Sunday 18 June 2017

THE CHASE

Everything is a rush now. A child these days misses out on play. He is stuffed with much mental activity at the expense of physical activity. There ought to be a balance and an equal growth in both sectors.

He spends more time indoors rather than outdoors missing the chance to investigate and observe nature. He is shoved with the gadgets as early as a toddler just so that the parents can do their thing.

We are on a paper chase. As a student we are pushed to excel in our studies. We are told it's a competitive world out there and are taught to compete. While seeking a job, we pray that we should get the job, beating others to it. Rarely does one give in or give way to another. But there was an exception. When my son-in-law and his friend went for the same interview, his friend told the panel that my son-in-law needed the job more than him. My son-in-law landed the job. A good soul drops by occasionally.

The rush continues in working life. As an employee we need to meet the targets set by the company. 

Thinking that we could escape from the chaos of this maddening material world, we step into the spiritual world. Alas, sadly the chase continues here too. There is a chase to seek out numerous gurus to add to one's list of achievements in having gained blessings. There is a chase to gather as many teechas or initiation as possible, to be displayed as medals of honor. There is a rush to pick up techniques easily without effort. There is a chase to race the kundalini up even before one fully understands the force of this energy and before one is ready physically, mentally and emotionally. And worst of all, there is an assumption that things can be bought here too just as in the material world. The madness continues in the spiritual plane too. 

Supramania Swami told me there was no rush to excel spiritually. "We shall keep on polishing the "vessel", he said. One day it would shine. Tavayogi told me, "So what if we cannot achieve "it" in this birth. We shall come back again". It is said that the Buddha took a thousand births before he achieved enlightenment. 

Learn to slow down. Take some time off to ponder and re-evaluate your needs. Learn to chew your food, taking in the essence. Take a moment to observe nature and enjoy the sights. 

Learn to wind down. Spend more time in things that bring you joy rather than rush to compete with others. Bring an end to this chase. Learn to be satisfied. Happiness comes to one who is satisfied.