A Life Free of Problems

                Life can never be completely free of problems. Where only one person lives, there will be no problem, but when there is more than one person, problems become a given. The word ‘two’ in Sanskrit is ‘dwand’. I read it somewhere in a book. It means both ‘two’ and ‘conflict’. This is because no two people think alike, look alike or have similar tastes. So there are bound to be differences and judgments born thereof. This creates disharmony and tension. Then what is the solution to live a life of peace?

                Perceive truth at many levels is perhaps the most significant adjective to describe truth, for truth also has so many perspectives. Through our eyes, we can see anything as either this or that. As right or wrong, as black or white, as acceptable or not acceptable. With the possibility of different perceptions, there is always scope for difference of opinion and conflict.

                It is difficult for us to understand the truth. A person living in this world sees primarily the gross world and when he has the practical perspective then truth may hide itself from view. The greatest truth is truth of conduct. Do you know what we all are afraid of? We all are scared of sorrow. Today there is a lot of sorrow, fear and pain. Where there is a possession, there is fear. Where there is no possession, there is no fear.

                Equally true is the fact that a householder cannot be without a possessions. There is a solution to this also. If you cannot give up possessions, observe restraint. This is the solution to today’s problems that stem mostly from avarice and jealousy.

                The essence to a fearless life, a peaceful life, is through restraint…we need to have limits. The sky can be limitless but a human being cannot be… The human being has to set limits to all activities, whether the activity pertains to eating, housing, clothing, possessing ornaments and even money. Observe limits to consumption and possession….herein lies the magic that will bring the required balance in the consumerist culture of today. Limitless consumption is the reason for our problems….consumption is consuming us.

                We may consider our life at present. Diseases of the mind that are born within, from anger, delusion, ego and greed, are veiling the truth from our vision. All these passions are born with the desire to possess beyond our limits. Let us try to overcome our greed for possessions, then may be more of our ‘eyes’ will begin to open, as do petals of lotus once flower faces the radiance of sun rays.