Living Nirvana

Dr. Rajesh Bhola
India
Aug 11, 2012

Nirvana is the final goal in ‘Indian’ religions - Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. In Hinduism, Moksha is the liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and one’s worldly conception of self. A person reaches the state of Nirvana only when Moksha is attained.

A person can attain Nirvana without dying. It is synonymous with the concept of liberation, which refers to release from a state of suffering – often after a lengthy period of committed spiritual practice. Nirvana is a state of mind where inner stillness and outer purpose prevail. Nirvana is the mastery of passion, by sheltering it from ego-driven disturbance. True enlightenment involves a climb down by the ego, and an opening up to the impact of pain and difficulties – not just upon oneself, but everyone. An enlightened person is not someone who has no personal problems, and certainly not someone who never suffers. A noble life is not dependent upon circumstances. Religions guide us about noble living. No religion can eliminate suffering.  The message of all the ‘Indian’ religions is not that of escape, but of how to live a noble and satisfying life – in which the troubles are as essential to bliss as grit is to the pearl.  

In ‘Indian’ religions a prayer asks God to take all beings to the other shore (us paar). What is implied by this? The other shore is where we ‘escape’, from the suffering in this world. To stand on the other shore is not so much to go to a different world, as to see this world from a different standpoint. What sort of world are religions trying to create? Religions do not say that ‘this world is terrible and let us escape from it’. They tell us to ‘come and look at it this way, and you will have a quite different and much more satisfactory experience’. 

When a person is enlightened, he/she sees the noble truth of others’ lives, as well as of their own. Probably this is the key to the angelic aura and saintly contentment that the visages of saints and other selfless workers so distinctly reflect. I was one of the regular visitors to Mother Teresa’s Home for The Destitute in Chandigarh, and had the privilege of spending time with her during her visits to the city. She started a movement; and it is still running.

If we want to see Nirvana land, it is right here. Nobody is excluded – save by their own ignorance. The gates of enlightenment are wide open. Problems are essential to the process of spiritual growth. It is not a matter of solving all our personal problems. We have to wake up and embrace the reality and opportunity which this birth has provided  us. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna explains that Brahma Nirvana can be attained by getting rid of vices, becoming free from duality, free from the worldly attractions and anger, being dedicated to spiritual pursuits, and dedicating oneself to the good of all. Nirvana is the perfect peace of mind – that is free from craving, anger, and other afflicting states. Though temporary states of peace may come and go, Nirvana is a state of fathomless and ultimate peace.

Dr. Rajesh Bhola is President of Spastic Society of Gurgaon and is working for the cause of children with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities for more than 20 years.