Why the Material World Can Never Give Stability
The minds of mayābaddha jīvs constantly fluctuate under the influence of the guṇas. Thus worldly relationships, praise, emotional support, and favorability can never remain permanently stable.
📍 Where You Are in the Inquiry
Previously, we examined:
- how worldly desire endlessly disturbs the mind,
- why fulfillment never truly satisfies,
- and how the mind of mayābaddha jīv continues chasing worldly happiness despite repeated disappointment.
But another question now arises:
Even if small moments of worldly happiness do appear,
can they remain forever?
Can:
- relationships,
- praise,
- affection,
- emotional support,
- or favorable circumstances
remain permanently favorable?
No, they cannot.
To understand this, we must now examine the factors introducing instability into these aspects of material life.
The mind of the mayābaddha jīv is unstable
The mayābaddha jīv lives under the influence of:
- sattva,
- rajas,
- and tamas.
These guṇas continuously fluctuate in changing proportions.
At one moment:
- sattva becomes dominant,
- later rajas dominates,
- later tamas dominates.
Thus the mentality of the mayābaddha jīv never remains permanently stable.
Therefore desires and emotions continuously change
As the dominant guṇa changes:
- desires change,
- attractions change,
- emotional needs change,
- opinions change,
- attachments change,
- reactions change.
Thus the mind never remains steadily situated for long.
Friendship and emotional closeness last only while guṇic alignment remains
As long as people feel:
- emotionally fulfilled,
- understood,
- supported,
- appreciated,
- or benefited,
worldly relationships appear harmonious.
But over time, expectations, desires, and perceived fulfillment begin changing.
In some situations, this instability may even escalate into:
- separation,
- betrayal,
- hostility,
- violence,
- and severe social conflict.
But guṇic alignment constantly changes
As guṇas change:
- priorities change,
- attractions change,
- expectations change.
Then:
- misunderstanding appears,
- emotional distance appears,
- irritation appears,
- conflict appears.
Thus worldly harmony constantly fluctuates.
Even similar guṇas cannot create lasting peace
Two people may both be:
- rajasic,
- tamasic,
- or sattvic,
yet the intensity differs.
Thus:
- one attachment fades sooner,
- one expectation changes earlier,
- one ego reacts differently,
- one desire shifts first.
Then imbalance and instability naturally develop within relationships.
Praise and criticism therefore constantly fluctuate
The same person may:
- praise today,
- criticize tomorrow,
- support one moment,
- oppose the next.
Thus worldly opinion remains unstable and unreliable.
Seeking universal approval is impossible
No matter what a person does:
- some will praise,
- others will criticize,
- some will support,
- others will oppose.
Thus trying to remain favorable in everyone’s eyes is impossible.
The unstable mind seeks stability through other unstable minds
Every person seeks:
- emotional security,
- understanding,
- affection,
- support,
- stability,
- lasting peace.
But the mind from which this stability is sought is itself:
- restless,
- changing,
- emotionally unstable,
- and controlled by fluctuating guṇas.
Thus the mayābaddha jīv seeks permanent stability through other unstable minds.
The deeper problem is false expectation
The real suffering comes from expecting:
- permanence from impermanence,
- stability from unstable minds,
- lasting peace from restless beings under Māyā.
This expectation itself creates disappointment.
(See: Avidyā — Ignorance for a deeper examination of the fundamental ignorance behind worldly attachment.)
Therefore lasting worldly harmony is impossible
The mayābaddha jīv lives under:
- changing guṇas,
- changing desires,
- changing emotions,
- changing ego,
- changing attachment.
Thus permanent emotional harmony cannot exist within Māyā.
Therefore worldly dependence inevitably creates suffering
As long as happiness depends upon:
- relationships,
- praise,
- emotional support,
- social approval,
- or changing worldly conditions,
fear and disturbance will continue.
Because everything within Māyā constantly changes.
(See: Tritaap — Three Sufferings for a deeper examination of the unavoidable sufferings of material existence.)
The mayābaddha jīv remains trapped in unstable dependence
Even after repeated disappointment,
the mayābaddha jīv continues seeking:
- permanent affection,
- permanent emotional security,
- permanent worldly stability.
Thus the mind remains continuously vulnerable to disturbance.
This is the instability of worldly existence.
But this now raises an even deeper question.
If:
- relationships fluctuate,
- emotional support fluctuates,
- praise fluctuates,
- and worldly favorability constantly changes,
then what is worldly love actually based upon?
Is worldly affection truly unconditional?
Or is it often connected to:
- expectation,
- emotional fulfillment,
- attachment,
- and self-interest?
This must now be examined deeply.
🔍 Go Deeper (Scriptural Foundations)
Human Behavior & Social Instability
The Nature of Material Existence
Continue the Inquiry
(Part 4 of 6 — Nature of the Material World)
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➡️ Next: Why Worldly Affection Cannot Give Lasting Peace
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