I
find that quite often many are confused about the term evolution.
This is a seemingly simple and yet strangely elusive concept. When
we talk of evolution we are thinking of going higher and higher in terms of
capacity, awareness etc.,. It is true that this happens; but it takes
place in a subtle sense - it happens as a corollary - as a side effect of
dis-identification of our consciousness from worldly identities and resulting
conflicts. Through this dis-identification there is a rise in the
intensity of the consciousness you feel; and from the symptoms that you
exhibit, one can conclude that you are now evolved. This evolution is in
fact an unfoldment of your true and hidden potential and not a gathering of
something. It however is certainly an upwardly mobile process of
graduation to higher and higher states of presence; to freer and freer states of being. The
freest state is called Moksha.
And the gaining of these freedoms is called punya. The opposite action that results in the accumulation
of loss of freedom - is called paapa.
Dharma is movement towards moksha. Adharma is movement towards bondage.
And
the process of evolution of physical forms in the biosphere reflects this
hidden yearning of life consciousness to express the highest degrees of
freedom, to express the highest consciousness. Thus it seems like
consciousness is evolving. But actually physical forms are evolving in
their capacity to exhibit higher and higher degrees of consciousness and
therefore freedom. This evolution of the capacity of a physical form
continues even through the human form and there are various grades of human
potential that human beings exhibit. So most certainly there is such a
thing called evolution in the human world - and when we say this, we mean philosophically
that a life takes on progressively evolving forms until the highest
consciousness is revealed.
When
we look at existence purely in the spiritual realm, evolution is a term that does
not apply. The spirit is one thing that
does not need evolution; but the spirit within seems like it is struggling to
express itself, struggling to evolve - this is only an apparent feeling.
Spiritually there can be no evolution. But mentally and physically,
a human being can continue to evolve until he is completely established in his
supreme spiritual self. This is why many orthodox representatives of some
religions have a problem with the idea of evolution. But instead of recognising the contradiction
that no evolution can exist in the spiritual realm, while at the same time bio-forms
most certainly evolve in their ability to express higher and higher states of
consciousness, some may sweepingly reject every idea of evolution. All we need to do is to know in which field
evolution applies and in which field it does not apply.
Sometimes
we refer to people as being spiritually evolved. When we say this, we mean that the spiritual
dimension that one exhibits in his conduct is more evolved; one’s spiritual
intensity is higher. In order to exhibit
a higher spiritual intensity, an evolution is necessary in our physical and
mental selves. This is where the work
lies. And this indicates that we cannot
be indulging in our physical and mental selves and expect to grow
spiritually. We must tune our physical
body and cleanse our mental selves continuously until the spiritual self can
shine through. This is the purpose of
education and work in the human and social fields. In every endeavour, we must evolve, we must
endeavour to seek the underlying order and develop respect for timeless
principles that uphold our existence.
This will enable us to work wholeheartedly in everything that we do and
it will increase the intensity with which we work. Such work will gradually release awareness
about what constitutes true happiness, joy and freedom and in every step of our
work will enable us to make our physical mental selves more and more fit to
reveal a greater and greater spiritual intensity which is nothing other than
our true self.
When
one thinks of the seemingly searching aspect of consciousness as it goes from
one form to another, it is as if the Lord wants to look at himself in the
mirror. When a woman dresses up, she celebrates her beauty by spending
some time in front of the mirror. She does not talk about it and yet she
feels this beauty within herself when she sees herself in the mirror. The
Lord is no different! When he adorns his physical world with beautiful
creation, he will certainly want to take a look at himself in the mirror! That is why after decking up the deity, the temple priest shows the Lord a mirror! In many temples, there is even a ritual called the 'mirror-seva' [mirror service!] for the Lord or there
is a mirror room into which they take the celebratory form of a deity as part
of a public procession. When one is fully evolved, one's own individual
desires are extinguished and in this beautiful home, the Lord enters and looks
at himself in the mirror. This is the culmination of the purpose of
evolution - not mere survival!
Abridged version published in the New Indian Express: July 26, 2014 | Section: City Express, Bangalore Edition | Segment: Soulful
