The philosophy of life
We must adopt an outlook of understanding the circumstances under which people behave; such an analysis would make us happy in every circumstance we may find ourselves in - whether we are praised or criticised.
WHAT IS life? Life is nothing but a series of experiences. On the basis of our experiences, we form habits, thinking processes and our perceptions. We see the world as per our perceptions. As we see, so is our world to us. Dristi aisee Shrusti. As experiences are different to different persons, their perceptions are different and they see things and the world differently. After retirement, say after 60 or so, one should be able to understand and realize this process of experiences, habits and perceptions clearly.
As our perceptions are based on experiences, which we got in the then prevailing circumstances, we should be able to change/modify our perceptions with efforts, looking to the present circumstances, which are definitely different than those prevailing earlier. Every thing and anything is not "this" or "that" (Neti-Neti) but it is as you believe and accept and for you and not for others. This maturity of thought and understanding of perceptions should make us analyse and accept all situations and people as they are and we should not feel bad about anything or anybody’s bad behaviour with us! This philosophy of understanding shall keep us happy and we shall lead life peacefully and usefully.
An individual's happiness or unhappiness and how he wants to live, depends on himself. We have to help ourselves. Our scriptures also say -
An individual's happiness or unhappiness and how he wants to live, depends on himself. We have to help ourselves. Our scriptures also say -
Udharet Atmanatmanam Natmanam Avsadyet,
Atmaiv Hi Atmno Bandhuh Atmaiv Ripuh Atmanah
It is we who have to help ourselves for our welfare; we are our own friend and we are our own enemy. It depends on us entirely and it is only we who can achieve what we want. Who are we? What is this Atma? Have you seen it? Can you see it? Can you see who you are? Can you see god? All these questions remain unanswered. Whether you believe in God or not, the fact remains that some thing is there, which runs the Universe. Sankaracharya`s contention for self/atma is worth contemplating, which can be applied to the self, atma and god also.
Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakar Rupo, Vibhu Vyapta Sarvatra Sarvendriyam,
Sada Me Samatvam Na Muktih Na Bandhanh, Chidanand Rupo Shivo Aham Shivo Aham.
All of us - our atma, our god - are unique as well as the same, without any physical structure but pervading the whole world and omnipresent everywhere and in everyone and everything. We must see equality everywhere and in everyone and everything. Once you accept every living being as the same as yourself, there will be no problem. This is the secret of the philosophy of life and whosoever accepts and follows this, will remain eternally happy.
As regards material happiness, god/nature has created everything in this world in plenty and for all. Everyone must enjoy all things with the spirit that it is god’s gift (prasad) to us and we should not try to be greedy and acquire more than the required quantity by depriving others of their portion. Our scriptures say -
Sarva Khalu Idam Brahma Na Ih Nanasti Kinchan,
Ishavasyam Idam Sarvam Yet Kinch Jagatyam Jagat,
Ten Tyakten Bhunjitha Ma Grudhah Kasya Swid Dhanam.
Next to wealth is social interaction, very much necessary for senior citizens. We need not interfere in the day-to-day affairs of our children or others but we must share the benefit of our experience, knowledge, organising capacity with our family as well as society. We must strike positively or negatively, as the situation demands. Do not accept any unjust thing lying down, point out the mistake to the doer, write, represent relentlessly. Have no inertia but speak up, as necessary. Our aim should be to do our best in every situation. You observe bad roads, bad treatment meted out to others, lethargy in implementing good orders, you must not sit tight doing nothing. We must take up various social issues properly and promptly with the right authorities.
We must not stop improving ourselves and others and learning new things. Adopt all the latest gadgets when they are within our means and necessary and we must encourage others to do the same. Instead of brooding over the past, we must live in the present. Just as physical exercise is necessary for maintaining good health, using our brain properly and usefully is necessary for our mental health. We should try our best to help others and to do social work.
Everyone of us has tremendous energy but most of use barely 10 per cent of our energy. This energy does not reduce with ageing, as believed by some senior citizens who prefer to relax after retirement doing nothing useful for others. All of us must utilise our energy, experience, and the organising capacity with which we are blessed for the benefit of society from which we have taken a lot of advantage. We must remember that we have we have enough energy at present and we must also remember the principle - Use it or loose it. We must utilise our energy, knowledge, experience, wealth and whatever we have got, for helping others in whatever way we can.
Atmaiv Hi Atmno Bandhuh Atmaiv Ripuh Atmanah
It is we who have to help ourselves for our welfare; we are our own friend and we are our own enemy. It depends on us entirely and it is only we who can achieve what we want. Who are we? What is this Atma? Have you seen it? Can you see it? Can you see who you are? Can you see god? All these questions remain unanswered. Whether you believe in God or not, the fact remains that some thing is there, which runs the Universe. Sankaracharya`s contention for self/atma is worth contemplating, which can be applied to the self, atma and god also.
Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakar Rupo, Vibhu Vyapta Sarvatra Sarvendriyam,
Sada Me Samatvam Na Muktih Na Bandhanh, Chidanand Rupo Shivo Aham Shivo Aham.
All of us - our atma, our god - are unique as well as the same, without any physical structure but pervading the whole world and omnipresent everywhere and in everyone and everything. We must see equality everywhere and in everyone and everything. Once you accept every living being as the same as yourself, there will be no problem. This is the secret of the philosophy of life and whosoever accepts and follows this, will remain eternally happy.
As regards material happiness, god/nature has created everything in this world in plenty and for all. Everyone must enjoy all things with the spirit that it is god’s gift (prasad) to us and we should not try to be greedy and acquire more than the required quantity by depriving others of their portion. Our scriptures say -
Sarva Khalu Idam Brahma Na Ih Nanasti Kinchan,
Ishavasyam Idam Sarvam Yet Kinch Jagatyam Jagat,
Ten Tyakten Bhunjitha Ma Grudhah Kasya Swid Dhanam.
Next to wealth is social interaction, very much necessary for senior citizens. We need not interfere in the day-to-day affairs of our children or others but we must share the benefit of our experience, knowledge, organising capacity with our family as well as society. We must strike positively or negatively, as the situation demands. Do not accept any unjust thing lying down, point out the mistake to the doer, write, represent relentlessly. Have no inertia but speak up, as necessary. Our aim should be to do our best in every situation. You observe bad roads, bad treatment meted out to others, lethargy in implementing good orders, you must not sit tight doing nothing. We must take up various social issues properly and promptly with the right authorities.
We must not stop improving ourselves and others and learning new things. Adopt all the latest gadgets when they are within our means and necessary and we must encourage others to do the same. Instead of brooding over the past, we must live in the present. Just as physical exercise is necessary for maintaining good health, using our brain properly and usefully is necessary for our mental health. We should try our best to help others and to do social work.
Everyone of us has tremendous energy but most of use barely 10 per cent of our energy. This energy does not reduce with ageing, as believed by some senior citizens who prefer to relax after retirement doing nothing useful for others. All of us must utilise our energy, experience, and the organising capacity with which we are blessed for the benefit of society from which we have taken a lot of advantage. We must remember that we have we have enough energy at present and we must also remember the principle - Use it or loose it. We must utilise our energy, knowledge, experience, wealth and whatever we have got, for helping others in whatever way we can.
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