When I was eight or nine years of age, I was so intrigued to see what happens to people who go into the temple to meet God. So I went and planted myself in front of a major temple, watching everyone closely when they come out. All I found was that when they came out, they were generally gossiping about something or someone they saw inside the temple — what they were wearing and what they were doing. In Indian temples, sometimes someone’s footwear walks away with someone else. And when they saw their footwear missing, they would curse creation and the creator.
I always found people coming out of restaurants who seemed to have more happiness on their faces than people coming out of temples and churches. Somebody went and met the Divine and came out without any joy on their face. Somebody ingested a dosa or idly and came out more joyful! Doesn’t make sense, does it?
This is because there is no experience of the Divine, there is only belief; and what you believe is just social and cultural. But can you live better minus God? I don’t think there is such a possibility. What is it that you call as God? Whatever the source of creation is, that is what God is. Can you live without the source of creation? Because there is a source of creation, there is creation. Can you live well minus the source of creation? There is no such possibility. Can you live without an awareness of the source of creation? Yes, but not too well. But if you are aware, conscious and in direct contact with the source of creation, you would live absolutely well.
Well into the 22nd century, a group of scientists decided to go and meet God. They went there and said, “Hey old man, you have done pretty well with creation. Thanks for that, but now we can do everything that you can do. We think it is time for you to retire.” God said, “Is that so? What all can you do?” “Well, we can create life.” God said, “Let me see.” So they picked up a little bit of soil and made a little baby out of it; it became alive. God said, “Ok, that’s impressive. But first get some soil of your own.”
Whatever you do, it is only from the source that is already there. Minus that, how would you do anything? There is no minus that. You can either be in access or not in access to God. If you live without access, you may have some capability, but also great struggle. That is what is happening right now with so many people. If you are in access, you will live in absolute ecstasy and capability.
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, an internationally renowned spiritual leader, is a visionary, humanitarian, author, poet and speaker. He can be contacted at www.ishafoundation.org
