August 5, 2023
Two young singers died one after the other. One was male on the other female, but both of them were top pop stars. The people acclaimed them, applauded them and thus persuaded them and encourage them to sacrifice themselves. But whether they were happy or not, nobody cared. Their friends admitted, "They were not happy in themselves". Yet, they saying, they entertained, they brought happiness (however momentary) to their patrons.
This is not an unusual story. These subtle persuaders and deadly exploiters are found everywhere in the world, in all walks of life. They are in positions of power and prestige. They are the rulers over the world who wage wars (of course with the blood of young people, not their own); they are the builders of nations (with the sweat and toil of young people, not their own); they are the adored heads of mighty institutions and leaders of powerful cults, whose loving arms embrace their hard-working and hard-worked followers (whose loyal and unselfish service is applauded and who are consigned to their own solitude and suffering once they are unserviceable).
Modern society has divided itself into two camps – the exploiter and the exploited. The exploiter often expounds altruistic ideals, they are the hidden persuaders! Of course, the philosophy is sublime; and it is even possible that the exploiter believes in it. But the exploiter's own moment of truth comes when he is confronted with the other man's needs — physical, mental, social and spiritual. The tune changes. Unselfishness, oneness, renunciation, spirit of service, love, etc., might yield place to other convenient philosophical doctrines.
The singers are silent. Their exploiters are looking for others. How long will this go on? Till the exploiters are silenced by the cold hand of death. And then, on the other side of the fence, they will have to face those whom live exploited; their hypocrisy is unmasked. Oh fool! Will you be able to face your own darkend soul? How will you look into the face of the pure and powerful souls whom you have exploited here? Listen to the voice of Gurudev Sivananda and live in the constant realization of your oneness with all. Give more than you take, serve more than you are served, love more than you are loved.