GURUDEV: From the point of view of the materialist, life is an illogical and meaningless procession from birth to death. One who is constantly engaged in the pursuit of earning, procuring and hoarding material wealth cannot have the required subtlety of mind to inquire into the possibilities of the hereafter.
As long as the mind and intellect are drowned in the base values of life, which are built upon thoughtless conclusions and instinctive identification with one’s body, one will not easily entertain the urge to go beyond the shackles of mortal limitations. The materialistic person seems convinced that there is nothing after death, and firmly believes that death is the end, as no one has ever come back to talk about it.
But for spiritual students, life is a continuous process with a great purpose, a glorious pattern and full of meaning. They understand that the life which they are living today is an effect and since every effect must have a cause, their lives must have their independent causes, even though they may not be visible today.
Spiritual life is a continuous attempt to live a divine life. Thus, the spiritual student tries to live up to certain higher values, such as tolerance, love, kindness and mercy.