Evolve and Help Others Evolve!
Every being in the creation is passing through a trajectory of physical and psychological evolution. The physical evolution is more or less programmed by nature for all species; it is the psychological/moral/spiritual evolution that should concern us the most. The nature develops us to a point and then leaves it up to us to complete our evolution. Although endowed with the highest possibility of most developed faculties, we are still at a very early stage of becoming “fully” awakened human beings. If this possibility is not realized, sages warn us, the human birth is utterly wasted. To really come to this much realization is a big deal. How so?
Sages explain that eating, sleeping, being afraid and procreation (आहार, निद्रा, भय, मैथुन) is common to all living beings. If the purpose of life was to just do these four things, human birth is not required—they are equally and fully available to all the animals, albeit more perfectly. So, what is it that distinguishes us from the rest of the creation? It is our ability to self-reflect objectively, to examine and choose our goals wisely; the moral sense to act for the good of all, and the spiritual intelligence to realize our oneness with the highest conscious principle (परम चेतन तत्व) that lies within and without all and everything. Sages and saints call this highest principle God. As John Milton once said, “The end of learning is to know God.”
Are there any pointers on the path? Any manuals for self-knowledge? Yes, indeed! For a serious seeker the help is available aplenty and the whole universe is a shrine of learning. If one knows how, one can find “books in brooks, tongues in trees, and sermons in stones,” a la Shakespeare. But one has to be very sincere and careful lest one’s search turns into mere spiritual tourism. Life is short and art is long—and many are the obstacles and distractions on the path. Nor are all paths created alike. Most are detours at best. One subtle pitfall that is always present is the temptation to turn spiritual goals and aspirations into material gain and gratification. Seekers beware: Constant vigilance of the heart is required. That is why all wisdom traditions recommend studying with a live realized master.
But how and where to look for a master, one may ask? We can’t. Only the Supreme can know the Supreme! We are told that when the seeker is ready, the teacher appears. There is a law: Each person gets the teacher s/he deserves. However, the help is there.
The Bhagavad Gītā, the immortal text of Self-knowledge, provides clear guidance both for the seeker and the teacher in one single verse:
tadviddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā |
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninastattvadarśinaḥ || 4- 34 ||
तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया ।
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥ ४- ३४ ॥
Learn the essential Truth by approaching the wise, humbly bowing to them in service, and respectfully asking them questions. The seers, who have realized the Truth, will teach you that Knowledge.
Elsewhere, the wisdom texts (Upaniṣads) speak about humbly approaching a teacher who is well-versed in the scriptural lore (śrotriyaṁ) and steadfast in the knowledge of the Absolute (brahmniṣta).
When Ramana Maharshi was asked about the marks of a real teacher (sadaguru), he simply said, “Steady abidance in the Self, looking at all with an equal eye…” He then added, “The Guru is both external and internal. From the exterior he gives a push to the mind to turn it inwards. From the interior he pulls the mind towards the Self and helps in the quietening of the mind….There is no difference between God, Guru and the Self.”
Vivekachūḍāmaṇi, Crest-Jewel of Wisdom, provides further pointers on the path:
दुर्लभं त्रयमेवैतद्देवानुग्रहहेतुकम् ।
मनुष्यत्वं मुमुक्षुत्वं महापुरुषसंश्रयः ॥3॥
durlabhaṁ trayamevaitaddevānugrahahetukam
manuṣyatvaṁ mumukṣutvaṁ mahāpuruṣasaṁśrayaḥ –3
Very rare indeed are these three things and happen only due to the utmost grace of God – namely, a human birth, an intense longing for liberation, and the protecting care of an illumined sage.
But how will the seeker know that s/he is making progress on the path? There are perceptible internal signs and external marks. Internally, one feels more at peace; enjoys the calm bliss of the solitude of the self; and an overwhelming sense of gratitude and contentment with what is. Externally, more and more natural compassion and loving-kindness toward all beings, less and less compulsive behavior of running after the ephemeral, and more and more seeing the Divine in all and everything.
Only through our conduct indeed we evolve and help others evolve.
Recent Comments