In whose home is the Lamp of Devotion more likely to burn, the rich or the poor?
Actually, most people are averse to true devotion because they are engulfed in materialistic conceptions. The poor or unhappy are too occupied with their woes to think about finer truths, and the rich or happy don't see why they should change their lifestyle at all. Those who are partly happy and partly unhappy are engrossed in thoughts of maximizing the happiness percentage in their life. Whatever be the tilt of the happy-sad balance in their life, it's pivot is invariably the material conception of happiness; broadly, wealth and health.
In the soul's journey in the material world in many different bodies, at some point in time the soul becomes aware of the spiritual aspect of life. This is typically a result of some hint of a realization that life doesnt have any meaning if it's going to end with the end of his current body. This small spark of enlightenment, aided by more life experiences and exposure to various spiritual teachings, gradually grows into a flame; this might take lifetimes, or can happen in a flash. But only careful protection and systematic fuelling grows the flame into a blazing fire of complete spiritual enlightenment culminating in pure unmotivated uninterrupted devotion to the Supremely Lovable Lord Sri Krishna.
Thus, it is not happiness or distress, wealth or poverty, but realization of the futility of unspiritual life that makes one inclined to become a devotee of Krishna. The flame of enlightenment is founded on the sturdy wick of this realization. And the systematic practice of a devotional lifestyle fuels the flame. Without the wick, devotional lifestyle will become mere ritual, and without the fuel, the realization will burn to ashes.
A luxurious life full of comforts harms both the realization and the devotional lifestyle of the seeker. He starts thinking material life as not so bad afterall; his realization erodes. And his easy access to comforts discourages him from a life of spiritual discipline. In this sense, material opulence becomes an obstacle to sustained and progressive spiritual life. A sincere seeker is thus weary of opulence and seeks a simple life. On the other hand, the materially afflicted don't have easy access to distractions, and the pangs of distress keep them spiritually alert; certainly an advantage.
This is not to say that a seeker must renounce his opulence; he just needs to be always alert. In fact, by engaging his opulence, both wealth and health, for furthering spiritual causes in the mood of a servant of the Lord, knowing full well that everything belongs to the Lord, the seeker can make rapid progress.
In the human form of life only can one contemplate about spiritual truths and lead a devotional life. The flame of devotion starts burning after merely simmering for many lifetimes. It's a pity if one let's this flame extinguish by neglecting to protect the wick and to fuel it.
May this Diwali light up the flame of devotion in your life and inspire you to convert it into a blazing fire of pure devotion to Lord Krishna.
Abhijit
This is not to say that a seeker must renounce his opulence; he just needs to be always alert. In fact, by engaging his opulence, both wealth and health, for furthering spiritual causes in the mood of a servant of the Lord, knowing full well that everything belongs to the Lord, the seeker can make rapid progress.
In the human form of life only can one contemplate about spiritual truths and lead a devotional life. The flame of devotion starts burning after merely simmering for many lifetimes. It's a pity if one let's this flame extinguish by neglecting to protect the wick and to fuel it.
May this Diwali light up the flame of devotion in your life and inspire you to convert it into a blazing fire of pure devotion to Lord Krishna.
Abhijit
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