The
current affairs of the world, and the 'crisis in consciousness,' are brought on
by Ignorance (Avidya). When this ignorance is removed at the root, only
then will things improve for good. Until then, things will go up and things will
go down, and the drama of self-deception will continue. Now,
at one level, ignorance is quite natural and is an impetus for both self-exploration
and self-expression, which manifest through both culture and commerce. We are
born ignorant, and our ignorance makes us curious, and our curiosity leads to
creativity, ingenuity, and the 'expansion' and 'distribution' of arts, sciences,
and commerce, which should ultimately benefit everyone. However,
this is only possible when the roots (and not just the branches) of Ignorance
are removed. The roots of Ignorance lie in ignorance of the Self (Atman, and Paramatman).
This core ignorance can only be removed if we stop ignoring our Real Nature and
live our lives in accordance with our Dharma (the Law of our Being). Few people
seem inclined to live this way during the present cycle; instead, like Duryodhana of Mahabharat lore, they
deliberately choose to do the opposite of what is right. People who have made
the wrong choices over and over, again and again, begin to believe their own lies
and become entrenched in the cycle of violence (continually violating, or going
against, their own true self). When
ignorance is removed at the root, human beings (whether singularly, or united
as a whole nation), will nurture the spirit of generosity. In this case, arts,
sciences, and commerce do indeed benefit everyone. Otherwise, this Drama (Lila)
becomes a horror show. Eventually, people are horrified to the point that they
can no longer stand it. They revolt and ultimately revert to their
Real Self (Atman). They awaken from the nightmare and realize it was only a dream.
But of course, they also realize they will likely dream again, so it is important
to put the right impressions in the mind by doing the right actions now and tomorrow.
Right
actions lead to right results. Wrong actions (actions contrary to our Real Nature)
lead to wrong results (feelings, emotions, impulses, and memories which do not
align with our Real Nature). The play of duality is NOT reality---it is unreality.
Reality is changeless yet ever-new (Pranav, AUM). Unreality
is reality in contradistinction. Unreality is unstable, always changing, but always
the same old thing--stuck in images and misconceptions. Misconceptions
are born of misperception, and misperception is born of Ignorance, and Ignorance
(Avidya) is born of the union of Purush
and Prakriti (Energy and Matter), which are in reality
ever-united and inseparable (the latter being ever-pervaded by the former; or,
worded differently: the latter ever-existing in the former as potentiality). Hence,
the union of Purush and Prakriti is the beginning or basis of Avidya,
and non-duality (Advaita) is the basis or essence of
Vidya. The
knowledge of this world and everything in it constitutes Avidya,
and that which is beyond, and beyond the beyond, constitutes Vidya or Divine Wisdom. To
fully comprehend either, one must know both. ‘Knowing is doing.’ It is only though doing good actions in this
world without attachment that one can conquer death (temporal existence) and enjoy ecstasy (the nectar of immortality). This is the ultimate aim of the Game of Life.
This is Moksha. This is Salvation, Self-Realization, Nirvana,
the Highest Heaven, the Supreme Abode, the Final Destination, and the essence
and purpose of our existence. |