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.
Dedicated to Swamiji Ajay Jain ji 