Please read, digest, discuss, churn and let the under standing go deep. Do not read it superficially. By living a superficial life, we have destroyed life.
Please reflect on the statement that one can be “self-oriented,” “other-oriented” or “Life oriented.”
Self-oriented persons are those whose life revolves only on self (ego). Such a self-centered person’s thinking, feeling and expectations are oriented towards the benefit that will accrue to the self. It appears natural, but it is foolish. If one observes deeply, one will find that such a person is self-centered.
This results in one being trapped in oneself, which creates a separate self. Then, one will be in conflict with the other which creates isolation and leads to suffering. Thereafter, one tries to seek escape from this pain through pleasure and fulfillment of one’s dreams. If one looks at the life of Duryodhana in Mahabharata, one can see this very clearly.
People whose life is spent by living for the “other” are “Other-oriented” persons. Such “other-oriented” persons have to observe what one is losing or lost. Such persons spend the whole life in trying to please the other, in seeking some form of appreciation from the other. They are very conscious of what the “other” person says or feels about themselves.
Bheeshma, in the Mahabharata, was a typical example of this style. His whole life was dedicated to Hastinapur, etc. Other-oriented living is also not a healthy or wise living.
What I am teaching, based on my deep understanding of the scriptures, is to lead “life-oriented” living. Give importance to life. Life includes both “oneself” and “others”. Hence, I called my first workshop as LIFE program. There is life in the flowers, in the trees, in the ants, in the flora and fauna. Learn to be sensitive to this.
A “life-oriented” person will lead a life which is all-pervading and hence will never be trapped in life. Such a person will explore how to add life to years rather than years to your life. To make this happen, one has to be sensitive and not sentimental. Sentimental is reacting to life and sensitive is experiencing the richness of life. Look into your life and audit your life.
My whole teaching aims at spreading essence of Gita. Someone asked me “What is the essence of my teaching?” I told that person that the essence of my teaching follows the footsteps of Lord Krishna and comprises (a) education (b) motivation and (c) lakshya- i.e., fulfilling goal.
What is education?
Education is learning. Learning is not just getting words. Verbal knowledge is a superficial way of knowing. It is conceptual knowledge. You should know the distinction between “knowledge and clarity”.
Your knowledge should have clarity and not just words. Clarity should lead you to experience. Then, it becomes existential knowing, which is education. If your knowledge does not lead to clarity and finally end in the experience, then you have missed the bus. Look and search for the processes of how to lead your life from knowledge to clarity and then to experience. Learning to go forward from knowledge to clarity is education.
Your education should be motivational. It should bring out the best in the other. You should inspire the other, even though it is not their experience.
Lastly, let me elaborate on “Lakshya” – the “fulfilling goal”. If your goal is future oriented, then your dream is more important than what is happening now. Your future is more important than the now. An indifferent attitude to the “Now” creeps in and all importance is given to the future. But the true fulfilling goal is not future-oriented but “source-oriented”.
Inquire from where you are sourcing your life. Go deep in the “now”. Look into your life. As a diver goes deep into the water, go deep into yourself. Then, you will discover an “abiding mind”. If not, your mind will be “scattered mind”. Only in an “abiding mind” you can see the richness of life. A “running or scattered mind” is away from the “now” i.e. life. Living life now fully is a fulfilling Goal.
I am giving my heart through these words, please handle with care.
Please visit www.swamisukhabodhananda.org.
Swami Sukhabodhananda
