Retire or not ? It doesn’t matter anymore
As I prepared to go to bed last night the mind ruminated over the way my days are since returning from India. There is hardly any time for leisure activities during the week. Morning time in Pune was relaxed at home. I used to get a good 20 minutes walk each way from home to the hospital. Now it is replaced by sitting in the car and driving to work in the dark and sometimes even returning home after dark. Once home, I have to figure out what to fix for dinner and next day’s lunch. Work is much more busy than it was in Pune. There are a million things to juggle in between work and preparing meals.
Is it time to cut back on work?
What will I achieve by doing that ?
Just that thought brought some valuable insights.
Had it not been for parmarth I would have the temptation to and very likely cut back on work at this stage.
Parmarth!!
The golden word!!
What is parmarth? Param plus artha.
Literal meaning of the term is Highest Meaning or Ultimate Meaning, ultimate cause. We can even say Ultimate Meaningfulness!
The journey on the path of spirituality is called Parmarth. Those who walk on that path would appreciate the difference it makes in their lives. On the outside, work is work, stress is stress. But alongside it matters whether within the person there is emptiness or it is filled with meaning. When there is emptiness the person is vulnerable to easy breakdown. In contrast when life gathers meaning work assumes a different purpose.
When I compared my two options of working the way I am currently here vs more relaxed schedule as I had in the previous four months I realized that they simply looked different on the outside. On the inside, the 24 hours of the day would be spent in the same spirit no matter what I did and how I spent the time. Time for personal relaxation on the outside becomes a secondary thing when you look from the deepest core of your existence.
In that moment of introspection it was inevitable to think of the folks who work hard day and night, whether in the US, India or anywhere else. It is indeed very hard from all angles. Making ends meet, raising kids, handling the effects of stress and strain at multiple levels, balancing relationships and what not. On top of it when they have no good alternatives it becomes even harder. Life is rough.
I just couldn’t imagine myself doing what I do presently for much longer if I did not have any of the accumulated savings of parmarth within, even though these savings are meager. Although it is tempting and also possible to choose an easier life now I could see the value of the hard life at this stage. It has allowed me to understand the plight of others who don’t have the parmarth backing inside nor the luxury to cut back on work. It allows me to relate with many. I should be grateful, not try to overthrow it and voluntarily choose an easier way. Prarabdh will take its course. I needn’t worry.
Living without parmarth is like living in perpetual drought conditions. One needs to start digging a well right where you are. Sooner or later the water underneath is guaranteed. There are no fixed tools for the digging work. The only tools that are mandated are your mind and intellect. Other tools can vary upon your choice. Chanting the holy name, studying scriptures and saint teachings, listening to spiritual discourses, praying, doing self reflection, pilgrimage, sincerely searching for God, doing daily tasks in the spirit of service to God. Whatever you feel inclined to is fine; Naam/ japa yoga, dhyaan yoga, dnyaan yoga, bhakti yoga, karma yoga…..so many paths lead to the same source. But you need to start looking beyond the physical dimension.
Talking about the difference parmarth makes in our lives reminds me of a story from the times of Sant Dnyaaneshwar. Will share it in the next post.
Saree:
A tussar Dolabedi in emerald green and black.
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