Power of Post & Position

 

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Power of Post & Position

Swamiji says – “The power of (your) post is not your own power, it remains only until the post exists”. This statement is so true and we see the first part of the statement in action on a daily basis. In Maharashtra we have an NCB officer doing his job honestly using the power of his post to tackle the drug mafia and on the other hand we have a state minister abusing his power and position to defame and threaten the officer along with his family members, with the media supporting the minister. It appears that drug money is feeding both the government as well as the media! The statement ‘power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’ is on display in Maharashtra for the last two years or so.

The post and the power being derived from the post by the individual is not ‘his’ power – it comes from the post and position – and has to be used for the benefit of the government in service of the citizens of the nation, the same principle applies to all posts as you go down the value chain. When we use this post and the power derived from the post selflessly for the benefit of mankind that is when we are doing true justice to the post.

A cardinal rule to remember is we are different from the post. When we retire, we get promoted, we relocate and then the power and position go away, and if are too attached to the post and its power we feel drained, lost and helpless. To get that feeling of detachment, we need the help of meditation and the guidance of a realised Master.

When it comes to Guru-karya too, we are appointed to various posts by His Holiness – and instead of using the post for furthering our spiritual progress under the influence of his subtle presence and divine energy, we end up getting an inflated ego as the power of the post consumes us. The trick is to keep telling yourself that this post is temporary, Guru-karya is eternal, someone else will take my post tomorrow, give the role your best shot, don’t get attached – as it is the work is all done by the Guru-energies through the medium of your physical body. Accept that and you will be fine.

It is always good to remain just as you are regardless of the post, so once your tenure is over, you don’t feel the loss, you continue offering selfless service without the post – because you do this for the joy it gives to your soul. That is the purpose of Guru-karya – the post is just to fulfil some deep-rooted subtle desire of yours which the Satguru sees (you don’t), so enjoy the tenure, remain grounded and progress spiritually!