In the fast moving world of today as we move on to fresh fields and pastures new, we should set out in search of the true, Satyam, the good, Shivam and the beautiful, Sunderam. As we proceed, progressively in this search we sometimes slip and fall. It is at such times that we are petrified and unable to move ahead. At such times, we may hear an inner voice repeating a lesson of admonishment, "Get up and walk the path again." Life is like the river Ganga as she trickles forth from the eternal snows, runs, curls, gurgles, gushes down the mountain, meanders round boulders, broadens in valleys and, slowing down majestically, merges into her destination - the all-embracing ocean. She appears to move from youth to old-age all at once, forever the same and forever changing. She is a perfect example of the lessons of life that we can learn from all around us.

Unfortunately, life does not come with a prescription on how it is to be lived. We all must make our own choice - intelligently and independently for deep down, we are ever striving for harmony, peace and perfection. We need guidance as we toss about in the sea of samsara searching knowingly or unknowingly, "for the Changeless substratum of the ever changing."

Chinmaya Mission is an institution, founded more than fifty years ago with the primary vision of helping each one of us to see a lasting value in an ever-changing world, dancing around us. The architect of this Mission, Swami Chinmayananda reverentially known as Gurudev, was an organiser nonpareil with a mission and a vision in life. His modus operadani inter-alia was the "Jnana Yagna" which the Mission continues to follow faithfully. To Gurudev -

"Man is ever striving for harmony and perfection. How great he would be - if only he had more control - over himself." The knowledge to achieve this he gives through the reaching of the sacred texts in these "jnana yagnas".

We explore outer space and are ready to hoist our national flags on the moon - but we fail to explore our inner being. We have not yet mastered ourselves. We load ourselves with plenty of material goods and comforts to hedge us from the vicissitudes of life; but to no avail. We look for happiness in the outside world - how can there be any lasting value in this ever-changing world, dancing around us! As a result, we get discouraged and feel miserable sinners. However, "the Halls of Vedanta have room even for miserable sinners. How great she must be! And such is her glory that she knows no sins - only mistakes, and mistakes can be corrected," says Gurudev and add -

"Every philosophy must necessarily not only expound its theory, but also show us how to reach the goal. We must know the concept of Reality, the higher Truth; we must find our place in it and only then philosophy becomes complete and it can teach us how to strive to reach the peaks.

Today our glorious heritage is buried under the debris of matter and machines. Gurudev says,

"It is not dead. Unearth it - silently, secretly, diligently, tirelessly. Discover the changeless substratum, of the ever-changing. Come to realise that you are not this bit of flesh, this bundle of emotions, this confusion of thoughts. Find the highest in and through life. Think, reflect, and meditate. Withdraw your energies from their various fields of dissipation and employ them in the search for truth.

The search is arduous; the path is rough and difficult. But the ultimate goal is yours by right. There is no better time than the present. Let us start, here and now!" Gurudev founded the Chinmaya Mission to faithfully take up the sacred work of resurrecting the human being and helping in his endeavour to start straight away.

"Ours is a human problem - the problem of character - the texture of the social life. To revive it is to revive man. To reinstate the personality within each Hindu is the goal. Certainly it is a silent and quiet work; it needs boundless sacrifice from each one." To live thus serving all, is in itself the essence of Vedanta and our spiritual sadhana is to raise, to help and revive others around us. We serve the Lord through the service of the people around us. Every act in life is an act of worship of the ever-present Sadasiva everywhere.

Om Shanti! Shanti! Shanti.

Sivanandini Duraiswamy

Chinmaya Mission, Colombo.

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