I always wonder what goes on in the minds of my grandchildren. When I ask them there are no answers. They remain quiet. They seem blank. Either they never understood the question or did not know how to put them into words. What does a kid growing up have on his mind? His toys. He becomes possessive of his possessions but occasionally shares his toys with other children. What does a teen have on his mind? Entering puberty brings with it its share of challenges. What does a young adult have on his mind? His career. What does a man or woman in midlife have on their mind? Security. A home and savings that would secure their lives. What does a man or woman in their golden age have on their mind? What shall become of their properties? I don't know. This is my assumption.
Coming naked and leaving naked, we tend to forget this truth and chase after material gains, often stabbing another or harming them in our pursuit of stardom, recognition, status, etc. In our race to win, we tend to show the ugly side of us. But beyond all these external dressing is the soul or Atma or JeevAtma that needs to be freed from captivity, held by the Karma, desires, and Tatvas. One has to come to know of its existence, address its purpose in coming here, and attain the state of Mukti or Jeevan Mukti and become a Jeeva Mukta.
But it does not come easily. One has to fight numerous battles to arrive there. Battling his Karma, and battling his ever-growing Ego and its worldly desires, he has to learn to let go and drop his hold on all things, transforming the gross body into the subtle and pure, into a temple that is befitting for the continued stay of the Atma that is radiant and pure. This is where we need help. From the love, compassion, and guidance of the parents, family, relatives, friends, and colleagues, in society to the spiritual aids, methods, and ways that are given by the gurus or spiritual masters. One has to take these tools and work on himself shedding the self that he had come to create, and revealing his true Self and nature in its place. He is reborn again. He is truly alive then.