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SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY WELFARE
and fasts we do get inspired to sublimate ourselves when we view some Sadhakas at higher stages of sublimation. This leads to interest and delight in religion and praise of God. Ultimately it leads to the development of many qualities like fraternity, adoption of the virtues of others, humility and desire for virtuous deeds.
In this manner, the aspirant (Sadhaka) who has taken recourse to genuine congregational spiritual activity (Sadhana), progresses on his spiritual path, so that later on, he can take recourse to higher Sadhana at the individual level. The dominant traits of this Sadhana at the individual level are silence (Mauna), meditation, reciting what is written, repeated remembrance of God, service to saints, giving up sensual pleasure, tasty food and so on. Individual development is thus a part of community welfare. Individual development positively leads to community welfare because the community consists of individuals.
GLORY OF COMMUNITY WELFARE
1. Selflessness is the basic test of religion (Dharma). Only a person who gives up selfish motives is a real spiritual person (Sadhaka) and is nearer to true spiritual development.
2. Any individual who keeps himself busy in benevolent and philanthropic works, sticks to truthfulness and honesty, proves himself sterling like gold and shines out victorious even if he has to pass through various ordeals during his spiritual activity (Sadhana).
3. Only the society of people that has woven ethical values into its life-work wins real happiness.
LIVING EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY
WELFARE (1) In the year 1935, Shree Ravishanker Maharaj, a great sage, visited a village named Sunasar, in Mahesana district of state of Gujarat, India. In the village, the majority of the people were by cast Thakores. They lived their life on theft, looting and robbing. The sage decided to bring a reform in the village. He would sit at a public place (choro) in the village and hear people talk. Slowly and steadily he cultivated trust and intimacy with them. He talked about the honest work for them to earn their livelihood.
SAMUHA KALYANANI BHAVNA
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