Handling life situations
Question
This is in continuation to your answer to a query from some one about handling last days of life, which triggered amny questions and doubts...
First of all, to attain that high state of surrender may be possible for 1 in some millions of people(Is this the state of sanyasa)
Till then doesn't one have his duties, such as not becoming a burden to others, taking care of his children, dependants, etc.
Even these duties seem to be coming out of fear,uncertainity and expectations for a common man, for eg, parents may want to have children so that they will take care of them during old age,etc.
So what should be the duty of a common man, who may not have attained such a perfect state of mind, or falling short of it. or even assuming that he may have a long way ahead to attain such a state.
One suggestion I have is doing ones duties(which is again very hazy and changing with time and situation) along with his sadhana. Would like to hear your opinion and further comments on this.
Answer
1. The Ego is always bound by its duties (as dictated by Prarabdha), even after self-realization (to the created Ego), till residence in the body & mind remains. So the advice applies to all, independent of spiritual attainment.
2. To whom do these responsibilities, fears or anxieties apply? They apply to the 'Ahamkara' (Ego), which one is not. So the way out is to indulge in Sadhana, Vichara (inquiry) & Vairagya (dispassion) along with honesty in one's Dharma (duty), and constantly remain detached from everything non-self, by holding on to the self. As this technique is come to terms with, one does not get affected by the happenings or non-happenings of life, just as an actor does not grieve in reality, further to playing the role of a grieving man in the drama.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)