Affairs of the world are perceived and interpreted in accordance with one’s level of consciousness. Therefore, the world may appear to be tragic, sad, miserable, or fearful, or it may, on the contrary, seem tempting, exciting, and challenging. In the high 500s, it is viewed with compassion and seen as beauty. In the 600s, it is seen as peaceful, and then, in the 700s, as Ramana Maharshi said, “The world you see (i.e. perception) does not even exist; therefore, surrender it to God.”
Human life is a major spiritual opportunity for consciousness to evolve and even reach Enlightenment. It is an expression of the gift of life, through which one can eventually realize the Self. Worldly temporal life is transitory and brief, but its consequences are very long term. It is therefore best to treasure the opportunity with gratitude. Spiritual endeavor is, in and of itself, an expression of appreciation for that gift of life.
Q: But what about the vicissitudes of life?
A: Each has a hidden gift. Sometimes it is an opportunity to undo past suffering brought to others. Sometimes the suffering is due to resistance and is a consequence of the ego’s personal will and therefore needful of surrender. An overall attitude of humility is very helpful, and by surrender, the hidden gift is revealed. How a specific situation is handled depends on how it is conceptualized and contextualized, and therefore, what it seems to ‘mean’.