Swami ji’s Sandesh… “ ईश्वर सुनते सबकी हैं, करते अपने मन की हैं …”

Swami ji said…

Have we tried to visualise, even for a moment, the expression, the emotion, the look that would flit across God’s face on listening to the prayers, pleas, and petitions that we present and lay out before Him unfailingly, unhesitatingly, day in and day out— without ever thinking of giving Him a respite, even if it were only for a day? Have we ever wondered whether we come across as individuals whose expectations from Him are non-negotiable?

Barely have we whispered our fervent appeal into His ear or read out our prayers with greater devotion and zeal- that we begin to expect immediate results, miracles and fructification of our endless desires from Him. And to say that we do not expect Him to hear, listen, and pay heed to every invocation of ours would be an understatement?

After all, don’t we tell ourselves and hear others say—“वो नहीं सुनेंगे तो और कौन सुनेगा…?” But, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could develop the strength to ensure that the same exultation that we show on seeing our wishes being granted- doesn’t turn into sorrow on being denied the fulfilment of our desires?

Because that is often what happiness and disappointment are to us. When things happen as we wish—we are happy—happy with God. But, when they do not—we look at God with disbelief- hurt and betrayed.
But when has God ever promised this to us? Where is it written? When was it ever said that every wish of ours will be fulfilled and that every request agreed upon? Asking God for things to happen—that is not really prayer—those are wishes being expressed to God- that we await to be granted by Him.

Yes, He hears us- patiently. Yes, He sees us. And yes, He does take care of us—but all in His own time and His own way, and not as we think is best and should be best for us. For who are we to think that we know better than Him? Why are we so impatient? When will we start believing in the Truth- that since what is happening with us in the present moment is the ‘best’ for us- so will it be in the future?

And it is perfectly natural to ask God to fulfil our wishes, and it is alright to feel disappointed when those wishes go unfulfilled. It is even more normal to personally spar with Him in seclusion ; question Him why He hasn’t listened to us. After all, we are His children—even we have a right to expect from Him.

But at the end of the day, like a good child accepts the final decision of his parents, we should accept what He decides for us wholeheartedly and move forward trustingly.

If a toddler cries out for more sweets – it is not the parent’s duty to meet his demands—for that would only harm the child in the long run. While the child might think his parents inconsiderate, they are only doing that what is good for the child. For a moment think of our ‘wishes and hopes’ that we express to God as similar demands. They seem ideal to us. But God is doing us a favour by not agreeing to give them a final shape- as He alone knows they will not be beneficial for us in the long run.

Pray to God to surrender to Him. Pray to God to be able to listen to what He tries to tell us. Pray to God to understand His ways. That is true prayer. Prayer is not meant to ensure outcomes—it is meant to free the mind and its thoughts from them.

If we can accept this, and embrace this in our heart; if we can instil this in our mind, we shall be freed from all the anxieties of the world. We will be unburdened of fears and adverse outcomes. We will realise that there is only the Now—that what we do at this moment is all that truly matters and is all that we can control. By doing so, we will be living free in a world where men are shackled by the five senses and the wayward thoughts of the disquiet mind.

Be comforted, knowing that He will do not as we please, but , rather that which He sees best for each child of His.