Happy New Year – 2024!

Recently there was a lecture presented on the topic: What is the goal of life?
by Swamini Sadvidyananda Saraswati https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIZbKPZpltA

In this talk the speaker has referenced an episode from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad:
Yagnavalkya, with his two wives and a large herd of over 1000 cows, decides to pursue the life of a renunciate (Samnyasin). He decides to give away all his possessions including the cow farm to Maithreyi (a scholar) and Karthyayini (modest housewife). Karthyayini accedes to his request. But, there are two questions from Maithreyi:
Question:
   Why are you seeking this change in life – from family man to Samnyasin?
   For what purpose are you giving me all this property?
Answer:
   I am not giving anything to you with any hope that you will get anything!
  The goal is that I want you to be Happy.
Question:
  Then “Who am “I”?
Answer:
  Purpose of life is to know the answer to the question: Who am”I “?
  Because everything belongs to “I”, “me”! The goal of life is also to be happy.
  Everyone says:
      I want to be happy everywhere       Sarvatra
      I want to be happy all the time       Sarvadha
      I want to be happy with everyone      Sarve’
      I want to be happy without a lot of effort   Anayasam
      I want to be happy with Knowledge     Jnanam
      I want to be happy independently     Swathanthryam

  Because of our ignorance we do not realize that “I” am that limitless happiness!
  Ignorance of the knowledge is removed by the knowledge
    (e.g.) Ignorance of Chemistry is removed by learning about the knowledge of the Chemistry
  Ignorance of the “Self” or “I” is removed by Knowledge of the Self.

In the following we expand on the above to add a few more details:

What is this knowledge of the “Self”?
I am a material object:
— hence under the influence of all forces of nature like ALL materials in the Universe are subjected to.
I am a living person:
— hence under the influence of all forces of nature that ALL living beings are subjected to.
I am an emotional person:
— hence under the influence of all forces of nature that ALL human beings are subjected to. These emotions can be identified as Tranquility, Turbulence and Inertial; All these emotions lead to our “experiences”. All these experiences are governed by our Knowledge, Bias and Ignorance of the details as well as their governing forces (i.e.) forces of nature behind them.
I am an analytical person, with reasoning and logic:
— hence I can see the interplay of the connectors – Knowledge, Bias and Ignorance – and the governing forces of nature. This ability in ALL persons is enhanced by self-reflection, objectivity and non-attachment. One can see the forces of nature behind anything or any situation, where one can. ALL our actions should be based on this. That is our duty.
Performing such duty is Karma Yoga.
When we are unable to see the connectors clearly or comprehend the forces of nature, we should have an implicit faith in their roles and seek a calm mind.
This faith and hence our calm mind help us to move forward to perform our duty as best as one can see or learn from others, teachers and/or scriptures. This is Bhakthi Yoga.
Through all of the above each of us is constantly seeking the knowledge of who is “I” as described above. This constant search for true knowledge helps us in our faith and actions.
This relentless search for “Knowledge” as an aid to our faith and actions is Jnana Yoga.
I am part and parcel of the forces of nature:
In all of the above, “I” as a physical being is merely an evidence, a witness to the forces of nature and their role, just like all materials, living beings, emotional persons and/or rational/analytical individuals. Like the electric bulb can be seen only through the electricity and the illumination (forces of nature) and the materials it is made of, “I” exist through the forces of nature and witness to the forces of nature. These forces of nature – known and unknown – have been identified as Brahman. Hence
I am Brahman (Aham Brahma).
Everything is Brahman (Sarvam Brahma Mayam).

When one lives true to the above knowledge, one merely lives and performs as influenced by the forces of nature; as an evidence and witness to the forces of nature.
Hence one enjoys, when that is natural, one grieves when that is also natural. But neither happiness nor grief affect me personally. “I” live – exist – an enlightened life of genuine inner happiness! In this way of living, the happiness sought above – I want to be happy everywhere (Sarvatra); all the time (Sarvadha); with everyone (Sarve’); without effort (Anayasam); with Knowledge (Jnanam); and independently (Swathanthryam) – becomes second nature to me!

May the above knowledge be part of your thoughts, feeling and actions! May that lead to a genuine and sustained happiness in you, around you and for everyone and everything connected with you! May that be the blessing from each other to each other!

Happy New Year!