realising the Self in this life, & so they are
unwilling to sacrifice health or peace of mind for such an elusive
and distant goal. The outer instruments for mortal man are not
fit to endure the severe rigours of this spiritual journey or face its
subtle & and formidable dangers. Self Actualisation can only come
from immense Grace Divine.
Ordinary mundane people find it difficult to make spiritual progress
their sole concern in life although they may have committed themselves
to it in a general way. For them, an integral scheme of life in which the
considerations of health & secular values receive as much attention
as spiritual orientation is what is needed. This present article is meant
for such seekers.
The Self as the basis of all Love
Why do we collect wealth ? For whose sake is wealth loved ? It is for
the sake of the Self. Why do we love our wife & children ? For whose
sake is the wife & children loved? It is for the sake of the Self.
Everything in the universe – husband,wife,children, everything – is loved
for the sake of oneself. The Self, when known, everything is known.
What do we mean by oneself here ? Vedanta speaks of two selves
in man – a lower self and a higher Self. The lower self, regarded as
the false self, is the sum total of one’s instincts, drives & impulses.
The higher Self refers to the pure Atman which is regarded as the true
nature of man. Vedanta states that the lower self, if left uncontrolled,
will act as one’s own enemy, and, if