The art of living
1/Freedom and license
Man has made this world a glorious place to live in. The phenomenal powers which have been threatening and persecuting mankind all along been tamed and harnessed o serve him. The land, which was barren or wild, has been prepared to yield an abundance of food. People have grown from a primitive and barbarous state to be a civilized and intelligent society. The comforts and amenities provided are almost heavenly and man has been indulging in them without the least restraint. However sitting amidst a mountain of wealth and prosperity, man lives a life of worry, anxiety and dissatisfaction
This sad paradox has been the subject of investigation by the spiritual masters who dedicated their lives for the general welfare of the mankind. In their subtle enquires they discovered that uncontrolled and excessive indulgence in sensual enjoyments causes one’s personality and leads to sorrow and misery. For example, the first helping of a sweetmeat is delicious to eat; the second and third have a diminishing value while twentieth is not only sickening but detrimental to one’s health. Hence our ancient benefactors formulated certain basic regulations of self restraint and discipline for gaining a more permanent joy out of our relationship with the world of objects.
But the essential nature of man being Absolute Freedom he detests any shackles being put on him. He does not relish being told what to do or what not to do. To him injections and percepts are like a red rag to a bull; therefore he revolts against the idea of any spiritual practice of self denial.
Little does he realizes that freedom is essentially built on self-restraint and discipline. For instance, the traffic lights on our roads are undoubtedly a restraint laid down by the government on our freedom, but such restraint alone lends a meaning to freedom of movement and checks its degradation into licentiousness.
This inability to distinguish between freedom and license is at the root of the modern man’s aversion to religion. The religious textbooks provide us with the material for a subjective scientific analysis by which we can intelligently understand and appreciate the necessity for such voluntarily self-restraint. They serve the same purpose as manuals supplied with a machine for its efficient use. Similarly, the human machine, the most complex entity in nature, also needs certain adjustments and turning up according to the manuals of religion so that it may function efficiently in all its contacts with the world of things and efficiently in all its contacts with the world of things and beings. Man is given the liberty, either to eke out maximum happiness for himself by following these instructions and wisely utilizing his equipment or to disregard them inviting sorrow and suffering for himself. His alone is the choice to make or mar himself and his happiness.
Thus, the Scriptural books provide an exhaustive science of better living and we mature, we find in them complete techniques of self development culminating in the experience of the Supreme Reality. In our attempt to develop ourselves to the stature of well integrated nation, why should we not bring this proved and well tested method into use?
2. Art of Right Contact
Licentiousness is not true freedom; it can only lead to one result- disaster .When freedom is punctuated by adherence to laws of nature and recognition of the rights of others, we grow into the ampler field of peace and prosperity. The constitution of our country recognizes and establishes our freedom, but, at the same time, it contains a host of rules and regulations restraining us from doing all that we would like to do and these checks alone lend a meaning to freedom
Similarly , the religious text books prescribe certain laws of living which define for us the modes of contact with the world of objects around us so that we may have a more harmonious existence. When there is an intelligent appreciation and faithful adherence to these laws, we maintain the right contact with the world and that alone can bring about a healthy life dynamic existence .This is best illustrated if we take the example of electricity from practical life .One has the freedom to use electricity in his home in any manner that one chooses Nevertheless , to establish a correct relationship with it and to benefit by it one has to religiously follow the laws of electricity or otherwise the same power can mercilessly destroy him
The general complaint is that the world is full of evil and imperfections ,disturbances and despairs and one often wonders how peace and tranquility could be found in their midst . But there is no need to despair, for we should bear in mind that a rough surface is essential for sharpening any dull instrument. When one knows the art of applying the tool to the grindstone, it is the roughness of the stone alone that sharpens the tool. So too in life when we understand the art of establishing right contacts with the world, we chasten and edify our subjective personality. The real problem therefore is not the evils of the world but man’s lack of dexterity in facing the challenges confronting him.

In not recognizing this simple truth, the right perspective of life is lost and humanity perpetually complains of bad times and bad world. Consider for instance a glass only half filled with milk .It is viewed differently by different people according to their own emotional and intellectual stature. One looks at the empty upper half and complains that it is not full, while another views the bottom portion and enjoys it fullness.

When we carefully analyze the attitude of men in general, we find a continuous procession of such unintelligent mourners. A lame man on a wheel chair despairs at the sight of healthy pairs of legs walking past him, but the man who can walk sighs at another swiftly passing by him on a scooter again is jealous of the motor car owner and the latter pines away at the thought of having to pay his income tax. Such, indeed are the sorrows of man but there is no need to despair, for the remedy is quiet evident.
Let us develop a sense of gratitude to the lord, by focusing our attention on what we have, which a good many less fortunate do not have and yearning for, By refusing to crave for objects which do not have, we shall be conserving a lot of mental energy which alone can give us peace within and a capacity to act rightly in the world.

3. Man’s Heritage
Independence is the very essence of manhood; and he who has disengaged himself from his slavish dependence upon the world of objects for gaining his flashes of joys, is truly independent. Others are only beings who, like feathers in the summer breeze, are tossed about hither and thither by the problems and challenges of the world.
The sense objects of the world present to us a false glitter of joy. To resist this call of the flesh, the all consuming onslaught of our senses, is the privilege and the glory of man. Such a man of perfection stands out like a lighthouse in the sea of life, graceful and unaffected by the lashes of the turbulent waves. Not knowing this art of independent living, we remain like a rudderless boat on the agitated ocean of material changes. To reach the quiet and peaceful harbor of perfection, will have to follow the same technique adopted by the mariner who is lost on the high seas

Man being essentially divine by nature, the call of the higher is in the bosom of every one of us, but while facing the challenge of life we know not the right direction. And, just as the manner trusts the accuracy of the compass and moves on, we will have steer our ship of life with faith in and devotion to the scriptures until we attain the higher state of peace and perfection.

A man, who has thus gained misery over his environment and consequently remains calm and unmoved by hem, is generally mistaken to be nothing but an alert statue which remains unaffected by either a garland offered round its neck or a crow sitting on its head. There is a general criticism and condemnation of such a man for his state of apparent indifference and disinterest in the affairs of the world. Such feelings arise out of our ignorance of his supreme achievement. It is not true to say that such a man is devoid of emotions. He certainly has them, but, does not allow them to over helm him. An emotion of sympathy for another is certainly a virtue, but, emotionalism ruins ones poise and balance in life and is an impediment to any progress either material or spiritual. Sentiments adorn a person, but, sentimentalism is an ugly scar on his personality.

The ancient masters of this great country were such mighty stalwarts who stood amidst life’s storms as firm as the great Himalayas. Their emotions and sentiments made their hearts bleed for suffering humanity, but their heads were above the clouds in the ever peaceful ream of high deal.

A man may be tossed about by unpredictable storms of life but the solution to it lies in his own efforts in finding an ideal in life and then raising his personality from the level of petty emotions to the loftier heights of the chosen ideal. The secret of success in life thus lies in keeping the head above the storms of the heart. A successful man never allows his faculty of discrimination and judgment to be disturbed by the rising tides of his emotions
Let us dedicate ourselves to a proven a lofty ideal and let us develop the courage to live according to our convictions fearlessly and wholly. This intellectual honesty to live truly to our convictions in full dedication to our chosen ideal adds a serene beauty of the individual life contribute to the glory and effectiveness of the nation

4. The joy of Living
Man, in his pilgrimage from the womb to tomb, is continuously motivated and propelled by two inevitable impulses, namely, revulsion to sorrow and a carving for joy. He avoids and discards disagreeable things and unconducive environment and runs after the agreeable and conducive. Thus as objects and environment keep continuously changing in the world, man engages him in an endless chase after happiness. The methods employed by different individuals in procuring happiness may be distinct and varied, but the goal sought for is common to all. It should therefore be interesting to analyze and discover where exactly happiness is located.
Our firm belief today is that the joys we experience through our senses lie in the respective objects of the world. Consistent with the belief, we are constantly engaged in acquiring, possessing and aggrandizing more and more wealth. But a little reflection reveals to us that the acquisition and possession of wealth is no measure of the quantum of one’s happiness. We are but too familiar with the striking contradictions in life as seen in the example of millionaire sitting and sitting in the salacious apartments and are
An ill clad peasant roaring in ecstatic joy amidst his poor circumstances

Again, if joy is inherent in the sense objects then each object should provide the same quantum of joy to all those who come in contact with it. Obviously, this is far from being true. For instance, a cigarette fills with one joy and satisfaction, while it drives another mad with annoyance. What then is the cause for the satisfaction of the one and the annoyance of the other? This leads us to the fundamental question. What is happiness?

On a careful analysis we find that man’s happiness is entirely a subjective phenomenon, for there seems to be a distinct and clear relationship between the state of his mind and the joy or sorrow that is experienced by him .When the mind is agitated, sorrow is experienced and when it is tranquil there is joy .Happiness therefore, is measured by the tranquility of one’s own mind.
Man, the roof and crown of creation, has the unique capacity of questioning his mind;.
without helplessly depending upon the objects around him. But this capacity now lies dormant in him and he , unaware of it , foolishly try to procure happiness through the objects of the world which have only a false glitter of joy. They can give indeed, no enduring and everlasting satisfaction
Our great religious books help to awaken and promote this dormant faculty man. He need not run after and beg for the sense objects to attain some fleeting experiences of joy. He can get engaged in more permanent and a fuller happiness which is wholly independent of the availability of agreeable objects and environment .Such a man stands like beacon light emitting the light of perfection which serves as a guide to those who are still being tossed about in the sea of life’s turbulence



20.What is Religion

True religion possesses two important limbs, namely, its philosophy and ritualistic injections. Mere ritualism, bereft of philosophy is only superstition, while bare philosophy without ritualistic practices tantamount to madness. Both the aspects must go hand in hand. Philosophy reinforces the external practices of rituals and gives them a purpose and a goal for realization. Together, they bring out the meaning, significance and purpose of religion Philosophy is the theoretical aspect of religion which, with scientific and rational analysis, elucidates the why and what for of life and the universe and contains a coherent system of thought for interpreting the Reality. The ritualistic injections deal with practical aspect of religion and lay down the spiritual practices to be followed for reaching the goal in life.

Religion, therefore, is a happy and intelligent blending of philosophy and ritualism. If the two aspects are not synchronized properly, there can be no religion. Unfortunately, however, man commits the blunder of projecting only one of these two aspects and calls it religion and attributes its decadence and failure to religion as such. True religion, in fact, knows no failure. Ritualism here does not mean mere physical performance of ceremonies but also embraces all modes of practical religion, applicable to the mental and intellectual levels of our personality. It therefore, includes rites, ceremonies and duties practiced externally, devotion or bhakti cultivated by mind and subtle discrimination and meditation undertaken by the intellect. When man endeavors to translate the high philosophy, values and virtues of life to practical living, he encounters several difficulties which has caused religion to sink into oblivion. These values are opposed to and come in conflict with man’s extrovert nature. This constitutes one of the main obstacles.

An intelligent and abrupt denial of sensual pleasures and a blind following of spiritual values result in suppression in an individual and this suppression for a period of time leads to him to bitterness, frustration and cynicism in life.. If, however, one chooses, the other alternative and continues indulgence in sensual pleasures, the senses become so strong and overpowering pull him down into the abyss of carnality and animalism and any attempt, thereafter, to live a spiritual life will be next to impossible

The religious masters arrived at a solution of the problem by prescribing an intelligent formula by which man could sublimate to a higher spiritual living. They held that physical indulgence might be well regulated but not denied to the extent of causing suppression and frustration. Their needs must be a basic and initial self control based on an intelligent apprehension of the philosophy underlying it. To the extent to which an individual regulates his sense indulgence, to the extent he must acquire a proportionate intellectual education of the higher values of life and consequent understanding of the futility of such indulgence. Conversely, to the extent he apprehends and digests the higher and nobler ideas governing life, he can afford to live in self restraint. Thus, by a mutual intelligent adjustment of study and application, man can sublimate and reach the peak of perfection and bliss.
It therefore, becomes imperative for us to carefully regulate the doses of philosophical study and ritualistic practice. Mere performance of rituals without understanding their meaning and significance is superstitious living which, when prolonged, distorts our personality. On the other hand learning the entire philosophy without its patient application in our daily life is like a donkey carrying gold on its back. Hence, let us take the valuable advice of our Rishis and try to live religion in the true sense of the term