Day: December 21, 2024

Swami ji said…

We dream. All of us do that. Don’t we ? Dream of a life that has a fairy – tale like beginning and a perfect ending. But, on a reflective note – is it really possible for us to live a life that can in any way be close to a perfect dream – magical , a smooth sail – where we don’t hit any rough patch ? Well, if, any of us find ourselves entertaining such fanciful , utopian thoughts – then we certainly are living in fool’s paradise – because no one, none of us – can live a life that is untouched by obstacles, hindrances and challenges… ” Humare jivan mein चुनौतियाँ zaroor aaengi – aur woh kisi bhi kshann humare saamne aa sakti hain…” It is just that we somehow feel that – ‘चुनौतियाँ’ हमारे अच्छे खासे चलते हुए जीवन में रुकावट बन के नहीं आएंगी…’
We can only wish and hope for this – as the privilege of what is going to happen with us ; to us – is known to ‘life’ alone.

But, one thing that we must understand is that challenges play an integral part in the game of life. We could be the richest or the poorest individual in the world ; but , adversities and difficult times – do not differentiate between status and rank and will most definitely come looking for us – the manner in which and when they are supposed to come. Although challenges arrive quietly and soundlessly – they leave behind echoes – that are deafening – for those who face their wrath and anger.

” ‘चुनौतियाँ’ हमारे जीवन मैं हमेशा आती हैं और ज़रूर आएंगी…”
We cannot run away from the reality of this bitter truth. We can only wish them away – but , arrive they will at their will – and it is when they punch us and jab us – that we too should gather the courage, the strength and the faith – that will most certainly be needed by us – to meet and overcome the challenge with grit , determination and confidence.
” चुनौतियाँ का सामना करने के लिए उनसे संघर्ष करने के लिए हमे हमेशा तैयार रहना चाहिए …”

But, a life that revolves completely around material pursuits – could receive a jolt , a shock – on seeing a setback coming its way. We should be ashamed of ourselves, if , we only wish for a life that is replete with enjoyment and luxury ! Inspite of possessing the best that one could ever dream of owning – our fickle mind could still make us long for more. Just for a second let us try to visualise – how greedy and grasping we sound – praying to God to give us ‘more’ and ‘more’ all the time ; not once expressing our contentment by saying that – ‘He’ has given us ‘enough’ – infact – ‘more’ than enough.What is our reaction ; our response – when the very comfortable life that we have been leading – surrounded by pleasures and comforts galore – is abruptly checked by a life altering development – in the form of an unanticipated challenge.

And, at , the first sight
of a disconcerting development ; an unthinkable challenge – in the distant horizon – we just freeze and get into a mode of outright submission and surrender. The thought of putting up a fight is the last thing on our mind – and we accept defeat immediately – and without even trying we say – ” मुझ में संघर्ष करने की ताकत नहीं है…इस चुनौती से लड़ने के लिए मुझ में हिम्मत नहीं है…”

Do we believe in the words of the prayer that are said by us – when we invoke God to give us the strength to face blows which unexpectedly land on us ? Why do we find it so difficult to understand that if we can enjoy the pleasures of life – then why do we question the pain that we have to endure, suffer?
‘ सुख के समय हम ख़ुशी में इतना खो जाते हैं – कि हम सुख से कोई सवाल ही नहीं करते हैं? मगर मुश्किल समय में, ‘चुनौतियाँ के सामने…” – we are filled with agony – and question ‘it’ – as to why did it befall us ? Why is there such a difference in our attitude during moments of ecstasy and agony ? Why do we break under the assumed weight of difficulties so easily ? We’ve been always told that every problem has a solution and thus , we , too, will find ways of overcoming the challenge – once we set our mind on doing so.

We need to remind ourselves that rather than pitying ourselves ; cursing our luck and looking at every unwanted development with suspicion ; as a foe , an enemy and giving up without a fight – let us instead focus on the positives that we are able to build within us ; draw from our inner most being.The spirit of not giving up ; rising to meet the challenge with the attitude of a winner and a mind set on being victorious – is what we build within ourselves – while facing challenges – bravely … ” हम इतने कमज़ोर तो नहीं बन सकते हैं कि जो चुनोती हमारे सामने आई है हम उसका सामना करने की कोशिश भी नहीं करें…हमारी लड़ने की ताकत कहां चली गयी?’

Planning , preparing and strategising to overcome difficulties and challenges make life interesting and exciting too – to a certain extent – as we come to know so much more about ourselves. The traits, capabilities and strength that were inherently within us – but , which were previously unknown to us – are now revealed to us and we start using them to our advantage. Could any learning be greater than this ?

Nothing could be worse than just giving up and submitting to the overwhelming situation that we find ourselves in – as that is not what God and our ‘guru’ would expect from us. ” याद रखो – हम में से जो चुनौतियों के बारे में सोच कर ही घबरा जाते हैं, वह आगे कभी कुछ नहीं कर पाएंगे…”