The Two Journeys

“A man may possess the entire world, and yet lose his soul” –R. L. Stevenson

The heart may give a useful lesson to the head.
Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one,
Have oft-times no connection: Knowledge dwells
In heads replete with thoughts of other men;
Wisdom in minds attentive to their own.
Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much;
Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
(William Cowper)

“An unexamined life is not worth living”, said Socrates. There are two activities common to the human beings and the animals. They are self-­preservation and perpetuation of the species. The primitive man engaged in hunting and war. The civilized human being has developed improved methods to produce food, clothes, construct shelter, and also sophisticated methods of mass destruction. Food, clothing and shelter satisfy the first instinct of self-preservation and biological reproduction the second instinct of perpetuation of the species. The animals do not go beyond these two basic functions. In order to satisfy their basic physical needs, the human beings get involved in the rat race for material acquisition. If the human beings limit themselves to these activities, they do not go beyond the animal level.

The objectives of life are twofold – limited and short term, and fundamental and enduring. No one will deny that the goal of life is happiness and peace. These two may spring from a variety of sources –wealth, power, position or non-material sources like art, music, philosophy, literature, spiritual practice, etc. Wealth, fame and success, which we seek and equate with happiness prove to be illusory in the sense that they are uncertain, unpredictable and short lived. We realise that there are many things which money cannot buy and without which money can buy nothing. One may have all the delicious dishes spread out on the table, but may have no appetite. One may roll on the cushioned bed in air-conditioned comfort, without sleep.

It is said that Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, went window shopping in Athens. When his disciples asked him, why, he, a philosopher, should be interested in window shopping, he is reported to have replied “I now realise that there are many things I can do without”. There is also the story of the beggar who was sitting on a slab and collecting alms. When he was asked what lay underneath the slab, he said he did not know. When the slab was removed, a chest containing gold and diamonds was found. These two instances have their own significance. Without realising that true happiness and peace lie within ourselves, we seek it outside.

When we turn from the world without and enter the world within, a new horizon opens up. Deep within us is a world of unlimited possibilities. When we plunge into the deeper level of our Being, a new world of experience awaits us and beckons to us. It is a no limit world. The deeper purpose of life unfolds itself. This journey cannot be undertaken by the exercise of the sensory organs, or the intellect, or the power of scientific enquiry. These instruments have their limitations, and what is limited cannot reveal the limitless. We can choose either to stagnate at the lower level and be content with eating, drinking, sleeping and going through the passbook or the balance sheet or we can rise higher and transcend all limitations.

Everyone has the power to go beyond the border of the material world. Crossing the border is followed by a sea change. Stepping into the no limit world is accompanied by an inner transformation. It involves a shift to a new awareness or understanding. We realise that a deep inherent current is flowing within. “A spark disturbs our clod”. We are not bundles of bone and flesh. The element of divinity is deposited in every one of us and with effort it can be discovered and tapped. We realise that “we are not human beings with spiritual experience, but essentially spiritual beings with human experience”. The faculties of intuition, introspection and insight help reach that zone of inner light.

There are two activities – outer and inner journeys – which lie before us. The outer activity is objective and result or reward oriented. This activity is measured in terms of parameters like success/failure, profit/loss, rules, boundaries, time schedules, targets. Acquisition, prestige, title, publicity are paramount. To participate in the outer activity, planning, secret strategy, cut throat competition are crucial. The ends count more than the means. Loss or defeat results in frustration, anger, humiliation, loss of reputation. Those who play the game of outer activity exploit all the techniques developed by modern technology, marketing, advertisement etc. It may bring success and happiness in a limited sense – but they make one crave for more, which again leads to angst, tension and restlessness.

The inner journey or activity does not involve rivalry. We run the race ourselves. The goal cannot be calculated in material terms. It is not bank balance but inner fulfillment, valuable per se. There are no concrete, quantifiable rewards or benefits. The rules for the inner activity are dictated by the heart. The fellow passengers or participants are partners, not competitors. In this journey, everyone has to measure his/her progress in terms of the joy, peace, tolerance, sympathy one develops. It is a self-validating, self certifying experience which does not seek or depend upon external testimony. There is no room for comparing one’s progress with that of another, for everyone moves at his/her own pace. The majority of us are involved in the outer activity, since it promises benefits from the practical point of view. But it results in conflict, hostility, anger and negative feelings. The inner journey promotes inner growth, and generates serenity and leads to improved human relationships, self-confidence and freedom from doubt. It destroys negativity and makes one non-judgemental. In short, the inner activity marks a quantum shift to a new awareness wherein lies wisdom.

Undertaking this inner journey or activity is not as easy as it appears. We have to reckon with a few stumbling blocks. The first of these is skepticism. Inner journey is for those who wish to go to the forest or the cave or the mountain top. It makes no sense in the highly competitive world where the yardstick is success and achievement in concrete terms. The second obstacle is ego. Ego creates doubt, division and tension. The third is “I know everything” attitude. This threefold misconception has to be dispelled to get involved in the inner activity. When we set aside these blocks and introspect on the power of the inner activity, things start happening. Our life becomes more intense, more joyous and composed. The remedy for the disease afflicting the mind in the form of frustration, fear, conflict etc, lies in the performance of the inner journey. We achieve not in “measurable terms”, but in terms of the spirit of forgiveness, humility, goodwill and ­love we exude. We believe more in giving than in receiving. The investment is in the form of faith, focussed effort and meditative practice and the dividend lies in the inward nourishment and enrichment and our becoming mental/spiritual millionaires. We expect nothing, because we require nothing. We give freely and in abundance and yet we lose nothing. We enjoy the journey and do not become restless about reaching the destination, for in the inner journey, the starting point and the destination are one and the same.