As we all know, stagnation and lethargy lead to degeneration and degradation. This is true of every system, every component of Nature. If there is degeneration or degradation, there is no life. And if there is no life, there is no joy.
Life, by its very definition is evolving every moment. Progress, activity, creativity, etc are natural signs of life. But none of these is possible without struggle. Be that the struggle for ‘survival of the fittest’, struggle for existence against odds, or struggle for ascent, it is inevitable in life. Human life, being most evolved of the life-forms on the earth is full of struggles of diverse forms and intensities.
In our day-to-day life itself we keep struggling in one way, or the other. For example, there is always a possibility of attacks of viruses, bacteria, mosquitoes, bedbugs, cockroaches, lizards, snakes, scorpions, or any other kind of microbes, insects, etc. Soil, water and air around us, the vegetable and fruits we eat, also carry many harmful parasites, microorganisms and pathogens. Now-a-days these are even found to contain toxins due to pollution and excessive use of pesticides etc. We can’t afford to be careless.
Violent animals like lions and leopards attack and eat other animals without any fault of the latter. Howsoever heinous and unethical they may be, but cruelty, tyranny, oppression and other kinds of devilish tendencies and vices and unfair practices do exist in this world in one form or the other. Nonviolence, sympathy, mercy, generosity are precious virtues. But if under the magnanimity of these virtues one continues to ignore or pardon the evils and attackers, the latter will grow stronger and spread their hazardous wings further and further….
Struggle is Nature’s Requirement:
The struggle of a being begins right from the embryonic stage. For example, in mother’s womb it struggles to survive on whatever is naturally fed through the umbilical cord. For taking birth it has to fight hard to break the cord and come out of the closet of the womb. In no time it has to learn and make an effort to suck mother’s milk; it also has to struggle to get acclimatized in the new environment and so on. Vital activities like respiration, pulsation of heart, blood circulation, and brain functions have to continue every moment of life. The moment these pause, the life ends.
The system of Nature is such that no efforts are required for acquiring dirt and earning degradation. But, for hygiene and health one has to clean the body and the surroundings and exert substantially to eat well and digest. Body and mind both are to be strictly disciplined like training of the wild animals. If these are not triggered to work, in no time the lethargic body will fall sick and the capabilities of mind will be rusted by ignorance, dullness and whims. Nature has designed its system so that nothing can escape struggle.
There are some places (e.g. outer wall of huge building) that cannot be cleaned by people in general. Stormy breeze and rains clean every such thing too. Because, Nature does not tolerate dirt and stillness for too long. In fact the maintenance of the cycle of Nature and existence of life here is itself a grand struggle.
Struggle for Survival and Ascent:
Not only the endeavours of fighting and uprooting something evil and wrong, but also the efforts of protection and defence against these are a part of the inevitable struggle for survival and growth and for maintaining one’s value-system and self-respect.
Negativity pervaded in the ambience around and downwardly trends of the society are often so pulling that if one were not struggling to move ahead against such prevalent trends, one would be caught in their whirlpool. Then there will be no hopes of real progress, satisfaction, peace and joy in life. Being vigilant, alert and bold to face and conquer the resistance, attraction and pressures of prevailing social trends and attacks of harsh circumstances is inevitable for evolution. If struggling was always dangerous or risky, only mighty tyrants or adventurous intrepid would have been seen ruling the entire world and there would have been near total absence of ordinary good people. But we all know that it is not true.
Virtues and evils, auspiciousness and adversity both exist in this world. This grand garden has flowers as well as thorns. The day is illumined by sunlight but darkness of night is also there. Along with sweet, sour and salty tastes, some bitter and spicy tastes are also necessary for varieties and balance in diet. There are ethics, social norms and civic codes of conduct to inspire and expand benevolence, moral values and mutual respect and harmony. But, there also are police, warfare and armed forces to check the wrongs and prevent the invaders.
A farmer has to clear the shrubs and plough the land, plant the seeds, irrigate the fields and keenly guard the saplings. It is only after this day-and-night toil that he can harvest the crop. Long years of diligent study bring the fruits of education and success. Every profession, every business demands unflinching industrious endeavours for noticeable achievements and rewarding gains. Making and managing home is no less challenging; it does not even allow a holiday break. Every front of life has its own demands and difficulties. It is the persistent and zealous struggle of numerous generations of humans that has carried it from the Stone Age to the modern civilization with its ultra-advanced technological developments.
Different Standards of Mind, Struggle & Entertainment:
The sphere of amusement of small (less evolved) minds revolves around pleasures of the sense organs. Average level minds usually find entertainment in cinema, plays, music, sports, comics, or fictions and roving around or picnicking out with friends, shopping, etc. Such people remain deprived of the distinct delight of struggle.
More evolved minds find immense joy in striving hard to do something worth, in implementing new ideas for far-reaching improvements, in treading the path towards higher goals, etc. Their struggle for higher aims is indeed a superior kind of entertainment that keeps their energy and morale boosted-up and sparks ever-new cheerfulness in their minds.
Good students wanting to achieve brilliant success and superior careers enjoy their studies and burn midnight oil to improve their knowledge and skills. Dedicated teachers find enlightening joy in their consistent struggle against ignorance; this is why they can so beautifully carve crude minds into fine talents. Struggle to eradicate the disease and make their patients healthy is the prime goal of noble doctors.
Intrepid patriots volunteer to join defence services and enjoy with pride their strictly disciplined, tough and strenuous routine full of risks and hard tests. Fighting with mighty opponents is an amusing activity for courageous wrestlers. Traversing stormy waves of the seas, diving deep in the oceans against all odds, unfolding the mysteries of Nature concealed in the dreaded darkness of dense wilds, offer thrilling joy to the adventurous explorers. Precious discoveries and inventions would not have been possible had the great scientists not enjoyed the struggle of enduring research.
Struggle to protect and spread goodness is like worship for the great social reformers, saints and altruistic leaders. Their elevated spirits spread serene bliss in the ambience. What other amusement would they need? Their hearts pulsate with distinct joy of spirituality. Their wisdom defines ideal entertainment. Their attitude and works define and illustrate the most evolved and elite form of entertainment – struggle for illumined aims.
Tips for Commoners:
Most of us, the ordinary mortal beings, cannot jump over to such high goals. We cannot imagine ourselves enjoying struggle as elite entertainment. This is because we don’t have the right kind of mind-set.
Crucifixion was like a humour for Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot even think of how He in human form could bear such pains. True, we cannot be the historic personalities like noble philosopher Socrates who cheerfully drank a cup of poison for his ideals; or like revered
Bhishma Pitamaha who in spite of being severely injured in the Mahabharat war, chose to lie on the bed of sharp arrows piercing his body and could postpone his death at will. Neither can we be like the great king Rana Sanga, who continued fighting in the battlefield despite having eighty deep wounds on his body and conquered over the enemies of Mevar (Rajasthan). But, don’t we know that thousands of ordinary beings like us had bravely given their lives in the freedom movement of India. We may attribute it to the trends of those times and presence of angelic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi. Whatever we may argue, we certainly should not let ourselves become so weak or coward who would escape from our duties, or cry over and look for others’ help in every moment of difficulty or hardship.
As pointed out earlier, the courage and potential to triumph over all agonies and challenges emerges from our own mind. We only need to adopt the righteous attitude. We can recall the examples of great men and women to inspire our mind in a positive direction. Many a times remembering the experiences of acquaintances in similar circumstances also help calming anxiety, fear, perplexity, aggression or depression in testing moments.
Adverse circumstances should be viewed as higher-level examination, passing which will transmute our qualities, sharpen our talents and exalt our potentials further. We have to put in best of our efforts, then, even failure will add to beneficial experience for future and also chisel our personality.
Emotional balance is essential to enjoy any amusement. This should be our prime focus. One who has learnt this art, he alone can avail lasting happiness.
Life is full of challenges. Circumstances of life keep changing – neither the favourable nor the harsh ones are here to stay long. Neither the internal nor the outer world is void of diversities. No one is here who does not have to face unfavourable times. Then why panic? Those longing to grab and preserve cosy life and happiness, or hunting for peace should be told that real calmness and joy is that which is attained after bravely traversing the phase of struggle and hardship.
Have faith that you are born to be happy. Nothing except your own attitude can bestow happiness upon you. Teach yourself that Nature poses struggles before you as opportunities to experience refined joy, to augment your courage, patience and wisdom and to see brighter horizons of life. Struggle is therefore an elite entertainment. Welcome it!
Source: The Real Joy of Entertainment
