There is no standard for leading your life. Whatever you feel is right – you have a choice as to the action but not the result and you have to face the consequences of your actions, whatever they may be. Nobody tells you whether the life you have led is good or bad (except your well intentioned spouse :)) since no one knows what is right.
Right and wrong is a matter of perspective – it is a fiction that we individually or collectively believe in.
Life is a multiple choice questionnaire and you keep choosing the answers depending on what your innate nature is. Am sharing some wisdom from the scriptures that may possibly help in deciding the direction of your life.
As per the Samkhya Philosophy the entire creation is made of 3 Gunas – Sattva(Clarity), Rajas(Motion), Tamas(Inertia). Everyone/everything is a combination of the 3 Gunas and the dominant Guna determines the nature of the person.
The Patanjali Yoga Sutras states Human beings personalities can be classified into 5 broad types of Chitta (Mind/Personality Complex)
1) the restless (ksipta), – Rajas is the dominant Guna
2) the torpid (mudha), – Tamas is the dominant Guna
3) the distracted (viksipta),- Rajas is dominant Guna with interludes of Sattva
4)the focused (ekagra), – Sattva is the dominant Guna and
5) the restricted (niruddha). – Transcends Gunas
Kshipta, Mudha, Vikshepa, Ekagra and Niruddha are the five Yogic Bhumikas. The Chitta or mind manifests in five different forms. In the Kshipta state, the rays of the mind are scattered on various objects. It is restless and jumps from one object to another. In the Mudha state, the mind is dull and forgetful. Vikshipta is the gathering mind. It is occasionally steady and at other times distracted. By practice of concentration the mind struggles to gather itself. In the Ekagra state, it is one-pointed. There is only one idea present in the mind. The mind is under control in the Niruddha state.
Most people are in the Mudha/Kshipta category and believe that sensual pleasures and pandering to ego is the purpose of life. Spiritual seekers are in the Vikshepa category and need consistent, sustained practice of Yoga to become Ekagra. Very few people are in the Niruddha category. Time is of no consequence on this path, sincerity & faith is…
Again, nothing is right or wrong. Your path is your choice. It depends on what gives you meaning and value in life…
May your choices reflect your hopes, not fears – Nelson Mandela
Bodhisattva 