Blog

March 2010

When Ram gives pain, Ram again gives us the power to suffer and provides people to look after us. Never worry – Chinmaya

God has given enough proof to show that it is He alone who is taking care of the whole cosmos.

Just observe the world around and one will be amazed to find that all great happenings of the world are devoid of human intervention! The movement of the sun, moon and the stars, the blowing wind, the burning fire, the showering rain, the changing seasons… processes of digestion, blood circulation etc., the functioning of brain, liver, kidney, heart etc. – everything is so organized and perfect.

What more evidence is needed to believe that a Higher Power is running this giant cosmic wheel of creation? Only in small pure-hearted children we find this awe and wonder about the mysteries of the universe -“Twinkle Twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are…!”

But as we grow in age, we find ourselves busy with the things petty and low. Thus getting caught up in our little-little worlds, vainly boasting of our insignificant achievements and contributions, we forget the bigger picture and the purpose of life. Helplessly then, the all-compassionate God, being our true well-wisher, has to interfere to wake us up from this deep slumber of ignorance, being our true well-wisher. In this regard, He sometimes resorts to using certain hard means – for example, loss of health, wealth, power etc., or death of near and dear ones.

True wisdom lies in our understanding that these apparent cruelties are nothing but His blessings in disguise. Just as dirty clothes need a thorough scrubbing along with the application of strong detergents to regain its cleanliness, life’s painful experiences force us to wake up and help us come back home to regain our long lost true nature – the Supreme Self.

When this divine purpose behind worldly tragedies is not understood, one either concludes that God does not exist or that He is indifferent to all these mundane happenings of the world.

Once a mahatma was giving discourses on Srimad Bhagawad Gita to a large gathering. When it came to the term ‘Yogakshemam Vahaamyaham’ the saint went on tirelessly and joyously to explain how much concerned is the Lord in ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of His devotees.

After the talk, as the crowd dispersed, a lady carrying her baby came to the mahatma and went on weeping uncontrollably as she narrated the tragic story of her husband’s death, her poverty and the indifference shown by her in-laws towards her. She concluded that the Lord whom he had praised so much in his discourse was not even worth mentioning the name. She then became silent and looked at the saint for a reply.

The mahatma, who was till then listening to her with all attention, broke his silence and put a condition to her that he would answer only if she drops her child down. Stunned, she bluntly refused to obey. But when the mahatma insisted upon dropping down the little baby, she became wild and furious unable to understand what he was up to. As she prepared to leave in utter disobedience, the saint smiled and said, “Good. So you have proved how much you love your child. Now, Amma, why do you doubt the fact that God also loves His children unconditionally in the same way as you do?”

Loving and trusting God and at the same time worrying cannot go together. It is said that one can tell the size of one’s God by looking at one’s worry list. The longer the list, the smaller one’s God!

Let us understand that peace is not the absence of affliction, but feeling the presence of God within.

God’s presence is like the stars – the darker the night, the brighter they shine! Darkness cannot put off the light. It can only make the light brighter. In the same way, it is only during the times of trial that we come to know how much He loves us and cares for us. Then these very same trials become a means to develop faith and devotion at the Lotus Feet of the Lord, which is the only purpose of human existence.

There are only two kinds of people – those who say to God “Thy will be done”, and those to whom God says, “Alright then, have it your way”.

Let us, even by mistake, not fall into the second category, for when we cannot piece together the puzzle of our lives, remember, the best view is from above! Let us allow Him to put us together as His guidance alone is ever perfect and unerring.

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