Acharya Tulsi
That man's life should be full of joy and light marks the culmination of his being born a human being. That man or country is blessed, where an individual becomes aware of the significance of life, finds a new direction and, following it, reaches his destination. Every man has, or ought to have, the will to lead a purposeful life. Where there is will, there is a way. In this context, three things are necessary: the clarity of aim, an open mind and the courage to change the direction on one's life. There are many people in this world whose objective is clear but who, being held in prejudice, cannot make any headway. People do also not want who are alert about their goal in life and free from prejudice too. But people, who are also capable of changing the direction of their life at the appropriate time and thus bringing about within themselves a radical change, are few and far between.
On the occasion of the Amrit Festival Year, a message was given to the community-a message of self-surrender. Surrender means the turning of the self-centred consciousness towards accomplishing the good of others or the ultimate good. It means a change in one's way of living. It marks the beginning of a purposeful life. Of course, every individual has some aim or the other. But earnest contemplation is a prerequisite for living a meaningful life; it keeps the life-force in good trim, increases one's capacity for work, and makes an individual realize the worth whileness of his existence.
People in Government service retire at a definite age. Such a course seems to have been determined after serious thought. However, people in private business continue working till the last moment of their life. This state of affairs calls for scrutiny. ln this connection, two points specially need to be considered-spiritual discipline and self-dependence of the next generation.
For those, who make business the sole basis of existence. Spiritual life has no meaning. Such people cannot spare even half an hour for themselves. Under these circumstances, they will never experience the joy of spiritual life.
One may except those who are so heavily burdened with family responsibilities as to leave them no time for anything else besides money making, but it is surprising that many people who have worked all their life and have made enough money and are consequently in a position to be free from the necessity of working for money, yet choose to keep themselves involved in business till the very last.
The support of the father forms the basis of a bright future for the children. But, after having become proficient in their respective fields, the children want to advance on their own, and if they are obliged to work under continued surveillance and control, it can only create in them an inferiority complex and frustration. When the sons are ready to work independently and leave their father free to devote himself to religious and social work, the latter must never neglect the opportunity.
ln view of the above it has been determined that attaining the age of sixty should mark a turning point in a man's career, and instead of confining himself to his small family, the man should look upon the whole community as his family. To retire from any work only when a man grows physically and mentally incapable of doing it, is Life’s greatest defeat. The joy of living lies in effecting a deliberate change in one‘s functioning while one is still active and in good health. Each man should deliberate upon this truth, and experience for himself the transformation of personality which takes place as a result of wider and more comprehensive utilization of his limitless energy.
