Small, But Vital Link

In the first volume of the compilation of his cartoons, R K Laxman, in his preface, refers to “nature’s reminder to all to take things easy and that nothing is so important”. Grasping and applying the spirit of such words of wisdom enables the aspirant to feel his transition from resistance to acceptance, from clinging to let-go , from stiffness to easiness and from a world of self-centredness and cloistered existence to one of broadness in outlook and opportunities all over.

Evolving into this broadness centres on the realisation that one is after all a freak occurrence in this tumultuous world of innumerables, where there is immense poverty and suffering and where his own problems matter little but to the cloistered world of his own making. This realisation is not just a philosophical exercise but a giant leap to an evolution, where one actually becomes the principal beneficiary. Not ever being obsessed by the fruits of action and working without motive, this true seeker learns to channel his energy to productive and rewarding work, freed of effort thus far wasted in brooding, anxieties and scheming.

This approach also illustrates the concept in a Sanskrit quote, “One who sees himself in all creation is the one who is really learned” . Such a truly learned person, also learns thus to be a vital, though a small link in the vast chain of happenings around him — a link that connects to other links, infusing strength to them too! And this link very much goes to make a life beautiful (sundaram), contributing to the welfare of all those around!