From None to All

Life seemed so meaningless and empty
I did not know who i am
I saw the world through divisions and labels
I tried to live the world as i saw it, it made no sense

I did not think it was possible, but went with the flow
All the fears were dispelled, all myths shattered
I saw the world as one, an integrated whole
Fragmentations and limitations no longer mattered

I shared what i was going through
Needless to say, it appeared to be untrue
An illusion, a hallucination, to all but those who see
Everyone, even the closest, all but me

I was back to square one
Life seemed meaningless again
What use is this gift, if it could not be shared
It appeared to be a curse, all in vain

At the peak of all my despair
It seemed like any other day
I went for a walk to get away
Glanced at the view, from the top to the bottom

A thought took over, without any plan
How about, if i took the easy way down
What would that be like, i wondered
And it happened, just like i thought

It was as real as it could be
Very quickly, it happened to me
It was all over in a flash,
But where was I, here or there?

I could see, there was no more 'me'
But if i could still see, what was my identity?
With whatever that was left,
I knew this would never happen again

I was stupid, to lose sight of the goal
Of something that was mine alone
I swore that i would never let it come to this
Over something that only I control

Collective Transformation

You have to be inside the system (but free from the system) to change the system. We do not need to directly attack the system. If we do so, we lose our credibility and power to influence those who are still attached to the system. Those who are stuck in the system will do anything to defend attacks to the system (which include eliminating threats or direct attacks by those outside the system).

The first step to collective transformation is individual transformation. The paths of detachment, devotion, wisdom and control may be effective in a personal level to achieve personal freedom from the system and individual transformation. Until individual transformation is complete, we must not rush to transform the world.

The next step is by being an active part of the system, but still acting in everyone's best interests in a respectful, trusting and non-imposing manner while remaining liberated from the system (remaining individually transformed).

Collective transformation cannot be brought about by teaching, preaching, training, fear, threats or punishment. These methods appeal only to the senses, body and the mind, and not to the core of the person's centre for self-awareness. Further, they convey the message that the entity to be transformed is a non-entity lacking in self-awareness, which is the ability to see and learn things by himself (since we have to do it for him). Only love, patience, respect, and trust for others by a transformed individual who performs actions while remaining totally liberated thereby setting an example for others to emulate, can bring about collective transformation.

What, Why, How?

Many of us are searching for the elusive goal of alignment with the absolute. We look for guidance, to find the guru, as well as the path that can lead us to our goal. There are several options available in terms of gurus, and paths, and in todays world, we can go shopping for gurus, and choose a guru as well as a path that suits our time constraints and budget. However, for questions this fundamental, the answers can only come only from within.

The time of our lives when we are between 25 and 50 years of age is for us to act and contribute to society, when we can do so to the best of our abilities. Hence the only path for us to follow to align with the absolute is to live in the world fully, but yet not be of the world. To act to the best of our ability, but yet not be attached to the outcomes. To enjoy what the world has to offer, but not be attached to it. To be the master of our destiny, and not let the world control our lives.

This is the path of Karma Yoga, where we learn from our experiences by action with awareness. This is the path of self-study and self-awareness for which we ourselves are our only teachers.