How can we become extraordinary from ordinary? Is it necessary to give up our jobs, families and responsibilities to lead a spiritual life? Or can we transform our everyday activities into something meaningful by changing our consciousness? The Bhagavad-gita offers a practical answer. It teaches us how to rise above the ordinary pursuit of material happiness and dedicate our lives to the service of Lord Krishna. This is the essence of learning to become extraordinary from ordinary.
Human society includes people with different beliefs about God. Some believe in His existence, while others do not. These positions can be further understood through two terms: theism and atheism, and agnosticism and gnosticism.
Understanding the Different Beliefs About God
The terms can be broadly explained as follows:
1(a). Gnostic-Theist: Believes in God's existence and claims to know that God exists.
1(b). Agnostic-Theist: Believes in God but does not claim to have certain knowledge about His existence or nature.
2(a). Agnostic-Atheist: Does not believe in God, but does not claim to know with certainty that God does not exist.
2(b). Gnostic-Atheist: Does not believe in God and claims to know that God does not exist.
These terms describe different positions concerning belief and knowledge. They do not, by themselves, tell us everything about a person's character, intelligence or conduct.
Many of us, particularly in India, grow up in families where religious traditions and rituals form part of everyday life. However, we may not always learn the philosophy behind those practices. Sometimes, questions remain unanswered, and we continue following traditions without understanding their purpose.
Our generation and the generations growing up today are also strongly influenced by modern science and education. We often approach questions with the expectation: "Show me, and then I will believe."
When people with a scientific and rational education question traditional religious practices, they may not receive answers that satisfy their intellect. This can lead some to move from belief without certainty towards doubt, and eventually towards disbelief.
However, the problem is not necessarily that people ask questions. Sincere questions can be the beginning of genuine understanding. The difficulty arises when we stop searching for answers or reject a subject without examining it properly. The journey to become extraordinary from ordinary begins with a willingness to seek genuine knowledge.
The Ordinary World and the Rat Race
The Race for an Uncertain Destination
Since our school days, we see a rush to reach somewhere. Everyone seems to be running towards a destination that is often vague or poorly defined. Many people do not even know where they are heading. They simply follow the crowd, believing that everyone else must know the right direction.
We see beautiful skyscrapers being erected all around us. We admire luxurious residential complexes, swimming pools and other facilities that are often presented as necessities.
We become fascinated by the glittering nightlife and the attractions of modern living.
We may gradually replace virtuous personalities with celebrities, sports stars, politicians and wealthy or famous individuals as our role models. We observe their lifestyles and begin to define success and happiness according to what they possess or display.
Eventually, we may accept the idea that money, comfort and glamour are the primary means to happiness.
The Illusion of Remaining Young
We know that even a one-day-old toddler is growing older with every passing moment. Yet, when we look into the mirror, we often try to hide the signs of ageing with cosmetics and hair dye.
There is nothing inherently wrong with looking after our appearance. The deeper question is whether we are willing to acknowledge the temporary nature of our bodies and prepare for the realities of life.
Wikipedia defines a rat race as follows:
A rat race is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. It conjures up the image of lab rats racing through a maze to get the "cheese" much like society racing to get ahead financially. The term is commonly associated with an exhausting, repetitive lifestyle that leaves no time for relaxation or enjoyment.
We join this rat race to earn unlimited money in the hope of attaining happiness, even though the happiness we seek remains uncertain and temporary.
We may achieve one goal, only to set another. We may acquire one possession and immediately desire something better. The pursuit continues, but lasting satisfaction remains elusive.
To become extraordinary from ordinary, we must first recognise the limitations of a life centred only on material achievements. This does not mean rejecting our responsibilities or everything that makes life comfortable. It means asking whether these things can give us lasting fulfilment.
Discovering a Higher Purpose Through Krishna Consciousness
Sometimes, a turning point comes in our lives. We meet someone, come across a webpage, or read an article that introduces us to the forgotten science of self-realisation.
Through the teachings of the Vedic scriptures, we learn that the Supreme Lord is a reality, not merely a mythological personality. We begin to understand the temporary nature of a life dedicated solely to material achievement. We also learn that lasting spiritual happiness comes from developing our relationship with the Lord and engaging in His service.
As we hear these teachings, we may begin to see a great wall separating two ways of living: the material outlook with which we grew up and the spiritual way of life that we are beginning to discover.
This change in perspective is the beginning of becoming extraordinary from ordinary. We start looking beyond temporary achievements and consider the purpose of our existence.
The Biggest Confusion: Which Path Should We Choose?
Even when we recognise the limitations of material life, several doubts may hold us back:
1. What if the spiritual path is wrong?
We admit that material life does not provide lasting happiness. The spiritual path offers a higher purpose, but we may still wonder whether its promises are true.
2. Should we not follow the majority?
We see a huge number of people pursuing material goals. We may wonder whether so many people can really be mistaken.
3. Does spirituality mean giving everything up?
We may think that this is the time to earn, build a career and provide for our family, rather than renounce our responsibilities.
4. Is spirituality only for old age?
We may tell ourselves that spiritual life is meant for elderly people and that we can take it up when we grow old. This overlooks one important fact: none of us knows how many years we have left.
When we face such confusion, the Vedic scriptures encourage us to seek guidance from the Lord and His instructions. Rather than relying only on popular opinion or our changing emotions, we can examine the wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita.
Why Is Krishna Consciousness So Rare?
Krishna explains that genuine knowledge of Him is not easily attained. In the Bhagavad-gita, He says:
Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.
After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.
These verses reveal how rare it is for a person to attain genuine spiritual knowledge and surrender to Krishna. They also remind us that the opportunity to understand Krishna and develop devotional service is precious.
But what does this mean for those of us who are still learning? It does not mean that we should consider ourselves superior to people who have not yet taken up spiritual life. Rather, it should make us more grateful for the opportunity and more serious about our own spiritual practice.
Krishna further describes different attitudes towards Him:
Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons do not surrender unto Me.
O best among the Bharatas, four kinds of pious men begin to render devotional service unto Me – the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.
Of these, the one who is in full knowledge and who is always engaged in pure devotional service is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me.
All these devotees are undoubtedly magnanimous souls, but he who is situated in knowledge of Me I consider to be just like My own self. Being engaged in My transcendental service, he is sure to attain Me, the highest and most perfect goal.
These verses distinguish between different approaches to the Lord and describe the special position of a devotee who has developed knowledge and pure devotional service.
The point is not to use these descriptions to judge or insult other people. The verses should inspire us to examine our own lives. Are we approaching Krishna only when we need something, or are we gradually developing a desire to serve Him out of love?
There are many similar teachings in the Vedic scriptures describing the rare and precious opportunity to serve Krishna. The Lord personally assures His devotees that they will never be vanquished. In the Bhagavad-gita (9.31), He declares that His devotee never perishes.
The opportunity to become extraordinary from ordinary is therefore not a matter of external success or social recognition. It is the opportunity to develop genuine knowledge of Krishna and engage in His devotional service.
Does Spiritual Life Mean Giving Up Our Work?
One of the biggest misconceptions about spirituality is that it requires us to give up everything we do, including our jobs and family responsibilities.
However, Krishna gives a different instruction in the Bhagavad-gita:
The renunciation of work and work in devotion are both good for liberation. But, of the two, work in devotional service is better than the renunciation of work.
This verse teaches us that devotional service is not simply about abandoning our activities. We can perform our duties while offering the results and the activities themselves to Krishna.
Changing the Purpose of Our Work
Whatever field of work we choose, provided it does not violate the principles of scripture, we can engage our abilities in Krishna's service.
Normally, we work for our own promotion, reputation, status and family. We remain at the centre of our plans. Krishna consciousness asks us to change this outlook. We should place Krishna at the centre and perform the same work to please Him.
This does not mean that we should become careless or neglect our responsibilities. On the contrary, we should give our best effort and seek the best possible outcome. The difference lies in the purpose behind our work. We no longer work only for ourselves; we work to serve Krishna.
Making Our Resources an Offering to Krishna
We can earn a million a day. There is no harm in earning well, provided we earn honestly and use our resources in a way that pleases Krishna.
We may build or buy the best home we can afford. We can make Krishna the centre of that home by inviting Him to reside there in His Deity form and arranging our family life around His service.
Instead of thinking that we are the ultimate owners of our home and possessions, we learn to see ourselves as caretakers of what belongs to Krishna. Our home, wealth, talents and time can all become instruments of devotional service.
Krishna also explains that a devotee should remain steadfast in devotional service and not be discouraged. The assurance in Bhagavad-gita 9.31 gives us confidence that sincere devotional service is never lost.
How to Become Extraordinary from Ordinary
The point is that spiritual life does not necessarily require a change in our external situation. It requires an upgradation of our consciousness.
We move from the mentality of "I and mine" towards "Krishna and Krishna's". Our work, relationships, talents and resources may remain the same, but their purpose changes.
This is the essence of Krishna consciousness: Rise in love of Krishna and serve Him!
Any understanding of spirituality that is limited to external appearances or the mere abandonment of worldly responsibilities misses this essential principle. The real transformation takes place within our consciousness.
As we practise Krishna consciousness, we gradually develop qualities such as humility, compassion, self-discipline and genuine concern for the welfare of others. These qualities should become visible in our conduct and in the way we treat those around us.
We should not measure spiritual progress by how extraordinary we appear to others, how much we know, or how many people follow us. The real measure is how sincerely we are learning to serve Krishna.
With Krishna's mercy and sweet will, we may one day become the great soul described by Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita, who understands Him as the cause of all causes and surrenders unto Him.
That is how we can become extraordinary from ordinary: not by becoming materially famous or socially superior, but by transforming our consciousness and making our lives an offering to Krishna.
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