Month: February 2025

Swami ji said…

“My son is studying in the US…” ” My daughter has been accepted at Oxford …” The pride with which parents talk about their children’s education is unmistakable – as they discuss at length about where they could be studying at the moment or plan to study in the future – be it in the country or abroad. And, if we were to be honest about it, then we too would say – “Why not?”
After all, it is the reward of years of preparation, focus and perseverance, that makes it possible for one to turn his dreams to reality. Holding a prized, coveted degree is the culmination of the aspirations of many a children and parents…” क्यूँकि अपनी मेहनत को सफल होते हुए देखना; अपने सपनों को साकार होते हुए, पूरा होते हुए देखने पर- सब को बहुत ख़ुशी मिलती है…” But, at times, rather than just getting carried away by the ‘brand’ from where one is or could be receiving education – we also need to pay attention to the ‘qualitative’ changes and improvement that our childrens’ education is bringing about in their impressionable minds.

” ‘विद्या’ के अर्थ को पूरे तौर से, पूर्णता में समझना – बच्चों और युवाओं के लिए बहुत आवश्यक होता है…” The younger lot must ask themselves that apart from enabling them to stand on their own feet tomorrow and equipping them to become experts in fields of their choice; has all that has been taught to them – brought about that very essential degree of ‘self awareness’ in them? Do they refect on the new and positive changes that have been brought about in them by ‘learning’ in the most prestigious institutions or elsewhere ? Do they analyse once in a while at least – “मैं पहले कैसा था और मैं आज कैसा हूँ ?”- and at the end of their analysis can feel the difference in how empowered and enriched they are today? Do they realise that their ‘gains’ are far greater than their ‘losses’?

Are they able to ask themselves – Are we brave enough to be critical of ourselves – as well as accept the flaws that are pointed by others in us ? Are we able to get along with others, in a way better than before ? Does a more open, flexible and tolerant mindset makes us aware of our foolishness in creating a mental class divide? Has our education helped us evolve into self – reliant and more organised individuals? Are we a more refined and cultured version of ourselves today as compared to what we were in the past? Are we in a better position to understand today that resilience finally pays in the long run? Do we understand that short cuts will not let us grow to our optimum? Have we understood that failure doesn’t necessarily mean the end of a dream – but serves as a reminder to work harder – and that success will not be too far away ? Do we accept the simple reality that success today doesn’t mean that we will never fail in the future ? Are we becoming better by the day at following a routine ; managing time in a manner most rewarding? Have we developed the ability to solve the problems that come out of nowhere in our daily lives – and feel satisfied on seeing that our success ratio at doing this has improved greatly?

But, if, just for a minute, we were to move away from all the external objectives that, we feel, have been met in a manner most satisfactory by the education that has been received by us; and now turn our attention to whether we have encouraged and allowed the most essential ‘qualities’ to grow and flourish within us. Let us now see where we stand … “क्या हमने अपने भीतर ‘विनम्रता’, ‘सहजता’ और ‘सरलता’ को उत्पन्न होने दिया है ? ” Or has the good fortune of receiving education at a world renowned university gone to our head and made us high headed and feel that we are much above others and can look down on the less fortunate ones with disdain? Is it easy to be contemptuous, rude and arrogant now? Do we feel that just because we are educated we have the license to say whatever we want to anyone and treat anyone the way we want to? Have we become less empathetic to the problems and sufferings of others – as maybe in a ‘hard – hearted’ way we feel that the ‘poor’ things were meant to suffer. Has our ‘patience’ of old given into ‘impatience’ – as we feel that time is running fast and there is no time to be lost. Once we are on the path of success – do we find it difficult to express our gratitude to God and others who made it possible for us to be where we find ourselves today ? In case we find ourselves anywhere close to harboring any such newly found traits it is time for us to understand that – “अगर हम में ‘विनम्रता ‘, ‘सहजता ‘ और ‘सरलता ‘ नहीं है- तो हमने जो ‘विद्या’ प्राप्त की है – वह व्यर्थ है …”

Swami ji said…

” I have to send my child to the best school … My child must receive quality education …” is a vow that most parents make to themselves – almost immediately on being blessed with a child. And steps are taken without any delay to gather as much information as possible about the best academic institutions in the town , city and for those who can afford to pay an astronomical amount of fee – to focus on the best schools in the country. Worry and anxiety about whether they will be able to raise the finances that will be needed to meet the tuition fee , donation and other requirements play heavy on their mind – but with determination – they pursue their dream of empowering their child with the best academic knowledge possible – as all of them believe that – ” अच्छे स्कूल में पढ़ाई लिखाई कर के बच्चा कुछ बन जायेगा …” One thing that all parents understand is that – Knowledge is power ‘ – and every parent wants to equip his child with – ” ज्ञान जो की उनके बच्चों को आगे ज़िंदगी में आगे बढ़ने का मौक़ा मिलेगा और वह कुछ बन पाएंगे …”

Time passes by – with both parents and children investing time, money and energy – not only on ‘bookish’ knowledge but also in other areas in which specific interest is shown by the child – and days pass by in a whirr – with time being given to coaching classes, hobby classes, language classes. And all this is done to ensure that the child gains ‘ knowledge’ – ‘ज्ञान ‘ – in every field and does not lag behind in any way in today’s highly competitive world. Parents feel happy and satisfied on seeing that their children are heading towards a safe, secure and privileged future by literally turning into a – ‘Master of all trades…’ Every aspect of life demands the best from us – and it appears that the youth of today needs to be skilled , poised and refined – with excellence being the benchmark – in academics or in interest related areas – to ‘beat the best’ – in order to survive. “आज़ कल हम अपने बच्चों को हर क्षेत्र में निपुण देखना चाहते हैं …” We believe that a child today should be in a position to use his knowledge of diverse fields – to give solutions to problems of all kinds that could come his way. So, the common ground that we can come to is that – it is only when we gain ‘knowledge’ – study the required instructions, directions , subject material – of any subject or field – it is only then that we are able to understand and become knowledgeable about it. Bookish knowledge is given paramount importance – as it is one’s grades and marks that will see him rise and be successful in life. A child cannot afford to be ignorant in anyway in today’s rapidly changing scenario.

So engrossed are we in ensuring that our children turn into academic intellects that – we hardly find any time to talk to them about the importance of bearing within them sound values, steadfast principles and morals – which, if , they begin to internalise at the earliest – will make them aware of the difference between wrong and right ; between falsehood and truth ; between kindness and cruelty – from a very young age. Sad but true – that it is becoming fashionable to move away from the archaic ‘values’ of the days gone by – as changing times are changing our younger lot – quick and fast. The possibility that the youth could feel that standing by one’s principles of honesty might not benefit them in the long run cannot be over- ruled – but parents must take it upon themselves to remind their children to return to the right track time and time again and they could finally be successful in bringing about a change in them. Children should be made aware of the fact that although they might feel complacent that nobody could know about the ‘wrong’ that they might have indulged in – they are answerable to their ‘conscience’ – which will never lie to them.The importance of good ‘karma’ ; speaking with respect to people of all ranks ; ” ‘घमंड ‘ और’ अहंकार ‘ को त्याग देना ” ; ‘सत्य का साथ नहीं छोढ़ना चाहे जैसी भी परिस्थिति आए; और विचारों को पवित्र रखना “- are values that should be imparted by parents to their children in their formative years. It doesn’t matter if they resist all this in the beginning – but it is possible that they might accept these meaningful principles at a troubled stage of their life – on recalling what was said to them by their elders in the past – and turn into new individuals by implementing them with immediate effect.

And those youngsters who have had the good fortune of being initiated by a ‘सच्चा संत ‘ – ‘ जिन्हें उनके गुरुदेव ने गुरु- मंत्र दिया है…’ – should know that they now have the key to unlock the door to ‘True Knowledge’ – but for that – they need to have the compelling desire and steadfastness – to understand that chanting the ‘गुरु- मंत्र’ regularly – purifies their ‘soul’ and takes them closer to God. Their ‘guru’s effective teachings enable them to understand that the ‘body’ and ‘soul’ – are different ‘entities’ – and rather than being fixated purely on their ‘body’- they now need to focus more on cleansing their ‘soul’ and remove the layers of ignorance which have accumulated on it – which makes them believe in the ‘maya’ that is all around them. ‘Gyan’ imparted by a ‘guru’ is experienced in the most magical way by our ‘inner’ being – as it then starts preparing and readying the worthy ones to finally merge with God. No book ; no theory – can prepare us for the excruciating pain that the physical being undergoes – when the ‘kundalini’ is awakened within us – to infuse our ‘inner’ being with spiritual energy. This can only be experienced by our ‘inner’ being and ‘knowledge’ provided by God and one’s ‘guru’.

Swami ji said…

Plummeting temperatures, icy cold winds and the biting nip of the winter season – makes us complain unhappily about its harsh, severe nature. And instead of enjoying the magical, wondrous, different mood of ‘सृष्टि’ – we long impatiently for spring to arrive, all the while saying wistfully…’बसंत ऋतु आने ही वाली है …ये ठंड बस अब कुछ ही दिनों की है…’ Isn’t an attitude and approach of this kind a clear give away of how we refuse to live in the present ; are unable to find happiness in the moment before us – but are certain that we will find joy in the days ahead ? ” ऐसा लगता है कि हम बिल्कुल भूल जाते हैं कि हर हाल में ‘आनंदित’ रहने के लिए – ‘मौसम’ और ‘सृष्टि’ को नहीं – बल्की हमारे ‘दृष्टिकोण’ को बदलने की ज़रुरत है …” “Why can’t we think of ways and means of drawing happiness and enjoy all that is happening around us – rather than wait for something that is yet to happen?

The script of our willing to be ‘unhappy’ – in any scenario remains unchanged – as the scorching heat, the blistering sunlight of the summer season ensures that we continue lamenting about the discomfort suffered by us
in the intensity of the heat. And once again we hope against hope for the early onset of the monsoon – as the cooling showers of rain are much needed by us – by then. Our habit of ‘cribbing’ continues – even after the summer season comes to an end – as shortly afterwards – torrential rains add to the mayhem caused by the monsoons – causing inconvenience and added problems for us. Doesn’t it look like we are thrown off gear in any situation and circumstance that is slightly different than what we had hoped for and wanted it to be like?

We expect people to behave with us exactly the way we want them to at a particular moment. Not once do we pause to consider as to what could have made them conduct themselves in a manner so different from what we had expected from them. Perhaps they had a pressing issue on their mind which might have elicited an indifferent, dry response from them. A slight change in our perspective will most certainly reveal things to us in a different light. We must stop creating a fuss over insignificant and trivial issues that will undoubtedly come our way – in some form or another – in our daily lives and unless and until we change our way of thinking – we will always remain unhappy and tense. ‘Why did this happen?’ ‘Why did this not happen ?’ Half our lives our spent in pondering over these issues.

We can make life less complicated by understanding that things happen the way they are meant to happen. Life only works that way. Acceptance of every single occurance in our life – without resistance – and with complete surrender in His divine will – will keep us in a state of contentment and prevent us from unnecessary overthinking. Why should we allow anyone or anything to take away our happiness from us ?

It is next to impossible to believe even for a second that our lives can be picture perfect and no ripples will ever disturb the smooth surface of our lives.” Mushkil समय humare jeevan mein zaroor aata hai aur aayega…” – and it is during these challenging moments that we will be made aware of our capabilities , our strengths – that were earlier unknown to us. Once we realise that rather than just holding our heads, feeling sad and crying over spilt milk – we must think of solutions – we will be pleasantly surprised on seeing that a changed, calm and positive approach – will see us overcome problems with ease. How confident and happy will we feel on seeing our new approach and mindset reward us in this way !

A spiritual seeker must remain unaffected by the encouragement or disdain that he could receive from those – known and unknown to him – while on his meditative path. Neither should he feel over confident nor falter – at any stage – but continue with determination and faith to the call that has been received by him. He should know that his final goal can only be achieved – with a heart that is filled with love and joy – for His Creator and with complete trust follow His instructions that can be heard only by him.

Swami ji said…

How do we feel when someone compliments us ; appreciates a particular trait or talent of ours ; praises us for something commendable that has been done by us or lauds us for a remarkable accomplishment ? We feel good. Don’t we ! Rather we feel great as a warm glow of happiness settles on us – on being singled out and recognised by others for a quality – that is unique to us and makes us distinctive from others. We don’t mind receiving and hearing those complimentary words again and again. In fact , we don’t tire of running them over and over again in our mind – and smile as we hug those well wishing, well meaning words.

But are we equally good , gracious and ‘giving’ while complimenting others ? Are we magnanimous and large – hearted while doing so or do words acknowledging
and honouring the distinctive characteristics of others – get lodged, stuck in our throat – as a tinge of jealousy and envy could make us think twice before complimenting them ? ” Do I really need to compliment him ? ” ” Does he really deserve the praiseworthy words that I’m about to say to him?” – are the doubts that come to our mind unnecessarily. If we can receive compliments happily – why can’t we compliment others with a happy heart and an open mind ?” कितनी बार ऐसा होता है की हम चिढ़ जाते हैं जब कोई, किसी और की तारीफ़ हमारे सामने करते है…” and small – hearted that we are – we immediately try to draw that person’s attention away from his ‘attributes’ – by instead urgently highlighting the ‘drawbacks’ that ‘we’ find in ‘that’ person. We are willing to try every trick in the book to stop that person from being complimented. Have we ever tried to understand as to what is it – “जो हमें किसी की तारीफ़ करने या सुन ने से रोकता है… हम दूसरे की उपलब्धि पे, उनकी प्रगति पे, अच्छे कार्य करने के
लिए, किसी की सुंदरता पे – ‘वाह’ बोलने में, ‘दो अच्छे’ शब्द बोलने मैं इतना कतराते क्यों हैं ?

Is it that the stress , negativity and doubt that we find ourselves submerged in – has made us forget that words used by us to compliment others – ” वाह! क्या बात! Outstanding ! Well done ! Exceptional ! “- are the most beautiful words – as we not only win over others – with our positive words ; make them experience joy – but also encourage them to continue the good work ; boost their morale further which is already high ; make them feel their effort is worth it – as it is rewarded with recognition in the form of compliments ?
At the same time – when we give others compliments –
our ego which otherwise always has a problem in acknowledging the merits of others ; which refuses to see good in others – also begins to relent. It starts appreciating – all that is to be
appreciated in others and finally agrees to bend ; to
give in and honour the good in others. “हमारा अहंकार भी झुकना सीखता है…”

If we are honest with ourselves – we shouldn’t have great difficulty in admitting that it hurt us greatly when our teachers would praise the toppers in the class and shower compliments on them. We would find it difficult to swallow the laurels that the teachers would pamper them with and we would turn our faces away “चिढ़ के ” – and maybe , we would ‘try’ to find the right words to compliment them with a heavy heart. And this habit of ‘refraining’ from making the other person happy by saying a good word here and there, maybe, continued to grow further in some of us – even as we grew up. We seem to forget that the pleasure and delight that an unexpected compliment brings to a person’s face can be a visual treat for us – and that person too remembers us for the good words said to them and speaks of our graciousness to others. Can we really lose anything by doing so ? Will the sheen from our achievements and accomplishments wear off if we were to applaud others for theirs ? But at the same time – if any of us are lucky enough to receive more than our share of compliments- we must ensure that we don’t let them go to our head and begin to think that we are better than the rest and develop a condescending attitude towards others.

A spiritual seeker should not let words of appreciation and praise from his ‘gurudev’ – about his unwavering devotion to God and commendable progress on the spiritual path affect him to such an extent that he starts assuming that he has attained his final goal ; can afford to sit pretty in the coming days and True Knowledge will come his way on its own. In fact , his ‘gurudev’s’ words of encouragement should motivate him to further intensify his efforts in his pursuit of ‘self – realisation’. At the same time , he should not let any pangs of jealousy consume his being on seeing his ‘gurudev’ compliment another devotee on his spiritual growth – as he needs to know that a ‘saccha sant’ looks at all His devotees without fear or favour – and treats them in an equal and fair manner.