Our disease is Worldliness
In the Srimad Maharamayana of Valmiki, it illuminates the very nature of existence and our place within it. And within its radiant light, we come to understand a truth that is both simple and devastating: worldliness is indeed our greatest addiction and the most debilitating disease of this life.
Think of worldliness not as an external force, but as a gradual current that pulls us ever deeper into its swirling vortex.
What is this "worldliness"?
It is a relentless identification with all things material. It is the belief that our happiness, our security, our wealth and our very identity, lies in the acquisition of objects, the pursuit of transient pleasures, the approval of others, the accumulation of power, or the avoidance of discomfort.
Why is it an addiction?
Consider the addict. They crave a substance, not because it truly nourishes them, but because it offers a momentary escape, a fleeting sensation, a false sense of fulfillment. The more they indulge, the stronger the craving becomes, and the more dependent they grow. So it is with worldliness.
The Craving for More: We acquire wealth, and immediately we desire more. We achieve a certain social status, and we yearn for a higher one. We taste a pleasure, and we seek its endless repetition. This is the endless cycle of desire that binds us. Each "fix" of worldly satisfaction we take, provides only temporary relief, leaving us emptier and more desperate for the next.
The Illusion of Control: We believe that by manipulating the external world, we can control our inner state. We build walls of security, accumulate possessions as a buffer against uncertainty, and chase experiences in the hope of perpetual joy. Yet, the material world is inherently impermanent, and our attempts to control it are like trying to grasp smoke. This futile striving only deepens our entanglement.
The Fear of Loss: The greater our attachment to worldly things, the greater our fear of losing them. This fear paralyzes us, fills us with anxiety, and prevents us from truly living. It is the shadow that constantly looms over our fleeting joys.
The Cycle of Action and Reaction: Our worldly desires propel us into endless actions that accumulate karma, each of which creates further reactions, drawing us deeper into the web of worldliness. And in effect, we are constantly creating the conditions for our own continued bondage.
And why is worldliness considered the great disease?
A disease impairs our natural functioning, diminishes our vitality, and ultimately threatens our very existence. Worldliness does precisely this at the very core of us. Such is the nature of a disease, but to gradually debilitate its hosts natural, inherent ability. Through the allurement of world illness, we are enticed to have one more drink, one more slice of cake, one more night of just staying up, one more morning of sleeping in, one more smoke, one more guilty pleasure, one more touch. And by constantly pursuing this worldly “one more”, the body slowly and slowly becomes susceptible to physical and mental illnesses.
Blinding the Inner Eye: The constant outward gaze, the allurement of the external world, blinds us to our true nature. We forget that we are not these bodies, these possessions, these roles, these aspirations, but rather pure consciousness; the Atman. The disease of worldliness keeps us perpetually distracted from this fundamental truth.
Sustaining Illusion (Maya): Worldliness thrives on the illusion of maya, the belief that the external world is ultimately real and separate from us. This disease distorts our perception, making us mistake the shadow for the substance, the dream for reality.
Causing Mental Anguish: The constant striving, the inevitable disappointments, the fear of loss, the envy, the pride – all these are symptoms of the disease of worldliness. They manifest as mental anguish, stress, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction.
Preventing Liberation: The ultimate goal of this human birth, is liberation (moksha) – freedom from the cycle of birth and death, by genuine realization of our true, unconditioned self. Worldliness acts as the heaviest chain, binding us firmly from soaring to the heights of spiritual realization. It is the greatest impediment to our spiritual well-being.
Leading to Rebirth: As long as the disease of worldliness afflicts us, as long as we remain tethered to sincere desires and attachments for all things of the world, we are susceptible to repeated births and deaths, forever chasing shadows in a world of illusion.
The Srimad Maharamayana of Valmiki, meticulously unpacks this truth. It teaches us that it’s not about renouncing the world externally, but rather releasing our internal attachment to it.
It is about understanding the temporary nature of all things, recognizing the true source of happiness within, and thus transcending the grip of worldliness.
So observe your own mind. See how it constantly gravitates towards external objects and experiences, instead of spiritual topics, thought and contemplation. Witness the subtle ways in which you seek fulfillment outside yourself. This observation, this conscious awareness, is the first step towards healing from this most pervasive of all human afflictions.
May you find the path to inner freedom.