THE SHINING EXAMPLE
An enlightened man is extremely rare to find in this world. When we do come to know about one and our lives are touched by him, the impact is tremendous. Just the dim awareness of his state of being gives our life a new direction. It awakens us from a very long, deep slumber and sets us on a path which we had neglected all along.
How much energy we waste on the countless and endless matters of the world! After all that, we find we have hardly reached anywhere. Then we see how different the case is, with a realized soul. He has nothing with him and yet seems to have everything. He too lives in the same world of constant change, of innumerable limitations, but nothing seems to matter to him. Though time passes for him too like it does for all of us, his state of being appears to have a timeless quality to it. He is cool, calm and collected even in a crisis. He is strong and stable like a rock. Even death seems to be a small affair for him.
Profound peace emanates from him. There is no conflict in his consciousness. He is naturally integrated and whole. There is no fragmentation of personality. This wholeness makes people refer to him as, ‘his holiness’. Childlike simplicity coexists with great, pure wisdom in him. Though he keeps away from the corridors of power of this world, enormous power resides in him which can totally transform even emperors. Abandoning any role in the petty struggles of people around him, he works in the subtle domain that tackles root causes of humanity’s problems.
Uncontaminated detachment is his wealth. When the urges for pleasure, possessions and power have ebbed out, the undying energy of the soul does not get dissipated any more in pursuit of illusions. The wise man’s dispassion manifests as limitless compassion for all living beings. Expecting nothing in return, of course, he renders help to people – sometimes without even their knowledge.
Established in the Self, he is free from the self. His conduct has the fragrance of universal love. His sweet nature makes him lovable by all. Absence of personal desires removes psychological boundaries between others and him. No wonder people feel one with him. Sometimes they get answers to their doubts in his mere presence. At other times he acts as a mirror for them to know themselves better.
Tormented by life’s unending troubles, we often feel frustrated. At such times, the shining example of a sage, who is also in flesh and blood like we are, brings new hope and fills with fresh courage. We bow down to these men of wisdom.
Swami Chidananda
Varanasi, November 8, 2006