Life is a combination of time and energy. This combination finds expression first through desires, then by action, and then by knowledge gained. Desire spurs us to act, which makes us experience the result of the action; that experience teaches us something, which restructures our desires. This spiral activity evolves all living beings.
Desires spring up from our instincts. We act spurred by desires. Actions lead us to experiences. Wisdom is the effect of experience. That wisdom elevates our desires. The improved desire makes us perform better. This spiral of progress is the reward of life.
Sometimes, their desires
are fulfilled through sensory perceptions. Sometimes, they fail in their
attempts and experience anger, frustration, depression, and so on.
Though these
physical or mental experiences end, they leave a subtle trace of the
experiences, called vAsanas. For, e.g., we drink a cup of delicious bAdAmghIr.
The sweet experience enjoyed through the tongue may be over, but the taste
lingers in mind as a vAsana. On the next favorable occasion, the memory
of bAdAmghIr surfaces and stimulates a desire to drink it again. The vAsanas
of pleasant and unpleasant experiences promote, in due course, likes or
dislikes, leading to actions for or against the relevant things.
The experiences
of life educate us most effectively. The knowledge gained from our experiences is known as firsthand knowledge because it is
internalized by us and becomes part of our mental energy.
Desires are the
expression of ichchA shakti (power of aspiration) and actions caused by
them are the expression of kriyA shakti (the ability of activity). The
knowledge we gain through experiences is the expression of gnAna shakti
(power of wisdom).
Good desires
cause good actions, which in turn elevate our knowledge. From this higher state
of knowledge, better desires arise in our minds, leading us to better
efforts, and further improving our understanding. Thus, we become wiser and
wiser. This spiral action evolves the living beings to noble and enlightened
spiritual states in the long run.
On the other
hand, if we allow evil desires to activate us, they would lead us to nefarious
activities, which would lower our level of wisdom and develop baser
instincts. We would become involved in unworthy deeds and become criminals.
If we are
intelligent enough, we can also learn suitable lessons from bad experiences. But this is like swimming against the current. It happens very rarely.
Sometimes, a true friend or teacher may interfere and lift us up from the
effects of bad experiences. We cannot, however, count on these chances.
We should always
cultivate good thoughts and noble desires and work for uplifting experiences.
The essential components of life are time and energy. It is always moving
forward. Moving further, we continue to learn simultaneously through
experiences. We should always ensure that our desires, efforts, and lessons harmoniously move in the right direction. Thus, we may ward off all the
negative influences of the world and achieve progress in life's physical, mental,
intellectual, and spiritual layers.
Desires spring up from our instincts. We act spurred by desires. Actions lead us to experiences. Wisdom is the effect of experience. That wisdom elevates our desires. The improved desire makes us perform better. This spiral of progress is the reward of life.
