E-Paper
Existential struggle
Once we are in material bodies in this material world, we have to struggle for existence. There is no escape from it.
Once we are in material bodies in this material world, we have to struggle for existence. There is no escape from it. Either it is a struggle with maya, i.e. harmful temptations or one has to face the consequences of succumbing to them, in addition to the usual struggle for survival. There is no permanent escape from this struggle till one achieves liberation.
Why so? Because our material bodies are destructible. They grow, age and die. In between, there maybe diseases to contend with. One is more susceptible in old age, but diseases can strike at any age. Then, this material world is a place of misery. There are always problems. No one is above them. We can reduce our suffering, but cannot eliminate it. We may feel that others are not struggling, but that is not true. Everyone is faced with challenges, which they have to contend with. However, not many meet these challenges sensibly. Therefore, the struggle becomes a great pain.
The mind is the biggest culprit in this. Lack of spiritual intelligence combined with an uncontrolled mind makes us react negatively. We get angry, frustrated, depressed, etc, which give no solutions.
We must have a lot of courage to be able to live peacefully. Similarly, tolerance in large doses is necessary. Awareness of the reality and its acceptance helps build both courage and tolerance. The reality has to be accepted. We get our 'Karmaphalas' only. Wise persons go even further; they make progress, even though that maybe slow. Such progress makes one hopeful that there will be ultimately escape from this constant struggle. Till then, there is no escape.
This struggle will go on till one seeks liberation seriously. And of the two types of struggle, succumbing to maya is in the mode of passion, i.e. gives some relief initially but turns into poison later. On the other hand, resisting maya is painful in the beginning but nectar at the end. One has to be extremely wise; otherwise this struggle for existence becomes very painful.
