Maharishi concludes that the ability to perform action without harming anyone basically lies in the regular practice of Transcendental Meditation.

The art of performing only useful action
by Global Good News staff writer
23 February 2010

In writing about ‘The Art of Action’ in his book The Science of Being and Art of Living, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi mentions a number of factors that contribute to the success of our action. 

In the first article about the art of action, performing action with the least amount of energy and in the least amount of time was covered. 

Next Maharishi writes about performing only useful action, which is very significant for the success of our action. For maximum results from action, we need the ability to select ‘proper action,’ the first step to useful and beneficial action, Maharishi said. 

Maharishi explains that the usefulness of an action differs from man to man, depending upon the state of his consciousness. Every action may be regarded as useful from some angle, but from other points of view, it may not be considered useful. It would seem that a man normally has the ability to perform only right and useful action, but if that action is harmful to some others in his vicinity, then we could consider it only partially useful. 
 
Useful action means that an individual will perform only such action that is useful to himself as well as others. ‘The selection of such actions depends upon the heightened consciousness of the individual,’ Maharishi said. ‘If the individual has the vision to distinguish between right and wrong, to foresee the results of his action, that vision alone will make him select a proper action,’ which will be useful to himself and also be enjoyed by all others. 

The practice of the Transcendental Meditation Technique sets the mind and body more in accord with Natural Law; one’s thinking, action, and behaviour become more in tune with the natural stream of evolution. ‘Only then,’ Maharishi said, ‘is the ability to perform useful action attained by the individual.’ 

Maharishi also emphasized that it is not possible to determine the absolute usefulness of an action on the intellectual level. Performance of action that is spontaneously good and harmonious, with a life-supporting influence for our surroundings, lies in our thinking and behaviour being naturally more in accord with Natural Law, the natural force of evolution. ‘Everyone has this ability,’ Maharishi said, ‘and it is easily put to use through the practice of Transcendental Meditation.’ 

The art of action that is done without harming anyone lies in selecting an action that will bring the maximum good for oneself and to all others in the surroundings; the choice of means of carrying out the action should also be harmless.  

Maharishi explains that the effects of action in the universe are so complicated and far-reaching that no one can claim that he performs action without harming others. This cannot be judged or justified by human intellect, he said.  ‘It is beyond the range of human intelligence to assign accuracy of performance of an action in terms of harm or good done in creation. . . . Therefore the only way to perform action without harming anyone is to raise their level of intelligence and consciousness . . . ,’ Maharishi said. 
 
Following the experience of Transcendental Consciousness, the Self or Unified Field of Natural Law, during the Transcendental Meditation Technique, one’s action becomes more in accordance with the upward stream of evolution, ‘which alone could be a means to institute harmless action in the true sense of the word,’ Maharishi said. 

Maharishi concluded that the ability to perform action without harming anyone basically lies in the regular practice of Transcendental Meditation, so that our individual intelligence is more unbounded, awake, and in tune with the natural force of evolution that produces the maximum benefit for everyone.

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