Appeared in Speaking Tree post on May 09, 2011
Each year, each birthday, which we love to ‘celebrate’ with as much fanfare
as possible, should remind us that it brings us closer to the day when, bidding
adieu to everything that we hold dear, we shall have to move on. The current of
the alluring world is strong, and its attractions powerful, pulling us
downstream, leaving us neither time nor inclination, to think about our onward
journey, the journey which begins after we have left this mortal body.
There was a rich industrialist who was inclined towards
spirituality. Often, his yearning for the Pure One was so strong, that he would
weep in silence. When the heart is full, it needs to be purged of its
impurities. It needs cleansing, and the prayer goes out in anguish, “Oh Lord,
heal me and bless me.” The same was the case with this rich man. Often he wept
tears of yearning in silence, but continued to live a luxurious life.
One day, when he was meditating in his garden, reflecting
upon the beauty of flowers, and the bounty of nature, he had a vision. The
vision profiled his onward journey. He saw in the vision that after the end of
this earthly journey, he had embarked on another journey.
The journey was long, arduous and exhausting. It continued
endlessly. And there were many obstacles he had to face on the way. The heat
was sizzling and unbearable; but there was no one to give him an umbrella to
protect him from the harsh sun. He was thirsty, but there was no river, no
well, to give him water to quench his thirst. He was hungry, but there was no
food to eat.
This super rich man, lapping up luxuries of earthly life,
safely ensconced in his comfort zone, suddenly finds himself alone and deprived
of comforts on this new journey. He awoke from his dream with a cold sweat on
his brow. It was only then that he realised that all worldly pleasures that he
was master of, would last only till the end of this earthly journey – the
onward journey to another sphere would be an all together different trip. At
that moment, his eyes opened to the truth. He realised that the vision was an
indication, to quit this life of extravagance, and prepare for the onward
journey.
He decided then and there that he would give up everything
and start a new life. But for that new life, the new path or new passage that
he had chosen, he needed a Guru, who would guide him. He moved out in search of
a Guru.
Each one of us has to embark on that unknown, seemingly
endless, onward journey. But are we prepared for it? Have we reflected on it?
Have we acquired means to equip ourselves well for that journey? All our time
is consumed by the mundane affairs of this life on earth.
Awake my dear ones, awake! And start your quest for a Guru,
who will guide you towards the door of Truth, which opens to the ‘Realm of
Light.’