Athwart the secular line….

ALL living beings in this universe are the creation of God. However the behaviour of one differs from another in many respects. Why are there distinctions among them? Some repose total faith in God and believe that all their activities are being guided by an unseen force. They engage themselves in the service of God whom they know is their only refuge. On the other hand, some decry the offerings made to God as not being necessary and they want proof for the existence of God. Their motto is `seeing alone is believing'. They say that the presence of a soul is a myth and argue that once a person dies, life comes to a permanent end. Such people even go to the extent of denigrating that heaven and hell do not exist, and are a figment of imagination.

Those who cling to God's feet through service to Him, adopting different methods like meditation, supplicating and listening to God's words rely on scriptural texts and on the advice tendered by religious scholars and priests who have an important role to bring awareness to the people without dividing them in one way or another. While these preachers have an important role to play, no Faith can be judged by its preachers alone because like all other human beings, not all preachers are perfect.

The knowledge one gains by the study of sacred texts and by hearing the expositions of scholars, enables one to realise the true nature of the Self --- why one is created, one’s limitations and one’s ultimate destiny, death. Despite the brief time at our disposal many do not have time to think about what life really is. Unfortunately, those who have wealth are not fully satisfied and those who hold high positions also get frustrated when they are denied status. Similarly the poor complain of being deprived and the sick of their ailments. Such feelings however disappear if one reposes faith in God and carries out His dictates. Religious scholars in all religions explain to us how to make the best use of our body gifted to us by God.

One should consider whether one’s life is conducive to one’s well-being. One should cultivate virtues like serenity, self- control, fortitude, composure and contentment, all of which ensure permanent good. If one wishes to see across the secular line where pleasures are created artificially, there is much more satisfaction and pleasure to be derived which also has the advantage of having a remarkably positive affect on one’s life.