On Svecchachara
The concept of “sveccha” or svecchachara was first brought up in
Shri Mahendranath’s Ecstasy, Equipoise and Eternity.
This writing makes very clear that this concept was taken from the Avadhoota Upanishad and attributed to Shri Dattatreya. Dattatreya was of course considered to be an Avatar of the supreme Godhead in human form. Dattatreya was the epitome of the non-dualist Avadhoota. Svecchachara describes an aspect of Reality related to the state or being of an individual such as Dattatreya who was considered Avadhoot.
Svecchachara means to do what is right in one’s own eyes and has been mentioned in relation to the Naths as a spiritual concept. It is merely one of many values and rarely mentioned in the context of most spiritual teachings or sects because it is so often misunderstood.
Svecchachara only takes on valid status as a spiritual concept when it relates to the Will, Knowledge and Action of an Awakened Spirit. In this context it is analogous to the “mandate of heaven.” Obviously, doing what is “right” in one’s own eyes may vary wildly, depending on the “eyes” in question.
Svecchachara, as a spiritual concept is intended to be apprised only with the Eye of Divine Consciousness. As a relative concept, it could best be equated with the notion of “self determination.” Having brought the lofty concept down to the relative level and English language where it belongs, we might discuss further.
Self determination means to do what is right in one’s own eyes. It is a way of life which most people on the planet practice to greater or lesser degree. If one is self determined to pursue spiritual life, then one will. If one is self determined to eat corn flakes for breakfast, and they are available, then one will. This concept is not a “license” which renders one free from cause and effect. It is not a substitute for discrimination, nor does self determination guarantee that any “self determined” course of action will lead to progress of any kind. Self determination is simply what it means in English and grants no magick power or absolution of the effect of any behavior or action on societal or karmic levels. Changing the phrase self determination to the Sanskrit word svecchachara doesn’t change anything on relative levels. Confusing the levels remains a classic blunder of poorly trained thinkers. Only self determination can change this and only self determination can cause the deluded to never learn an important lesson.
Inside the International Nath Order, self determination is intended to be combined with valid spiritual processes and values leading to ones development and Divine Awakening as a Nath. The guidelines can be found and in clearly written form at internationalnathorder.org.
Ever and Always,
Kapilnath
