Spirituality and Religion are two different sides of the same coin and two different paths to be traversed. Religion is the rituals observed and taught to us right from the childhood and spirituality is never taught in any schools or colleges and the realization happens only by the grace of the Supreme Being. Spirituality is I am not this body, I am a soul. But we all operate with each other from the bodily point of view.
In today’s competitive world with cut throat competition and volatile situation witnessed in the last few years, it is going to be difficult to predict what our future lies head. Everyone is in the rat race. All are highly stressed fulfilling targets and striving for performance. But at the end of the day, we see everyone going back to their home disgusted, frustrated and diseased. No one is happy and satisfied in life because of the unending desires and thoughts which come to mind. We all strive very hard to fulfil desires and in the process we lose our mental peace.
We all can live a very peaceful and blissful life if we cultivate an attitude of accommodation and adjustment. Sage Narada offers a formula for a problem free life in the Srimad Bhagavatam 4:8:34 which says
“Every man should act like this : when he meets a person more qualified than himself, he should be very pleased, when he meets someone less qualified than himself, he should be compassionate towards him, and when he meets his equal, he should be friendly with him. In this way , one is never affected by the threefold miseries of this material world.”
Ordinarily, what we observe is that we become envious on seeing a person more qualified or talented than we are. If we meet a less qualified or a less talented individual, we deride him/her. If we meet someone as qualified or talented as we are, then we become competitive.
It is man who has created problems for himself. The six major problems are Kama ( Lust ), Krodha (Anger ), Lobha ( Greed ), Moha (Illusion ), Mada ( Pride ) and Matsarya ( Envy ).
All the above arises from our mind and the sense objects. In Bhagavad Gita 2:62-63, it is said :
“While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises. From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion, bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost, one falls down gain into the material pool and the cycle goes on and on till death.”
It is again mentioned in Bhagavad Gita 6:6
For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.
In the process, we think of many strategies to compete with our colleagues, superiors, other departments and the outside world and end up feeling miserable.
We are imperfect and because of the above six major problems , we go on committing sins daily and end up suffering and feeling guilt within. What is the solution ? This is also given in Bhagavad Gita 5:10
“One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is unattached by water.”
It means that we should perform our duty whole-heartedly , give our 100% and surrender the results of our activities to the Lord. It is very difficult to practice .Do we have any choice?. Anyway nothing is in your hands.
We conclude by saying that if one follows the below mentioned instructions , he can lead a balanced life in the corporate world.
- Observe Sage Narada’s formula.
- Minimise the six major problems.
- Control your mind and senses.
- Work with detachment.
- Surrender your results to the Supreme Lord.
The above pearls of wisdom has come to me from my spiritual master . I am just his servant passing on the same to all of you.
Charan Pahari 