I sometimes play the inconoclast and pen lines to manicure the morbid. I have an addendum to these lines. I wrote these lines when
I was more melancholic than I usually am. So there is some clarification
needed. Although I think I have lived only half my life I think I have arrived
at some conclusions which I think are reasonably informative. Actually quite
important I feel. This is regarding the status of the teacher who teaches us
about life. I have taken lessons in mantras, performance of rituals, theistic
perceptions, religious diet (a lot), sensory restraint and similar topics from a
few teachers and I have found that these lessons do invigorate our existential
possibilities i.e. life’s quotient. While the spiritual teacher does help us
walk the road to reality, he also does warn us about the possible mistakes
along the way. This is where I tended to ignore the warnings of my teachers and
marched unperturbed into modes of behavior which made me face daunting
situations thinking that these techniques that enhanced my capabilities would
allow me to come through, without being broken hearted. But through a bit of a trial
of, and by, but not for… error, I have
been able to see that while the spiritual teacher tells us about the great possibilities
that life offers, he DOES emphasize that progress is systematic, and
practical. His warnings ought to be heeded with veneration. Life is too good a
commodity to leave at the mercy of chance behavior. In all the cultures of the
world the veneration of the teacher is considered a very advanced mode of behavior,
a gesture of great value, and a exalted principle to live by. And just as the
encouragement of the teacher is priceless, so is his discouragement worthy.
Having ignored these values I encountered a few blows in life which left me a
little breathless. Actually it was the wisdom of the wise confirming their
injunctions. So the feelings of malnutrition are more to do with my sledging
heart which confirms that life is priceless,… so the kidney should stay in place…and the
liver… maybe because the Giver has given them to us not to chance them but to
lead a charmed life.
A word about reform. This is my perception. There is a lot
of opportunity to reform the world among not just human beings but even among
antelopes and bears and mango trees. These is scientific evidence to establish
that this cosmos beats unanimously. Those who are trying to reform themselves
and help others improve, deserve our appreciation… at least. A picture perfect
world is difficult to see and those doing good work are doing good work. They
are NOT our enemies… even if they may
not be the gods from heaven (of course I am not so confident)…they are really
nice, decent people even if they appear to have failings. So in a world where
over twenty thousand children die EACH year due to poverty, if a particular
saint is talking less about God and more about the dying immortals in the
kingdom of God does he become too irreligious? I can confirm quite heartily
that according to the religions of the world the greatest mode of religion is
doing good to others. It behooves us to be polite in our perceptions when
judging those who are overworking themselves to benefit the world. The names of
the ultimate reality differ in different religions. However by some odd stroke
of fate they all ask us to help those in pain, irrespective of their faith. So
while religious organizations do differ a lot in their philosophical approach
they all do reach out to those who are needing to be comforted due to
irreconcilable emotions…. In fact I have to acknowledge that there are
organizations which do bend over backwards to avoid being termed religious but
they are religious about healing a painful fever, or a dislocated charm not
just in one case but all over the world. So in veneration to all who dedicate
themselves to the religion of extending a helping hand I congratulate them
loudly, emphatically, and consider myself fortunate to be able to do so. In a world where three billion people live
below the poverty line there is little reason to doubt that good men who can
transform the destinies of people are rare, and those who do try even if with
failings have opened themselves to perceiving the world as a place to serve
rather than be severe. There is enough quarrel all over the world over who
deserves to rule a particular tract of land and inevitably whoever gets to rule
fails to be selfless. These men and women who have dedicated themselves to Goodness, do succeed. I deserve their blessings.
