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Short pieces |
LIFE, DEATH AND MAYA ( Page 2 ) |
Discussions with Dr. Pillai
on 3 /1 / 03 |
| P: ‘How do we attain Bliss?’ V: Bliss must be the goal of every one. Some think of it as heaven that we attain after our death. And we try hard in this life to attain this goal. But I firmly believe that bliss can be attained here in this life and that this must be our goal. This is very possible theoretically. But to what extent this is possible practically is a question that each one must sort out for oneself. I base these assumptions on a verse from the Bible and another verse from a poem of Kumaran Asan. In the first letter of John we read. “ He who lives in love lives in God and God in him”. Isn’t that simple. To live in God is heaven – bliss. For that all you need is to live in Love. This is what Aasan has to say: “Saswatha snehathe swargavum vellukilla” meaning; Even heaven cannot excel universal, ever-present love. |
| Is this too simple or simplistic? How can we make sense out of it? Let me put it this way. Peace and happiness are two essential prerequisites for enjoying bliss. You can have peace when and only when you live in love. When you are very good terms with everyone around you, when you love everyone around you, when there is no hatred, jealousy, or any such ill feeling towards any one you have peace. This peace will be shattered if there is a grain of ill feeling to anyone. The same thing is true about happiness. It is different from pleasure. You cannot be happy if you have any ill feeling to anyone. |
| This love we are talking of is the selfless love that is always there towards everyone. It is a way of life. “With malice towards none and charity for all” as Lincoln put it, is the best policy to have a foretaste of bliss. ‘To Love” is a positive commandment. There are no exceptions or conditions. To be indifferent to someone is not enough. Sat heart you must love every one. Charity begins at home but doesn’t end there. We are supposed to love our enemies even. For many this may not be an issue, as they may not have any enemies. To love those who are close at home also is not always easy. If it were easy any husband and wife to love one another there would have been no divorces and the family atmosphere in all the households would have been peaceful. But that is not the case. Your home can be made into heaven or hell depending on whether you love or hate each other. |
| One important thing in this connection is to remember to love those who hate you, slanders against you or try to hurt you. You must at least in your heart forgive him/her and forget the injury and pray for that party. The other party will feel the force of your love and be converted – will turn around. This kind of attitude can be achieved by developing your own positive self-image. You must consider yourself above those who involve in petty squabbles and rivalries. This kind of love is not a sacrifice on your part. It makes your life much easier and livable. It is a pleasure to live in this state of bliss. You have to rise to this level and this is not at all impossible. This is the sure way to enjoy bliss in this life and for all eternity. |