad Gita, just like you change clothes, a human being changes its bodies. By considering falsely that we are this material body,a mistaken identity and trying to be
that we are not, is causing a havoc in the world. Of course, although we are
not the body, still as long as we are in this body,we do need to take care of the body. Real gift of this ancient science
is the understanding that how we are different from matter and that our needs
cannot be satisfied by anything material.Thus,someone who is intelligent understands that this human life is meant for connecting with Supreme ultimate non-material reality. And, even if a small section of society takes up this-understanding, it can make a
profound effect in the world peace.
Devamrita Swami further
explained that, bhakti yoga is about “connecting to the Ultimate Source;
Krishna in pure love.” It is through such spiritual contemplation that people
will be equipped to address the larger issues that affect both current culture
and the future of the planet. Such issues are so complexly intertwined that
they seemingly cannot be addressed by the current institutions in place.
“Humans, are left defenseless against the ravages of consumer society.”
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| Happiness Event - Enjoying the Kirtan, Mantra Music |
Striving for personal
satisfaction with a misdirected importance on material things, Devamrita Swami
explained that humans have “become the first species to destroy its own
environment.” By misplacing meaning in the material, people have neglected to
seek the significance in their spiritual selves. Only by expanding the
understanding of immateriality can civilization decrease its impact on the
planet. Material happiness, is “temporary and shadowy.” It cannot truly be
grasped and it cannot satisfy human beings. “Humans beings were made for more than that.”
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| Devamrita Swami signing his newly published book 'Hiding in Unnatural Happiness' for keen students |
It is with Krishna
consciousness that Devamrita Swami feels, people can rise above basic desires
and develop the mindfulness necessary to see oneself in relation to all living
entities.
Using bhakti yoga as “applied spiritual technology,” Devamrita Swami
believes that humanity can find enlightenment, real happiness and bring about peace in the world by making progress in reconnecting with the Supreme Reality and pursuing the topmost knowledge which is least
destructive for the environment and future generations.
Finally,
Devamrita Swami concluded by saying that, we have been hiding in the unnatural
happiness too long. We have neglected, like a foolish deer the water that is right in
front of our eyes.Like the deer sight which is obscured by grass, we are racing into the desert of materialism
looking for happiness. It’s not working politically, environmentally and we are all seeing this. I ask you to give a fair go, try, experiment this non-material
solution offered by the ancient Vedic wisdom and even if small amount of people
take up, this will result in the extraordinary transformation of individual and
collective consciousness and welfare of the world, people, society, other
living beings and the environment.
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| Devamrita Swami signing his newly published book 'Hiding in Unnatural Happiness' |
The
audience were spell bound and the talk contained much more wisdom and practical
insights into the problems the people and world facing today and the solution
is simple, timeless wisdom contained in the Vedic books like, Srimad Bhagavad
Gita and Bhagavatam. Much more had been said and unfortunately, I could not
recollect the whole thin speech. Finally, there was a great applause for the
wonderful talk by Devamrita Swami followed by few questions and wonderful
answers by Devamrita Swami.
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| Delicious, Yummy Vegetarian Dinner ready |
After
the class, a wonderful dinner vegetarian feast served by the organisers.
Overall, it had been a highly uplifting and amazing experience. As expressed by
the students who attended the talk, it was quite interesting, thought provoking,
useful and motivational speech. Some of the youth, who had been interviewed
expressed their satisfaction, amazement on the way, Devamrita Swami spoke about
the current world and the spiritual solutions to the problems of today’s world
and how to be happy. I
have noticed that the whole theater was completely packed, there are many
people standing at the back, sitting on the floor and some even taking down
notes. My guess is that, at-least 550 to 600 people must have attended the talk.
