Almost all individuals are initially in a state of ignorance or bondage. Spiritual ignorance is not related to one’s educational background. One could be a highly qualified professional, but spiritually ignorant or illiterate and still be spiritually evolved. The main characteristic of a bound person is ignorance of his true nature. He, therefore, thinks he is the body, strives to gain objects and gets attached to them thinking they are real.
As a result of meritorious acts of the past or the grace of the Lord, teacher, or even forced satsang, the ignorant man realises his miserable state and seeks to free himself. This is when his spiritual journey begins. Unable to bear his condition of bondage, he seeks to get out of the mess of his life. He or she becomes a mum-umksu. Desiring liberation alone, the seeker starts striving to reach his destination. He adopts suitable practices and is called a sadhak, an aspirant.
The sadhak sees himself as a servant of the Lord. Like a loyal servant, he carries out the commands given to him unquestioningly, with full faith and enthusiasm to please the master. Moreover, he sees himself as an instrument in the hands of the Lord. He is, therefore, free from likes and dislikes, anxieties and fears. He sees the world as the creative composition of the Lord, as a splendorous painting on a vast canvas, as a sensitive poetry of infinite emotions, as a scientific masterpiece of unbelievable wisdom. When we encounter nature at its best, our mind is uplifted, we become quiet and rested; we are freed from worldly transactions. When the entire world is seen as His creation, there is love and a readiness to serve all. There is joy in all actions.
The self-realised one knows himself to be the non-doer (akarta) of all actions. The sadhak has an attitude of being an instrument (karana). He knows that the Lord alone is the primary doer (mukhya karta). This attitude of karma-yoga purifies his mind. He is no more satisfied with his sadhana and seeks to know the truth. He seeks a guru.
Swami Tejomayananda, head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, is an orator, poet, singer, composer and storyteller. To find out more about Chinmaya Mission and Swamiji, visit www.chinmayamission.com
© Central Chinmaya Mission Trust
