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Swami ji said…

Time is all knowing. It knows of all that has taken place in the life of each one of us. Nothing escapes the watchful eye of ‘time’ – the only true, yet, silent witness to our pleasures and pain; our regrets and moments of applause; our hopes and the sadness felt on facing rejection. It rejoices with us in our good times and tries to comfort us when we are inconsolable ;
provides us with solutions during the duress of dilemma. And, when sorrow settles in, it offers a gentle hand to help us through. In times of uncertainty, it whispers its wisdom – offering us clarity when all seems lost. And later rewards our patience and perseverance Through it all, time remains with us – an unchanging friend, walking by our side – from the moment of our birth to our last breath.

Is it not prudent then, to recognize the many faces of time? One moment it surprises us, lifting us on the wings of joy, and, the next, it leaves us shell-shocked in sorrow and pain. Yet, in all its moods, time teaches us resilience. It shows us that on days when we falter, we can rise again the next day – braver, stronger, determined. It reminds us that even when the skies are gray and our hearts are heavy with doubt, we carry within us the seed of hope, ready to bloom when the clouds part.

It pats us proudly on our back when we bask in the glow of success; and, holds our back to prevent us from taking a fall in distress and despair. Time – as we all know – waits for no man; but, at the same time, it is forgiving and is willing to give us fresh opportunities – to learn from our mistakes; make a sincere, honest effort not to repeat them; improve ourselves and become better than we were before. Is there any point in living a life, year after year, without being an honest critique of ourselves ? Will we keep on accepting our flaws and shortcomings, and, make no attempt whatsoever to work on them – and emerge as a more evolved person?

We have often heard our elders say – ‘समय’ के साथ सब ठीक हो जाता है, अच्छा हो जाता है …” But, what we need to remember is that – “परन्तु ऐसा होने के लिए हमें मेहनत करनी होगी, सुधरना होगा…”And, needless to say, time, with its infinite patience, would be proud to see us strive, not for perfection, but, for progress – slow, steady, and sure. It asks only that – we make the effort to make amends – in a way that would make us a worthier, nobler person.

Time, of course, is a great teacher. A spiritual teacher. Why does it take us through the extremes of good and bad repeatedly like the seasons that come and go? Why does it expose us repeatedly to the crests and troughs of fortune? It does so, so that we recognise and accept this uncertainty of life, and, realise that through all this there is God that is constant. That is what time really tries to teach us. Once we see how unpredictable life is, we start focussing and looking for that which is constant. We begin to seek the ability to remain undisturbed by the turning tides of time. Of course, the only answer to this is God’s Grace. Those who have it, see good and bad times as what it is – time and just time – passing by.

Everything is temporary and bound to pass. Nothing in this world is constant – that is what time teaches us. It is thus nudging us to reflect and recognise the world we are ‘in’ and look ‘beyond’ – at our final destination.

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…”

Swami ji said…

How do most of us react when we hear that someone has said something adverse about us ; against us ; harbours ill – will against us ? Our reaction is immediate and instantaneous. Isn’t it ? We are angry and irked. We furiously ask the other person – who felt that it was his sacred duty to report first hand to us – who that ‘someone’ is, who has said something about us behind our back – without thinking for a second about the consequences that could arise from the seeds of doubt that they are able to plant in our mind – by doing so. The possibility that all that is being whispered into our ears by them needs to be cross checked by us – is silently rejected by us – as the treacherous mind finds favour in letting a ‘misunderstanding’ – ‘ एक गलतफहमी ‘ – take shape in our mind.

And , from that moment onwards – we promise ourselves – ” I’m not going to talk to him from today onwards…” ” I don’t ever want to see him again …” and, if, we opt for a direct confrontation with a mind filled with anger – it could find us in an extremely bitter and tasteless situation – as it would make us stoop down to very low levels – the kind which we had never thought of indulging in, and , would instead make us feel ashamed later – on thinking that we could have behaved in a manner so unbecoming of us.

Words have great power and, thus,
all that we hear ; whatever we hear – that has been said by whosoever – is literally lapped up by our ears – and we, maybe, take them more seriously than God’s words. We take this ‘hearsay’ personally ; as a personal attack – so much so – that the slightest possibility of not blindly believing the words – that have been ‘narrated’ to us ; and instead approach the matter with a calm , and , not an agitated mind – just does not strike us. It is because of a simple reason – ” ‘गलतफहमी’ जब एक बार हमारे दिमाग़ मे बस जाती है तब वह हमे सच ‘देखने’ नहीं देती …”

Wouldn’t it be better – if we were to give a serious thought to all that has been projected before us ; give a logical thought to the fact – whether the person named – could say something of that nature about us and above all get down to knowing whether it is true or fabricated ? Or is it a story that has been made by some trouble – makers to cause mischief between us and others – just because they are not happy at seeing trust and happiness thrive between us ? We must give a fair chance to the person who we by now have begun to abhor – and hear him out – before taking some drastic action against him. Wouldn’t it be better on our part to verify the truth of the matter from the so called ‘ culprit’ ? To question him directly and get a straight answer from him would would be the best , wouldn’t it ? ” Did you say words to this effect about me ? – and then hear his answer.

Years of trust , understanding and friendship are lost within a matter of seconds and for what purpose ! For a misunderstanding that has come out of nowhere – and to add to the problem – even, if , we were to suppose, in the hindsight , that maybe what we’ve heard about ourselves – could be true to a certain extent – the false sense of pride and arrogance that we have – will not let us hear and accept anything bad about us – even if it were to be true … ” हमारा ‘अहंकार’ हमे कभी भी सच ‘सुनने’ नहीं देता है…”

Our ego is like an impenetrable wall – that will not lay down its defences – at any cost. Even, if , it comes to harming and destroying relationships for ever between us, our friends and relatives. Friends turn into foes. Spouses separate. Business partners part ways. Siblings cut off relationships. All because – our ego tells us not to give in ; to take the initiative to clear the air. Our ‘ego’ – has such great control over us that it prevents us from taking the first sensible step and talk about the ‘hearsay’ – misunderstanding , directly – with the person concerned. Wouldn’t an attitude of this kind be more dignified and result – oriented rather than behaving in an inhumanly manner and resorting to other foolish methods to feel victorious and superior ? We need to remember -” हमारा ‘अहंकार’ और एक ‘गलतफहमी’ काफ़ी होती है हमे अपनों से जुदा, अलग करने के लिए…”

Swami ji said…

If someone were to ask us as to how many times in a day do we feel , find and see ourselves in a genuine state of happiness – what would our answer in all honesty be ? How many of us could spontaneously answer – ” I am happy most of the time ? ” ” I find many reasons to smile in a day ! ” And , at the same time, how many of us could look around sheepishly and say – ” I find it difficult to stay
happy…” ” I don’t see much to be happy about …” But, what if, the number of people looking sheepish – exceeds the number of those who answered spontaneously ? If, so, then it is an attitude, a mindset that needs to be corrected immediately.

Why do we find it difficult to be ‘unconditionally’ happy these days ? Most of us can recall the joyful faces of our parents and grand – parents – who lived life in a contented and happy manner. They didn’t have too many expectations from life ; were very grateful with what life would bring to them.Their carefree attitude showed their deep belief in God and His plans for them…”
वह जिस भी हालात मैं रहते थे, उसी मैं सुख देखते थे और खुश रहते थे …”

But , if , we were to see the state of the majority of us – in the present time – we would see a sharp decline in our mindset , temperament and attitude. Rather than being happy – at the reality of being ‘alive’ and enjoy the gift of life ; grateful to get an opportunity to inhale that breath of fresh air that God has allowed us to breathe – in that present moment of our lives – we let that precious moment pass by, instead, in worrying about things and issues over which we have no control and which apart from causing frowns and lines of worry on our faces – can do nothing good for us. As after all , what we see is a person with a face – that doesn’t come across as too pleasant, when seen, both – by others or us. Do the regrets of the past and anxieties of the future – deprive us of enjoying the beauty of the present moment ? Our past is our past. We cannot change it – but we can certainly heal by smiling in the present time, looking at a better future. Has – being unhappy – looking for reasons to stay unhappy – become a natural way of living life these days ? Have the demands and pressures of today’s life eroded the very foundation of happiness ? Is it that only ‘more’ of everything – gives us happiness – and when desires are unfulfilled and not met – worry and unhappiness – takes over us completely ?

But , unfortunately, these days – it appears that we have to hunt for reasons to find that elusive happiness ? Unhappiness, on the other hand – seems to be readily available – at the snap of our fingers. If we try to analyse the reasons that cause us unhappiness – make us feel sad and depressed – we would be taken aback to realise that the majority of the ‘reasons’ arise from external happenings. Occurances , instances and events that happen outside of us – which give us unending reasons to remain unhappy.

” हमने जो अपनी यह ये एक सोच बना ली है कि खुश रहने के लिए हमे बहारी चीज़ों पर निर्भर होना पड़ता है …” – is a creation of our fickle mind, and, we, have thus, unfortunately,
come to a conclusion that happiness comes with a cost attached to it. We need to remind ourselves all the time – that happiness doesn’t involve any expenditure. It comes without a price tag – unlike unhappiness – that affects our health severely.

At times , we feel agitated and upset over issues as worthless and trivial – as to what ‘others’ think about ‘us’. Why do we give undue importance to this foolish notion – is known only to us. We should be very clear in our mind – that what others think of us – should not matter to us – as long as we know we are on the right path – but , we still unnecessarily , make it our business. Our mind is not only filled, but , in a way , plagued by what others think of us. Why don’t they like us ? Why do they look with such malice at us ? What makes them feel that way about us – despite all that we’ve done to make them feel valued and important – are the needless doubts that keep on churning in our mind – wiping out all traces of happiness from within us.

We have formed a firm opinion in our mind that our life will be exactly the way we want it to be. And not every situation in life will turn out the way we want it to be. Life’s pattern can change in an instant. But, nothing – absolutely nothing – should ever take away from us – the sense of calm – that only happiness can bring to us.

Swami ji said…

Can any of us ever forget the instructions that were given to us by our family members, teachers and others – when it came to keeping , placing and arranging articles, objects and things – that were used by us in the formative years of our childhood , in particular? We might even recall that all those instructions were followed diligently by us – and a few good ones among us – would go all out to ensure that every thing was kept back neatly – from where it had been taken or pulled out by us in a great hurry earlier. All the things that were used by us ; be it toys, books, pens and pencils, bags, clothes, soaps – had to be put back in specific boxes, bags or areas designated for them – once we had finished playing with them or using them.

And, we , gradually began to understand that the box in which we kept our toys – became our toy box. Books were to be covered and kept in school bags. Pencil boxes which were treasured by us – were used to keep pencils. Shoe cupboards were meant to stack our shoes in an orderly manner. As we grew up – and started wearing jewellery – the box in which we carefully kept our diamonds and gold – became our very valued jewellery box. Toffee wrappers went into a trash can. Soap dishes were meant to have fragrant soaps placed in them.

We have been following this drill – year after year. Infact , so familiar are we with the spot where our things are to be put away or placed – that we can do the same, very easily, in pitch darkness too. So clear is the route in our mind. But , at the same time , it is this very darkness which can blind us to such an extent – that we fail to understand and remember a simple thing – that ‘when’ a ‘thing’ actually becomes ; is determined by ‘what’ goes ‘into’ it – like the things above – shouldn’t we be very careful and aware of what is it that we ‘keep’ and carry in our ‘mind’ ? Are our minds beautiful jewellery boxes – carved with the gems of love for all, honesty and compassion, or, have we converted them into garbage bins which are filled with hatred, anger and jealousy ? Because, what we should never forget is that – we ‘are’ what our mind ‘is’. We do as our mind directs us to do – and many a times we follow it unquestioningly. Do we rein in our mind or do we allow it to gallop like a wild horse ? Do we keep a quality check on our thoughts ? Do we screen our thoughts – before acting on them ? Or are we impulsive – say and do anything – and regret about our harsh words and inappropriate behaviour later ? Do we allow our mind to become too self – opinionated ; to think that it is one of the sharpest minds, replete with knowledge – one that will not allow any one else to counter it ? A mind in love with itself – will only swell with pride and find it difficult to make room for a fresh, new inflow of thoughts. And, a mind – stagnant would not be of any use at all.

Are we even conscious of the nature of the energy that pervades our mind and is easily visible to others ? Negativity in a person’s mind will not let him see anything good around him. He remains angry and ill – tempered for no reason and has many problems with people around him and with life in general.
A positive minded person finds it easy to smile and is thankful for every little blessing that comes his way. Such a person experiences heaven on Earth and the former makes life nightmarish for himself.

Do we realise that we have a certain responsibility towards our mind too ? To keep it pure , happy and healthy. Gossiping constantly ; speaking ill of others ; being avaricious ; desirous of materialistic pleasures – are all signs of an unhealthy, fatigued mind. Whereas a mind inclined towards spirituality – will be happy ; filled with the brightness of the love of God ; abundantly positive ; filled with faith and trust in God’s plans for us.

We need to remember that since our mind reflects a lot about us ; the kind of person we are ; what we think – wouldn’t it be wonderful for us to radiate a spiritual glow – with a mind focussed and immersed in God ?