Cynics and Sentimentalists, and the Missing Link

Many people like to believe that all religious looking elements - individuals or organizations - cheat people; these are the cynics. And many people like to believe that all religious looking elements are worthy of deep respect; these are the sentimentalists. Both groups, as soon as they open their mouths to speak, reveal their lack of intellectual application to the subject matter.

A true spiritualist is one who studies authorized spiritual literature and practices authentic spiritual life under the guidance of an authorized spiritual master - Guru - who himself belongs to a chain of such authorized Gurus. Such a spiritualist, the true spiritualist, is dedicated to the quest of the Absolute Truth; all his actions and desires are aligned accordingly.

A Vaishnava devotee of the Lord, who has taken shelter of a pure devotee Guru, is a true spiritualist. Under the Guru's guidance, he studies the Absolute Truth - the Supreme Personality of Godhead, from the authorized Vedic literature. He also sincerely practices the process of dedicating ones life to the service of God. And he imbibes from his Guru deep compassion for all living beings.

Such a devotee voluntarily bears the responsibility of bringing both the cynics and sentimentalists to the path of true everlasting happiness - the path of selfless love of God. The cynic is typically self righteous and can come through as arrogant and presumptuous. By sound logic and persuasive presentation, the devotee can make the cynic take note of the spiritual perspective of reality. The sentimentalist is typically a credulous and impressionable simple hearted person looking for some solace who easily gets impressed and puts faith. By his kind gentle behavior and persuasive presentation, the devotee can make the sentimentalist discern true substance from the pseudo spiritual hotch-potch.

A cynic is completely unaware of the joys and depths of spiritual wisdom and the sentimentalist mistakes mundane emotions, love, and accomplishments to be spiritual. Both require affectionate guidance from a trusted well wisher. A devotee is always a gentleman and hence is liked by all. He is likable because he is non-envious and completely satisfied due to his connection with God. At the same time, due to his compassion, he wants to nudge both the cynics and sentimentalists towards the truly spiritual path of selfless love of God.

Thus, while cynics and sentimentalists seem to be at odds with each other, the devotee of the Lord is perfectly made for them both. He links them both to god and thus brings them closer to each other.

Truly, the missing link.

Begin Your Journey of Joy

As long as we think, even mildly, that material situations are important, we are in the trap of deadly illusion. This illusion causes us to mistake the unimportant as important, the inessential as essential, the temporary as permanent. It makes us despair in unfortunate times; it makes us fearful about losing the good ones. It makes us struggle to accumulate more and even to just maintain status quo.

Unfortunately the world situation today forces us to struggle even for basic necessities and securities even if we are unattached to material situations. Gone are the days where one could lead a peaceful spiritual life away from the rigmarole of the general life of the masses. Life has become a struggle for all.

Most seek respite in the shallow entertainment of this world which leads them into denser fogs of illusion. But the wise seek respite in focussing on the essential ingredients of happy living even while the world conspires to allure them away into the sinister fogs of illusion.

Focussing on unchanging universal wisdom principles leads to a peaceful and fulfilled heart. Break the shackles of materialistic life, stop being impressed by material accomplishments.

When the mundane stops interesting you, your journey of joy begins.

True Foundations

Certain truths take a long time for us to accept. It takes a humble heart and an unagitated mind to make these truths the foundations of our living.

Life and the Comfort Zone

Life begins at the end of the comfort zone.

Do You Really Care?

People are unhappy. Someone has lost their dear one, someone has not yet settled down in life. Someone still yearns for affection and appreciation, or that elusive recognition. Someone still looks back at what could have been and some heart burns at a lifetime of limited success. Someone has classmates more accomplished than them, someone has friends who pity them. Someone struggles for daily bread and someone dreams for a stable job. The list is unending. Eyes moisten if you care to look.

Most times we are too busy or unhappy to notice. Or the thoughts are replaced soon by something less disturbing to the mind. But great souls notice. It moves them to action. They wish to see everyone happy.

Great souls work tirelessly to mend, soothe, strengthen, and protect the heart. They spread the message and culture of true love, the only real need of the crying heart. A loved heart feels safe and satisfied; external circumstances affect it less. Deep selfless love is what the heart yearns for. Such love isn't to be found in temporary relationships with the imperfect people of this world.

No one can satisfy the heart except the one who created it. If you truly care, spread this message. Dispel the illusion that something else can make one happy.

Do you really care?

Happy Reading

Very few written words are worth reading. Read only that which simplifies your life and soothes your mind, or that which keeps or sharpens your focus on the cherished goal of your heart.

Why not reset our reading habits to better align with the calling of our heart? The heart longs for lasting joy; why read words that have no power to fulfill this longing?

Relook your reading menu. Fast from reading for a few days. Then carefully choose your diet. Focus on a critical few items. Give it time for your new reading pattern to become a habit.

Remember, what you read impacts the joy and satisfaction quotient of your life. Read wholesome, read healthy, read consciously. Happy reading!

Give Your Heart to Get True Joy

"Let's enjoy now, because we might not get another chance". This is a popular notion amongst those who identify themselves as fun lovers. Despite its peppy tone, this statement reveals the fun lovers' unfortunate dependence on fun. It evokes a picture of someone who gives one's heart to someone or something, knowing well that that someone or something will desert one's life anytime. It evokes pity.

One doesn't need to seek fun to have fun. Joy comes from within for one who has given one's heart to the eternal. This is so because each one of us is an eternal soul whose natural joy is in loving the supreme eternal - God.

Know who God is, know how beautiful and loving he is, know about his glories and qualities, know about his activities. And then, give your heart to God.

There is no other way to fun and happiness.