REAR VIEW

The most widespread , widely-acclaimed universal notion --- to be in the present moment , seems to be the mantra for an untroubled , undisturbed and unruffled life ! However, nothing is more ephemeral than the present moment for it is fleeting and not permanent. The minute it passes it becomes the past and is converted into a memory either to be cherished or to be forgotten. So it is the past that is permanent as it is stored in the human mind for as long as the mind can retain it. It is this hankering and yearning to cling on to the past that has been an obsession for humans since time immemorial . Today's Selfie culture is the most recent example of this fervent desire of making the present unforgettable and imperishable ! But to what end ? For What purpose? Memories , remembrances, recollections empower us to revive and relive the moment that has gone by ! What we wished could continue or what we experienced could be captured permanently can be done , and is possible only through memories. The English Bard, William Wordsworth's formulated term , 'emotions recollected in tranquility' signifies that the human mind has the unique ability to create memories which can rekindle the same emotions that it once experienced , when the mind is in a restful state. Our memories are therefore "emotions recollected in tranquility" ! The human mind is a repository of a plethora of countless stored occurrences and reminiscences. There are various categories of these remembrances ....some are joyous , delightful, fond while others could be not so joyous , disturbing , even harrowing, shattering that can torment and destroy the balance of the mind . Some are priceless that are valued and cherished forever and provide unalloyed happiness when the mind revisits them .However, those that are distressful and afflicting are the ones that humans wish to obliterate but at times are unable to do so causing several complications affecting the mental and physical wellbeing. Can be related to the Karmic effect ... Creating happy or unpleasant memories depends on our circumstances , happenings and also at times depends solely on us. It is true that we are helpless in the face of several untoward events that happen in our lives and fill our minds with stressful impressions .Unfortunately many a times we ourselves are responsible for making traumatic remembrances due to our own false egos, follies and foibles! Nevertheless if we wish and try we can create memories that we would wish to cherish for a lifetime . This will happen once our consciousness, our beings are infused with the sublime human values of patience , endurance , forgiveness and magnanimity. Then our present will convert into beautiful memories which the mind would love to revisit , rekindle and reanimate very frequently. But all this is easier said than done . To be able to inculcate and practice these noble virtues we need to be spiritually inclined. There always have been venerated saints who have shown mankind the right path and even now ,in these turbulent times ,there are spiritually enlightened philanthropists , mentors and revered Gurus who are perpetually trying to unravel the secret of happiness and contentment .This, they vouch, is possible through meditation which alone can help us to attain that coveted peace of mind and connect us to Our Creator ! The wonders and marvels of meditation can be experienced through practice alone . Once this happens and our minds are stable we can make our present pleasant and graceful so that we can look back with contentment , joy and pride , and experience perfect calm and mental quietude ! If our rear view images can enkindke and generate pleasurable emotions then we are truly blessed !!