In the olden times, there was a system called Vanaprasta- proceeding to forest- to prepare for the final departure from the world. Nowadays, that term itself will not be even dreamed, due to its implications.
A life is not
fulfilled with all the enjoyments left, still much to be enjoyed. It is told
that Dritharashtra, after the war , having lost all 100 children, did not
proceed to Vanaprasta, despite the promptings by his brother Vidura and even wife.
But he stayed back at Hastinapur for long 15 years, before he got disgust for that life. Then he lamented that he should have gone for vanaprastha much earlier!
“Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse
who spent several years caring for patients during the last 12 weeks of their
lives, routinely asked her patients about “any regrets they had or anything
they would do differently."
Bronnie Ware spoke of the
phenomenal clarity of vision that people would gain at the end of their lives
and the common themes that surfaced again and again during these conversations
Eventually, in a book
about the experience, she would distinctly identify- “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.” They are:
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I hadn’t worked so much.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.”
Such wisdom should dawn early. The import of spiritual teaching is to get that insight sooner than later.
Be happy . Be safe.
ॐ तत् सत्
8 30 AM
From Joy are born all creatures, by joy they grow and to joy they return.
(Taitiriya Upanishad)
लोका: समस्ता: सुखिनो भवन्तु
My response to the 5 findings are:
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2. Nowadays people work post retirement to maintain certain standard of living for themselves.
3.Feelings are emotional response. How true they can be. It may differ based on one's perception.
4. Staying in touch with friends is not one way street. The other person also must be interested to continue.
5. Yes here I agree. We must learn to be happy all the time. The source and reason for being happy must be known at very early age.
Thanks for sharing the blog.
Vanaprastha is all about giving your earned proficiency back to the society without remuneration . In ancient times the gurukools were based out of the city limits in midst of forest region. Hence the person with the skill set use to live retired life teaching the future generation and that use to happen in the vana or forest hence called vanaprastha ashram. That was true retirement by giving back to society as gratitude. Vanaprastha is relevant in today's context also
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