TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Almost all of us are experts in drifting. We drift due to instantaneous forces that push us in their respective directions to the extent of them being small or big. There may also be other forces overriding the usual ones, big enough to keep on pushing us longer, maybe for several years, extending to the period of our lifetimes.

When we drift we imagine that we are moving. Our imaginations become our perceptions and our perceptions get transformed into our beliefs. The thought of our movement that we are convinced of makes us believe that we have our own ‘abilities’ to exert forces on our surroundings. As such, our case is no different from that of a drifting free electron in a matter; the only difference being that an electron, perhaps due to its not being a ‘live’ entity cannot think that it is capable of applying force on its surroundings. It, surely, doesn’t have any false notion about its ability to apply any forces on its surrounding contradictory to the natural laws.

There is no doubt that a few amongst us work hard with humility and devotion, make sacrifices and endeavour to learn to align their intellect with what is real. They are able to develop some understanding of the truth, at least the truth that can be practically used in one’s life. They are able to step ahead of the others instead of drifting with them. But, they often get tempted to rest for a while and enjoy the fruits of their assiduous efforts. A small rest and the bliss of praises being showered on them by their surroundings distract them away from the urgency of taking the next step. If they fail to take the next step; they either start drifting like others, or stagnate. Any stagnation is invariably followed by degeneration.

Drifting is being irrelevant; and the relevance cannot be achieved unless the next step is taken. Finding the right path is difficult, but not very difficult. Our ego may help us in finding the right path; but the same ego stands in our way to prevent us from taking the next step.

The thought of ‘success’ is suicidal in spirituality. The only thought that is consistent with spirituality is the ‘live’ thought of ‘perpetual movement’ towards the ultimate truth.                                             

PROMOD KUMAR SHARMA

[The writer of this blog is the author of “In Search of Our Wonderful Words” and “Mahatma A Scientist of the Intuitively Obvious”.]