Those, who live for others, benefit in many ways. They meet God's approval, writes AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI
We should, because this is the cosmic arrangement. The world cannot exist without majority of us doing this. Several examples will substantiate this reality. The first and the best example is that of a mother. We survive in our childhood because our mothers choose to live for us. Even before a child is born, she is already in the mood of sacrifice. This goes on till the child is not so dependent on her. This is our requirement but a mother does this without complaint or seeking a favour. A father scarifies his needs for his child; tries to spend time with his child even though it maybe tough.
The third example is of social workers, the genuine ones. They keep the world going by their selfless activities for benefit of others. Sometimes, their families also suffer or are deprived of what they should be getting both materially and time wise. But not many complain if they can see the big picture. The last example is of spiritualists. In this case, I will cite an example, that is of Adi Shankaracharya, because he was so outstanding. His entire life after he left home at a young age was spent in welfare activities of the spiritual kind, which are still benefiting the humanity after many centuries.
Those, who live for others, benefit in many ways for their efforts. They meet God’s approval, which is all important. Why? Because God is the controller of this creation; His will is supreme. God rewards such people in many ways. Mothers get pure love from their children, which is rare in this selfish world. Fathers get recognition from their children and also from the society, even thought tacit. Spiritualists, the genuine ones, are given lots of respect, even veneration. Similarly, social workers are given special places in societies. All such attention is highly satisfying, which enriches one’s life; makes it worth living. One knows that there is a higher purpose for one’s existence. This is very different from the average person’s life of just existing. For those living for others, their satisfaction combined with God’s grace really feels good.
They benefit in many other ways as well. Their tolerance power is much greater than that of an average person, who is likely to blow his fuse quite readily. Such persons have another rare quality, i.e. of patience, which enriches their lives. The mode of goodness, which thrives on goodness of all kinds, goes higher in proportion in them. This helps them in countering the modes of passion and darkness effectively. And, most importantly, their ‘jeevani-shakti’ (living force) multiplies, which makes living that much easier, compared to an average person who mostly struggles.
Opposite is the fate of those who have a narrowly selfish existence. One loses in the mind when the going is tough. Some even commit suicide. Living for others gives a meaning to life. Going can be tough for anyone, but they keep going, because there are so many reasons to want to live. One can never be complete in oneself; one needs others to exist well. How does one do that? He or she lives for others. The cosmic design calls for us complementing one another. A common example is of a husband and wife team; they mostly provide what they mutually need. The world shuns those who are not useful to others. The only exceptions are those spiritualists, who are engaged in ‘tapasya’. Even these return to serve the humanity. And it is not one-sided. Normally selfish persons do not get help or cooperation from others. The spiritualism starts from here, i.e. when one serves others.
Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com