SPIRITUAL STRENGTH AND PROGRESS
_ A P ANAND
Life is full of ups and downs and it
is rightly said that those who dare diligently in faith and hope ride the ship
of spirituality to cross its sprawling ocean successfully. They lead balanced
life. When one steps into spirituality, the effort will seem futile at early
stages but later on, on assimilation, it will give positive results which will
blossom due to change in our perspective and true knowledge for transformation.
Such people do not forget the value and purpose of their existence in this
world. First one has to make the land of his/ her heart fertile arduously and
sow the seeds of virtues in time when the land is moist, use the insecticides
to remove any poison to get better results. One has to imbibe faith and pure
love towards God who is our savior and humanity and know the presence of soul,
its value and purpose to remove many phobias. One has to believe prevalence of
God everywhere and in each speck as He is the light to show us right path. Our
actions in life are like puppet show the controlling reins of which are in the
hands of Supreme Lord. We should, therefore, surrender ourselves to the will of
God with unflinching faith and say, “Not mine, Thine be done.” Those who
believe in soul and ‘Karma’ (deeds) theory think it better to vanquish their
life problems and negativities in the present life instead of carrying forward
the load to the next one. Life is like surfing on the splashes of high tides of
sea water but, at the same time, the difficulties and obstacles propel our life
forcefully.
Time and tide wait for none, so make
best use of life’s precious moments to achieve spiritual strength. Controlling
of sense organs and catching and imbibing good points of others is paramount.
Wash away your sins sooner than later. The seekers, to know and realize the
pain and pangs of life, live amongst homeless, destitute, starving people and
those afflicted with crippling diseases, unconditionally, and remain in the
vanguard to help and serve them like Mother Teresa and M.K.Gandhi. Also the
seekers of Ultimate Truth and Enlightenment sit, remain and deep pray in
silence for a long time in calmness and concentration of mind in the crooks of
mountains and jungles. Some achieve the qualities of renouncement, with earnest
desire, even while leading worldly life. These ‘Sadhakas’ (Aspirants) keep
company of the learned souls and realize God under their guidance. They have,
always , to keep their mood up-swung, make life as a dance ground and thoughts
positive to become paragon of spirituality. The life is for actions, doing well
to others without discrimination and realizing God who has chosen us by giving
an opportunity to mend our ways.
(2)
Our virtuous life burns our negative
thoughts. They say that every night is followed by breakage of dawn. One, who
suffers most, learns the art of living in the long run and in real sense. A
person living in isolation becomes chaste apart from attaining many other
qualities.
At the fag end of our life we are
compelled to feel detached, depressed, deluded and ultimately our body reduced
to a pack of ashes or dust. Also that life span is uncertain and every day is
our last day. We realize that materials possessed/ accumulated by us so
carefully do not go with us in the long run.
If someone intends to learn lessons
about life earnestly and intensely he/ she should, very often, visit the
cremation ground/ grave yard where our eyes open widely with glare for the
reality. A mere gaze at the burning body has a deep telling effect on one’s
mind which was earlier entrenched for a long time as a mark of attachment which
is delusion in reality. The pathetic scenes there are soul-stirring. Even, soon
after death, those dear ones who earlier used to love, kiss, and caress and
praise the departed soul will go on distancing themselves slowly and will try
to dispose of the body at the earliest possible. They may start disputes over
the property of the deceased even at his/ her moribund. They may wail/ ululate
and smite their chests in ‘sadness’ for some days due to separation. The fact
is noticed that no one could save the life of dying person especially when the
dear one consigns the body to flames at the pyre. The birth and death are
controlled by God only. That you have values and relations/ attachments as long
as you are alive. That life is like a dream. A very pertinent question arises
whether anyone has given company to the dying person who was so dear to him/ her?
His/ her next journey is solitary. Have you ever thought as to why we say, “Ram
naam satt hai” (There is truth in chanting Sri Rama’s name whose ideals and
propriety are ever praised) while taking bier to the pyre in cortege while we
shudder to utter the same words of truth at other occasions? Unfortunately, we
utter and recognize the truth at the time of death only. At the time of death,
the body is simply switching over from subtle to astral state. A dying person
may be telling others, “Do not love or kick me so much. I am on the way of
meeting God in His heavenly abode and am intoxicated in His love.”In the
crematorium someone expressed the sentiments on behalf of dead person, “When,
ultimately, I had to reach here only then why I had to spend so much time to
cover this journey?” In case the departed soul has earned ire of the society
(instead of goodwill and nobility) and God has also damned him due to his
unworthy ‘karmas’ (deeds), the situation is
(3)
like, “Nero fiddled while Rome
burnt.” We derive a great lesson here that we all are individual entities fully
responsible for ourselves and have to suffer or enjoy life here and hereafter
according to our ‘karmas’. Have we ever drawn the balance-sheet of our life?
And whether we have earned any credits here for our next journey? Apart from
above, it also shows our fake long attachment (bondage) with the finite person,
who has just shed his human body, by losing him/ her in the transient world
when we forget that patronage of graceful Supreme Lord who is infinite always
remains with us.
At the cremation ground we conclude
that the end result of a poor/ sordid person and the one living in pelf is the
same---death, but we derive solace in comparing both the lives to better
ourselves. Though our visit, at random, or for a short period is for bidding
adieu to the departed soul the scene changes our view from ego and attachment
to divinity. Alas! It should transform us completely to divinity to live life
peacefully and happily with a sense of fulfillment.
Even the dying virtuous person can
manifest, “I am under the influence of protective arm and cool-shaded umbrella
of Lord Supreme for my future.” Those who have played in the folds of sorrows
and difficulties enjoyed beatific (great happiness) life in the real sense. We
cannot get pearls unless we delve deeper which is an arduous job. The same rule
applies to reach the bottom of truth and self-consciousness.
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A P ANAND
E/120, “VIRGO”, LOWER KHARODI
MARVE ROAD, MALAD(W), MUMBAI—400 095
Ph: 022-2862 0872
Email: anandpanand@yahoomail.com
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