The Spirit of Adventure

To some degree we all possess a certain craving for excitement or for experiences beyond the normal. Some of us feel enlivened taking risks of some kind whilst others simply strive to extend themselves beyond their comfort zones. Indeed, an adventurous spirit is considered by many to be a fundamental principle of life itself. Of course, we all have our own individual ventures and challenges and it is these very endeavors which can promote our growth and development.

Some people travel the world experiencing diversities in culture, sight and sound whereas for others sitting on the ocean floor forty meters under, surrounded by countless hungry sharks may be adventure. Some may penetrate deep into submerged caves with only a thin rope and limited compressed air as a life line to the surface. For others it may be the rush of free-falling from thousands of meters in the air or climbing forbidden peaks and mountains in exotic worlds. Then there are those who may hitch-hike across the unforgiving expanse of the Sahara desert or navigate the open ocean with its unpredictable elements, in only a teacup of a vessel. All of these different adventures often give one a profound sense of being alive and youthful. In fact for many, the need to challenge or even cheat death is required in order to feel truly alive.

From a deeper level of our existence though, we may not find such a continuous deep fulfillment through all our active pursuits. For most of the above adventures one may be searching for a certain sensation or rush of adrenaline to heighten the experience. From such a fix ones senses are enlivened giving the feeling of enhanced awareness. In this position one either faces or flees from his fears. However, we find that repeating the same activity several times reduces such a sensation as one becomes more accustomed to the situation. The initial rush of uncertainty is no longer felt as one becomes more familiar and even habituated or "natural" in their pursuit. Ever increasing challenges are required in order to access the fix we so eagerly yearn for. Even this exhilarating rush is itself relatively short lived due to the temporary nature of such activities. Through our temporary and limited body we can only experience temporary and limited happiness.

Bhagavad Gita explains that by nature we are the spirit soul, or pure consciousness. Being an individual living force beyond this temporary vehicle of our body, we possess an eternal nature and an eternal thirst for adventure. Also, this adventure, which alone can actually touch our real nature, is of a more refined quality. External activities may appear to be the same, but internally one's consciousness is of a different state.

The mind is the hub of our senses being the relay station for information coming in and of our subsequent interaction with the world. However, our minds are often our worst enemies if left uncontrolled. Therefore yoga aims at controlling the mind. This is the greatest challenge and adventure we could ever take. We have six formidable enemies who are enacting a fierce battle within our very hearts. Our pure consciousness is constantly assailed by these adversaries of lust, greed, anger, pride, illusion and envy. In fact our entire society today is founded on these hostile principles. A truly adventurous person is one who will stand up against these enemies and live for higher values. Through mantra meditation we can reawaken our pure identity and achieve victory in the battle. We then understand what is real adventure. However, meditation is not easy. Every session we enter the battlefield of our mind, combating against the missiles of negativity and laziness. To completely absorb our disobliging minds in the pure spiritual vibration of Krishna's names is an endeavor unmatched in this world. It is a gargantuan task as we have become so conditioned to materialism and ignorant of our real identity, becoming slaves to our enemies.

However, when we reconnect with our eternal relationship with Krishna through chanting his names, we reconnect with real adventure. Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that he is that very principle of excitement or adventure which we are all seeking. Krishna is the absolute truth or the supreme original consciousness, and from him all else emanates. Therefore he is the source of all thrills and pleasures. By chanting Krishna's names we obtain the power to control our minds. By chanting we also obtain positive realization of Krishna and of the plane of pure consciousness, a spiritual dimension of never ending adventure. All activity there is of an ever-fresh nature, is if done for the first time. Each time one meets Krishna, one tastes the flavour of fresh newborn love and joy. Familiarity and boredom are unknown as one experiences ever increasing excitement and bliss. There is no limit to the unlimited. Krishna is unlimited and by knowing him we can do more than simply cheat death, we will actually conquer death, and become completely fearless.

One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode. Bhagavad Gita 4.9

The real spirit of adventure is the adventure of the spirit.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare