The highest level of satisfaction

<b>JOY OF BEING</b>

July 12, 2012 08:18 pm | Updated 08:19 pm IST - MADURAI:

As human beings we all intend to achieve something in our lives. Once we reach there, again our intention is stretched or our mind searches beyond that achievement and this race cycle continues for ever. Is this because there is no limit to satisfaction? Is it right to have always a racing thirst? How to reach the highest level of satisfying destination in any desired activity?S Rajasekaran

The laws of Nature seem to be such that there is no limit for our satisfaction. This may be due to the need to impel one into action. However, knowing there is no limit to our desires especially for possession or control of others or even events we will need to develop moderation in acting when desire arises.

There is no right or wrong about having a desire as long as it does not harm others. What is important is the attitude with which one acts. By labelling a desire as good or bad or right or wrong we will only fuel a mental ownership and argument. This serves no purpose except as a time pass and causes anger, doubt, distress etc., to arise.

The highest level of satisfaction a person can attain is ‘pure happiness’ or Bliss. Unfortunately this cannot be attained through the outcome of any activity unless one calls the stilling of the Mind or complete surrender of the outcome or lack of ownership or identify with the action or outcomes as ‘activities’ in themselves.

Therefore to answer in summary there seems to be no limit to our desires (the quantity of food which can be taken may be termed as a limit our stomach becomes full, however quality can cause ‘more’ to be desired for). There is no need to sit on judgement whether it is correct or not to have desires but the solution to reach the highest level of satisfaction is to first ‘desire’ pure happiness or Bliss and aspire for it always even when acting to fulfil any other desires which may arise by giving up ownership of the outcomes and enjoy the process. This would mean the actions may be the same but the attitude would be different between a normal person and a seeker of happiness.

I do not meditate nor go to temples. But I strongly believe that having born, leaving this world is certain. I have more than what I need to sustain myself and I have made a self-commitment to help as many poor as possible to pursue their education, for, I believe that a person, girl or boy, well qualified academically, will bring happiness and prosperity to the family. I visualize this and I have a sense of satisfaction that God has helped me to help the poor. I have a detached attachment for this worldly pleasure. Of late, I have consciously developed and nurtured the belief that death is inevitable and what matters most is the smile and happiness I bring for the poor. am convinced that my belief is correct. Your comment on this is requested and if you agree that I am on the right path, how do I continue to sustain this state of mind?T. Srinivasan

Amongst all actions no doubt helping others do well in life is one of the most noble and ideal actions. The only issue is the reason why this activity is pursued needs to be clear. Is it due to the happiness it gives one in the action or the satisfaction one feels that one has helped others? If it is the second, it may not sustain for long. This is because someone may criticize or there may not be enough praise of one’s actions to warrant the need to continue this activity.

Therefore the way to sustain this activity or state of Mind is to give up all ownership of the actions and surrender it to humanity in general. The problem is that the actions of the person who has surrendered all ownership or the one who has not, need not necessarily be different, therefore only that person can know when observing himself with what attitude he is doing the action.

I am a regular reader of this column. I have this question for a long time in my mind. Can you answer it for me and the benefit of all similar people who might have the same thought? Is everything that happens in our life due to destiny (or karma)? Everything pre-ordained? Does that mean there is no place for betterment? Is there any way that this destiny can change? If so How?S Kannan

This question is answered by Sage Vasishta to Lord Rama. The answer to this question cannot be easily understood by our Mind and it will twist the answer to justify either lack of effort or its desires. Therefore the way to answer the question to oneself is that first we need to rise above destiny or Karma in this birth (or try for it at least) itself by dropping all ownership of outcomes. Nature and Her Gunas impel us to act and therefore we need to enjoy their play on one. Once this ‘observer’ status is attempted for, one can be sure our destiny has become for the better or changed. Even if the outcome we expect out of this (say permanent happiness) takes time, it does not matter as one has surrendered the outcome and is enjoying the effort.

Destiny can be changed once the identification shifts from Mind/Body consciousness to the Inner Soul and then the Infinite, i.e one becomes completely identified with the Soul/Infinite. Therefore, there is always a place for betterment through non-identification with one’s thoughts, emotions etc., and become the ‘watcher’ or ‘observer’. It is essential that we practice sincerely giving up ownership of our thoughts and emotions and ‘still’ the Mind to enable find ‘Our Selves’ and better our Life.

(Feedback and questions may be emailed to joyofbeingrd@gmail.com)

(The writer is the Joint Managing Director of TVS & Sons Ltd., and MD, TVS Logistics).

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