It is indisputable that whosoever is born is destined to die. We are also going to die one day. If preparations for that great journey are made right now (since the time of death is unpredictable) the apprehensions and misery at the moment of death can be avoided. Regarding death as a remote possibility and considering the issue irrelevant now for own selves, ultimately turns out to be a very painful experience. In the scheme of God, human life is meant to serve a great purpose. After inhabiting millions of body-forms in species of the lower order for times immoral and making considerable effort, the soul ultimately evolves to a state worthy of human life. Could there be a greater folly, if instead of utilizing this jewel of life is to make an outright Endeavour for communion with God and thereby achieve the most elevated status in the biological kingdom. But how many of us even give it a thought? Look around and you will find everyone running recklessly in the mad race for fulfillment of the never ending list of desires. Most of us are perpetually engaged in sensual gratification, basking in self-glorifications, feeling contented in one's own little world of mistaken values and other such ephemeral achievements. While we are busy in creating mirages in our life again and again reproaching ourselves for repeated self generated follies, the valuable moments of golden opportunity in life pass speedily. Unaware of the loss, we continue to spend precious moments of life in insignificant activities. Death should never be taken for granted. It is lurking anywhere, any time to claim anyone of us as its next victim. Who knows whether one is going to see the tomorrow for which he is planning today? It should be most unfortunate to overlook such an eventuality. It is, however, yet not too late. Every one of us has to wake up and ask him these questions. What is life meant for? Who am I? What is it, I want to achieve in life? Consider these questions as significant for one's existence, as important as his daily bread and butte. Repeated deliberations on these questions would set one on the process which is known as "Preparation for Death". The task meant to be carried out tomorrow requires a proper planning today. Since, one does not know the precise moment of his death, he has to begin the preparation right now.
The best preparation for death is to understand the principle of Anasakti Karma Yoga and make it the philosophy of one's life. We are our self responsible for our entanglement in the phenomena of Maya (The illusion about the penance of worldly things and of our own relation to them). We not only become unduly attached to this illusion Maya but also enjoy our captivity in its bondage-forgetting everything else. What is the way to regain the freedom of soul from this entanglement? Every day practice the mental exercise given in the book "Whom am I?" by the author of this book. Let the following concept sink deep in mind and make it a practice to imbibe it in each moment of living. "Being a part of that Omnipotent, eternal entity, I am indestructible, everlasting, incorruptible, unchangeable (Avinashi-Nirvikar) soul (I am not this body). That the knowledge, of the supreme truth, existence and bliss (sat-Chat-Anand) are my (soul's) permanent virtues. This world is a stage not my property, on which I am only a performing artist." The more our convictions grow and become firm in this concept by auto-suggestions, the greater becomes our enlightenment. Look after your wife, children and other family members with great love, but be detached and do not consider them as your property. Instead make them an object of adoration. They are fellow beings aerated by God for you to look after. Acquire wealth but for a good purpose - not to accumulate and suffer like the honeybees. Carry out all your activities in the normal way like a worldly-wise person, but change your point of view. Do not forget for a moment that the objects and beings of the world do not belong to you, that others are not your slaves. It is a simple and straight question of ownership between you and the Creator. Everything in this world either belongs to you or nothing belongs to you, it belongs to God. I and 'my' cannot coexist with 'He' and 'His'. In a nutshell, this it self is the riddle of Maya. The entire science of yoga is meant to solve this very riddle. We commit sins because our perspective of self (I and My) is extremely narrow. It is confined to our present physical existence only. Make an outright Endeavour to expand the boundaries of your Self to encompass all beings. Since they belong to that omnipresent Entity, of which you are also a part, no one is alien in this world; everyone else is your own self. The sense of belonging should be of a noble order, like the relationship between a mother and her innocent child and not that of a thief and the cash box of other. See the Omnipresent God personified in all worldly beings and serve them with utmost devotion. Instead of regarding your wife as your helper honor her as a deity like Mary in the Church. Likewise treat your sons and daughters. Carry your worldly responsibilities towards them according to worldly norms. Let your wife not be deprived of her physical and emotional needs nor the sons and daughters of education and spiritual training. But a fair word of caution here! Do not ever think that they are your property. Otherwise, the consequences will be very bad for you. You will fall into a great deception and will get into an unfortunate situation from which it would not be possible to extricate yourself, whether effort you may make. The cause of all misery in this world is attachment (Moha). You declare some land as your own, which from the beginning of creation had belonged to so many. The gold and silver too are products of nature. Your wife in this life might have been your mother in an earlier life. Souls are independent entities. None belongs to anyone. An-ignorant person thinks that all these are his or her and therefore, he or she has a right of utilization for his own sake. Wisdom tells otherwise, it says "Each particle of this creation is perpetually in fast motion - ever changing." Nothing is static here. The water flows, air moves, earth revolves. Old decayed cells of your body are deserting you continuously and are being replaced by newer ones. You cannot claim even a straw as your own. So, be a part of the world, but do not be attached to it. If you wish to enjoy the waves of a running stream, watch them quietly by all means. Any attempt made to stop movement would only throw you aside disdainfully.
Ignorance of the eternal truth is the root cause of sorrow, adversity, misery and pain. There is one and only one root cause of suffering at the time of death-immolation in the inferno of hell, wandering of soul as ghost and spirit and repeatedly falling in the trap of the cycle of birth and death and that is the veil of ignorance surrounding the soul. So, Friend! Throw away this mask of ignorance and become enlightened. Do not live and die as one of the lowly innumerable creatures of the world. Have a taste of immorality (Realize and enjoy the truth of your immortality). God is love. Worship is love. Heaven can not be bought. Flattering entrustments (prayers) cannot deliver you from the bondage of ignorance and attachment. Rituals of religion can do little for the up-liftment of soul. Do not expect others to free you from this bondage, since none is capable of doing it. Let your own self make and Endeavour to free your soul, (Uddharet atmanam). Become large-hearted, so that everyone else appears intimate. Fill your 'Self' with love and sprinkle this nectar of love on every other living being of the world without any discrimination. Carry out your duties religiously. Let there not be any slackness in performance of your worldly responsibilities, but be like a lotus-living in this world but detached from it. Be a Karma-Yogi like King Janak. Be unattached. Consider everyone as your intimate friend. Realize, (being part of the Almighty) how great you are and holding your head high with pride, say, "So s s s Ham" - I myself is that God. With self-enlightenment, you can make your other world full of happiness. Then alone the thought of death would not trouble you. Life would appear to be like a game in which you are merely a player. You will be elevated and achieve the great goal of human life in this life itself. In order to prepare for death, begin to contemplate on the real nature of your soul right from this moment. As soon as you become convinced about your greatness all bondage of Maya-Moha (illusion and attachment) will be shattered. The changed perspective would provide you lasting happiness. Declare to your soul loudly, that you cannot become mean, petty and selfish since you are part of the Supreme Eternal Existence and bliss.
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