Know the Path Before the Journey
A traveler started his journey towards the holy city of Varanasi. He started from his hometown after making a few preliminary enquiries.
Having traveled far and fearing he may have lost his way, the traveler asked a sanyasin (monk) who seemed to be returning from Varanasi, 'Oh Master, how far away is Varanasi from here?'
The sanyasin said: 'Before I reply, you must answer two of my questions.'
The traveler found this strange, and having no choice agreed.
The sanyasin asked: 'Do you clearly know why you want to go to Varanasi?''
The traveler felt that this question was foolish and the answer was obvious. He said: 'Oh, Varanasi is a holy place. I will be blessed if I go there, scriptures say.'
The sanyasin asked the second question: 'Before starting, have you thoroughly enquired about the path to reach Varanasi?'
The traveler felt that this too was irrelevant and said: Yes. I enquired a little bit. I left it at thinking that I can find out more as I travel further. '
The sanyasin calmly said: 'If you had had clarity as to why you should go to Varanasi and had known clearly all the details about Varanasi, you would not have asked me as to how much distance you should travel further to reach Varanasi.'
Thoroughly confused and irritated, yet still polite, the traveler said: 'Oh Master, you have not replied my question at all.'
The sanyasin said: 'You have already come forty miles beyond Varanasi.'
We are much like the traveler not knowing where he is going and why. We rarely question:
Why we have taken birth in this world? Why do we continuously struggle and suffer so much? Where are we headed?
All of us lead our life in search of some goal or other. It may be any material goal like a good education, good job, fame or wealth, or it may be something different. One's mental setup determines the type of desire one has.
The desires may be many, but the aim of all these desires is only one: Peace, Jov. Bliss. Everyone journeys in his own way, only to achieve these goals.
There is nothing wrong at all in this journey, this searching. Problems arise when you embark on the journey without knowing the path.
Spirituality through meditation helps you define the path. Once you are on the right path, the destination happens by itself.
There are three types of people who journey through life.
The first type believes that its goal in life is to live for oneself: 'First of all, I should enjoy happiness. I should be satisfied. It is not possible to satisfy everyone else."
The second type believes in extending its happiness a bit further: 'I should make near and dear happy. That is my duty. Let me satisfy the people in my house as well. It is enough if they are happy.'
The third type says: 'The joy and contentment that we get in the outside world is not permanent. What are we searching for? Can we get what we want from the external world? Can it make us happy and blissful?'