DR SANJAY TEOTIA explores the profound connection between the pursuit of truth and the conscious limitation of sensory pleasures. Drawing from spiritual tradition, he delves into how excessive indulgence clouds the mind and hinders our journey toward understanding ourselves
In the vast spiritual traditions of the world, the quest for truth has always been considered the highest pursuit. From the ancient Vedas to the teachings of Christ and the meditations of the Buddha, seekers have repeatedly been told one profound truth: if you truly desire truth, you must willingly reduce your attachment to pleasure.
At first glance, this teaching might seem harsh or even unnecessary. Why should one limit joy or comfort to attain truth? Is the truth so fragile that it disappears in the presence of pleasure? These are reasonable questions. But to understand the deeper essence, one must look at the nature of both pleasure and truth.
Pleasure is fleeting. It is tied to the senses—what we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell. A delicious meal, a soft bed, a melodious song—all these bring comfort but only for a moment. Soon, the mind craves for the next experience, the next thrill. This chain of desire becomes endless. The more we chase pleasure, the more we become enslaved to it.
Pleasure is not wrong in itself. It is natural and with it, one experiences joy in life. But when pleasure becomes the central pursuit, it clouds the mind. A clouded mind cannot perceive truth clearly. Pleasure often distracts us, anchors us to the temporary, and keeps us from diving into the nature of the eternal truth.
Truth, on the other hand, is constant. It does not come and go. It is the underlying reality beneath all outward appearances. In spiritual terms, truth is not merely factual correctness or sticking to things as they actually happened. In the spiritual world, Truth is the very essence of existence, the unchanging ‘truth’ or reality behind the changing world.
To access this deeper truth, one needs silence, clarity, and stillness. Truth speaks in whispers, not in the noise of indulgence. When the senses are overstimulated, the inner voice is drowned. The soul cannot be heard above the noise and demand for constant gratification.
Therefore, every true spiritual path has emphasised some form of restraint. This is not punishment. It is akin to giving a certain direction to one’s life. Limiting pleasure is not about rejecting the world—it is about not being consumed by it. When we consciously limit our indulgence, we create space within. This space allows truth to emerge.
Mahatma Gandhi’s life was a testament to simple living and high thinking. He understood that luxury and spiritual clarity do not go hand in hand. In today’s world, this principle is more relevant than ever. We are surrounded by distractions—endless entertainment, consumption, and a sensory overload. Many people feel spiritually empty despite having material abundance. This is because the soul does not find fulfilment in external pleasure. It finds peace in truth, in presence, and in connection with something greater than the self.
Dr. Sanjay Teotia is an eye surgeon and has had a distinguished career as a senior doctor in the UP Health Ministry till his recent retirement. He is also a prolific spiritual writer and his articles appear regularly in Navbharat Times and in Times of India, apart from YoursPositively and other publications
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