Vedanta says our only real duty in life is to be happy, cheerful, full of mirth and mischief irrespective of what the world offers. The fountainhead of happiness is within. Not just happiness but infinite happiness. This is possible only when you get to Perfection. The ancient seers were intrigued with the concept of Perfection, sthitaprajna. Is it possible for the ordinary, finite human to transform into the extraordinary, infinite, superhuman? As they probed in the inner world they discovered the roadblocks that stand in the way of happiness and prescribed methods by which these could be removed.
They found the formula for Perfection. Human minus desire is God, the Perfect Person. Desire prevents you from achieving success. Desire makes you unhappy. And desire keeps you stunted and dwarfed.
We are so caught up with desire that we cannot conceive of a state free from desire. The very concept appears daunting and impossible. The Bhagavad Gita does not ask you to give up desire. It is not possible for anyone to do so. The Gita only asks you to do what you are familiar with – just escalate to a higher desire, a more fulfilling one.
You have grown from infancy to adulthood by doing just what the Gita prescribes. At every stage you conceived of a higher state, struggled for it and achieved it. From having only a rattle for entertainment you moved to toys, gadgets, teenage delights and adult aspirations. You only have to rekindle this growth-propelling mode. To resist escalation to higher enjoyments is like the caterpillar lamenting it must quit the leaf to soar aloft in the sky and bask in the sun!
In Plato’s metaphor, while the rest of the tribe were content to live in a dark cave, one young man thought there had to be something beyond their little world and decided to explore. He plodded on till he came out and found a beautiful, magnificent world. Life as we know it is pretty much like the cave. We live in ignorance, not knowing where we came from or where we are heading. We experience boredom, fatigue and depression. We suffer the pangs of attachment. We experience deprivation when we are blessed with abundance. We are sorrowful when we should be deliriously happy.
All we need is inspiration. A mother who is inspired to do her very best for her child breaks through physical barriers and excels. A scientist on the verge of an important discovery rises above physical limitations as well as emotional hang-ups. Finally, when you are consumed by a spiritual goal you smash through all barriers.
Develop the intellect. Shun impulsive, thoughtless living and move to a life led by the intellect. When the intellect gains strength you become more objective and in control of your life. The intellect guides you through sense enjoyment, emotional relationships as well as intellectual pursuits.
While acting, move from thinking only of yourself to accommodating the welfare of others. The higher the ideal you work for, the greater will be your success. Athletes perform better when they play for the country versus just playing for personal records! Selfishness gives sorrow. Finally, a selfless person is one who understands a divine Power has bestowed the talent on him and dedicates his actions to that Spirit. This makes for Excellence.
Our love is tainted with selfishness which leads to conflict with loved ones as you ride on expectations and demands. When you genuinely love others unconditionally you live a happy life. In the end, when you are aware of a Power that has blessed you with a million things you develop gratitude and turn your attention from the world to the Beyond.
The intellect becomes sharp when you begin to reflect on the distinction between the permanent and the impermanent. Then you embark on the search for the Permanent. Even the journey is thrilling. The destination is infinite Happiness!
