Who can forget one of the most wonderful aphorisms to have been shown on the celluloid, from the movie Shawshank Redemption. "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and good things never die". I hear people talking about never losing hope in life and believing in "Whatever happens happens for the best?" .
"Dont worry, God has the best things in store for you". "Be courageous and look forward to the future, be optimistic". Aren't these supportive caring words from near and dear ones words necessary whenever things are not looking up. Don't they instill in you a lost confidence, a lost trust.
Optimism, faith, hope, God all being convoluted and intertwined concepts sometimes beyond comprehension.
The labyrinths of human nature has always intrigued me. When things are down, our emotions go through a cycle. First we feel disappointed and depressed. In this phase there is a feeling of hopelessness.Then after a while we feel angry - angry over destiny and faith. We blame God, we look for reasons, we blame whoever is responsible. Human ego never lets us blame ourselves. Then we solicit help. We try to talk to the close ones, share our anxieties and concerns. After some time we again become optimistic and start looking forward to a brighter future. Maybe this is the reason why they say "Time is the best healer". The sore times and how we react under such circumstances stand testimony to our conviction and inner strength.
Sometimes I wonder, "aren't faith, hope and optimism just a bait to push us forward in performing our actions. Is it always necessary to get the best in life? Is it true that temporary set backs are a part of a larger radiant picture of life that God has in store for us? What is pessimism, what is optimism? Doesn't optimism lead to future pessimism, if things don't work out? If not then is human hope and faith eternal? Does God exist? If yes, how much of a control does God have on anybody's life?. Is there a dependency between our actions and results? Who is affecting our actions and who is affecting our results? If God controls our actions and actions cause results, what is our purpose in the scheme of things?. What should be our take on life?".
Probably these questions might be complex enough to not have specific answers. Maybe they might be the questions that man has been trying to answer since ancient civilizations.
It is in this context that quotes from the Geeta like
"Karmanye Vadhikarasthe, Ma Phaleshu Kadachana", concepts like an unwavering, steady mind - the trait and character of a "sthitapragna", make them essentially the crux of its teachings.
"When a person gives up all the desires in his thoughtful state and when his inner self is satisfied within itself, at that time he is said to be a 'sthithapragna' ( a master in the stability of mind)"
"Undisturbed amidst three fold miseries, immobile in happiness, free from attraction, fear and anger, is called a sage of stable mind."
"Who is everywhere without affection, who does not praise or loathe auspicious or inauspicious events, his mind is stabilized."
"The knower of Brahman, stable of mind, established in the Supreme Brahman, shows no sign of rejoice when he achieves the objects of his desire nor agitation when unpleasant things happen to him."
"Unattached to external sense objects, immersed in himself, he remains blissful. Establishing his self in Brahman, such a Brahma yogi enjoys unlimited happiness."Are these verses only for the spiritual yogis? Can a common man achieve a state of uncluttered mind?
Our efforts should be aimed at realizing a simple fact that both Good and Bad things do happen in life. And that there is only a limited relationship between efforts and results. Hence the Gita calls out for "desireless actions". We should at least make an effort in trying to perform actions without having hope and consequences as our prime objective. Ain't that difficult. Yes it is!
To add, One of my favorite Kishore da songs
Yeh Jeevan Hai, Is Jeevan Ka
Yahi Hai - Yahi Hai - Yahi Hai Rungroop
Thode Ghum Hain, Thodi Khushiyan
Yahi Hai - Yahi Hai - Yahi Hai Chaon Dhoop
Yeh Jeevan Hai...
Yeh Na Socho Isme Apni Haar Hai Ke Jeet Hai
Ise Apna Lo Jo Bhi Jeevan Ki Reet Hai
Yeh Zid Chodo, Bandhan Yuh Na Todo
Har Pal Ek Darpan Hai
Yeh Jeevan Hai...
Lastly, I would like to quote my favorite teacher TNS' discussion on this topic. "Life is a Sine Wave Kanree. At Pi/2 we are happy, At 3pi/2 we are sad. But realize that after 3pi/2 we have a 5pi/2. When you reach 5pi/2 don't become complacent kanree because 7pi/2 is approaching!". - More than Maths, I owe to this teaching of yours Sir.
