Do you have a Bright Future?

 

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What is Real Knowledge?

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Goal of Life?

Life, as we know it, seems to be simple but at the same time exhibits variety of complications. One may think he is living a satisfactory life filled with all the riches in world and yet his inner conscience yearning for more. 

There is always an internal desire in every human being that keeps driving a person to achieve something in order to reach a stage of contentment. Every individual feels he lacks “that” in life which, if existed, could lead him to perpetual satisfaction. Have you experienced it?

Well, then at least for the moment achieving “that” would mean having led a life of accomplishment. In layman’s vocabulary, “that” is called a goal. 

It is the objective of one’s hard work and aspirations. Perhaps, yes, it is true that successful people in world have emerged victorious in something that they cherished in. 

But can it be said without any doubt that they have attained the “goal” in life?

Do you say it depends on the individual? Why not? As separate entities, all of us are different. We have our own lifestyles, carry disparate dreams, wish for various stuff in life. And when we obtain what we wish for as a result of our immense efforts, tough situations that we have endured the satisfaction that occurs is imminent. 

It obviously brings pleasure, happiness and gratification. Does this qualify to be considered as reaching the goal of life?

Maybe yes, if we are to confine ourselves within the context of individuals. But is life, in the context of universe, just a constitution of individuals? Is there anything binding the individuals that cannot be visualized? Is there something to be considered as a “common goal” of the entire human race?

In this context, Swami Vivekananda says “Pleasure is not the goal of man, but knowledge.” He opines that pleasure is not everlasting and suggests that it is a mistake to suppose that pleasure is the goal. 

He extends it even further by attributing such thinking to the physical and mental distress that world is witnessing. But he also indicates that sooner or later man will realize the truth. 

It is then, he advocates, the person who had been misled that his attainment of pleasure had fulfilled his goal would become aware that pleasure is only a milestone in the path but not a goal by itself.

In the same vein, philosopher Adi Shankaracharya notes in his composition Bhajagovindam as below:

He goes on to say that a person may go to the Ganges (revered because of its powers to destroy one’s sins and purify the person), observe rigorous fasts & ceremonies and donate money towards charity but yet cannot attain liberation even after a hundred births if the person does not possess knowledge. 

So, it is quite evident that there is a lot of emphasis on gaining “knowledge”. However the next obvious questions need to be answered, which are “what is this knowledge that great ones are talking about?” and “How do we gain this knowledge?”

Join us in our journey to explore answers to these questions. 

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Self-realization – What does it truly mean?

Before any attempt can be made to provide an explanation, it must be understood that everything in this world can be thought of problems and solutions to those problems. As many intellectuals have already noted, “to solve a problem, one needs to have a clear & thorough understanding of the problem itself”. 

So what is the problem here? The quest for getting to know the truth would obviously direct us to the problem – what is the real meaning of self-realization? So let us start by analyzing the problem. 

The term self-realization seems to be self-explanatory and we get a rough idea that it has something to do with becoming aware of one’s own self. Easy, isn’t it? Yes, but is the definition complete? What does one’s own self mean? 

Is it the body that moves, eats, drinks & takes a nap? Is it the mind that thinks, prompts one to act, and visualizes the different fantasies of the world? Is it both of these, neither of these, or a combination of these with something else? 

One of the simplest definitions is “Self-realization means becoming aware of this universal, cosmic power, available at all times. ”

Ah! Now what is this all non-sense stuff about cosmic power? It may sound absurd, however when one thinks about it in depth, it has to be acknowledged. We are surrounded by it all the time. 

Its only sad and disappointing that we have lost our intelligent faculties to identify it, be in harmony with it and grow along with it. Of course all the different cultures on this earth have duly noted this. 

Its only that they have named it according to their convenience. You have surely heard of “Chi”, “Tao”, “Prana” right? And the list continues. Ever wondered what do they mean? As Confucius narrates the parable of a baby fish and its mother, we must realize that every one of us is engulfed with the same cosmic entity.

Ok, hang on…It is not a surprise that by reading the above lines many of you may have dismissed it outright. Yes, it does not bring any excitement and sounds just as if someone is pointing to the clouds overhead and say “look at that, there is water in there!”. 

Of course everyone knows the principle, sea water evaporates and form clouds. One would say that after science has proved this by performing experiments and we have been trained by means of education to accept things that are rational to us, that make sense to us.

Unfortunately, the topic that we are dealing with is not something that can be perceived by everyone in the same intensity of light. Some need more and others can manage to grasp the truth with less. 

And the interesting part lies in the control of intensity - who controls this? It is the individual who has the control!

Yes, we do have the ownership of controlling this intensity in order to bring ourselves into the path of truth, to understand our own self. 

Science has not yet been able to provide a step-by-step approach to direct us towards the control. Maybe it will happen soon. 

Let us see what we can do in the meantime to help ourselves to realize the truth.

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Spread the Light

Nobody would disagree that it is required to acquire knowledge by various means. However it is also equally important to spread one’s realization for the benefit of others. It is of no use to keep hiding the wealth of knowledge within oneself. It would only lead to a build-up of ego which causes nothing but a downfall.

The enlightened ones who have grasped the real knowledge don’t need to be taught about this. The means to deliver their wisdom to others is quite natural to them. 

However for others who may have embarked on this journey difficulties will arise in their path. 

It can be thought of as a sort of test to the candidate in order to prove one’s worthiness to attain the life’s secrets. One who understands the truth will find this test easy. 

The truth is that knowledge exists everywhere around us and there is no secrecy involved. 

But to perceive this truth is not easy. Hence one should strive to gain knowledge by all possible means and at the same time one should share the knowledge with others.

It is in this context, Edith Wharton, American novelist commented “there are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it”. Ones who have been illuminated with life’s knowledge will naturally share their wisdom by being the source of light. 

Another means to contribute in spreading the knowledge is to act as a mirror to return this light of course by first absorbing the essence. 

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Which is better – Prodigality or Parsimony?

Spending money in an excessive, wasteful, extravagant manner is Prodigality. The exact opposite is Parsimony. It is an unwillingness to spend money wastefully. 

Some relate it to miserliness but it is apt to define it as the quality of being careful with money matters.

Now, let us look at the question. Which quality do you think is better?

Can the golden plates and spoons in dining hall suffice to kill hunger? A person who wishes to be indulged in extreme comforts, attempts to display the riches that he possesses lavishly dives into a self-created well of egotism. 

Without being able to come out of the borehole, the person struggles to lead a happy life. 

However he makes the well look like a beautiful spring in an attempt to mask his own struggle. He turns arrogant.

On the other hand, when a person leads a simple and austere life, he would learn to be content with his possessions. 

He would understand the reality of life and won’t have to wear a false face in front of others. 

It is important for him to assess this quality and not allow it go to extremes however this person gradually turns to be treated as a niggard.

In this context, Confucius comments that it is better to be a niggard than arrogant. To become haughty in presence of opulent things and being indulged in grandiose display of such stuff will only lead to a downfall. 

Thus the great master tells us to choose wisely the path of parsimony. But it has to be noted that being a miser serves no good purpose. Being conscious about our own attitude, we need to avoid embracing arrogance unless we have decided to destroy our own life. 

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Where Is GOD?

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Focus On A Single Goal

Goal setting is not new to us. We set goals in our life that we desire to reach and achieve the set objective. Once we realize that our target is reached, satisfaction seeps in. 

This encourages us to go further high, we set loftier goals and attempt to capture our wish. Sounds simple and straightforward, right? However oftentimes we commit a mistake.

The following story drives the point home. There was a student of martial arts who was eager to learn all the tricks and become a master himself. He approached his teacher and earnestly spoke of his interest.

"Sir,” he said, “I would like to achieve mastery in the martial arts. I want to become great and popular. So I’ve decided to learn the different styles that are prevalent in this field. 

So in addition to learning from you, I would also like to practice with two other teachers at the same time. What do you think of this idea?" 

The master calmly replied, "The hunter who chases two rabbits catches neither one."

The student understood the hidden meaning within his teacher’s words. He bowed before the master and asked for his forgiveness. 

In the yearning to achieve more, we tend to blindly set more goals than can be achieved practically. We set too many targets at the same time and end up not achieving even a single goal. 

Let us always remember to do one thing at a time and to do it perfectly right! 

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Perceive the Reality

We are bound to the earthly elements to such an extent that we fail to notice the reality. We tend to follow our daily routines rigidly without spending even few moments to reflect upon the truth. 

It is not that we can see, however we do not attempt such an exercise. Once this question appears in our mind, it will surely trigger us to raise our awareness and then perceive the reality.

So what is this reality that we do not have an idea about? Confucius narrates following parable to make us understand this. 

A baby fish asked its mother, “I keep hearing from everyone about water. What is it?" 

The mother answered “Water is what you swim in. We are made of water and we go back to water after we die.” 

"But where is it? I cannot see it?” questioned the baby to which the parent answered “You look around, there is water everywhere. There is water inside us as well as outside. Water surrounds us. We cannot be separated from water.”

Now how can a fish know about it if it has not seen anything other than water? It spends the entire lifetime within that but without realization. It has to raise above the surface and then it can see the reality. 

In a similar manner, we, human beings forget the cosmic laws that surround us. We ignore the principles underlying the universe and instead think that we rule the world.

Thus Confucius concluded “Fish forget they live in water; people forget they live in the Tao." We all live in the ocean of Tao. It flows over us; it is within us and all around us. It enfolds us like our own skin, and yet we cannot perceive it; Indeed, most of us have no idea what it is.”

Let us reflect upon this thought and at least make a sincere effort to become aware of the reality. 

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Life's Revelation

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Greatest Wealth

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There is no secret ingredient!

According to the animated movie Kung-Fu Panda, the dragon scroll is supposed to be very powerful and claimed to be containing the ultimate key to the World’s greatest knowledge. This would be made available to only the privileged ones who master advanced skills and are honored to be known as Dragon Warriors. 

It so happens that Po (a giant Panda), the protagonist becomes Dragon Warrior in unusual circumstances and is handed over the Dragon Scroll. But when Po opens it, he is astonished and at the same time very disappointed to see that it turns out to be utterly blank. He vividly sees his own reflection in the universally admired scroll. 

His hopes of rescuing the citizens of valley of peace, his close friends and his father Peng from the wrath of villain are dashed.

Interestingly, later during a casual chat with his father, Peng who runs a restaurant talks to him about his opinion on life. Peng reveals during the climax that to make a dish special one doesn’t have to add anything special but just have to believe it special. 

“There is no secret ingredient” he tells his adopted cute Panda about his famous secret ingredient soup. Suddenly it dawns upon the Panda that the dragon scroll indeed held the life’s fundamental essence. 

It is the individual who has to learn to believe in himself and perform his actions in the righteous manner. Armed with this new found realization, Panda wins battle against the villain.

It is only wise to understand this latent message and lead our lives accordingly. One may read a lot of scriptures, write many different books, attend preaching sessions or even deliver sermons but unless one believes that he is special and committed to perform virtuous actions, he is lost in the vagaries of life. 

If this wisdom of secret ingredient is imbibed in one’s actions, a person can fight and defeat any tough villain in life. Unlike the movie, this knowledge is not limited to only privileged ones. So, what do you think about the secret ingredient? 

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