A request and a disclaimer: Before you begin to read this blog, request you to first read the 3 parts of ‘Stroke in the canvas called ‘The Value of Values’. You may also choose to read the blogs on the values of amAnitvam, adambhitvam and ahimsA (the value of ahimsA is in three parts) and kshAntiH though they are not a prerequisite to reading this value. The language and explanations used by pUjya swAmiji is so profound, that I wish I do justice by aligning my understanding to his explanation, as I parallelly try to relate it to day to day living.. Any error in the way I have blogged upon these values, is due to an error in my understanding alone.

Arjavam means straightness. Straightness as in alignment. Alignment between one’s thought, word and deed, all in one straight line of an arrow. I cannot help but visualise an arrow with all these three in alignment with one another. What power this seems to give, with this visualisation!!

What happens when there is an alignment between our thought, word and deed?

What would happen if there is a non alignment between our thought, word and deed?

As I write this blog my mind turns back to the many instances in life when the impact of alignment was felt and the impact of non alignment was experienced. The focus here will be on the impact of alignment or non alignment of one’s own thought, word and action on oneself; and NOT the impact of alignment of non alignment of another person’s thought, word or deed on us.

Let me attempt to share my thoughts on the above two questions with real life experiences and more questions too, as they arise, to elaborate on this value, Arjavam 🙂

What would happen if there is a non alignment between our thought, word and deed (also could be termed as action)?

This non alignment is as much a reality as is alignment. We see this happening in many a role that we play in our life.

– There are times when we think that we should be polite to others or rather should NOT be rude to others, especially when they act in a way that is not in line with what we think they should. However, words just slip out of us before we can control them. In a way usage of words is also action, isn’t it? This non alignment between thought, word and action could result in a range of negative feelings..

– We think we should NOT complain about others or situations that unfold in our lives and how unfair they are to us; but we are unable to control our words when we come across people or situations we think, are unfair to us. What we think and what we then do are so different that we feel bad of not following what we thought we should..

– There is a thought of reaching home at a specific time and we also convey this thought to people at home. For various reasons, we are unable to reach home at the specified time. There is an alignment between thought and word but a non alignment exists too, between thought, word and action. This non alignment leaves an impact of some negative feelings like anger, frustration or helplessness..

– We want to be fit and healthy and the want is in itself a thought. In addition, there are additional thoughts of eating healthy food, doing exercises and going for walks. When we talk about this to others, we say that it is difficult to do it. As for action, we find our own reasons for not implementing it. Thoughts and words are in alignment but what about the action? This difference gives that feeling of guilt of not being able to implement it, or perhaps being angry at ourselves too..

The ‘thinker’, ‘speaker’ and the ‘doer’ are the same yet different and this difference results in a dissonance within us, a state of conflict and many a negative feeling which becomes a challenge to resolve. To resolve this requires effort and time, which then eats up into the time that we need to give to other areas of our life.

Wishes and desires then sprout within us, to hope for an alignment some day soon. We all live in optimism, many times don’t we? 🙂

What happens when there is an alignment?

Well, just the opposite of what happens when there is a non alignment 🙂 –

– We would like to support a cause that one of our friends’ is fighting for. We also commit to our friend of our help and support. When the time of need comes, we stand by our friend no matter the challenge we may face. We then feel a state of resonance despite the challenges we may face, in ensuring that the alignment happens..

– As a parent, we think that we need to be firm with our children when we raise them. If the way we talk to them and with them and the actions that we take, are in line with the thought, there is a resonance and harmony within ourselves (though at times we may wish we were not so firm and would just want to give in to our child)..

The impact is one of Being resonant and a feeling of being ‘together’ within oneself..

If thought, word and deed not being in alignment causes dissonance within ourselves and a feeling of not being ‘together’ as a person, being in alignment comes with its own challenges..

– situations may not be viable to ensure that our thought, word and deed stay in alignment..

– our own will to keep our thought, word and deed in alignment, could be tested by challenges we may face..

– that thought of ‘let me just give in this time to do what I want to do, even if I have thought or said differently’ raises its hood and it is tough to push it down 🙁 🙂

No matter the challenges, the feeling of resonance the alignment gives, the sense of being ‘together’ because of the alignment between thought, word and deed, gives rise to an increase in the degree of comfort within oneself.

This resonance, this sense of being ‘together’ and this degree of comfort within oneself; or the oneness of the ‘thinker’, ‘speaker’ and the ‘doer’ gives the visualisation of the thought, word and action being in one straight ‘arrow like’ line – an arrow that pierces to give a peek into inner growth..