The Ideal of Life

The Ideal of Life

The aim of philosophy is right living. The meaning of right living depends on how it is defined. It is a life of wisdom, free from the imperfection, which characterises unphilosophical life. Philosophy is neither intellectual diversion nor aristocratic pedantry which overlooks the facts of experience in the world. As against a feat of scholarship or a mere hobby of the care-free mind, philosophy is the intelligent analysis of the implications of experience and a scientific theory evolved from such wise meditations for the purpose of regulating the functions responsible for the various experiences in the world. Philosophy is, therefore, the great art of the perfect life, a kind of life where the common notion of life is transcended and where the Supreme Life, which is identical with existence itself, is realised.

The philosophy taught by me is neither a dreamy, subjective, world-negating doctrine of illusion, nor a crude world-affirming theory of humanism. It is the theory of the divinity of the universe, the immortality of the soul of man, which is identical with the Absolute Self of the universe, there being an essential unity of everything in the universe with the highest Brahman, which is the only existing Reality. The Vedanta does not shut its eyes to the heart-rending pitiable condition of the world, nor does it ignore the body and the mind with their downward pull towards an empirical life, though the province of the Vedanta is supra-mundane.

INTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT

The one Brahman or the Supreme Self appears as the diverse universe in all the planes or degrees of its manifestation, and, therefore, the aspirant has to pay his homage to the lower manifestation before he steps into the higher. Sound health, clear understanding, deep knowledge, powerful will and moral integrity are all parts of the process of the realisation of the Ideal preached by the Vedanta. I insist on an all-round discipline of the lower self. The teachings of the Vedanta are not in conflict with Yoga, Bhakti or Karma. All these are blended together as elements constituting a whole in the several states of its experience.

To adjust, adapt and accommodate, to see good in everything and to bring to effective use all the principles of Nature in the process of the evolution of the individual towards Self-realisation along the path of an integrated adjustment of the human powers, are some of the main factors which go to build up my philosophy of life. To love all and to see God in all, to serve all, because God is all, to realise God as the identity of all in one fullness of perfection are the main canons. In all my writings I have prescribed methods for overcoming and mastering the physical, the vital, the mental and the intellectual planes of consciousness in order to enable the aspirant to proceed with his Sadhana without impediments towards this great spiritual destination, the realisation of the Absolute. The Vedanta is a philosophy and way of life which teaches the method of spiritual realisation, the direct experience of the immortal, the omnipresent nature of the Self, where the universe is realised as identical with the Self, where nothing second to the Self can exist, and as the result of this high realisation, the realised sage becomes the Saviour of the Universe, Sarva-bhuta-hite Ratah.

MY CREED

To behold the Atman or Self in every being or form, to feel the Brahmic consciousness everywhere, at all times and in all conditions of life, to see, to hear and taste and smell and feel everything as the Atman is my creed. To live in Brahman, to melt in Brahman and to merge and dissolve in Brahman is my creed. By dwelling in union with Brahman, to utilise the hands, mind, senses and the body for the service of humanity, to sing the Lord’s Names for elevating Bhaktas, to give instructions to sincere aspirants and to disseminate knowledge far and wide through books, pamphlets, leaflets, magazines and platform lectures is my creed.

To be a cosmic friend and a cosmic benefactor, a friend of the poor, the forlorn, the helpless and the fallen is my creed. It is my sacred creed to serve sick persons, to nurse them with care, sympathy and love, to cheer up the depressed, to infuse power and joy in all, to feel oneness with each and every creature and to treat all with equal vision. In my creed there are neither saints nor sinners, neither peasants nor kings, neither beggars nor emperors, neither friends nor foes, neither males nor females, neither Gurus nor Chelas. It is all Brahman. It is all Satchidananda.

SECRET OF ENERGY AND DYNAMIC WORK

I am now 72 (in 1958). I keep myself busy. I am always blissful and happy. I can do more work. I personally attend to hundreds of students at the Ashram and manage the affairs of the Divine Life Society, the Forest University, the General Hospital and guide thousands of students at far off places through correspondence. I pay much attention to the Printing Press and the despatches of useful books to the students, libraries and religious institutions. I can do more. The secret of my energy for the dynamic work is the keeping up of the Divine Consciousness throughout.

Change the angle of vision and be always happy and cheerful. See only good everywhere. Dance in joy. Saturate the mind with divine thoughts. You will at once feel tremendous, inner spiritual strength and spiritual power from within. The peace you enjoy now cannot be described in words. Adopt any method that can make your mind move inward, that can make the mind one-pointed and steady. Keep control over the senses. Have a careful vigil and intense faith. Develop will-power. Otherwise, Vikshepa and Alasya (oscillation and laziness) will overpower you.

HEALING THROUGH PRAYERS

All over the world, doctors experiment on the poor patients with so many medicines. How to expect a permanent and lasting cure when the doctors work with the selfish motive of earning more and more wealth? In the Ayurvedic system experts prepare genuine drugs from Himalayan plants, seeds and roots. They study the pulse of the patients and diagnose the case properly and prescribe effective medicines for bringing a permanent cure in the patients. The patients also should follow natural methods to a great extent and select suitable food-stuff and follow the instructions of the expert doctors.

In this Ashram I combine all the methods in the Sivananda General Hospital. There are expert doctors in all systems of medicine. In addition to this, I have great faith in the power of Mantra and grace of the Lord. Through special prayers conducted in the Lord Viswanath Mandir, I have seen miraculous cures of the hopeless cases even in distant places. I have tremendous faith in healing through prayers-healing of diseases by chanting of Mantras and prayers. The results are wonderful. The Lord’s Name is so effective. I call this NAMAPATHY.

The Ideal of Life – Self-Realization, Service, and Inner Perfection

The Ideal of Life is to rise from ignorance to wisdom, from selfishness to service, and from restlessness to inner peace. Human birth is not meant only for eating, sleeping, earning, enjoying, worrying, and struggling. A human being has the rare power to think, discriminate, love, serve, meditate, and realize the truth. When life is guided by a higher aim, every action becomes meaningful.

Many people think that success is the final goal. They run after wealth, status, pleasure, name, fame, comfort, and recognition. These things may have practical value, but they cannot give permanent satisfaction. Wealth may be lost, beauty fades, health changes, and praise can quickly turn into blame. If life depends only on outer achievements, peace remains uncertain.

The Ideal of Life is not escape from the world, but right understanding of it. Duties should be performed sincerely. Family, work, society, and responsibilities should not be neglected. But one should not become a slave of attachment, ego, and desire. The wise person lives in the world with balance, performs actions with care, and keeps the heart fixed on truth.

Vedanta teaches that the real self is not the body, mind, senses, ego, name, form, or social position. These are changing layers of experience. The body grows old, thoughts change, emotions rise and fall, and circumstances shift. But the witnessing consciousness remains present through all experiences. To know this true self is the highest spiritual discovery.

The Ideal of Life becomes clear when the seeker develops discrimination. One must learn to distinguish between the permanent and the temporary, the real and the unreal, the self and the non-self. Without discrimination, the mind runs after every attraction and becomes disturbed. With discrimination, life becomes steady, disciplined, and purposeful.

Purity of character is essential for higher living. Truthfulness, compassion, humility, self-control, forgiveness, patience, and simplicity make the mind fit for wisdom. A person may speak about spirituality, but if anger, greed, jealousy, pride, and selfishness remain strong, real progress is limited. Inner purification is more important than outer show.

The Ideal of Life also includes selfless service. A life lived only for oneself becomes narrow and dry. Service expands the heart and reduces ego. Helping the poor, comforting the troubled, guiding the confused, speaking kindly, doing one’s duty honestly, and sharing knowledge are all forms of spiritual practice when done without pride or expectation.

Devotion gives sweetness to life. Prayer, mantra repetition, worship, surrender, and remembrance of the Divine purify emotions and soften the heart. A life without devotion can become dry and egoistic. When devotion enters daily living, work becomes worship, duty becomes offering, and difficulties become opportunities for faith.

Meditation gives depth and steadiness. The seeker should sit quietly every day and observe the body, breath, thoughts, emotions, and ego. Everything observed is changing. The awareness that knows them remains unchanged. Resting in that awareness brings calmness, clarity, and inner strength. Slowly, the seeker learns to live from the center within.

The Ideal of Life should be practiced in small daily actions. Speak less harshly. Eat with moderation. Avoid useless gossip. Control anger. Forgive quickly. Serve quietly. Study noble teachings. Keep good company. Remember the Divine. Watch the mind. These simple practices gradually transform the personality and make life pure.

Good company is very important. The mind becomes like the people, books, thoughts, and environments it stays with. If one remains in careless, negative, selfish, or indulgent company, lower tendencies become stronger. Satsang, noble books, saints’ teachings, and association with sincere seekers give strength, inspiration, and direction.

The seeker should not become discouraged by slow progress. Spiritual growth takes patience. The mind may fall into old habits again and again. But every sincere effort has value. Every prayer, every act of restraint, every moment of meditation, and every selfless action purifies the heart. No noble effort is wasted.

A balanced life is necessary. One should not become lazy in the name of peace or restless in the name of ambition. Work, prayer, study, meditation, service, health, and silence should all have their place. A harmonious life protects the mind from extremes and supports steady growth.

In the end, The Ideal of Life is to know the true self, love all beings, serve without ego, live with purity, and realize inner freedom. Outer achievements may decorate life, but self-knowledge fulfills it. Through discrimination, devotion, meditation, discipline, service, and purity, the seeker rises above ignorance and discovers the peace, strength, and bliss of the eternal self.

The Royal Science and Brahma Vidya