Work to put on the new self
Most of us have worked for material comfort and financial security, yet there could be deep emptiness within. We believe that if we have what the affluent enjoy, then we too would be happy. Yet the bitter truth has shown that generally the rich and the powerful have to contend with psychological upheavals and is terrified facing life. Then again, one wrongly holds onto the notion that if circumstances were different, then one could be in a state of happiness.
Our nation is engrossed in building Shangri-La's, grandiose building projects, harbours, airports and super highways. The question needs to be asked whether this would heal the restlessness of people or the upheavals in society. On the contrary, we may be making people more alienated, making them mere prisoners in the castles we build. The so-called developed nations show the alienation we are talking about -- the widening gap between the rich and poor and the volatility in their economic dimension.
Most people may believe in the force of karma; the dynamics of cause and effect. We have to then surmise there is a Higher Intelligence that monitors and bestows according to the way we behave. Evil brings destruction and good lives bring blessings. We then need to go to places of religious worship not to obtain material benefits, but for inner power to live in a different way. The secret of successful living is to continuously give up our old way of living. This kind of living may give temporary satisfaction, but in the end will drag us down. Our transformed behaviour begins to change not only our inner experiences, but liberates family and society as well.
Each one is called to develop family and nation. There is work to do. When each builds his inner equilibrium, inner freedom and security, then nation and family would be built on firm foundations. We need to stop building our castles on sand. The more grandiose, the more precarious and greater the fall would be.
Let's put off our old self that urges selfishness, impurity, licentiousness, our excessive reverence for some person or thing, sorcery, jealousy, anger, dissensions, envy, drunkenness, pride and things like these. Those living this way would be unable to satisfy the deepest longings or their soul's hunger. Let's not become conceited, competing against each other or envying one another, instead help in solving the pathos of human misery. Only then would we be able to bring out from our hearts that new nature of love, joy, patience, generosity, self control, and concern for others that lay buried within. Surprisingly, the secular world is also seeking this treasure and knows not its hiding place, for it believes not in the spiritual.