Ignorance to bliss

What is required to have a good life? I think contentment and faith. I have observed that not many are content with what life has offered them, let alone be grateful. It has been truly said that the value of what we have is only realized after we lose it. Man has the habit of running after things which are difficult to attain, irrespective of whether he requires them. The human mind is fickle. It is important that the mind is controlled. After all, just like all other feelings, isn’t contentment just a state of mind? In order to feel satisfied with the life that one is living, it is imperative that every second be lived out of conviction and not comparison. A life with a purpose is a life well lived. How many of us who are reading this have to go hungry to bed at night? Not many. Aren’t we then more fortunate than those who have to go through this ordeal every day even after doing intense physical labour so that they can feed their families? And have you ever had the chance of looking the innocence in their smile when they see their children? They do not complain. Should we? We “offer” our prayers. It is the most unselfish way of expressing our gratitude for what the Lord has bestowed us with, for having been given the chance to experience a human life. We believe in God. But do we believe in ourselves? And what does it take to do so? There are people who get whatever they want. In what way are they different from you and me? They have faith. I had recently read on one of the social networking sites that the only disability in life is a negative attitude. I could not agree more. Give yourself a fair chance. You deserve that much, don’t you? Understand that almost all negative thoughts arise when expectations are not fulfilled. It is verily said in Gita that a karmayogi is not driven by the expectations of results. Through our actions we slowly erase our karma and move towards eternal wisdom. Indeed, life is a journey from ignorance to bliss.

Shades -2

A new beginning

It is a new beginning. The realization of my unity with the ultimate life force is overwhelming. I believe that even this, like everything else happening everywhere, was meant to happen. They say one does not get more than one deserves and definitely not before the time. I feel I am beginning to accept this truth without any reservations. The immense spiritual growth and the mental strength which I feel these days are much more comparable to the feeble life I was living without any conviction or purpose. Material comforts impress me no more. My longing for money and position has vanished through the grace of my guru. Professor Ramnath once told me fortunate are those who have the guidance of a guru for one doesn’t choose a guru. The guru chooses a person who is worthy of guidance. Professor also said that only after you prove your thirst for the ultimate, a true guru reveals his or her presence in the human form to you. Since I have not been very religious in this life, he says I must have done great karma in my past lives. I do not know about my past lives, but in this life, my thirst is growing beyond my control. And it all has happened within such a short span of time that I find it difficult to believe. But believe I must, for all life and all karma is based on the belief one has and I am hell bent on my karma being the best possible that I can manage. Over time, I will definitely improve. I am convinced of the divinity of every life form and in my ability to spread unconditional love everywhere. I have been trying to let go of all the unpleasant experiences that have happened in my life. But in my need to be cautious that people do not take advantage of me again, I have been failing. I do realize that. I have developed the humility to accept my shortcomings but I feel hurt when someone hurls uncalled remarks at me. This tells me I have still a lot of ego. Presently, I am trying to understand the origin of the pride. After all, I am just another man. I still have not been able to control my expectations of others. To me, God still resides in every life form. It is just a matter of retreating within and realizing that one has the will to unite with the origin. I started writing in 2006. For the initial period of my life, till around 2010, I wrote on love, betrayal and my feelings. I was too touched by the matters of heart back then, too engrossed in worldly matters to think of spiritual elevation. This is my first blog after my meeting my guru. I cannot wait for the next opportunity to meet him in person.