How We Understand Life

Life is such a complex phenomenon, that it cannot be easily understood.  The uncertainties of the events happening on our day to day lives, leaves us many a times, puzzled.  As we gasp for answers, to our mysterious questions seeking the wisdom of the sages, the knowledge of the spiritual masters, the insights of astrologers and so on, we take to one of the following paths. Looking at the way one approaches life, I could see that there are predominantly four ways or a blend of these four ways,  that constitutes one’s belief system. 

1. The belief in Karma

1. The belief in Destiny
   

1. The belief in Human Effort

1. The belief in  Divine presence

 

The belief in Karma:  Karma , in Indian philosophy, is the sum total of one's actions, good or bad, that are attached to the soul as it transmigrates, each new body , and each event experienced by that body being determined by previous karma. Some aspire to amass good karma and a good rebirth, but others, regarding all karma as bad, strive for release from the process of rebirth altogether. Those who believe in karma determine, all that happens to one, is a result of past karma.

 

The belief in Destiny: Destiny is about belief in fate, fortune, luck or whatsoever.  This sect of believers, patronize the astrologers and the fortune tellers. These people seek the advice of astrologers, when they feel some troubles shooting up in life. The forecasts are generally based on the identifying the planetary positions at the time of one’s birth and relating the same to the current planetary positions. The astrologer takes a looks at the natal chart and assess the situations and gives some recommendations. Believers heed to advice, such as performing some rituals or choosing the right days, right numbers and right colours, whatsoever to coping up during the difficult period. Some value additions, to this are numerology, palmistry, gemology, vasthu, and so on.

 

The belief in Human Effort: Then there are the most logical set of thinkers, who believe that work is the only way to progress. If something went wrong, then they try to analyze and find an answer, rather than contributing the cause to an external factor. They read and learn to update the skills, and have a positive attitude towards life. In spite, of the best of their efforts, they sometime fail and this is when they start looking for answers beyond the realm of logic.

 

The belief in Divine presence: There is another sect of people who believe in the omnipresence of the creator. What we are talking about is not religion, but the faith in a power beyond our imagination, which we call as “God”. By prayer, we strengthen our faith and take life as it comes. We attribute all good and bad happening in our life and around us, as divine deeds. It is the faith that, “the one who sows the seed, will see it grow through rain and sun.”

 

Our beliefs are shaped by our own choices and the resultant outcome and there is no right or wrong belief. I am reminded of the beautiful words of OSHO. “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived”. So, let us learn to accept life as it comes and enjoy the mystery unveiling before us, day after day.

   D. Senthil Kannan,

  Managing Trustee, PALMS, Tuticorin.

  Author of "Transformational Thoughts" - A Journey of learning 

  Email: senthilkannand@gmail.com