A Zoroastrian Educational Institute

 

 

HomeArticlesAuthorsBook ReviewCommunityLibraryProminentsRegisterStoreArticle SubmissionAbout Us

 

 

Journal

On the Fire of Aramaiti

Series:
Gathic Illustration

Theology

Source:

Author:
Bagli, Ervad Dr. Jehan

Subtopics:

Reference:

Related Articles:
Fire of Aramaiti in Ethical Management

Related Links:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The eloquent and enlightening essay ‘Fire of Aramaiti in Ethical Management’ by Dr. Abreu brings to light the underlying purpose and practice that Spenta Aramaiti commands. Amesha Spentas are the flagship of the Zarathushtrian values that all humans must imbue. Aramaiti among them stands out as the most mysterious one to interpret.

Dr. Abreu has used serenity and tranquility as the guideline to explain Aramaiti in his essay, a discourse that is mainly directed towards ethical management of an organization. As a corollary, the theme is worthy of broadening to portray, all humans as the managers, and the world as the organization.

It is an undisputed fact that tempers, fear, anxiety, pressures from within and without mentioned in the essay, abounds not only in an organization but also in the material world at large. These chaotic forces continuously inflict upon Vohu Manah, -that invaluable Gift of Mazda - to corrupt it. This is more true-to-life today, then it was some 3700 hundred years ago when Zarathushtra, in his innate wisdom, recognized it. It is prudent to acknowledge, that the great Manthran, incorporated Spenta Aramaiti in the pantheon of these precious attributes, as a  sanctuary to turn to, in order to refresh and renovate -Ferashem Kerenaun- the Mind, free it from the vices and degeneracy that surrounds it. It is only through constant renewal from within, that humans can maintain the mind, Good -- Vohu -- and  be “among those who shall heal and refresh Life in this world” (Ys 30.9, song 3.9).

Some in the scholastic community has consistently referred to Aramiati as ‘Right-mindedness’ (Humbach/Ichaporia, The Heritage of Zarathushtra, e.g. pg 23, 31, 36, 47, 49). Even the later Zrathushtrian text of Dinkert (Dinkert, Bk.IX, Ch 12.25, 31.17, 43.2, 60.4) interprets Aramaiti as “Complete Mindfulness” or “the Will”. As Dr. Abreu has elaborated Holy or progressive Aramaiti is “a state of Mind that comes from within”. It is through inner peace and tranquility, through communion with the Divine, that one seeks for Right-mindedness. This frequent renewal of Vohu Manah can come through meditation, be it silent or in the form of invocation of Holy Mantra. It is through Aramaiti that we attain, compassionate thinking, words and actions.

This is the state of Mind that harmonizes:
The Human mentality with the Spenta Mainyu, the Holy Mentality,
The Human Will with the will of God.
Asho Zarathusht in his quest for piety proclaims:
Ys. 32.2 (song 5.2)…" We have chosen your Spenta Aramaiti, May it be ours"
Ys. 34.11 (song 7.11)…"The Holy Aramaiti promotes the Good Mind and Asha that results in Wholeness and Immortality that serves the Wise Lord"

Early traditions have recognized the importance of a clear and peaceful Mind that Asho Zarathusht typifies as Vohu Manah. For example Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture of a timeline in the vicinity of the era of Zarathushtra, tells us:

“Little by little through practice, he should gain tranquility by means of purified reason, and fixing his mind on the Self thinking of nothing else at all”
Bhagavad Gita (6,25)  

“The unwavering firmness by which through yoga one controls the functions
of Mind, life breath, senses, that firmness…is Saattivic.
Bhagava Gita (18.33)

Over a millennium after Zarathushtra, Buddhism declared the assertiveness of the importance of peace and tranquility of Mind and its attainment through Transcendental Meditation. We are at the point in time, where researchers in medical profession are beginning to recognizes the importance of the Rightmindedness, serenity,  piety that Zarathushtrian theology  recognize as Spenta Aramaiti.

Herbert Benson, a researcher at Harvard medical School, and founder of  Mind/body Medical Institute at Boston’s Deaconess Hospital in his recent book, “Timeless Healing” speaks of Relaxation Response. This response, he defines as the opposite of the  well known fight-or-flight response. In a two step process for eliciting the Relaxation Response he says, “you need to repeat a word, sound, prayer, phrase, or muscular activity. And when common everyday thoughts intrude on your focus, passively disregard them and return to your repetition” (H.Benson, Timeless Healing, pg 133-134). In describing the results of the relaxation response Dr. Benson tells us,  “people emerge from mental focusing with clearer Mind and sharper thoughts”. He has obtained some remarkable healing effects through this response, however that is beyond the scope of this discussion and is a subject of a separate paper.

From the ventage point of Zarathushtrian theology Dr. Benson’s ‘Relaxation Response’ is just another way of refreshing, and renovating Vohu Manah through the practice of Spenta Aramaiti. Dr. Benson says, “ Our bodies are engaged in a kind of tug-of-war, stress on one end of the rope and relaxation at the other”. The word ‘body’ in the above statement can be conveniently replaced with ‘Mind’ and ‘stress and relaxation’ as epithet for the two fundamental principles to choose from, propounded by Asho Zarathusht (Ys 30.1,2; song 3.1,2), and it will reflects the truth of the ethical dualism of the Gathas, to which the Human Mind is continuously subjected.

Zarathushtrian theology strictly denies an ascetic life, however a short period spent to attain Rightmindedness (Spenta Aramaiti) before starting of the worldly chores, can reap immense returns during the passage of day. It can elevate the Vohu manah to Vahishta  Manangha -Best thinking- which must enlighten the Path to Asha Vahishta -Best Truth- and lead to the generation of Rule of Wisdom - Khshthra Vairya. These are the values that in turn can earn the reward of perfect harmony of the physical (body) and spiritual (mind) to bring forth the Wholeness, and Completeness of Haurvatat to leave an everlasting legacy of Ameretat.

Humans in the interest of unconditional Love and compassion for the rest of the creation, have an obligation to maintain the precious gift of Vohu Manah, Good and make it the Best, in the spirit of Benevolence of the Creator. To be in harmony with ones Self –Divinity- within, is primal, in order to be in concordance with the creation without. It is up-to entire humanity to fulfill that commitment, as Dina McIntyre has said, ( D. McIntyre, An Intro. to Gathas of Zarathushtra  No. 4, pg 1,) by “Making it happen”.

With Love and Enlightenment of Mazda to all.