Human life is divided up in a great many ways, and countless stages of it are distinguished. By the measures of biology, individual development, society and morals, emotion, activity and law, we know of foetal existence and the age of legal capacity, passive phases of life and creative periods, phases of being in love and reproductively neutral phases, school age, the age of Christ and old age. We are all somewhere along the road of life… yet if we look on the largest possible scale at what the life of man is really about, we can say it in three words: we came, we love and we depart, and if we had to sum up the chief stages of life in three mottoes, then with an ancient Greek, a Sanskrit and a biblical maxim we would say: Know thyself! (Gnothi seauton), That thou art! (Tat tvam asi) and Arise and walk! (Surge et ambula). These three commands are enough, and it is enough to divide life into three stages: 33 years for study and preparation, 33 years for action and for spiritual self-realisation through practice, and 33 years for introspective self-reflection and preparation – this time for moving on.
- › That is full – this is full; from fullness comes fullness. Taking the full from the full, there remains, behold, its fullness. (Isha Upanishad, Invocation)
- › Every man has three characters: one that he shows, another that he is, and a third that he thinks he is. Bring these three closer together!
- › The goal of life: in the knowledge of reality, to recognise and grasp the true, lasting values of life.
- › Do not complain, it leads nowhere! The measure of progress is spiritual contentment. Appreciate everything with a hopeful, light heart, and then the spiritual goal will unfold before you.
- › Do not think of the fruit of your deeds! Attend only to the action itself! The fruit will ripen of itself. You have a right to carry out your calling, but do not cling to the result.
- › When a drum is beaten, you cannot grasp its sound, but if you grasp the drum or the drummer, you have grasped its sound as well. When the conch booms out, you cannot grasp its sound, but if you grasp the conch or the one who sounds it, you have grasped its sound as well. (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 2.4.7–8)
- › Victory has a hundred fathers, but failure is always an orphan. Almighty God and his surrendered devotee are an invincible pair.
- › At first the drive is fierce but discernment scant; later there is more wisdom, but strength is running low. Then replace what is missing with reason. Always live an authentic life!
- › Through your soul you can come to know the Soul of the universe; try to draw near to it through study, sacrifices, gifts and self-discipline. You are an eternal soul, you belong to God, and the bond of love binds you to him.
- › Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity…
In times past, preparation in the first stage of life meant not only acquiring practical knowledge but also mastering fundamental truths that stayed with a man for the whole of his life. This was especially so in India, where youths were placed in a master's ashram to study and to serve there. When the master sends his disciple forth, the disciple repays the teaching with a gift, and his master furnishes him with counsel. For a young man setting out into life, moral admonitions are of real use. As a disciple of the sacred teaching he may have gained much wisdom, but the teachings can be put into practice only in the course of his personal life. The young learn the tenets, but their enlightenment comes later.