As I shall turn 64 in September this year I take stock of the blessings that came my way. There is always a purpose in the things taking place in our lives just as there is a purpose in our lives too. To sum it all up it is to gain Atma Balam and Anubhavam or soul empowerment or enrichment. If we have been feeding this fortress of 650 muscles, some 206 to 213 bones, and nearly 37.2 trillion cells (Source: https://www.livescience.com/37009-human-body.html) we have neglected the soul, or rather the soul is in hiding or exile. Ego in man has taken over the fortress having sent the soul to the dungeons. The soul that stood guard our us once is saved when the guru comes along in our lives or the ego is defeated.
The ego in us paints a beautiful picture placing us on the throne and in charge. But it often brings on misfortune, misery, and suffering to oneself. We tend to burn down the very fortress due to our chasing after our desires and wants to amass more property and wealth, more lands and territories, more power and authority, and the false sense of joy that it gives us. Where then is true joy except at the feet of God? Ramalinga Adigal sings that God gave way to him to take his seat and passed him the staff of authority.
When one begins to encounter life-changing experiences he learns the impermanence of life and all that is gained. He starts to seek solace and peace, bliss and true and everlasting happiness and joy. True joy is in the kingdom of God. True joy is being in the presence of God. God takes the form of a guru, to lead us away from the shackles of life that we bring upon ourselves.
I dread to think what my life would have been if not for the divine hand turning it around. I shudder to think of the faults in the stars that could have derailed me for the worst if not for the silent and invisible presence of God. God not only took care of me but took everyone I knew into his arms too. He was there when we wanted him. He was ever-present. God who was imprisoned in the temples and other places of worship by man is accessible beyond the days and hours of worship. He is beyond the high walls of these places of worship. He is pretty much close to us. He is the very breath in us. He is the warmth in us. He is the thought in us. He is the light in us. He is the very soul in us. It is just that we are not aware of it. God comes as the guru to bring this awareness. Once the guru draws the veils aside, we see the light in us. We come face to face with our souls. This is Atma Darisanam. The soul enriches us with its wealth of stories and experiences. We become enlightened. All the saints themselves were enlightened souls having realized their true self and purpose. They begin to give back. They begin to share the bliss that they had attained. They share the fruit with us.