Essence Of Life – In Gita Verse 17.12 But the sacrifice performed for some material benefit, or for the sake of pride, O chief of the Bhāratas, you should know to be in the mode of passion.
This verse from the Bhagavad Gita highlights the importance of understanding the intentions behind our actions. Krishna explains that performing sacrifices or any actions solely for material gain or out of pride indicates being in the mode of passion. When one’s focus shifts towards external rewards or recognition, it leads to a distortion of the true purpose of life.
Krishna’s teaching emphasises the need to align our actions with selflessness and higher principles rather than personal desires. According to him, when the pursuit of material benefits or pride becomes the driving force behind our actions, it creates a barrier between ourselves and the true essence of life. By becoming too fixated on specific outcomes or personal agendas, we risk losing sight of the deeper meaning and purpose of our existence.
Therefore, Krishna’s teaching encourages individuals to cultivate a sense of selflessness, detachment, and spiritual awareness in their actions. By letting go of personal desires and ego-driven motivations, one can transcend the limitations of the material world and attain a deeper connection with the essence of life itself. This shift in perspective enables individuals to experience a profound sense of fulfilment and harmony with the universe, allowing them to live a more meaningful and purposeful life, as opposed to getting entangled in the cycle of desires and expectations.
Over centuries, individuals have been conditioned to pursue goals, destinations, and meanings, fostering a future-oriented mindset. Such pursuits ingrained by societal norms lead to a restless and discontent mentality, driven by aspirations and desires. When our focus is solely on these goals, we risk compromising and settling for less than what we truly deserve, seeking fulfilment through external validation and achievements. Liberation from this mental conditioning necessitates a mindful detachment from societal expectations, enabling individuals to break free from the chains of relentless goal-driven pursuits and find inner contentment. By shifting our focus from external outcomes to embracing the present moment and aligning actions with inner fulfilment, we can transcend the limitations imposed by external expectations and societal pressures, paving the way for a more authentic and fulfilling existence.
Living in the present moment facilitates transcending the mind’s constraints, as the mind predominantly thrives on future projections, hindering full presence. True enlightenment comes with the dissolution of ego and a connection with the true essence of existence, acknowledging the absence of a goal-driven pursuit.
The essence of life transcends purposes, meanings, or utilities, akin to poetry, embodying beauty and grace, devoid of the need for explanations. Letting go of the quest for goals and meanings liberates from the burden of expectations, embracing the sheer beauty and joy of existence in its purest form.
In the teachings of Krishna, there is a profound invitation to live a life liberated from the constraints of seeking a specific purpose or meaning. Krishna’s wisdom encourages individuals to embrace existence as it is, without imposing artificial constructs of goals or expectations onto it. He invites us to dwell in the present moment, fully immersed in the experience of life itself, transcending the need for external validation or defining our existence based on preconceived notions of purpose.
By advocating a life devoid of the relentless pursuit of meaning, Krishna guides us towards a state of acceptance and surrender to the inherent beauty and flow of life. He emphasises the importance of letting go of the constant need to seek validation or significance through external measures, and instead, embracing the simple yet profound reality of being present and engaged in each moment as it unfolds.
Krishna’s guidance serves as a reminder to shift our focus from seeking external validations or predetermined meanings to a state of inner contentment, where the essence of existence is experienced without the burden of expectations or the confines of a defined purpose. In this state of being, one can truly appreciate the beauty and depth of life’s unfolding journey, unencumbered by the limitations of seeking a specific purpose or meaning. Ultimately, Krishna’s teachings prompt us to live authentically, free from the impulse to find meaning externally, and instead, to discover the richness and fullness of life in each passing moment.
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