Mohanji Speaks

When we stand by those who are helpless, we become human. This is the thought which Mohanji shares with real-life experience. When he worked in the shipping industry, a new ferry service wanted to sail from his port, but passengers' security standards were very bad, people would have died. Despite all pressures, accusations and attempts by the owners to make the ship sail, he stood his ground and refused. We must stand by the helpless and do what is right.

Many beings that we share this world with have a mouth but they do not have a voice. They are subjected to torture and murder for the sake of human progress and taste. Similarly, many acts take place where people are silenced. We can have a more human world where all beings are treated with respect. For this, we must speak for those who cannot. We must speak the truth, in the right places and in the right manner respectfully.

How to develop a great personality? It's a question that is worth contemplation as our personality defines how we interact with the world. Mohanji shares ten pillars that can be taken as qualities of a great personality. These are useful measures for contemplation on how we would like our own personality to be.

The situation that we live in creates tremendous anxiety inside people and situations are even reaching suicide. Today, more than meditations, more than yoga, and more than philosophies what people need is kindness. If we can develop an attitude of kindness, we can alleviate those around us from anxiety and stress. Many people only need to know that someone is there for them. We can develop an attitude of kindness and begin to knit more people together.  

Our life has no rehearsals, and in this podcast, Mohanji asks the question “How can we live a simple but effective life”. Many people live incredibly complex lives, but they have less and less contentment or satisfaction. The great masters of India lived very simple lives, and whilst they all had their weaknesses, they made the most of their strengths, leading to greatness. Fewer complexities, a better life. Simplicity is one of the most potent traits for an effective life. 

As 2020 comes to an end and we look ahead to 2021. We can use the year to re-invent ourselves. We can remain flexible, take initiative, take time to make decisions and build meaningful friendships through companionship. This will bring our own betterment and to those around us, especially the helpless. We can cultivate meaningful relationships and we can be there for others, especially the helpless. 2020 was a year we couldn’t have expected and going into 2021 we can be better prepared to keep moving, whatever life brings. 

We all have the success factor in our lives and a time for it to manifest. But why do people not reach there? It is because they stop halfway. They don’t persevere and see their goals through to the end for many reasons. We always find obstacles in life, but it’s our determination that will give us success. Colonel Sanders found success at 65. Mohanji tells this story as an example. 

Have you ever wondered why the lion is considered the king of the jungle? The lion isn’t the fastest or the smartest animal, but it is the king. One reason. Attitude. We can learn from this. Our attitude shapes us, our attitude shapes who we are and what we can achieve in the world.

Success is an individual measure. What one person considers success is not the same for another. For Mohanji, the ultimate success is contentment. Where you are content no matter what the situation, you are successful because this demonstrates stability, which brings lasting happiness.

This podcast is based on the question from a listener who asked about karma in relation to animals; whether animals experience karma and what could cause them to be born into extreme suffering. Mohanji provides his answer.