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Behaviour

15-05-2013
Behaviour

Bingley meets everyone in the Assembly, dances with every girl there as he believes it is good behaviour. He would not like to consider himself as one who would neglect someone in the Assembly.It is his conviction. His external actions express his own inner belief or conviction. Psychology would define such an action as behaviour. It is not done to fit into the society, nor is it something demanded of him by the society. One feels he should be hospitable to his guests. Jane believes she should not be seen to be one who seeks attention. Nor does she perceive herself as one of such an attitude. Elizabeth is the only person to whom she is able to open her heart. Elizabeth takes it for granted that her sister is in love with Bingley. Jane does not concede that assumption. To her, what she believes is of significance. She is a character who is a perfect example of behaviour. It does not issue from her character, nor is it her manner to fit into the social atmosphere. 

Manners are what one puts on as they are demanded by the society. Character is something irresistible. Behaviour is an action emanating from one’s beliefs and it is for him to change his behaviour changing his own beliefs. Dress styles change. While they rule, not many people will readily change, even if the occasion permits. Orthodox people will refuse to change from dhoti to trousers. They believe that to visit a temple in pants is sacrilegious. Vegetarians do believe that a non-vegetarian diet is irreligious. Mother and Sri Aurobindo were non-vegetarians. Still vegetarian devotees cannot consider it as truth. No Westerner, however strong his urge to bargain, will bargain across the counter at a shop. He does believe that he could not look at himself as one capable of bargaining. Manners and behaviour are ubiquitous, one for the sake of society and the other for the sake of one’s own inner beliefs.

The Christian work ethic gives strong beliefs. There are human species who cannot sit quiet for a part of the day when there is no compulsion external or internal. Sabbath is a Christian religious doctrine. In saints, the Sabbath is believed at the level of character. Most of the Christians follow the Sabbath as manners. In between ardent Christians deeply believe in it and meticulously or religiously follow it. There is a famous incident about the observance of the Sabbath. A ship was carrying a rare find of important documents. The ship met with a brewing storm. The ship’s captain was an ardent believer in the Sabbath. He stopped working in spite of anxious angry passengers. To him, the Sabbath was sacred. The raging storm was sensitive enough to recognize the captain’s faith. The danger passed away.

The Gita recognizes the power of Mental Beliefs. It calls them dharma. Surrendering them, the Gita offers moksha. Our life is full of expressions of Manners, Behaviour, and Character. Wecan easily say they constitute our entire life. Manners permit us to function in the society sensitively. Behaviour enables us to accomplish in the society up to a great extent. Character is beyond, called சுபாவம்.Behaviour is based on Mental Faith. Character goes beyond Mind to emotions. The forms and formations of emotional beliefs constitute character. Character is inflexible, even rigid. Irresistible anger is a character trait. At those moments when it bursts forth, Man is not under his own control, nor are the consequences under his control. Though behaviour is based on Mental Beliefs, its power over our life is total. The entire Christian religion is one of such belief. It has, as it is organised and followed, no faith beyond Mind. Faith is Spiritual. When the masses of one religion shift to another religion, we see that Mental Faith has no hold over Men. In most religions, the majority of followers do not go beyond the faith in the Mind. Belief has all the power of Mind. Still, it is great.

 



story | by Dr. Radut