September 3, 2025
All the systems and the codes of ethics have been reduced to perversions; all the religions of the world have become putrid accumulation of dogma and ritual. Whatever man captures dies. Whatever he hoards smothers him. What he seeks destroys him. Objective phenomena are interpreted by one's own self. Everything in this world is 'related' to oneself, evaluated on the touchstone of one's own self. To the extent they are related to one's self - either through love or through hate or through fear - their value is exaggerated. Life's problems therefore do not spring from the external objects, but from the triple factor of love, hate and fear.
Life and its problems, objective phenomena and their value can therefore be understood as they are, only if we understand these three factors. Fear is not inherent in the objects feared, but comes into being within me in relationship. This fear, if not understood for what it is, will continue to infect all relationships, as it goes in search of a cause. Even so in the case of love (in the sense of sensual infatuation) and hate.
Hence it is vital that one should turn within oneself to see what this fear is. What is it made of? When the light of this enquiry is turned onto fear within oneself, one is looking at this fear. One is becoming more and more aware of this thing, this sensation that one calls fear.
The 'I' seems to stand aloof and look at the fear. It is as if in semi-darkness one is facing one's own shadow and fears that it is somebody else! As the sun of awareness arises on the horizon of one's consciousness, this distinction disappears. In a flash one realizes: "The fear and the 'I' are of one substance."
Even so with other aspects of life. This vital awareness dispels the shadow of distinctions which has been created by what we have unfortunately called 'knowledge'. Hence, this science is called Vedanta. 'Veda' means knowledge, and 'anta' means end - in other words, where knowledge of diversity ends and pure awareness is. In the light of this awareness alone does life have meaning. This awareness brings ethical discipline into being, without the do's and don't's and the perversions they give rise to. This awareness is the very soul of religion. With it, life becomes light and love. Without it, life is misery.