Usually, when we are happy and satisfied with our circumstances, we do not remember God.
But when we are suffering - or if we need something, we suddenly remember God and start praying.
And even if we do pray in the happy times - during joyous festivities and celebrations - it’s not with the same intensity as when we pray in distress.
When in distress, we desperately start looking for some help - and when nothing else works, we turn to God.
The intensity of prayer in the moment of distress and helplessness is what brings us closer to the Almighty.
When a child is full of energy, he does not want to be held by the mother and sit on her lap for long.
He wants to play and run around.
When full of energy and not hungry, he moves away from the mother
and when he is hurt or hungry, he runs towards the mother.
Though the child always needs the mother - but the intensity of his love is different in different situations.
When he is hurt or hungry - only then does he want to nestle in the mother’s lap.
When it comes to God - most of us also tend to do the same.
It’s natural to get absorbed in the joys of life - with dancing and entertainment during the parties and festivities and forget everything else.
We may thank the Almighty momentarily or occasionally for that joy and happiness - but the sincerity and intensity of our gratitude would be different.
For example - while riding in a cab with a rough and reckless driver - a passenger who is scared to death prays for his safe arrival.
On the other hand, another person prays as part of the routine or a ritual sitting in a Temple, Gurudwara, Church, or in an air-conditioned congregation hall.
There would be an immense difference in the sincerity and intensity of their prayers in both scenarios.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could remember the Almighty and pray with the same passion during the happy moments also?
It sounds good - fair and appropriate, but it may not be so easy.
Therefore, occasionally we should spend some time at least concentrating upon Sumiran with undivided attention and dedication towards the Almighty.
‘Rajan Sachdeva’
So true about children's nature to seek mother's help when in distress. But as we mature, we need to learn how to be grateful to God for the good times as well, and not take it for granted.
ReplyDeleteIn the late 1980's, drug trade was quite common in Washington DC, and consequently there were a lot of shootings and deaths every day. I recall reading in the Washington Post about a grandmother who had lost a nephew, a son, and now was attending the funeral of a grandson, who were all shot and killed in this drug business. She had also attended several funerals of neighbor's sons lost in drug related shootings. She told the reporter that she had begun to dread the smell of roses because it reminded her of all the funerals and the sorrow associated with it. I was struck by her words.
Now I often wonder that if we remember God and seek his help only during distress and difficult times, then would we associate God with sorrow only, and begin to dread remembering Him?
I love your Gurubani quote and explanation ЁЯЩПЁЯМ╣
ReplyDeleteIt is very true ЁЯЩПЁЯЩПЁЯЩП
ReplyDelete