EVEN after truly beginning to stabilise on one’s ‘truest interest’, certain destabilising factors could still creep in. Particular simple, yet vital issues would go to ensure that enduring fulfilment would adorn the stability, obtained through assiduous efforts.
In the prayer evolved for himself, Benjamin Franklin, referring to that “wisdom which discovers my truest interest”, also beseeches, “strengthen my resolutions to perform what that wisdom dictates. Accept my kind offices to thy other children …”
An analytical reading of this would reveal that the process of obtaining the needed wisdom and strengthening of resolutions should also go with doing only “what that wisdom dictates” and not anything else, which could retard progress in one’s chosen field. Indeed, it is possible that during this progress, other manifestations of human excellence (“thy other children”) would also beckon the aspirant’s creative fire within. He could, then, unwittingly change tracks. This would be akin to changing horses in midstream. He would thus be left high and dry, with all efforts put in being rendered abortive.
In this regard Franklin’s guideline, on focusing only on one’s chosen objective, is of immense relevance. Indeed, as pointed out by Arthur Conan Doyle, the human brain is like an attic, which can store only limited furniture. When one chooses to put more pieces inside, the really useful ones could get elbowed out!
Verily, this also is the crux of all lessons on true focus — desisting from forays into fields, which may be sublime in themselves, but which could merely serve to dilute the needed single minded approach. Another issue for insuring against distractions is on obtaining the needed financial security and facilities — the Indian concept of artha, supporting one’s dharma, kamaand moksha.
The most basic requirement of all, however, is evolving healthful habits and lifestyle for good physical health too — the yoga ideology and also Kalidasa’s concept, shareeramaadyam khalu dharmasadhanam (Kumarasambhavam — V, 33). All clarity and intensity in approach would become worthwhile only with acquisition of all-round health. True fulfilment in pursuit of one’s ‘truest interest’ thus involves a comprehensive and integrated approach — a systems approach. This alone brings a feeling of completion to any quest — that poornatvam, as in Indian parlance.
(SOURCE : THE ET)
In the prayer evolved for himself, Benjamin Franklin, referring to that “wisdom which discovers my truest interest”, also beseeches, “strengthen my resolutions to perform what that wisdom dictates. Accept my kind offices to thy other children …”
An analytical reading of this would reveal that the process of obtaining the needed wisdom and strengthening of resolutions should also go with doing only “what that wisdom dictates” and not anything else, which could retard progress in one’s chosen field. Indeed, it is possible that during this progress, other manifestations of human excellence (“thy other children”) would also beckon the aspirant’s creative fire within. He could, then, unwittingly change tracks. This would be akin to changing horses in midstream. He would thus be left high and dry, with all efforts put in being rendered abortive.
In this regard Franklin’s guideline, on focusing only on one’s chosen objective, is of immense relevance. Indeed, as pointed out by Arthur Conan Doyle, the human brain is like an attic, which can store only limited furniture. When one chooses to put more pieces inside, the really useful ones could get elbowed out!
Verily, this also is the crux of all lessons on true focus — desisting from forays into fields, which may be sublime in themselves, but which could merely serve to dilute the needed single minded approach. Another issue for insuring against distractions is on obtaining the needed financial security and facilities — the Indian concept of artha, supporting one’s dharma, kamaand moksha.
The most basic requirement of all, however, is evolving healthful habits and lifestyle for good physical health too — the yoga ideology and also Kalidasa’s concept, shareeramaadyam khalu dharmasadhanam (Kumarasambhavam — V, 33). All clarity and intensity in approach would become worthwhile only with acquisition of all-round health. True fulfilment in pursuit of one’s ‘truest interest’ thus involves a comprehensive and integrated approach — a systems approach. This alone brings a feeling of completion to any quest — that poornatvam, as in Indian parlance.
(SOURCE : THE ET)
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