Ejector Collapse

A Rocket carrying a Satellite into space has many 'modules'. Each module after burning out its fuel and fulfilling its role is 'ejected' from the main 'mother ship'. If it is is the Time Sir? not done, the whole thing will collapse. In our ancient Indian social system, a similar principle was in force in the Chaturashrama Parampara, a tradition according to which human life in this world was divided into four stages. These stages were: 'Brahmacharya' (celibate studentship extending up to around 25 years of age), 'Grahastha' (married life of worldly involvement and enjoyment of worldly pleasures covering the next 25 years or so). "Vanaprasta' (life of reflection, contemplation, integration and instruction extending to the next 25 years or so), and finally 'Sanyasa' (life of total surrender to divine grace and preparation for departure from this world, extending to another 25 years). I have met a number of such 'ideal' men and women in my travels across the length and breadth of India. I have also learnt that they have all followed one basic principle in their lives, a principle can refer to as 'grow and outgrow'. This means one needs to 'eject' the 'burnt out modules' of one's life and go forward to rise up to greater heights. Each stage in life has a specific function to fulfil and a role to play. Having fulfilled and played the role appropriate to that stage, one must move on. Otherwise there will be 'crashes' and 'collapses' in life. For example, one is not expected to remain a celibate student all his/her life. Having finished the necessary education, one must find a suitable job to earn one's livelihood and support one's parents and family. Then he/she should find a suitable life-partner. One has to get married and raise a family of his/her own. Once the children are grown and are able to look after themselves, allow them the freedom to choose their professions and live their lives as per their own talents, convictions and resources. Don't try to 'possess' or 'control' the spouse and children, they are not our own. They are only God's gifts to us for a particular purpose at a particular stage in life. We have come into this world alone and with nothing in our hands. We shall leave this world alone and empty handed. The purpose of our worldly sojourn is not to cling on to people or things, or to control or possess them, but to love them and live with them in harmony and peace. Through such 'training and preparation' in this material world the human soul is sanctified and divinised to be worthy of its divine call and vocation in the spiritual world. The soul is sanctified and divinised only through the problems and difficulties faced by us in this world. 'Grow & Outgrow is the basic principle of long and healthy life of peace and happiness. Having grown to each stage, we must also outgrow it in course of time. Otherwise there will be crashes that will lead to suffering. Life will be a tragedy if we fail to apply this basic principle.