'Enlightenment'

The other day I was watching one of the popular ‘Godmen’ giving sermons to the less enlightened and lowly souls seeking guidance. To be fair, I must acknowledge the oratorship abilities of the person in question. I was impressed. But, it also made me think. Are such men, who preach from a raised platform, untouched by the realities of everyday life of those leading a worldly existence, really the enlightened ones? Or, are the million other ‘lowly’ mortals, who lead their lives doing what they need to do routinely, yet, unbeknownst to them, practice what these Godmen preach, on a daily basis, trying their best, giving their all and striking a balance, the ones who should be sought after?

These so called ‘holy’ men, have seemingly sacrificed all that is materialistic and have devoted their lives to one common goal of attaining enlightenment and wisdom. Well, the extent of the materialistic renouncement by some can be clearly seen by the wealth they have accumulated in the name of God. HA! But, I am not talking of that aspect here. I am merely talking about the ‘profound' teachings they render to the others in ‘need’. They talk about stuff without really leading normal lives as ‘normal’ people do. It is easy to practice all the idealism in the world, if you can do away with all the duties and responsibilities that go hand in hand with a ‘normal’ worldly existence!

It is not their fault really. I am sure that they genuinely feel that they have something to offer that is lacking in the rest of mankind. I also acknowledge that most of the things they say might be very pertinent and profound sounding. But, I do not, for sure, think that they are the only ‘enlightened’ ones. In fact, I do not really hold them any higher than the other lesser mortals. With all due respect, if I had to, I would put them a bit lower on the rung, because, they have failed to lead a life ordained for them - the life of a human being, carrying out the duties, with all the complexities and responsibilities notwithstanding. How can one forgo the means that lead to the end? Why does one have to detach oneself from all that is ‘worldly’, to begin with, to attain that ‘enlightenment’?

I hold the belief that detachment is a consequence of, and, not means to enlightenment. It is not supposed to be forced upon oneself, but, should naturally come to us, which will be the case if we do manage to reach that stage of wisdom. Many people confuse detachment with self-restraint. You don't have to make an effort to become detached and if you have to do that, it is called self-restraint. Detachment is living alongside of the temptations without getting tempted, and, at the same time, not condemning the same. Detachment doesn't necessarily mean that you give up all that is worldly. It is being indifferent to the presence or absence of it all. And, it promotes respect for everything(object, subject or idea) in this world, however small or inconsequential, and, not abhorrence for them. To be considered above the rest, you have to do a little extra than the others. Not shun life as we know it and then come to all those conclusions about what’s best for the rest! Would you venture out with a person (however great a driver he is in his own world where there is minimal traffic), if he chooses to drive with his eyes closed? Exactly!

I know of people who lead their lives as they are supposed to, and, yet, they have incorporated all that is ‘wise’ and ‘ideal’ into it. They didn’t shun life, but, lived every moment of it, while practicing that. I would rather go to them if need be and learn some lessons, than seek the guidance of these ‘holy’ men who know hardly anything about life as we earthlings know it! Remember? They had renounced it way back when?!! I, also, hold the belief that every human being has been endowed with the ‘higher’ knowledge. In fact, many are practicing and incorporating it into their daily lives, as we speak, without even knowing it. And, even those who are seemingly lost, need only to be honest with themselves and I am sure that the immense wisdom that lies within them will reveal itself in no time. One can reach that stage by mere reflection of what’s within and without. We can for sure use the others who seem to know better by engaging them in discourses which can help us bring forth the dormant truth that lies within. Communication always helps us grow! But, eventually, we have to find it for ourselves. No amount of sermons or preaching can do that for us.

Then, there will be no need to run from pillar to post seeking ‘enlightenment’ from people who claim to have attained it without getting involved in the same process. They might sound deep, but, it is much easier said than done. The ultimate truth might be similar, but, the ways to reach it has to be different from each other. Both follow very different paths in their life’s journey and one can’t quite comprehend the other. There’s no doubt that people (not necessarily these much highlighted ‘Godmen’) have attained wisdom following the other path (and, believe me, it’s much easier their way) and I do not question that for one moment….To each his Own! What I am saying is, to reach the destination we might have to take certain detours which these men can’t ever decipher or teach. Their world is different from ours and so are their means and ends. We must use our own judgment and reasoning as to what to take and what to leave, from their experience.

To put it differently, it’s like the difference between having a perfect plan in your mind and actually executing it. Don’t we have to modify the plan when we start to play it out in real life situations? We have to find our own way around life and following these ‘prophets’ blindly is going to disorient us and lead to more chaos within. Every question has the same answer in my book- Oneself. There are immense possibilities within. The only thing we have to do is to be honest with ourselves. We all already know the truths, but, are just not aware of it yet. Seek thyself and thou shalt find it!