To attain a dreamlike existence, a lot must be done to get to that state, writes AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI
Don’t we all dream for a dreamlike existence? I do too. But, then, it will be termed daydreaming, if it is not backed by what is needed to get that dream state.
The first question we should ask ourselves is what we consider dreamlike existence and then, what are difficulties in achieving this dreamlike state? First of all, I have to be very determined; my willpower must not be lacking in anyway. These desires are very difficult to get fulfilled, if at all. Even one of them will be a tall order. And one of the main difficulties will be to give up ‘ahankar’ (ego). Hardly anyone succeeds in doing that, because ‘ahankar’ is what defines most of us.
It is no wonder that Lord Krishna has spoken about giving up ahankar multiple times in the Bhagavad gita including the last time in the verse #18.58, when He warned Arjuna of being destroyed, if he continued to act under its influence. God has to help. There is no way that such desires can be self-fulfilled. And of course, we have to be deserving.
So, how does one go about achieving this almost impossible goal? The first requirement has to be willingness to change. We are never going to get to the dreamlike state if we continue the way we are going. Changing is not rejecting self; it is improving self. Believe me, we all need to make/accept lots of changes to get to a superior position. Our determination/willpower will help. Good health is another prerequisite, because ‘tapasya’ required is unthinkable in poor health. All sacrifices need to be made in this direction. We must be dutiful, because all of us have been created to be dutiful. These are determined by time, place and circumstances and will be always within our abilities/capabilities. As a matter of fact, we, human beings, are limited to doing duties only. Nothing more can be done or is expected from us.
God loves those who are dutiful in the right way, which is: I must do what I must. This attitude also takes away the harmful ahankar, which gives us wrong impressions about ourselves. God loves those even more who follow ‘dharma’; who agree to abide by limits sets for all of us, i.e. always to be guided by ‘maryada’.
We must become good in every sense, including seeking company of good people, and we know what it means to be good. Sure enough, our relationships with family members will become good, because what we sow we reap. Understanding others, appreciating them, forgiving minor offences, accepting others as unique packages just as we all are will help greatly. We need lots of assistance from experts in different fields because we are limited in what we know or can know. And in the matter of spirituality, we must refer to a bona fide scripture like the Bhagavad Gita in order not to stray away from God, who is absolutely essential, if we have to achieve the dreamlike state. Why? Because He is the controller.
You think you are upto the challenge? I do. Therefore, I am trying. I know that it will take me several lives to achieve this goal, but I will keep on getting glimpses of the same as I progress. Will you believe that my fears have reduced? I feel so much better sans debilitating fears.
Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com