THE VEDIC VISION OF LIFE

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

60. THE VEDIC VISION OF LIFE
Worshipful homage unto that Reality in whose presence we are gathered together at this
moment and in whose presence each one of you lives at each and every moment of your entire life.
Whether you recognise it or not, whether you realise it or not, whether you know it or not, it is an
unalterable fact that you verily live in the presence of God every moment of your life.
The Vedic vision of man and view of life makes one fearless. It makes one recognise one’s
deathless immortal nature, one’s imperishable divine nature—beyond name and form,
transcending time and space, without birth and death, supreme, unborn, eternal, imperishable,
permanent, never changing.
Established in this view, convinced of this truth, the true follower of the ancient Vedic way
of life is fearless. Such a one laughs at death; he knows that death has no meaning for him. It may
apply to this physical cage of flesh and bones in which he is imprisoned for a little while, in which
he dwells for a little while, but he is ever ready: “Let death come. What do I care? I shall receive it
with joy and exit from here exulting in the shedding of the confining limitation of this physical
body.”
Thus, fearlessness is the interior of a being who is established in the Vedic vision of himself,
the Upanishadic vision of himself. But, nevertheless, he is ever prepared to utilise life to the very
fullest for the highest blessedness of himself and for the highest good of one and all: “We are but

passing pilgrims here. Therefore, let us do maximum benefit to God’s creation in which we live and
through which we pass.”
Thus, there is only this one great intention, one great objective, one great thought: “Let me
be a centre of maximum benefit and blessedness to all beings around me.” That is the true Vedic
ideal of life—to live and be in this world, not for oneself, not for anything else, but for the highest
good of all and the supreme blessedness of oneself.
The follower of the Vedic view accepts life as a great gift. He knows its value, and he tries to
utilise it for the highest attainment and for the maximum good of one and all. Therefore, he
combines a robust and most practical pragmatism with the highest transcendental idealism—
absolutely fearless, laughing at death, knowing that it has no meaning, but absolutely aware of the
great worth and value of this brief sojourn and passageway.
“I know that everything is transitory, temporary. I know that all my connections are
ephemeral, momentary. Nevertheless, while they are there they are meaningful, very significant
and invaluable. Therefore, I shall grasp life with both hands. I shall say ‘Yes’ to life with all joy in
my heart, and I shall put every faculty that I have received from God to the highest and best use,
having but one view—the happiness of all, the good of all, the service of God in man, the service of
the manifestation of the Universal Soul as the Virat Purusha, the Cosmic Being.”
Thus, there is at once a down-to-earth reality and the highest supreme flights of
transcendental idealism—a strange, unbelievable combination, but, nevertheless, a most wonderful
and most beautiful combination. Caring neither for life nor death, knowing that it is the same; ever
prepared to journey forth, to finish this game; but, knowing very well that not all are fortunate
enough to be endowed with this insight, with this higher vision; therefore, with great compassion,
recognising the relative reality of this earth appearance, this world show, for those who are still in
avidya, in maya, in ajnana, one plays the game of life with great dakshata, with great expertise, ever
a source of help and service, of solace and happiness, of peace and harmony, of love and
friendliness, of sharing and giving, of encouragement, of all that is true, auspicious and beautiful, of
all that is divine, for you are divine.
Thus the Vedic vision and insight grants us the supreme privilege of fearlessly moving
through life knowing that we are ever free, but, at the same time, most beneficially moving through
life with universal goodwill and a ceaseless, selfless giving of oneself for the happiness of one and
all. This is the strange and beautiful end-product of the rightly recognised value of the supreme
experience of the Vedic sages.
May you all live life endowed with this knowledge and vision, with this inner light and
insight, and thus live to enrich God’s creation, enrich the life of each and every one whom the
Supreme Being brings you into contact with. Be a light in the darkness! May God’s grace abide in
you!