Practical Approach
to Life And Living
(Published in ‘The Economic Times’
(‘Spiritual Quotient’ column) on 28th May, 2005)
The noted British writer, Horace Walpole had written more than 200 years before – “………the world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel”. Applied to all those who aspire for a worthy life, it is of utmost importance to eliminate particular undesirables in life, including those relationships, friendships and associations, which merely serve to act as retarding influences. Right priorities would also point out to the need for being business-like, precise and matter-of-fact with regard to most situations, even if this may temporarily offend certain persons or make oneself unpopular. In fact, modern time management concepts also stipulate the use of the word ‘NO’ (tactfully yet firmly) to those invitations, involvements and transactions, which do not contribute to one’s aspirations in life. This therefore is a great fulfilling and time-saving technique
The concept of ‘enlightened selfishness’, whereby the seeker of excellence obtains for himself clear priorities basing on his actual needs and aspirations in life has been echoed very powerfully by the modern writer, Ayn Rand. Man’s moral purpose, she urges should be his own happiness with productive achievement as his noblest activity and reason as his only absolute. “Your life, your achievement, your happiness, your person are of paramount importance……. An exalted view of self-esteem is a man’s most admirable quality”, she observes.
Guideline on adopting the right and appropriate approach and attitude towards each situation, person, relationship and aspect in life has been set out with precise clarity in the ancient Sanskrit work of Pathanjali in his ‘Yoga Sutras’ -[I, 33]. He suggests that the attitude of friendship (maitri) should be adopted to all issues which would generate joy and peace (Sukha), attitude of compassion (Karuna) to the suffering and the weak (Dukah), attitude of delight (Muditah) to issues involving holiness, piety and the sublime (Punya) and the attitude of indifference (Upekshana) to the sinful and the bad (Apunya). Such an approach, he notes would confer lasting happiness and peace of mind (Chittaprasadanam).
Evolving into effectiveness, clarity and obtaining freedom from the retarding influences in life would primarily therefore require that these aspects in life should be identified and eliminated. Sneers, protests, unpopularity and possibly even estrangements in consequence of this attitude of profound wisdom and inner conviction, could easily be put up with in this process of obtaining for oneself goodness, enduring joy (Chittaprasadanam) and also newer and more meaningful associations which this new- found life and approach would bring in abundance.
K.VIJAYARAGHAVAN
to Life And Living
(Published in ‘The Economic Times’
(‘Spiritual Quotient’ column) on 28th May, 2005)
The noted British writer, Horace Walpole had written more than 200 years before – “………the world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel”. Applied to all those who aspire for a worthy life, it is of utmost importance to eliminate particular undesirables in life, including those relationships, friendships and associations, which merely serve to act as retarding influences. Right priorities would also point out to the need for being business-like, precise and matter-of-fact with regard to most situations, even if this may temporarily offend certain persons or make oneself unpopular. In fact, modern time management concepts also stipulate the use of the word ‘NO’ (tactfully yet firmly) to those invitations, involvements and transactions, which do not contribute to one’s aspirations in life. This therefore is a great fulfilling and time-saving technique
The concept of ‘enlightened selfishness’, whereby the seeker of excellence obtains for himself clear priorities basing on his actual needs and aspirations in life has been echoed very powerfully by the modern writer, Ayn Rand. Man’s moral purpose, she urges should be his own happiness with productive achievement as his noblest activity and reason as his only absolute. “Your life, your achievement, your happiness, your person are of paramount importance……. An exalted view of self-esteem is a man’s most admirable quality”, she observes.
Guideline on adopting the right and appropriate approach and attitude towards each situation, person, relationship and aspect in life has been set out with precise clarity in the ancient Sanskrit work of Pathanjali in his ‘Yoga Sutras’ -[I, 33]. He suggests that the attitude of friendship (maitri) should be adopted to all issues which would generate joy and peace (Sukha), attitude of compassion (Karuna) to the suffering and the weak (Dukah), attitude of delight (Muditah) to issues involving holiness, piety and the sublime (Punya) and the attitude of indifference (Upekshana) to the sinful and the bad (Apunya). Such an approach, he notes would confer lasting happiness and peace of mind (Chittaprasadanam).
Evolving into effectiveness, clarity and obtaining freedom from the retarding influences in life would primarily therefore require that these aspects in life should be identified and eliminated. Sneers, protests, unpopularity and possibly even estrangements in consequence of this attitude of profound wisdom and inner conviction, could easily be put up with in this process of obtaining for oneself goodness, enduring joy (Chittaprasadanam) and also newer and more meaningful associations which this new- found life and approach would bring in abundance.
K.VIJAYARAGHAVAN
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