You are utterly alone at the peak of achievement, or in the intense struggle of adversity. In the excitement of an adventure that tears down all restraints, or at the peak of ecstasy which you can share with no one else, you find a stillness or aloneness that is ennobling.
You are utterly alone at the peak of achievement, or in the intense struggle of adversity. In the excitement of an adventure that tears down all restraints, or at the peak of ecstasy which you can share with no one else, you find a stillness or aloneness that is ennobling.
Absence of bhoga (enjoyment) is often considered Vairāgya. The incessant craving to enjoy is, by itself, considered absence of Vairāgya.
What is it all about?
What indeed does the Sannyāsī do within him? We keep hearing of it as a profound inner journey, don’t we? Are there stages and milestones to the journey? Some landmarks with distinct indications to confirm that one is indeed on the right path? Is it a journey at all, or is it a topple-over to another land?
You and I operate from various kinds of pivots from within. Usually, these pivots define our character. This is who we are; this is how we are known to this world; this is how we introduce ourselves to this world. Let me explain.
A young man looks for a job. You ask him, ‘Why?’
‘Because, I want to make money’, he says.
‘Oh, you want to make money so that you are respected? Regarded by your parents, friends, family? So that your woman can now depend upon you?’, you ask in return.
You are utterly alone at the peak of achievement, or in the intense struggle of adversity. In the excitement of an adventure that tears down all restraints, or at the peak of ecstasy which you can share with no one else, you find a stillness or aloneness that is ennobling.
Copyright © 2022. Sudheendra Chaitanya. All Rights Reserved.
Sudheendra Chaitanya is a Hindu monk based in Bangalore, India. After completing Engineering, he studied the scriptures at Chinmaya Mission in 1991, and continued with Mission work until 2005.
He now chooses to spend time with himself, observing life—people and happenings—keenly, and his insights flow out as writings. As a serious investigator into the core issues of life, Sudheendraji connects to people and subjects of life alike…with intimate directness. He has also authored several books. Notable among them are Blooming in the Open, The How, What and Why of I and God and Personal Worship. In a lucid narrative, his writings deliver fundamental insights, ruthlessly searing through conditioned thoughts and beliefs, but nourishing the soul with care.
Sometimes nourishing, sometimes revealing…
