The Problem of Pairs of Opposites

If there are hot days, then there are cold days.

If there are pleasant days, then there are unpleasant days.

If some days we are happy, then some days we are sad.

If some days, we are successful, then some days we face failures.

If some days we receive honor, then some days we feel insulted.

If some days we are healthy, then some days we get sick.

If we like something, then we dislike something else.

If there are rich people, then there are poor people.

If there are good people, then there are bad people.

If there are good administrators, then there are bad administrators.

If we are happy with life, then we face the fear of death.

This life is such that we cannot avoid the pairs of opposites. If we accept one, then we have to accept the other. We cannot have one without the other.

Our spiritual teachers show us the way out of this life filled with pairs of opposites. They say that the problem of pairs of opposites is in our minds.

I separate myself from my true identity, Atman, which is Pure Consciousness or Sat-Chit-Ananda (Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute), and consider myself a person who consists of body and mind. Then, I create my likes and dislikes according to the constitution of my mind, which is made by my ignorance and past impressions. This starts the whole drama, which is filled with pairs of opposites.

To go back to my true identity, I have to do three spiritual practices. (i) I have to listen to the teachings of the scriptures from the Holy People, which describe the nature of the Atman and ways to realize it. (ii) I have to reflect on these teachings to understand them properly, and (iii) I have to meditate on Atman until I realize that my true identity is Atman.

Thus, I can go beyond my little imaginary self, which consists of my body and mind, and go beyond the pairs of opposites. In that state, I realize all these opposites are in my mind. When the mind enjoys happiness, I will be very well aware that the same mind will make me suffer. I will not complain to God about my sorrows.

It is strange that we complain to God about our suffering, but not for giving us happiness. We complain about insults but not about the honor we have received. We complain about death, but not about giving us life.  This is because of our fundamental ignorance about our true nature, Atman.

People say it is hard to realize Atman. Then, we have to live in this world of opposites, sometimes happy and sometimes sad. It is usually for a bit of time happy, and more time sad. The choice is ours.