Everybody knows who Diogenes was. There is a famous anecdote regarding him and Alexander the Great that is related in Plutarch’s Lives:
… While Alexander stayed here many public ministers and philosophers came from all parts to visit him and congratulated him on his election, but contrary to his expectation, Diogenes of Sinope, who then was living in Corinth, thought so little of him, that instead of coming to compliment he never so much as stirred out of the suburb called the Cranium, where Alexander found him lying along in the sun. When he saw so much company near him, he raised himself a little, and vouchsafed to look upon Alexander; and when he kindly asked him whether he wanted anything, “Yes,” said he, “I would have you stand from between me and the sun.” Alexander was so struck by this answer, and surprised at the greatness of the man, who had taken so little notice of him, that as he went away he told his followers, who were laughing at the moroseness of the philosopher, that if he were not Alexander, he would choose to be Diogenes.
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So the lesson to be derived from the above is that if you want to live like Diogenes, like a king, then you must keep your distance away from the Alexanders of this world.
But the point I want to make in this article is: Are you capable of being Diogenes? Have you his stature and caliber that needs nothing from the most powerful man on earth? Have you freed yourself from all desires like Diogenes did?
If you have then congratulations. You should be in a state of everlasting bliss. According to the Hindu scriptures our basic nature is Sat-Chit-Ananda, that is Existence-Knowledge-Bliss. It is only our vasanas and samskaras that keep us from experiencing the bliss that is our true nature. As to what is a vasana please see the para below
Vasanas are latent impressions already in the mind. Samskaras are the impressions that are already operating. For instance we say, ‘That is his/her samskara, it is his/her nature. ‘ All the impressions have made up a part of his/her character. There is not much difference between samskaras and vasanas.
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https://m.facebook.com/BhagavadGitaChanting/posts/1518537521667392/
But most people including me are not of that caliber. If I was told to be a homeless philosopher who is not sure where his next meal is going to come from, I would be very stressed out indeed. The English saying, “A man cannot philosophize on an empty stomach” applies to me and most of humanity. It did not apply to Diogenes.
So how can we use Diogenes’ example to guide our lives. In a few ways:
- Firstly his example can inspire us as to what is possible.
- Next we can introspect and do a self assessment as to what level we are at as compared to him. It is important not to deceive ourselves. Most people are not like Diogenes. People like him are so rare, in fact, that they are remembered even two thousand years later.
- Next it is our own desires and vasanas that are keeping us away from experiencing bliss. So try to free yourself of that.
- And lastly don’t pursue fame and fortune beyond a limit. Money and fame (or any object of the world) cannot make us happy. True happiness lies within. We don’t need to turn our back on money and worldly objects or risk offending the Alexanders of the world. In fact, it would be unwise to do so unless you are truly of Diogenes’ stature. But keep fame and fortune and all worldly objects beneath your feet and do not allow yourself to be enslaved by them. In a nutshell: Be true to yourself
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