In the World but Not of the World

I recently watched a documentary about a Mennonite community in America, a group even more traditional than the Amish [https://youtu.be/jUy2Qi23YgY?si=eLCGDlEe8OrPLGhl] I’d heard of Mennonites before but knew little about them. This video was eye-opening, showing how these communities—both in North America and Latin America—maintain strict traditions, sometimes even beyond the Amish way of life. Interestingly, some Mennonites in the film were adopting minimal modern conveniences and occasionally visiting nearby towns. However, this led to disagreements, and a more conservative faction of the community chose to separate, aiming to preserve their way of life in an even more isolated environment.

What stood out most was the adventurous spirit behind this separation. The breakaway group sold everything, moved to Ecuador, and, for the first time, flew to establish a new life in the remote Amazon region. Despite the challenges, their leader expressed confidence, saying, “We’ll enjoy it. We’ll build.”

This lifestyle’s strength lies in their family-centered community rather than individualism. In the West, lack of individual freedom might be viewed as a limitation, but for these people, remaining insulated from the world’s perceived evils outweighs this. Individualism, in their view, can lead to loneliness, even when surrounded by crowds. One elderly Mennonite woman explained their perspective: “No jewelry, no makeup.” They eschew electricity, choosing self-sufficiency instead. When asked about makeup, she said, “I don’t know. This is the way we grew and live.” Children only attend school until the 9th grade, and their primary text is the Muktiveda.

One aspect I found particularly profound was that they don’t feel deprived of things they’ve never experienced—a sentiment reflected in a classic Tamil song: “Illai illai yenbavarkku yeduvum illai; aanaal irundum illai yenbavarkku amaidi illai” (To those without, nothing is missing; but for those who have yet feel lacking, there is no peace).& For these people, even city visits and ice cream are rare treats, yet they never wish to leave their community. This is a lesson in contentment we could all learn from.

After sharing this video with a shishya, he commented, “Exciting to know. Even heard first time such concept: Farm is our school.” Our conversation continued:

Bipin: “Exciting to know. Farm is our school”

DB: “Connected to earth and nature. I envy them; though they have a tough life by our standards, they live naturally, finding joy in it. You should watch until the end to see their adventurous spirit, even moving their whole community to the Amazon to escape civilization.”

Bipin: “I watched till the end, Swamiji. I felt their life was full of awesome adventures. I loved it but can’t follow it.”

DB: “Me too. Many criticize such a reclusive life, but they don’t understand its bliss. Part of their strength is that the whole family and community cooperate, though this may limit personal choices.”

Bipin: “Agreed, Swamiji. The more modernity, the more maya. Although life here at Kripa Vanam isn’t like that, you could try creating a similar atmosphere.”

DB: “For that, you’d need to move as a family—and I’d need to have a family myself! Ek me Niranjan, do me suki, teen me jatpat, char me duki (One person is carefree, two are happy, three bring tension, and four bring sorrow—for a sannyasi). “

As someone who finds fulfillment in solitude, I appreciate these communities but don’t fully agree with their isolation. The Muktiveda teaches us to be “in the world but not of the world.” Our lives, as followers of the Lord, should radiate values that benefit society. When his disciples wanted to remain there permanently, he guided them to return to the people after their time on the Mount of Transfiguration, teaching us to live within society rather than apart from it.  While groups like the Amish and Mennonites view themselves as preserving a purer faith, they may miss the call to “know the Lord and make Him known,” as theologian J.I. Packer stated {Knowing God. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973}.@

Furthermore, I don’t believe that life, the world, or even modernity are inherently “maya” (illusion). The Muktiveda encourages us to view life as real, calling for responsible stewardship, to live meaningfully “in” the world but “not of” it.

Years ago, another bhakta in our mandali suggested creating a “spiritual community” here in Gurukulam. I shared my reflections in response, writing an article titled Imagined Community. For further thoughts, you can read it [here](https://dayanandbharati.in/imagined-community/).

NB:

@I adjusted Packer’s quote by changing “God” to “the Lord.” In my view, the concept of God is universal, with people recognizing and relating to the Divine in diverse ways. However, the central message of the Good News is not just about acknowledging God but about knowing the Lord and sharing His values—those of the Kingdom of God.

&The highlight of this song is the first line, which captures the essence of the entire song: “I cannot even think of saying it; and even if I said it, no one would understand it.”

சொல்லதான் நினைக்கிறேன் முடியவே இல்லை; அதைச்  சொன்னாலும் கேட்பவருக்கு புரியவே இல்லை (Sollathaan ninaikiren mudiyave illai; adai sonnaalum kerpavarukku puriyave illai).—In movie Engal Selvi [எங்கள் செல்வி]

Db, Gurukulam, 9-11-2024