Dr. Rajesh Bhola
India
Jul 05, 2013
India
Jul 05, 2013
When I sit with my senior citizen colleagues in the evenings, a point that is often discussed is: “Even at a ripe old age of 80+ we are not able to comprehend some basic issues about our existence. The mysteries of life, and the world, seem to be growing.” For example, natural disasters can be hard to understand, as we often think of nature as something beautiful – and an integral part of our daily life. We find it hard to accept a calamity like the Uttarakhand floods, where thousands of innocent pilgrims and locals have lost their lives. We feel helpless; sitting in our drawing rooms, we stare in disbelief at nature’s awesome fury.
Such events emphasize the omnipresence of impermanence. Wisdom tells us that nothing in this conditioned realm will last. Change
occurs at every level - from the cosmic to the microscopic. A star, a
civilization, a tree, a thought: each arises, evolves through time,
disintegrates and disappears. Only the timetables differ, for different
phenomena and events. Whatever is, will be was. We may think we know
this truth…and perhaps we do. But do we benefit from this wisdom? For
each of us, the mark of impermanence reveals itself most intimately in
our inescapable mortality. While we know that everyone and thing that
is born will die, we seem to ignore this while we live - and so we
suffer. We desire permanence and security and enduring happiness. We
live in our imaginary worlds, and expect everything to be as we want;
and find it hard to accept the way it actually is.
The
deepest lesson that wisdom has to teach is that nothing is inherently
substantial and real. We think that we are separate, solid entities, and
struggle to protect and satisfy and gratify our precious sense of self,
not understanding that there is really no permanent, unchanging self. The constituents of the mind and body are in constant flux – like a moving energy field.
Our body, sensations, thoughts and emotions arise and disappear, moment
by moment. Monks sum up this phenomenon very simply: “No self, no
problem.”
Another
lesson to learn is that we can gradually clean the doors of perception
by strengthening our spiritual powers. Mindfulness helps us see ever
more deeply – while greed, hate and delusion diminish. It is a very
delicate balancing act. While awareness is always present, we can be
temporarily distracted. The right effort is the effort to listen with
greater sensitivity; a total surrender, receiving and welcoming whatever
is out there. When effort is balanced, without any strain, there is
just a willingness to do; and out of that willingness comes a more
constant flow of energy. It gives us patience and perseverance. At the beginning of each day, and at the beginning of each breath, we need to still the wandering mind and start fresh. As we become more skilled, our effort becomes smoother and steadier - and mindfulness grows.
Let
us see clearly the facts of life, open our eyes to the reality of
various phenomena, rise above them, harness their energy and live
spirited and meaningful lives. On the path we will meet many obstacles,
moments of turmoil and personal problems; we should meet them with
spirit and character. Our lives will then become of service to the
‘great work’, and will not feel futile or trivial. That way we can best
understand ourselves, and ‘live’ our life.
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
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