The goal worth pursuing - words of Swami Dayananda Saraswati

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[source: THE HINDU http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/01/stories/2009070155871200.htm]

 

The goal worth pursuing

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CHENNAI: Joy and sorrow are an integral part of human life and the endeavour of

spiritual texts is to help beings develop equanimity to deal with these

appropriately. When we consider material objects as a source of happiness, or

get attached to people, we are bound to face disappointments. We identify

ourselves with the body rather than the Self that leads to a feeling of

possessiveness (the sense of I and Mine) with regard to people and possessions.

 

The basic advice to every individual is to realise the dichotomy between the

body and the Self. Once we realise that we are all a part of the Supreme Being

and learn to shift our focus from the material and the transient to the

everlasting and the permanent, then there is a gradual understanding of the

world and our place in it from an impersonal and objective angle, pointed out

Swami Dayananda Saraswati in a lecture. It is the subjective approach that is

the cause of all worry. This attitude makes us feel alienated from the world.

That which really matters and exists is only the reality of the Supreme Brahman

and Self exploration is the only worthwhile pursuit that can be a panacea for

worldly miseries.

 

The Upanishads state that fear arises from duality (Dvaita). Fear is a major

factor affecting the lives of all beings. This is because each being is

differently endowed (physical and mental abilities, nature, etc). So, when

someone is seen to be more powerful, there is reason to feel threatened. A cat

feels threatened by a dog while a mouse fears a cat. Human beings are a threat

to the environment while they are threatened by their many worries — livelihood,

boss, friends, enemies, family, etc. There is a restless quest to chase these

goals, where ironically, each successful attempt seems to be smaller when

compared to others. In addition, these goals are transient, and one realises the

need to seek the ultimate goal worth pursuing, one beyond which there could be

nothing higher.

 

The philosophical basis of non-duality (Advaita) is the belief that the Self is

a part of the Supreme Brahman thus taking away any iota of fear in the

individual who realises this truth.