Taming the untamed urges!
In today’s article, we discuss about an optimal lifestyle amid the urges that drive the mind crazy! And if there is a way to pause these stimuli in a day and age where putting breaks on stimulation is like applying full brake on a car running at 9000rpm. Sounds impossible, no!
As per the widespread acceptance of evolutionary theory human biology share a high degree of correlation with the nearest primate — the chimps. As such the primate stimulus such as lust to the extended stimuli such as desires are at heightened competition in the chimps. However, biological correlation doesn’t assume the true human potential let alone the spiritual potential. And when biology is at loggerheads with spirituality that’s when things get interesting!
If we are able to moderate the real-time primate stimulus that keeps flooding our minds; we are better off taking less compulsive decisions and more conscious decisions (BG 6.17).
And the assumption is; if the primate urges are in check there is a lot of mental bandwidth to accommodate space to process more essential life events such as career, family, and social contribution. And also prep for the ultimate finer aspects in life such as mindfulness, disciplined life, and spirituality.
The question that arises: if biologically we are hardwired to think through meeting our primitive urges; why change? On realistic grounds desiring to meet the fundamental needs or urges for food, clothing, and shelter these are non-negotiables. On a serious note:
If the basic standard of living is full of struggle; then either we are sloth to chisel our talents for a potentially well-off lifestyle or hustling to live someone else’s.
Unless there is a certain degree of liveliness in doing things that we find meaningful; chances are we might fall off the radar toward an optimal lifestyle (NOI 3). An optimal lifestyle weaves together every basic need of living & living towards a purpose where our potential is put to full use. How does spirituality feature in the scene of an optimal lifestyle?
Thought bubble: The competition for plenty
We don’t attain financial freedom overnight. It takes years of investment planning, discipline, a good career, & proper family priorities in place. We, humans, are goal-oriented creatures. On a lighter note: Probably the reason; why investment bankers make a neat profit despite the clients making subsequent divestitures, in most of the M&A transactions. Because the clients have already provided a number & the job of the bankers is to toil through the entire valuation exercise only to justify that number. Hence, when the goal is predefined, we get there anyway, isn’t it? After all, that which the eyes can see (the price in this case), the hands shall reach (the pockets will feel — owing to high transaction fees)! There is a statical truth underlying most of the historic M&A deals & this is a philosophical truth in life as well.
Following with the thought bubble: just as we put financial freedom at the forefront before attaining that stage. In the same vein, when we attain an optimal lifestyle what would we do? If we haven’t defined that yet, it is very likely the struggle for basic needs just gets amplified; known as the competition for plenty! Hence, an optimal lifestyle should be properly laid out.
Are you serving the urges of the senses — incessantly ad infinitum?
The Gita cautions that if our urges are not moderated towards optimal living; there will be restlessness in life; until we burn out (BG 16.12). Thus, the novel question on material pursuits that arises: how much is more?
On rational grounds such question subverts a narcissistic-urge-driven lifestyle and hints towards a fulfilling-contribution-driven lifestyle beyond satiating at the level of basic needs. As the boundaries of a self-centered life is lowered, we are better equipped to employ the best of our capabilities such as our talents and networks to extend help in the life of those who are in need.
Talents are often said as God-given (BG 10.41) & we can know it by experience; there are subjects and skills we are already good at compared to others & vice versa. Furthermore, having all the goods with God-given talents doesn’t correlate with fulfillment because as spiritual beings on a human journey; unless we are connected with the divine there is no end to the limit of serving the urges of the senses — incessantly ad infinitum. Hence spirituality is the basic fabric upon which the entire tapestry of human consciousness is woven that singly differentiates us from our nearest primates — the chimps.
Activating the dormant divine circuits
The pitstop towards spirituality doesn’t evolve from non-fulfillment or suppression of (primate) desires rather it evolves with the optimization of such desires.
A hungry belly (paranmaya kosh as known in the yoga sutras) can’t allow space for fulfillment to descend in the mind (manomaya kosh). Similarly, a satisfied hunger doesn’t necessarily allow space for long-term fulfillment of the mind.
If human consciousness is fixated to biology, the spirit devolves backward in the evolutionary process.
Hence, recalling the divine all-attractive Lord is a small step towards enhancing the true potential of human consciousness. As we project an optimal lifestyle, the discipline of connecting with our innate spiritual nodes on a daily basis becomes as important as feeding the belly. Spiritual practices like mantra meditation, scriptural reading, and daily quiet time with the Lord activate the dormant divine circuits with spiritual potency descending from the spiritual realm elevating human consciousness (BG 2.59). When our life is centered in the non-moving & eternal realm of spirituality with the all-attractive personality of godhead Krsna at the center; our goal towards optimal lifestyle finds fulfillment without compromising on our basic needs.
In the Gita, Lord Krsna states that the goal towards an optimal lifestyle is where your biology is at peace with yourself and that begins as you gradually transcend the (primate) urges of sensory stimuli through engaging in spiritual practices (BG 5.23). That’s the mere approximation of elevation from the pranamaya kosh (primitive urges) to the anandmaya kosh (spiritual reunion with the Lord).
That seems to be neat ending. Do share your feedbacks and if you liked this piece don’t forget sharing it with your friends!
Until next time…
Genre: Addictions |Wisdom| Spirituality |Patanjali Yogasutra |Mergers and Acquisitions| Mindfulness | Bhagavad Gita | Psychology
