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In the Tantrik View, there are two goals in human life…

“In the Tantrik View, there are two goals in human life: worldly success and spiritual liberation. The former consists of learning how to successfully negotiate the challenges of embodiment. Creating sufficient harmony and balance in relation to one’s work, family, mental and physical health, and…” quote by Christopher D Wallis
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““In the Tantrik View, there are two goals in human life: worldly success and spiritual liberation. The former consists of learning how to successfully negotiate the challenges of embodiment. Creating sufficient harmony and balance in relation to one’s work, family, mental and physical health, and so on gives rise to worldly happiness, the ability to simply enjoy life (bhoga). Unlike all the pre-Tantrik forms of yoga, the Tantra does not reject this goal, but actually provides tools to achieve it. The second goal, or purpose, of human life is seemingly very different: to achieve a spiritual liberation that entails a deep and quiet joy that is utterly independent of one’s life circumstances, a joy in simply existing, free from all mind-created suffering (mokṣa). Tantra does not see these goals as necessarily mutually exclusive: you can strive for greater happiness and success (bhoga) while at the same time cultivating a practice that will enable you to deeply love your life even if it doesn’t go the way you want (mokṣa). It’s a win–win proposition. But the tradition correctly points out that unless the former activity (bhoga) is subordinated to the latter (mokṣa), it is likely that pursuit of bhoga will take over. That outcome is potentially regrettable for two reasons: first, if you haven’t cultivated mokṣa (spiritual liberation) and your carefully built house of cards collapses, as can happen to any of us at any time, you will have no inner ‘safety net’ to catch you.””

Christopher D Wallis

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Balancing material success with inner freedom; pursue worldly goals while cultivating spiritual liberation for lasting peace.

In simple terms: Seek success and inner peace together.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate both external achievement and inner freedom.

Themes

balance spirituality success wellbeing dual purpose

Mood

reflective inspirational balanced

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • career advancement
  • family life
  • health management
  • stress reduction
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

Tantra moksha bhoga integration nondualism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you integrate material goals with inner growth?
  • What practices keep spiritual aims from being sidelined?
A Different Perspective

If worldly pursuits dominate, spiritual depth may be neglected, leading to vulnerability.

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