Death – In Gita Verse 2.72 That is the way of the spiritual and godly life, after attaining which a man is not bewildered. If one is thus situated even at the hour of death, one can enter into the kingdom of God.
O Arjuna, seeker of salvation, this is the Brahmi state, the attainment of Brahman, after which the soul is free from attachments. In this elevated state, even a moment of realisation can lead to liberation. The sorrow you experience is a blessing, for it serves as a catalyst to ascend to this divine state. Krishna understood and harnessed Arjuna’s sorrow, transforming it into a tool for spiritual elevation.
Had Arjuna sought the counsel of a psychologist, the approach would have been markedly different. A psychologist might have aimed to normalise his feelings, suggesting that such anxiety is natural in the face of war. They might have recommended therapeutic interventions like electric shocks or insulin injections to mitigate his distress. However, Krishna’s approach was profoundly creative. He accepted Arjuna’s sorrow and used it as a means to propel him higher spiritually, rather than merely alleviating his distress.
True knowledge has the power to turn a curse into a blessing. If it cannot achieve this transformation, it is not genuine knowledge. Krishna’s wisdom sought to convert Arjuna’s sorrow into a boon, employing it creatively for his spiritual growth. This approach exemplifies what can be termed as creative psychology, a future-oriented discipline that not only helps individuals cope with societal norms but also uses their inner turmoil for the transformation of their soul.
Krishna’s psychology is not ordinary; it is transformative. It seeks to turn base emotions, like sorrow, into higher states of consciousness, much like turning coal into diamonds. Arjuna, initially overwhelmed by his sorrow, was guided by Krishna to use this emotional state as a stepping stone to attain Brahmi status. This transformation is a testament to the power of creative psychology.
Krishna teaches that through personal experience, not just doctrine, one can realise the soul’s true nature. This realisation leads to a state where nothing can disturb or bewilder an individual. Even at the moment of death, such a person remains blissful, entering the kingdom of God, symbolising a merger with the divine self.
A comprehensive understanding of life necessitates an understanding of death, as they are fundamentally interconnected and organic. The pervasive fear of death has fostered a misleading dichotomy that positions life as inherently desirable and death as something to be avoided. This perspective engenders perpetual discontent, as it obstructs our ability to genuinely engage with life. Efforts to shield oneself from death ultimately hinder the capacity to fully experience life, thereby disrupting the natural continuum of existence.
To truly live, one must be ready to die. It is not life that fears death, but the ego. Life and death are not opposites; rather, the ego stands in opposition to both. The ego fears living because every step towards life brings one closer to death. Therefore, overcoming the fear of death is essential for embracing life fully.
The Zen attitude towards death is one of laughter and joy, reflecting a deep understanding that life and death are not separate. Death is the ultimate culmination of life, not its end. It is a friend that makes life possible. Embracing death with laughter frees one from all fears, leading to true freedom.
Other religions often offer consolation by asserting the immortality of the soul, suggesting that one will continue to exist in some form after death. This idea provides comfort but also perpetuates a clinging to existence. In contrast, Zen teaches that there is no individual self to die. Life and death are processes in which the self does not play a central role. This profound understanding liberates one from the fear of death, as there is no self to worry about.
Krishna lived his life as a divine play, facing every circumstance without taking anything too seriously. He advises Arjuna to realise his true self through personal experience, emphasising that life is not serious but a cosmic play. By participating in this play with awareness, even in the face of death, one can remain unperturbed and merge with the divine. Death, then, becomes the ultimate experience of one’s vastness and godliness.
Tags: Death
