Idealism

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Why are we all idealistic, not content to let things be as they are?

We can trace our realities from the very beginning of our babyhood. We begin with total helplessness. Whatever our potential, we need help to grow into our potential. Would a time come when we no longer need outside help to fulfil ourselves? Even if such a situation is reached, when we do not require food to eat and air to breath, would we not then turn our attention to the fate of others who are not as fortunate as ourselves? Is it in man to eternally ignore his fellow beings. When he finally turns his absolute attention on his fellow beings, what would be his goal? Harmony, naturally. What the Hindus would call Dharma. And before that, he would have sought to perfect himself or reach his potential, which the Hindus would term as an action of yoga.

However, yoga and dharma are not a linear proposition to men, they are co-terminus, at least at the idealistic level. That is, even as a man seeks to perfect himself, he is contributing his mite to social good.

In Hindu religion, dharma is the ultimate. And yoga is the means to it. Which means, quality yourself to be a practitioner of Dharma, by being first a yogi. But that does not mean that you do not uphold Dharma till you become a full-fledged yogi!