subject: Understanding The Flow Of Life Leads To Abiding Peace [print this page] Deep inner peace is possible through understanding the complex flow of life in which we are caught. Being wrapped up in some self-centered activities, religious or otherwise, can only lead to a life driven by egoism, full of conflicts and mediocrity.
An important issue in life is to comprehend the larger context in which our individual lives are transpiring. Life on this planet moves like a large flow in which we are all caught. This flow is referred to as Prakriti in Sanskrit. It would be helpful to know how this flow affects us and how we respond to it. The associated understanding brings about some inner transformation that frees us from being at the mercy of the flow. We begin to appreciate the deeper currents of life and sense something beyond the ordinary. The river as a matter of water flow serves as an apt metaphor for Prakriti. Here we explore the spiritual aspects of this metaphor briefly.
Assume that a person is submerged in a river and is moved along by its flow. Let us also assume that he has been like this from his birth. Since water is all around him from the beginning, he can be quite unaware of his submergence. This is how we are unaware of the Prakritis influence on us, being submerged in it from ones birth. The river flow keeps moving the submerged person here and there akin to Prakriti moving us through different circumstances. The river can take us along a smooth flow making us enjoy its buoyancy and the ride. Sometimes we get hit by rocks or get caught in the weeds and suffer. Similar situations in Prakriti are recognizable. With some understanding of the river flow, we can deflect ourselves by moving our limbs so that we dont get hit by the rocks or get entangled by the weeds. This corresponds to the practical wisdom in our lives.
Most of us are functioning in this submerged situation. Some people, however, bring their heads above the water. (This is akin to entering a higher order of awareness in life.) The scenario changes all at once. One can see the river water between the banks, stars, sky, clouds etc. We heave a sigh of relief and say So, this is what is happening! The relief comes from the realization that there is a possibility of releasing ourselves from the force of the flow because it is clear that the flow zone is limited and it is only a part of the whole truth. We also notice many other things such as the shoals, trees, grass etc. Simultaneously, it is sensed that moving on to the banks, the flow can no longer affect us. In the submerged state, the minds awareness of things is very limited. After we come above the surface, our awareness expands and correspondingly our perspective changes. Seeing the possibility of release, we wonder how to go to the banks. Through the heightened awareness, we learn to use our hands and feet properly and navigate ourselves across the river to the shore. Sooner or later, we reach the banks and move over it. We are out of the river. This is Liberation. The liberated person is no longer affected by karma which is the essential controlling factor in Prakriti. The person is reunited with Divinity and is in bliss forever. Just as the person on the banks is free from the momentum of the river flow, the Enlightened Person is free from the force of Prakriti.
Natures great beauties are revealed after we come above the waters. We notice a similar happening in the mental field after we become esoteric in our approach. This makes us gain a lot of trust in life and in the Unknown. Obviously, such trust leads to a peaceful life.
For a more detailed discussion on this metaphor, visit the website: http://spirituality.yolasite.com
