An extract from the book “Glimpses of the Divine Vision” by Swami Ramdas –
Section “Glory of Life”
·
What is required to set life free and make it blessed is to do
all actions in the spirit of perfect surrender to the will of the all-wise
Master - the master of your being and of the world existence. This is possible
in all the fields of activity in which you are placed in consonance with your
nature and attainments.
·
Life is a game with which you play as you play with a doll. All
the emotions and passions you exhibit in this play are the necessary and
inevitable movements of it. When you observe, as an unaffected witness, this
most wonderful game of life made up of the clash of ideals, interests and
thoughts, you realize that it is there before you only as a sport and nothing
else. The goal which Ramdas places before all people is nothing short of an
independence and freedom, born of the submission to the Divine Power which
controls, guides and actuates every individual in the course of his or her life
on this earth. To live like “dumb driven cattle” is not the purpose of life.
Each individual has to draw upon all the latent resources of his or her
existence in order to rise to the height of absolute freedom - a freedom by
virtue of which he or she yields, wherever it is necessary to yield, and stands
firm like a rock, wherever it is proper to do so. To be a timid creature
without firm convictions, vacillating at every passing breeze and circumstance,
is indeed to become an object of pity on the part of some and of derision on
the part of others.
·
“Success and failure be the same to you”, is a truism to be
realized in order to attain a peaceful mind. Whatever God determines should be
implicitly believed as for the best. Really, every loss, failure and misfortune
is pregnant with absolute good. It must be recognized with full faith that, at
the back of the relative mind, exists a Divinity which causes all its workings -
a Divinity which is the very abode of peace and bliss.
·
Success in life depends upon a daring and determined course
taken up through unshakable faith and confidence. Vacillation is the greatest
handicap to success. By taking complete refuge in the Almighty, you should
decide upon a definite line of action, and then, by an unflinching
perseverance, carry it out through good or ill. When taking such a step, do not
rely for help and guidance from anybody in the world except upon your Self. God
- the great Self in you - is your help and guide in all matters. In accordance
with His command pursue any path which He prompts you to. All power, strength
and wisdom are within you, because the great Self who is all these is your true
being. He will see that your life is a magnificent success. Harbour no doubts
or misgivings. Faith and grit win the race. Strengthen your will by surrender
to the Divine Will. Turn your mind within for divine peace. Rouse yourself in
every way and bravely fight this battle of life, which is a battle for all
alike, and come out triumphant as a soldier of love and peace and goodwill.
·
Life is a perpetual adjustment and readjustment - it is an
ever-changing movement on the surface but in its depths it is perfect calmness,
peace and stillness. Since universal motion is a wave from the infinite silence
and repose, it has the nature of the source from which it has sprung. So, bliss
is the beginning, the middle and the end of all things - be it static or
dynamic.
·
Really, human life becomes blessed when God brings about
occasions for turning its course towards Himself. Thereafter God takes up such
a life and controls it according to His supreme will, which works always for
good. Life, in every condition can be lived in freedom and joy, provided the
soul within remains unattached to external forms of life. When the flow of life
becomes spontaneous, it is always surcharged with the glory of pure love and
service. What a splendid gift is human life! The man who does not behold the
finger of God working in all events and happenings experiences needless
suffering. Therefore, peace and contentment belong only to those who have
submitted, in all the vicissitudes of life, to the supreme will of God.
