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 the ascent, it is inevitable in life. Human life, being the 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 by viruses, bacteria, mosquitoes, bedbugs, cockroaches, lizards, snakes, scorpions, or any other kind of microbes, insects, etc. Soil, water, and the air around us, the vegetable and fruits we eat, also carry many harmful parasites, microorganisms, and pathogens. Nowadays 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, 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, and 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 a 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 the heart, blood circulation, and brain functions have to continue every moment of life. The moment these pauses, 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 the mind will be rusted by ignorance, dullness, and whims. Nature has designed its system so that nothing can escape the struggle.
There are some places (e.g. outer wall of a huge building) that cannot be cleaned by people in general. Stormy breezes 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 the existence of life here is itself a grand struggle.
Struggle for Survival and Ascent:
Not only the endeavors of fighting and uprooting something evil and wrong but also the efforts of protection and defense 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 the ambiance around and downward 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 hope 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 the 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 the 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 and every business demands unflinching industrious endeavors for noticeable achievements and rewarding gains. Making and managing a 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 have carried it from the Stone Age to 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 the pleasures of the sense organs. Average-level minds usually find entertainment in cinema, plays, music, sports, comics, or fiction 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 worthwhile, 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 the 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. Struggling to eradicate disease and make their patients healthy is the prime goal of noble doctors.
Intrepid patriots volunteer to join defense 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, and unfolding the mysteries of Nature concealed in the dreaded darkness of dense wilds, offer thrilling joy to 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 ambiance. What other amusement would they need? Their hearts pulsate with the distinct joy of spirituality. Their wisdom defines ideal entertainment. Their attitude and works define and illustrate the most evolved and elite form of entertainment – the struggle for illumined aims.
Tips for Commoners:
Most of us, 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 mindset.
Crucifixion was like humor 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 the 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 on the battlefield despite having eighty deep wounds on his body and conquered 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 the presence of angelic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi. Whatever we may argue, we certainly should not let ourselves become so weak or cowardly that 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 emerge from our own minds. We only need to adopt a righteous attitude. We can recall the examples of great men and women to inspire our minds in a positive direction. Many a time remembering the experiences of acquaintances in similar circumstances also help calm anxiety, fear, perplexity, aggression, or depression in testing moments.
Adverse circumstances should be viewed as higher-level examinations, passing which will transmute our qualities, sharpen
our talents and exalt our potential further. We have to put in the best of our efforts, then, even failure will add to the beneficial experience for the future and also chisel our personality.
Emotional balance is essential to enjoy any amusement. This should be our prime focus. One who has learned this art, alone can avail lasting happiness.
Life is full of challenges. Circumstances of life keep changing – neither the favorable nor the harsh ones are here to stay long. Neither the internal nor the outer world is void of adversities. No one is here who does not have to face unfavorable times. Then why panic? Those longing to grab and preserve cozy life and happiness, or hunting for peace should be told that real calmness and joy are 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, augment your courage, patience, and wisdom and see brighter horizons of life. Struggle is therefore elite entertainment. Welcome it!
Source: The Real Joy of Entertainment
