The Fallen Autumn Leaf

|| Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

I found myself seated on the banks of the lighthouse promenade when an unrivalled and uncontested thought directed me to this sanctuary of calm nestled between the majestic Indian Ocean and avenue of trees boarding the concrete jungle of resorts and apartments.  Although in the midst of a field of intense foot activity, the cordial blend of the ocean breeze, the scents emanating from the varied foliage together with chunks of shade created by the rising buildings provided the integral components for relaxation.

The shower of leaves signalled the strength of autumn as a carpet of dried and wilted leaves formed across the landscape. A tilted glance vertically confirmed the reign of autumn, with trees standing naked of any foliage. On the ground thousands of insects were hurriedly organising themselves to take these fallen autumn leaves to create a warm cosy den for the ensuing winter. What a marvel of nature I thought. Transfixed and immersed in this glorious act of nature my mind became buoyant with a thought of how the techniques for our liberation and right living is present even in nature itself.

It is sad to see so many people who are nourished off this world develop such a narrow and selfish outlook on life. Their sole aim upon completion of their studies, is to marry, have a family and confine all their energy and effort on themselves. They turn a blind eye and purposefully ignore the contributions made by various elements towards the success of their lives.

We could learn so much from the life of a fallen autumn leave in terms of selfless service. Nourished from the minerals of the earth through its network of roots provides yeoman selfless service to the world.  The leaf which through a chemical reaction provides energy for the tree to grow, provides oxygen, facilitates rain and provides relief in the form of shade on a blistering hot day. If that is not amazing enough it even provides warmth to many insects for the winter even after it has fallen and doing all this in the background without a single stress on recognition.

Swami Vivekananda said, “Even if you think that this one life of yours is going to be spent in vain for the good of many, what does it matter? Who knows how many lives have been spent in vain? Why fear if one life is spent doing good to the world?”

Can we attain our goal by mere spiritual practices alone? In this industrial and secular world we have come to realise and understand that it is impossible to immerse ourselves in meditation and sadhanas for long sustained periods. The gaps that are not filled with some meaningful activities leaves the mind vulnerable to vain and evil thoughts.  Swami Brahmananda the first president of the Ramakrishna Mission always emphasised that in service greater stress should be on the attitude of the worker rather than the nature of the work.

The attitude of selflessness must form the cornerstone of all our activities if it were to be of any real benefit to our liberation. The lives of these great Swami’s are not mere inspiration but practical examples of this. We can only read with awe how they forsook their pursuit of solitary sadhana as monks and joy of samadhi for the welfare of the world.  When one reads the life of Swamiji and other great saints it was clear how they would pace about or lay restlessly in bed at the sight and suffering of others and will not be at peace until their miseries were relieved.

It was Swami Vivekananda who set the stage for this harmony between selfless work and worship as the foundation of spirituality that will elevate man in this silicon age. Swamiji said “You will reap the benefit of a lack of japa if you can feed those who are dying of starvation”. The words of Swamiji  is not unique to the Ramakrishna order but is a universal truth proclaimed by bhagavan Krishna himself in the Bhagavat Gita.

If man is serious about achieving the goal of liberation he needs to find a balance between, family , society and spiritual life. In this age the way is to live in the world but renounce the desire for rewards, fame and recognition.

When all come to understand that our existence is interdependent on the various elements of the world and on the societies we live in, we would have gained a little insight into Swamijis spiritual genius when he advocated seva as worship to the lord himself. 

A little excerpt here taken from a conversation with one of his disciples wonderfully unpacks this: 

 Swamiji -What is the good of that spiritual practice or realisation which does not benefit others, does not conduce to the well being of people sunk in ignorance and delusion, does not help in rescuing them from the clutches of lust and wealth? Do you think, so long as one Jiva endures in bondage, you will have any liberation? So long as he is not liberated ,it may take several lifetimes,  you will have to be born to help him, to make him realise Brahman. Every Jiva is part of yourself  which is the rationale of all work for others. As you desire the whole hearted good of your wife and children, knowing them to be your own, so when a like amount of love and attraction for every Jiva will awaken in you, then I shall know that Brahman is awakening in you, not a moment before. When this feeling of the all round good of all without respect for caste or colour will awaken in your heart, then I shall know you are advancing towards the ideal.

May these words of Swamiji inspire us to serve others and be as selfless as the fallen autumn leaf is my sincere prayer

With love and prayers always

Yogan