SPIRITUAL TODDLERS
DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
Why and how has a sinner become a sinner? If he has become a sinner due to previous sins, then why did commit those previous sins? If he was a pious and wise person before he committed sins, then the question becomes even more important and inexplicable! While attempting to go to the root of sins, one gets frustrated! Similarly; how much ever; we dig the past; we cannot discover the “why” for “good” fruits and “bad” fruits. Sometimes the cause is attributed to “stars” and sometimes to God’s will. But the cause of the position of stars and cause of the God’s will; remain a mystery. The organic evolution and the physical and chemical causes; of the effects or results; are only apparent and superficial causes. They do not deal and/or explain values implied in religions and ethics. If I get a “good fruit” of my good deeds, in terms of success, then I automatically become the cause of the failure; of the opponent! If I get “good fruit” of profit in my business, then I automatically become the cause of the loss; to someone else.
Having dealt with sins and fruits; the next question is; “How to explain the turmoils created by the earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados, cyclones and so on?”! So is our search for the causes of our sins and fruits, revolving (endlessly) around subjective (and not real) success/failure and petty victory/defeat? Can we say that; any event; taking us closer to SELF; is success; and taking away from SELF; is failure? And any act taking us closer to SELF is virtuous; and taking away from SELF; is a sin? Can we say; that DHARMA is; every activity designed according to one’s age, relationship, skills, talents, time of the day, season, circumstances and so on; to take us closer to SELF or God? What is the way to identify and practice our DHARMA? Sadguru Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj says that; continuous practice of NAMASMARAN and connection with (and expression from) SELF (God); is DHARMA; the most virtuous, meritorious and the best gain in life! Absence of this; is sin and failure. We the spiritual toddlers; can find respite in this; through; or in
spite of our ideologies, religions, missions, organizations, politics, businesses, institutions etc.