on celibacy

Hello Sagar,

The one and very important fact which each one of us should remember is that God - The Almighty is the most impartial, just and kind entity ever to have been and ever to be. This entire universe is his creation and each and every soul is a fragmented part of him which is as divine and blissful in nature as he himself. The layers of 'avidya' or ignorance surrounding our soul make us forget our true nature of unparalleled bliss and go in search of temporary and impermanent sense pleasures which are really not pleasures at all but doorways to pain and suffering. When we strive for something and succeed, we wrongly assume ourselves to be the doers responsible for our success and walk proud with our head held high. But when we strive for something and fail, we blame God for the failure and curse him for the stroke of bad luck. Does this make sense? Isn't there something fundamentally wrong in this concept?

The real concept, the real fact and what we may call absolute reality is something quite different. God, in his divine cosmic dream drama called life has set a particular part to be played by each and everyone of us. We are all actors in this dream drama of his and he is the director. Being the director, God decides which part each and every one of us should play. He decides that one of us should play the part of a Lawyer - and no matter how hard this man tries to become a doctor, he will fail and will only end up taking up a law course and practice law. Another man might study law with a desire to practice law but after a few years of his practice, he gets the chance to set up a business and becomes a businessman altogether giving up his law practice. What does this show? It shows us that it is not we who decide what we should become or not become in life but that there is a very powerful force above us which has already decided what each and everyone of us should do. This great force has already cast us in a particular part in the life-drama.

It is an act of ignorance when people credit themselves with the success they achieve and tell themselves and others how smart they have been in reaching such a state in life or in having acquired such wealth, title or position. The reality is that it was co-incidental that they happened to choose the very same profession that God had already chosen for them in his life-drama and thus it appeared as though they were the cause behind the spectacular success.

Q1. So what is the right approach to life?
Q2. How should one decide what to do and what not to do?
Q3. What should be the central theme around which one should hinge his life objective?

A/Q1: Ours is not to question, interject, make others responsible or to blame anyone. Ours is to put in our best efforts and then be silent and witness. Based on our past karma, our present efforts and his own decision in deciding which part we shall play in the life-drama, God will show us a way and will make us do what we have to do in this life whether we want it or not. Our right is to the action alone and never to the fruits. Let us do our part as actors with honesty, sincerity and truthfulness... HE will decide the outcome and that is not our concern. Keeping this in mind and moving along with the current in the river, our life becomes smooth and easy.

A/Q2: Each and everyone of us are connected to the Lord through strings that he holds. We are like puppets controlled by the puppeteer. Immaterial of whether the puppet wants to dance or not, the puppeteer will make it dance if he so decides as it is he who holds the strings. When we put in our best efforts and stand aside watching silently, God will let us know in what direction our next step should be. Let us not be attached to our actions or have expectations regarding the outcome. Let us be neutral and flexible. Then we become fully in synchrony and in match with HIS pull of strings. As soon as there is no resistance from our side at the pull of strings, there is no more pain, worry or unhappiness.

A/Q3: The central theme around which one should hinge his life objective should be realization of the master super power called GOD. Things like our profession, our likes, dislikes, success and failure are only events which occur in this life-drama. They have no bearing on absolute reality. Let us not waste our time and energy getting caught up with these petty things of little value. Based on HIS divine will, God will decide what each and everyone of us should become or not become. Let us work hard at the opportunities he gives us and watch silently on what happens, all the time being unattached to the fruits of our actions and fully attached to HIM -The Almighty/All pervading master of masters. He will take care of us and show us the way.

God bless and have a nice day :-)
Dhananjay