We often view the world as a place to fulfill our dreams and live a “full life.” We’re so busy trying to achieve our goals that we sometimes forget to think about what this world is really like.
Great spiritual teachers work tirelessly to open our eyes to the real situation. A sage once said to a king, “There’s no true happiness in the material world, because it’s full of misery.”
Sources
There are many sources of misery: Natural disturbances bring destruction and pain, but living entities also cause misery to one another. Our bodies suffer from all kinds of pain, and we eventually come face to face with death. Despite this, we seem to think that we’ll be here forever.
Due to false bodily identification, arrogance and ignorance, materialism makes us blind, so we try to claim ownership of the world.
Acknowledging the problem is the first step to finding a solution to this “disease.” Just as a blind person employs the help of a doctor to help him see again, we must also find a teacher who can help us see where we’re going. Indeed, a person who desires to attain genuine happiness must find a spiritual teacher who will provide him the assistance he needs.
As we celebrate Teacher’s Day, let us thank our mentors for their guidance and wisdom!
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