Art of Living Foundation

It could have been Worse is My Answer!

Ensures

This post comes in the wake of recent medical incidents of some sincere seekers, who have been doing/done everything that materially every Jigyasu is expected to do – Sadhana, Seva, Satsangs etc. Yet when some tragedy or misfortune strikes, the obvious doubt is on the efficacy of God/Guru. The faith is terribly shaken and trust flies out of the window. Everything associated becomes a suspect and sadly some may even conclude on the futility of the spiritual journey itself.

Firstly, as Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji of The Art of Living says – Everyone dies, Good person dies, Bad person dies; Doctors die, Patients die; Rich die, Poor die; King dies so also subjects; So one thing that is truth at the time of birth, known to everyone is that one day a person born has to die some day. Yet there is a sense of non-acceptance of this irrefutable and unchangeable truth.  Immediate response of the near ones (I experienced it twice, when I lost my Father and recently my Elder brother, both departed quite young by today’s standards) Our trust and faith was shaken terribly (thankfully for not very long). Why us? is the obvious question (as if it is ok, if this were to happen to someone else). The first response was What is the point in worshiping God or having a Guru when they “ditch” us like this? (when they are actually carrying us to bear this pain) . Why couldn’t they stop this? (the inevitable truth is forgotten). Now, cut to the next set of examples 

We had examples of some ardent followers in the path, who never missed a day’s Sadhana, did their Seva at every opportunity presented, regular organised and conducted Satsangs, who fell seriously sick (I have been witnessing this in very close quarters in the recent months, one as late as 3 days ago in a Satsang). Again the faith of near ones and many observers was challenged. What is the point of all the 3Ss (Sadhana, Seva and Satsang) if they fall seriously sick (at the time of occurrence, some were even written off and even indicated by doctors that if they survived they would be vegetables all their lives. Much to the surprise of the thorough Medical professional and naysayers, they recovered miraculously. Certainly, I believe it is due to power of collective blessings just as those very rational Engineers and Medical Professionals who were around concede to it. To some who asked me, why did it happen in the first place, my answer as an ordinary mortal – it could have been worse!

Today Vadi is back to near normal and leading a life he lead before (yes after a Mid Brain Hemorrhage episode)
Atharv back home, as active as ever!!!
Miraculous and inexplicable arrest of Blood leakage in brain (Status as of today in this screenshot)

As Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar expounds during a Q&A session during a Satsang – Keep the faith intact

We often mistake our intense craving for our intense faith and try to manipulate the divine to fulfill our desires and get our work done. If you have faith in God only for the sake of having your desires fulfilled, then that will simply not work.

Which is greater: God, or your desire? Just think about it. You want to use God like currency for transactions, and you want to do the same with your Guru. Faith and devotion are needed to help you rise higher in life and go deeper within yourself.

Difficulties and unpleasant times come in everyone’s life. Is there anyone who does not have problems in their life? Lord Krishna faced so many obstacles during his lifetime. Lord Rama also faced many problems in his life. Mahatma Gandhi also faced many hurdles in his life. So difficulties come and go in life. When your faith and devotion remain intact and unshaken during those turbulent times, then you do not feel the unpleasantness of those situations. Faith becomes your anchor during these difficult times and keeps you steady.

On a completely dark night, even a flickering lamp can help you find your way and keep walking forward. But if you try to extinguish that very source of light, then it is no good. People who do this then try other ways to handle difficult situations, such as drinking alcohol, etc. Faith is a great wealth and gives you strength. Just because a few small things did not go in your favor, it does not mean that you should make your faith so fragile and delicate that it breaks every now and then.

That is why I said that it is good that you feel your faith is becoming weak and failing because something you wanted did not happen. It is alright. Eventually you will put your faith into someone or something.

Faith that is built in such a way surely will shake at some point of time. Every time your faith shakes, your devotion will be renewed from within once again. Truth never fails or gets shaken. True faith remains unshaken regardless of everything that happens. That which shakes is just some small belief at a very superficial level. It is your own expectations and desires which shake you

 

Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji in a knowledge sheet had put forth this profound thoughts for us to chew on. This is universal and eternally applicable.

Reason is reeling in the known. Faith is moving in the unknown. Reason is repetition. Faith is exploration. Reason is routine. Faith is adventure.

They are completely opposite, yet an integral part of life. Not having faith itself is misery; faith gives instant comfort. While reasoning keeps you sane and grounded, no miracle can happen without faith. Faith takes you beyond limitations. In faith you can transcend the laws of nature but it needs to be pure. Faith is beyond reason, yet you need to have faith in your own reasoning! Faith and reason cannot exist without each other. Every reason is based on some faith. Whenever reason or faith breaks, confusion and chaos prevails which is often a step for growth.

There are two types of faith. Faith out of fear, greed and insecurity; and faith born out of love like the faith between the mother and the child, the Master and disciple. Whereas the faith out of love cannot be broken, faith out of fear and greed is shaky.

An atheist bases himself on reason, and a believer on faith. A believer uses God as an insurance policy! He thinks he is special. In the eyes of God there is no “mine” and “others”; all are the same. An atheist rationalizes to keep his eyes shut to reality. Death shakes them both! When someone close dies, an atheist’s eyes are opened, and a believer’s faith cracks. Only a Yogi – a wise one – remains unshaken. For that person has transcended both reason and faith.

You need a balance between faith and reason.

Cut to the present, in both cases these distrust was soon overcome and life moved on. Back to going on pilgrimage to Sabarimala, for Darshan and blessings of Guru. The unpleasantness was taken in the stride using exactly whatever we lost trust on. We tend to lose faith or tend to distrust the only Truth, God or the Guru that is our real & eternal support, all other kind of supports are fleeting. Even the best of medicine will not work if we don’t trust the doctor and the medicine itself. Remember, Medicine Cures! Faith Heals!

One more learning! Faith and trust doesn’t mean rely on Blessings or healing process solely. Our part of the action is a prerequisite and understanding that just those actions may not guarantee results. We allow the Grace to work through our action by being in a state of Gratitude.

Come what may! Keep your faith up! It will hold you up!

You are the Best Thing on each of 9862 Days

Ensures

Twenty Seven up and even after 9862nd day it looks like it was just yesterday that we tied the proverbial knot. Every year when I sit down to pen these words of genuine gratitude, I only end up thinking (and concluding) that this amazing soul deserves much much more and no amount of blog space is enough to describe what she is!

Happy 27th Anniversary Aparna (Yeah! Pat yourself on your back, you cohabited with this guy for 27 long years) – What is a milestone for many including me, for you it just another day – undiminishing enthusiasm and amazingness as it was on 31st March 1991, every day, & today.

Surely it is not like those Mills and Boon books kind of romance, but I can honestly declare it as no less than that. Every moment of lives we spent together (and in rare occasions when we were apart due to our travels) has been special and it would be a BIG LIE! if I were to claim it was due to me. Thank you for everything. A lot of things have been achieved – Academically, Professionally and Socially too. Your role in each it has been beyond measure atleast in those bits that has turned out great in our lives. Just to give you an example – Our lovely gems Akhila and Ashrit. The way you have chiselled them into a wonderful sculpture – it is beyond words. What a gift they turned out to be, thanks to you.

I heard a friend quoting “A man who finds a wife, finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord” Well!!! I am the proof of the one who has been bestowed this favour (or should I say it is an understatement?)

This piece and our lives would never be complete without offering our Pranams and Gratefulness to Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for His Presence and influence in our lives. He is yet another who has bestowed His unconditional love and affection and Blessings on us perpetually and been inspiring us to cross of oceans of challenges smilingly.


Happy Anniversary! You are the BEST Thing that happened to me! This is also My song selected for today.  Thoughtfully presented by Ray LaMontagne – just for me

And since we are off to a Temple – an early surprise celebration by the Kids who enliven our lives

The other highlight – Barring just 2 years out of 27 (including our Wedding day) Lord Varuna has unfailingly showered (literally) His Blessings on us. Just like it is raining right now

Not Syria – It is About Syrious Repercussions

Ensures

Since there is a huge debate on what actually transpired, My two penny take away from the episode. Thanks to a couple of my friends who summarized an Eventful day.

Red lines are my Two-penny opinion

Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji ’s approach

Souhard se dono samuday paas aye. Mandir bhi bane aur masjid bhi bane thodi door.

On why Ram Mandir should be built:

Ayodhya is not place of faith for Muslims. Islam does not allow worship at a disputed site. We cannot make Lord Rama to be born in another place. This is a golden opportunity for communities to cement their good relationship. Some people are opposing. They want this problem to be alive. We don’t want one more conflict. Sensible people agree on this. In the 10 lakh temples of the country, all the Imams could be invited and honored. Similarly they would honour the priests,

Isn’t this vision of Sri Sri, the core of Sanatana Dharma?  Isn’t Sri Sri is creating space and opportunity for both communities to celebrate.

On why Sri Sri is mediating:
Every responsible citizen should be involved in the issue which concerns the society, why should a spiritual leader like Sri Sri not be involved? He is respected as a neutral party by ppl on all sides. He has no vested interest but only the interest of nation at heart. If any one can, it is only Towering personality like Him who can.

The court said that you sit together and move the issue, which was sidelined. I am not looking for any credit, I am ok to put those who are looking for credit in the forefront. I am not here for credit or for insult. I don’t need political support in this, because i am speaking with people.
The judiciary would be the happiest if the issue is solved out of court, its a burden for them to solve this issue in court. kisi ne mujhe ye nahi kaha AOL shuru karo. Waise hi ye bhi apni prerna se kar rahe hain

On creating common buildings like hospitals

ASI has proved that this is Birth place of lord Ram. The disputed site has no religious significance for the other people. By and large The Muslim community is large hearted and they have supported Sri Sri’s initiative in large numbers. For the sake of peace and unity in the country lets work to make a win win situation for all.

On possible future scenarios

  1. Land goes to Hindus, Muslims will feel defeated and their faith in judicial system will be shaken. Bitterness will increase. (Hasn’t this been proven so many time over – Shaking of faith is the minimum, on the contrary there would be hatred and opposition to the implementation too – Shah Bano,, Triple Talaq etc are proof enough)
  2. Land goes to Muslims, there will not be any peace. Do you think they will allow Ram Lalla to be taken from the premises? Do you think such a judgement will be implemented? Quran injunction says, no Namaaz can be offered at a place of conflict. So nobody will offer prayers there. Will it not be a case where I relish denial of a facility to someone even if I don’t get it?
  3. If Allahabad Court decision is repeated, then a Hindu temple and Mosque will be built. This is continue the fear of conflict forever. After 50 and 100 years, there will still be a chance for conflict

On opposition to his mediation:
Kehne wale bohot kuch kahenge. Bohot logon ka astitva sangharsh par hai. Kuch log bhadkaav bhashan pe hi vishwas karte hain. Unpe desh nahi chal sakta. Desh aman chahta hai.
Gurudev ko kichad uchalne walon ki parva nahi karni chahiye.

Always there will be some people who would like to create disturbance in the country. There are just a few people who do not see sense, or even they see sense they are not agreeing because of their personal gains.

Here is what Pujya Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi ji says about Ayodhya Ram Temple Resolution. Out of court is the only way – Any solution from the Political Class or throught courts will end up in difficulties for both sides

For the records – Here are the Tweet clarifications from Gurudev Sri Sri (Personally I felt it is not required, because either way they would twist) Click on the screenshot to read the original tweet on Twitter.