According
to Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, the most important teaching of Sri
Ramakrishna is 'renunciation' (tyaga). According to Swami Vivekananda,
renunciation is the stepping stone, the
real culture and the real heart of spiritual life. Yet,
for most of us, the idea of renunciation seems forbidding. Following
are the myths about renunciation which are NOT TRUE.
1. Renunciation is only for monks and nuns and others are not expected
to practice it. - Not true. There are two kinds of renunciation:
a) inner & outer b) inner; so renunciation is primarily an attitude
of mind and as a spiritual aspirant (whether monk or householder),
renunciation must be practiced. In Gita, Sri Krishna tells Arjuna
to practice renunciation while carrying out one's duties.
2. Renunciation means giving up and hence it is painful. -
Not true. Renunciation means giving up lower ideals for the sake of
higher ideals. One has to have shraddha (immense faith) in
the higher ideals; then renunciation (getting rid of the useless things)
becomes the most joyful experience.
3. Renunciation is the result of hatred and dislike. - Not
true. Hatred is also an attachment, the baggage that one carries in
the mind. To get rid of worldly attachment and hatred, substitute
it with the love of God or spiritual ideal.
4. Renunciation is unnatural. - Not true. According to Vedanta,
our real nature is divine - immortal, blissful, pure, perfect. So
it is the most unnatural thing to cling onto this world and behave
like a mortal, limited being and suffer.
5. Renunciation is a form of escapism; life is full of challenges
and one should face them. - Not true. Spiritual life is a life
of greater, much tougher challenges. Hence the Upanisad says, spiritual
life is not for the weak but for the courageous and brave people.
Whether knowingly or unknowingly we all practice renunciation for
higher values such as renouncing comfort for carrying out parental
duties, renouncing entertainment for the sake of studies, etc. For
a spiritual aspirant, things related to spiritual life or for the
love of God, are of greater importance. Renunciation means giving
up sense of possession and carrying out one's duties as God's trustee.
Then will come real joy, peace and contentment.
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