Selflessness and Intrinsic Motivation

- The Devotional Service to the Power of Self

(Based on Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 12)

Whether it is Self Realisation (Spiritual Knowledge) or Self Actualisation (Secular

Knowledge) there are a host of qualities that need to be developed to reach
perfection. Selflessness is the ultimate of those qualities. Sattwic qualities have
to predominate over Rajasic and Tamasic tendencies to propel the seeker
forward in both the worlds of the mundane and the mystic.

There is always the doubt as to whether getting practical knowledge is superior to

acquiring abstract knowledge. One can definitely say that getting practical
knowledge is easier and faster, as the more physical the concepts, the easier it is
for the mind and intellect to assimilate the knowledge. But in either case what is
required is the need to focus the mind and intellect towards acquiring knowledge.
Ultimately keeping focus and engaging in activities for the welfare of all is what
matters.

If keeping focus (steadfastness) is difficult, then one needs to put in self effort to
keep up purposefulness. If even that is difficult then one need to try and
accomplish the assimilation of knowledge through setting priorities. If even that is
not possible, the only other way, and possibly the best recourse, is to engage in
actions purely for the sake of those actions and not for the results thereof. This is
the state of unselfishness or the state of intrinsic motivation that brings out the
creative best in people.

It is said that having knowledge is better than mere practise; having experienced
(contemplated) knowledge is superior to mere abstract knowledge; and ultimately
the most superior is the knowledge born out of unselfish actions or work
emanating out of intrinsic motivation. Those who are thus selflessly engaged in
activities will be at peace with oneself and the world at large.

Engaging in selfless activities through intrinsic motivation, as mentioned above,

in pursuit of ‘identification with knowledge’, is the ultimate devotional service to
the ‘Power of the Self’ within. This is the perfect devotional union with Truth.
Noble and pure qualities already inherent in the individual, but veiled by selfish
passions and ignorance will be slowly but surely unveiled in a progressive
manner. Pure qualities of faith (belief with knowledge), determination,
compassion, equanimity of mind, equipoise of intellect, self esteem born out of
self confidence devoid of any egoistic pride and finally an ultimate sense of
selflessness will prevail over such individuals. For them the Knowledge of Truth
will dawn and peace and tranquillity will prevail. They will easily identify
themselves with the Truth and become one with it. Their inherent value systems
will acquire maturity and grow into ubiquity (become spontaneous) very soon and
such people will exhibit perennial peace and tranquillity.

Therefore avoid dependence on extraneous factors for

motivating yourself to do selfless service for the betterment of
others and the actualisation of self capabilities. This is true
devotion to the Supreme Self
Aum Tat Sat!!

References:

Bhagavad Gita references (Chapter 12)

Bhagavad Gita Bhashya – Adi Sankaracharya
The Complete Works - Swami Vivekananda
Gita Vahini - Sri Sathya Sai Baba
The Holy Gita – Swami Chinmayananda
God Talks With Arjuna: Royal Science of God-Realization - Paramahansa Yogananda
Bhagavad Gita - International Gita Society
Also interpretations of Bhagavad Gita by - Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

Others:
Creativity, Innovation and Society - Sociology 214, spring 2008, Princeton University
“How we think”, John Dewey, 1910

- Satish Kumar Menon