Blog

January 2011

We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.
– Chinmaya

Joys – all of us want; sorrows – none of us prefer. But strangely we involve ourselves in those activities which bring in nothing but sorrow and ignore those which bring in joy!

It is only when setbacks and misfortunes, failures and disappointments, tragedies and calamities occur in our lives that we start cause-hunting, and that too, with an attitude, “Why only me?”

The above quote answers it all. Let us not vainly console ourselves with meaningless terms like luck, fate, prarabdha, destiny etc. Everything here happens according to the laws of Nature. Nature’s laws, just like her Creator, are perfect and precise. Obey her laws, and we will have a life filled with joy, peace and contentment. Disobey them, and we will find those very same laws crushing us within the wheel of Time.

All great inventions in science or medical field have come up only when these laws are unquestioningly accepted and strictly obeyed. None can transgress these laws. We only break ourselves when we break the law. The one who has disciplined oneself in tune with these laws has learnt the art of right living.

“As you sow, so you reap” is the only law to be mastered here. Love and forgive, and you will be loved and forgiven. Hate and cheat, and you will receive the same. The one who digs the pit shall fall therein. Hence doing good to others is the only way of doing good to ourselves.

Swami Vivekananda used to say, “God helps those who do not help themselves”!

This is the true story of a humble night clerk named George who was very honest and sincere and worked in a small hotel. He went out of his way to help as many as he could.

One dark and rainy night, there came to the hotel an old couple asking for a room. Unfortunately, no room was vacant. Seeing their advanced age and also the poor weather outside, George said to them, “We do not have a vacant room right now, but if you could wait for a while I shall see what I can do for you.”

He called the maid and within fifteen minutes got his own room cleaned for the old couple to stay. As the clerk took the old couple to the room, he said to them, “I am taking you to a room which surely is not the best room in the hotel. But I hope you will find it cosy and comfortable, neat and clean. Please feel at home and I shall send you two cups of hot tea before retiring for the night.”

Several months passed. The clerk had completely forgotten the incident. It was just one of the many similar incidents in his life.

A big hotel was being built in New York-the famous Waldorf Astoria. It was built by a man named John Jacob Astor. When the time came to advertise for the post of a manager for the hotel, he said, “I do not need to advertise for the post, because I already have a man in view.”

The man in view was none other than George, the night clerk who, on a dark and rainy night, had obliged the couple, Mr and Mrs Astor, when they wanted a room in his hotel. At that time he had no idea as to whom he was obliging. It was natural for him to go out of his way, to bring comfort into the lives of those who needed it.

The night clerk, who worked in that small hotel, now attained instant success becoming the manager of a huge, world-famous hotel.

Our thoughts, words and deeds, whether good or bad, return to us with astonishing accuracy.

That is the reason why great ones never blamed anyone for their sufferings.

A great saint, Abu Usman was walking one day, on the street, when someone threw ashes from the balcony of his house. The ashes fell on the head of Abu. His companions, who were with him, became enraged and were about to abuse the offender when Abu said to them “Keep your peace, my friends. Let us thank the Lord that one who deserved fire was let off with ashes”!

It is said, “Before you begin the journey of revenge, dig two graves”!

Hell and heaven are our own creation. We unnecessary drag the innocent God in between. As Pujya Gurudev used to say, we are punished not for our sins, but BY our sins.

Let us therefore closely examine the nature of thoughts that run through our minds. Deep within us, if we find ourselves holding on to something base, ignoble and inauspicious, let us have the courage and wisdom to drop it, with the fear of a bitter future.

Nature’s laws help those who watch, and not those who sleep! The price of freedom is always eternal vigilance.

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