Wesley Autrey and Swami Ranganathananda, and NOT the Energizer bunny

What makes a Wesley Autrey take a particular action in a situation when many others just stand by doing nothing? The events in Hartford bring this question into focus again. This topic has challenged philosophers, scientists, and religious leaders for centuries. The best explanation I have heard comes from the late Swami Ranganathananda, a philosopher, scientist, spiritual leader and President of the Ramakrishna Matt. Based on his lectures, his argument can be summarized as follows:

All life is created by energy, is composed of energy, and lives on energy. The solar energy is critical to all life on our planet. So the answer to the question of human behavior should be sought in energy sources.

All life needs 'physical food' or calories to survive. Food is composed of energy and its consumption releases energy. People who excel in physical power generated through this type of energy consumption (physical food) have great "bahu bala" or muscle power or athleticism. The word 'bala' in Sanskrit means 'strength.'

For humans, just bahu bala is not enough. We also need 'food for the mind' or 'buddhi bala.' Our mind is fed by knowledge gained through reading, writing, watching, arguing, and so on. As Swami Ranganathananda says, if a person is hungry, i.e. short of physical energy, no amount of intellectual or mental energy is going to help. On the other hand, after a person is well fed, no amount of additional physical food can satisfy the mind or the intellectual curiosity of humans. A person of great intellect may create wonderful theories and art works but may never behave like Wesley Autrey. This argument parallels the common PSSP model - Physiological, Safety, Social and Personal needs- or Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

However, according to Swami Ranganathananda, bahu bala and buddhi bala are not enough. To be human, one also needs 'yoga bala' or strength of the yoga or soul, a higher order entity than the mind. While 'yoga' is quite common and is widely practiced nowadays, its true meaning and power are not often appreciated. Yoga, if properly practiced, provides food for the soul, and gives it energy to perform the higher order activities. These actions move a human being to higher and higher levels. He suggests that we leave no stone unturned in getting this 'yoga bala.'

Swami Ranganathananda passed away on April 25, 2005. IMO he was one of the greatest thinkers who ever lived.