I have tried to meditate, but the monkey that is my mind does not allow me to be still and dive deeply. It has too many preoccupations and I have not managed to get rid of them. It obviously means I have to come back for a few more lives...
People like Ramana Maharshi are no ordinary beings like you or me. They are so evolved that there is no sense of I or individuality. We have the ego, the "I". I am Admiral Tahiliani, former Navy Chief, former Governor of Sikkim and all that rubbish. It is all a great confusion of real awareness with the ego.

Then why have you chosen to become all those things?
When you climb the ladder of your profession, it is all very nice and exciting. I joined the Navy as a cadet. My only hope back then was to reach the rung above, then lieutenant and so on. Every time you climb one rung, you think of the next one. I never ever dreamt of course that I would become Navy Chief.

But do you think there is such a thing as a specific mission or purpose in life?
Of course there is, without a doubt. And it is all preordained. But it does not mean I can sit still, do nothing, and wait for things to happen. Even putting my best foot forward is preordained.

So what is your mission?
I would say it is to be as useful a person to society as I can be. And when serving others, you are in fact helping yourself evolve.

... contd.