Article sent from The Hindu

[Guest guest]

=============================================================

This article is emailed to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran )

=============================================================

Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

Life must be oriented to the spiritual goal

 

CHENNAI, OCT. 13. One of the common pitfalls that must be

overcome by human beings is the tendency to postpone the pursuit

of the spiritual goal to old age. Spiritual life cannot be

divorced from the worldly life a person leads. What is essential

is a change in perspective altogether. All actions must be

oriented to the spiritual goal so that there is a gradual

withdrawal from engaging in material pursuits as one advances in

age. Eventually by the time a person discharges his duties he

will develop the right frame of mind and detachment to devote the

rest of his life to realise God, which is the rationale of human

birth.

 

One who is wedded to the spiritual goal will acknowledge God as

his sole refuge. Saints have advised that a devotee must turn to

God during times of distress and that he must demand of Him, ``I

am Your child and suffering in this world. How can You let me

grieve like this?'' Devotion will enable a devotee to take such

liberties with the Almighty. Likewise, it has been confirmed by

the God-realised that a devotee can envision God if he weeps in

anguish for Him even for a day and a night. But worldly people

only demand of Him to alleviate their lot. Just as Ekalavya

mastered the art of archery by practising before the image of his

Guru, Drona, in spiritual life also it is possible to realise God

through the grace of the Guru if one has total faith in him. The

words of wisdom of the saints are spoken from their spiritual

experience.

 

There should be perceptible progress towards the spiritual goal

in an individual's life, said Swami Gautamananda in his

discourse. To be forewarned is to be forearmed and this is

especially true in spiritual life. One can avoid the pitfalls

indicated by saints. Regular prayer elicits divine grace and

reinforces faith in God especially in times of distress when it

is very easy to become dejected. Saints have indicated that the

test of unswerving faith in God and devotion to Him is during

such setbacks in life.

 

Some may wonder why there is so much suffering in this world and

why human beings have to face sorrows. This is akin to the mental

frame of a reluctant child packed off to school by its mother.

The child must be thinking that its mother is not allowing it to

be happy by staying at home without realising that it is for its

welfare that she is doing so. The trials and tribulations that

human beings face in the world are similarly meant to increase

one's faith in God's grace. When a person understands that God is

guiding his destiny he will become fearless as there will not be

anxieties.

 

Copyrights: 1995 - 2001 The Hindu

 

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly

prohibited without the consent of The Hindu