Why do we want to contribute to the lives of others? Why do we want to do charity? To get some intangible benefits in the form of name and fame? Or to accumulate some "good deeds" in our balance sheer of life so that when we die, these "good deeds" help us secure a good position in the next life? Or do we feel an enhanced "self-esteem"? Can there be giving without any associated desire to get any of these things?
I feel that till there is "contribution", there will always be a commensurate desire to get something tangible or intangible in return. The moment there is a feeling that we are contributing, there will always be an associated feeling that we are "making an effort" and whenever there is an effort, we are naturally conditioned to expect something in return, whether tangible or intangible. However, there may also be a possibility where we are just enjoying the manifestation of a possibility and then leave it for others to accept or reject the same. For example, Ramakrishna did whatever he wanted to do and people who wanted to explore spirituality, got inspired by his life and started reading about him. Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi carried out all the experiments throughout his life, and in the process, so many people got inspired by his explorations. Kabira explored truth by being aware of whatever he noticed and so many people got inspired by his way of living.
I feel that the best contribution in this world is when there is no keenness to make a contribution. Keenness to contribute to some person's life brings restlessness. The greatest personalities in this world have all just lived their lives to explore different possibilities. Einstien just explored what he wanted to explore and in the process, he became a role model for almost everybody pursuing theoretical physics. Buddha explored the nature of reality through meditation and in the process inspired people over many centuries.
If we just be authentic in our lives, that is sufficient to inspire people. Since we are just being what we are, there is no question of contribution. We live an authentic life as per our convictions and realizations. Somebody likes to explore literature and he explores literature and writes many books and his books inspire generations. Somebody likes painting and he paints authentically, and his paintings inspire generations. Somebody likes unravelling the secrets of nature and he does the same with authenticity and passion and his experiments inspire people over generations. Why do we take pain to "contribute"? Just being authentic self is sufficient to inspire generations.
Authenticity is not easy. That is why very few people inspire us. Authenticity requires complete awareness. Only when we understand ourselves fully, at both the conscious and unconscious levels, can we be authentic. Otherwise, in most cases, we do not even know ourselves, and hidden desires from our unconscious mind drive our behavior, leading us to lie and pretend. Our minds often have many conflicting desires; we want to be successful while also being "goody-goody" with our friends. Krishna had to choose to leave his friends for the purpose of his life; he couldn't be overly accommodating to the Gopis. He was never inauthentic to pretend that his friends were more important to him than the purpose of his life. I believe that nobody can change another person. Only control-freaks attempt to change others. All the enlightened individuals in this world have authentically explored different possibilities, inspiring millions in the process. Efforts to consciously contribute to the lives of others often stem from hidden motives, which generally cause more damage to the world than those who lack the willingness to contribute. On the other hand, all the enlightened people in this world have followed their passion authentically and in the process millions have benefitted.
Comments