The Company You Keep

The impact of the company we keep, on our mental state and our actions, is tremendous. Even a person with all positive attributes may end up pursuing undesirable activity because of bad company. For example, you may be quite averse to the idea of accumulating wealth through dishonest means by the effect of a close friend who is untruthful may push you to do so.

To cultivate dedication, as Ramkrishna mentions, it is important to be in the company of those who have taken the path of renunciation. If you spend a great deal of time with materialistic persons discussing worldly affairs all the time, you are bound to become like them, irrespective of the meditation you might be practicing. You can begin to feel intense love for God only when you come in contact with those who are experiencing such love. Hasn't it been said that good literature and good company play seminal roles in shaping your personality?

Sometimes our mind itself can be our worst enemy. Ma Sarada Devi once said that God may be gracious, the guru may be generous - yet a person can be ruined if his mind is not cooperative. In such situations the company of good people can bring in unbelievable change in the mental state.

It is difficult indeed to avoid the company of those who have negative qualities in abundance - they tend to entice you to stay with them or harass you to remain in their companion. Such is the force of negative influences. The mutual dependence among those who lack integrity tends to be greater than amount those who shine out on account of their integrity. Because of this, destructive power often tends to become more powerful than its constructive counterpart. But one has to keep up the deepest mental poise and flow the principle of 'generous neglect'.

Indeed, it is part of our social responsibility to warn wrongdoers against their actions but there is no point in repeated reminders. Time would be better spent on contemplation. Problems caused by your enemies can at times prove to be very costly. But the principle of tolerance works in unique ways. Ramakrishna says, one who withstands, stays, and one who does not, gets ruined.

When it ruins heavily, some varieties of fish are able to follow the continuity of the downpour and survive despite the thrashing waters. The mind has to follow the same route: It has to move against the gravitational force. If there is an urge, nothing is impossible. However, that urge has to be nurtured in a sustainable manner. The restlessness has to be there but it has to be accompanied by patience. And this unique combination derives its source of inspiration from The Company of saints who, in an uninterrupted manner, keep pursuing their efforts steadily.

If we remain satisfied with what we have achieved, there cannot be any progress towards God. The striving has to be there; an attitude of constant dissatisfaction with the present conditions has to grow which in turn can force the Mahamaya to detach us from bondage, says Ramakrishna. Restlessness is therefore essential to expand our horizons, and the good company we keep ignites that urge in us.