Rules, Systems and Us

Some people don’t like rules or systems. From their point of view, why get so worked up for a life of 70 years or so? Life is meant to be enjoyed and help others. Don’t complicate stuff, enjoy, help others and be happy. Not a bad view point at all.

But how much ever anyone tries, we get embroiled in problems. There are times in life when we just can’t enjoy, when we are confused about life and look for answers which no one is able to give us. There are times when we think honestly that we are helping others, but actually end up harming them.

How much ever we try to convince ourselves, we find that we find many things happen in our life which we don't control, don't know the meaning of and don't understand how to deal with.

A tried and tested system of life actually helps us not to complicate stuff in life, frees us form certain major stuff and enjoy. Most importantly, it helps us and others around us to be “really” happy. And that is why we need a philosophy that guides our life.

Whether we realize it or not, all of us have a center of life from where we get our inspiration, security, strength, purpose and happiness in life. What we need to see is whether that center of life is something that can really give us all these at all times.

For some people, money and the comforts and pleasure that it can get, is everything in life. But money as we all know is an unstable entity. The moment something happens to our wealth, we are devastated. Same is the case with other possible centers of life like pleasure, health, social service etc. Some of these would be part of our lives but can’t be the center of our lives.

A philosophical system of life which is tried and tested over the ages, which is based on timeless and eternally valid principles, would give us the inspiration, security, strength, purpose and happiness that I need and free me to be “really” happy.

It would be a beacon light that would guide us in times of darkness and sunlight. It would help us to be great human beings, who would be an asset to the society.

That is what Vishishtadvaita actually is.