Weary, dreary, scary: these three words convey broadly the reality of modern materialistic life. Let’s see how:
Weary: The huge workloads, the overbearing deadlines, the breakneck pace – all these typical characteristics of our working lives drain us physically and especially mentally. Perhaps the best evidence of this weariness is our eagerness for the weekend break, and the dismay and resentment that sweeps over us when our work encroaches on our weekend.
Dreary: To get relief from our weariness, we usually bury ourselves in entertainment. But most entertainment today is centered on extravagant displays of lust, anger and greed, displays that become the stuff of our dreams. However, most of these reel-life displays are unrealizable in real-life. Over time, our inability to actualize these fantasies makes us dejected and dreary.
Scary: The economic, familial and medical uncertainties that dog us are scary enough. All the more scary is the thought of the inevitable doom that awaits us at the time of death. We may try to avoid thinking about death, but we can’t get rid of death and its scariness.
Thus, the reality of materialistic life is unpalatable, even brutal. However, we don’t realize it because the glitz and glamor of our culture expertly masks it. The Bhagavad-gita in its sixteenth chapter unmasks crass materialism and helps us see (16.11) how it leads to immeasurable anxiety till the moment of death.
Gita wisdom informs us that we can have a better life. As spiritual beings, we have the right to delight eternally in a loving relationship with Krishna. If we just stop being taken in by material allurements and learn to love him, we can reclaim our lost right to ever-lasting happiness.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Text 15
“I am perfect, powerful and happy. I am the richest man, surrounded by aristocratic relatives. There is none so powerful and happy as I am. I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give some charity, and thus I shall rejoice.” In this way, such persons are deluded by ignorance.”
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