Mysticism and materialism

A seeker went to a Saint and asked humbly, “Dear Sir, it is commonly believed that for pursuing spiritual path, one has to give up material pursuits. Most of the sadhus and holy men even give up their household to pursue mysticism. Can’t both coexist – mysticism and materialism?”

The compassionate Saint looked at the seeker and with a gentle smile and chanted a shloka,

“Shuka Tyagi, Krishna bhogi, Janak Raghav Narendra, 

Vashistha Karmanishtsya, Sarvesham  Gyaninaam samana bhokta   II”

Shukadev was a renunciate, Krishna relisher, Janak Kingly,

Vashistha action oriented, all Self realized ones equally enjoys  II

The Saint continued, “Son, materialism and mysticism are independent of each other. Materialism is in respect to the outer world, whereas mysticism is all about the inner world. Sure, both can coexist, but only with the help of spiritually elevated and purified intellect. One doesn’t have to give up the material world for achieving the goal of supreme blissfulness of the inner world. Kabir, Guru Nanak, Sant Ravidas and many Saints realized the goal of life while leading a married household life. Even I haven’t given up my worldly pursuit while pursing my spiritual goals.”

“Saint Shukadevji lived his life as a complete renunciate in one piece of cloth; whereas Krishna  enjoyed all the pleasures of life. Janaka  lived the life of a King in a palace and Shri Vashishtha  lived an action oriented life while serving the mankind. But all of these Self realized ones enjoyed the same state of blissfulness and divine peace within. Once you realize that divine presence within even for as short as a few minutes, then the outer world become immaterial to you. How you act in the outer world doesn’t impact your inner state at all after such a realization just like a dream doesn’t impact your waking state.”

The seeker nodded in affirmation and the Saint continued after a brief pause, “The mystic enjoys both the worlds- the inner world and the outer world. While enjoying the outer world, the mystic remains in the state of witness without getting attached to anything emotionally or mentally. An English writer Chesterton quoted, "A mystic is a man who separates heaven and earth even if he enjoys them both."  If you lead a pious life while giving importance to such a mysticism, then you don’t have to give up material world.”