Life’s goal: Simple living, high thinking

Shastra defines real comfort as something that comes without anxiety

By Sri Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa Prabhu

Hyderabad: A famous news channel published an article about increasing interest among people for a slow-paced lifestyle. The article states, “The main reason for this shift is the rising level of pressure in modern life from constant connectivity, pursuit of success, and demanding work schedules, which has resulted in increasing stress and anxiety levels thus making experiences feel less fulfilling. Even if friends live nearby, a busy schedule can make it hard to connect and socialise with them.”

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Sounds familiar? Feel for a change in your lifestyle for good? Although the current life can afford comfort, it comes at a cost. Shastra defines real comfort as something that comes without anxiety!

Reasons for Anxiety

Srimad Bhagavatam explains that, one always remains full of anxiety if he thinks, “I am this body, and everything belonging to this body is mine.” Focusing on the temporary is the cause of anxiety!

Anxiety comes from ignorance of our true identity. The Bhagavad Gita explains that we are not these bodies but spirit souls having an earthly experience in this World!

Happiness is life’s goal

All Shastras declare that living entities in any form are always seeking happiness. Since they are spiritual in nature, they always seek spiritual happiness, but they are trying to derive that pleasure from material forms, objects and facilities and are, hence, constantly dissatisfied.

Our Acharya, Srila Prabhupada, the Founder, Acharya of the Worldwide Hare Krishna Movement, gives a beautiful example. A man has a lovely bird inside an equally beautiful cage. Every day, he cleans the cage, repairs it, polishes it, and colours it as needed. But he forgot to feed the bird!

Similarly, we, the spirit souls, are caged inside this body. We want spiritual happiness but are busy polishing and caring for these bodies! Hence, people are frustrated despite having a “Good” life. Hence, the Shastras prescribe that one should mould his life so that one can find time for spiritual pursuits and reduce focus on a complex lifestyle. Lord Krishna throws light on fast-paced life in BG:

“Those who are on the spiritual path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.” (BG 2.41)

Some tips for simple living and high thinking :

● A precise formula to make life simple and light automatically is that one should get rid of all the things that don’t serve Krishna.

● Don’t live for showing off yourself. Live for Krishna. Recognise that we are tiny servants and sons of Krishna! Don’t get involved in gossip, rumours, or mudslinging. Always talk about Krishna. If you want to do charity, give it to Krishna.

● Develop the habit of getting up early, by 5 am, and then practice a Sadhana of Japa Meditation by chanting and hearing the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra.

(Author is President, Hare Krishna Movement, Hyderabad, and Regional President, Akshaya Patra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh)