Past, Present & Future

If you want to experience fear - think of the future.

If you want to experience shame and guilt - think of the past.

If you want to improve and progress - concentrate on present. 

Fear stops us from doing something different. There is always some risk in trying new ideas. 

What will happen in the future, is most likely to be uncertain, but how will we find out the outcome if we don’t even try? 

Not only the ‘Feeling of shame and guilt’ brings depression and makes us inactive – constantly talking and taking pride in a glorious past may also have a similar effect on individuals and the psyche of a society as well. Thinking, that we can never achieve those heights again, can also make us sedentary and not wanting to do anything to improve the current situation.

In order to progress – individually, and as a group or society - we need to think rationally and work together to create a positive environment in the present moment.

                                     ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Spreading Rumors

Unfortunately, there are lots of unsupported - unsubstantiated rumors that are being spread these days over the social media. Obviously, they are causing further speculations and doubts in the minds of many. Any sincere and intelligent person would want to see a solid and authentic proof behind such rumors before believing and forwarding them among friends and acquaintances.     

Therefore, keep the following philosophy in mind next time you hear - or if you are about to spread a rumor.

Triple Filter Test

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely reputed for his wisdom.

One day an acquaintance came to the great philosopher and said, "Socrates! do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me anything, I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."

"Triple filter?" asked the acquaintance.

"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student, let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say.

The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it."

"All right," said Socrates. "So, you don't really know if it's true or not.

Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness.

What you are about to tell me about my student - is it something good?"

"No, on the contrary ...".

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, even though you're not certain it's true?". 

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued." You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter -

 the filter of Usefulness. Now, what you want to tell me about my student - is it going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really..."

"Well," concluded Socrates -

"if what you want to tell me is neither True, nor Good, nor even Useful to me, why tell it to me at all?"

The man felt defeated and ashamed.

This is the reason Socrates was considered a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.  

Are we as great as we claim to be? 

Do we – the so called ‘Gyanis’ – try to look at everything through the lens of Gyana or do we tend to believe everything we hear without analyzing and verifying it? Without realizing the consequences, and its effects upon our own and other’s spiritual practices? 

Do we want to build bridges and fill the gap between people? or dig ditches to keep them separate? Erect walls to divide?

Remember:

It’s easier to damage than to repair.

It’s easier to destroy than to create.

Therefore, Next time you hear a rumor -  Pause for a moment ………and think.

Filter it through the ‘Triple Test’ before passing it on to others – especially to the innocent and unsuspecting faithful minds.  

                'Rajan Sachdeva'

आज के दौर में ऐ दोस्त Aaj kay Daur mein aye Dost

आज के दौर में ऐ दोस्त  ये मन्ज़र क्यूँ  है 
ज़ख़्म हर सर पे - हर हाथ में पत्थर क्यूँ है 

जब हक़ीक़त है कि हर ज़र्रे में तू रहता है 
फिर ज़मीं पे कहीं मस्जिद कहीं मंदिर क्यूँ है 

अपना अंजाम तो मालूम है सब को फिर भी 
अपनी नज़रों में हर इक शख़्स सिकंदर क्यूँ है 

ज़िंदगी जीने के क़ाबिल ही नहीं अब शायद 
वरना हर आँख में अश्क़ों का समंदर क्यूँ है 


Aaj kay daur mein aye dost ye manzar kyun hai ?
Zakham har sar pay, har haath mein pathar kyun hai ?

Jab haqeeqat hai ki har zarray mein tu rehtaa hai
Phir zameen par kahin masjid kahin mandir kyun hai ?

Apnaa anjaam to maloom hai sab ko - phir bhi
Apni nazron mein har ik shakhs sikandar kyun hai ?

Zindagi jeeney ke qaabil hi nahin ab shaayed 
Warna har aankh mein ashqon ka samandar kyun hai ?

                                               (Writer unknown)

Close the Doors to the Past.

Wise people open the door to the future by closing the doors to the past.

How can you drive forward if you constantly keep looking through the rear-view mirror?

How can a Brahm-Gyani get stuck with the past?

Wisdom means- remember the past, learn from it and move forward.

As Gurubani says: “Sahib mera nit navaan”

A Brahm-Gyani constantly sees the Lord and his works; His creation in new ways, in new shapes and forms – without getting attached with the past.

Just as long-distance travelers look for the landmarks or milestones – to see where they are – if they are on the right path or not and how far they have to go – The spiritual seekers should also look for the signs to know where they stand and if they are on the right track or not.

If we are attached to the past – if we are stuck with the memories of the past - regardless of how glorious it might have been – we are on the wrong path. It’s time to investigate our ideology through the Gyana - to set our priorities straight –to analyze our thinking process – and see things in the right perspective. 

If we want to move forward - towards the future - then we must close the door to the past. 

                                  'Rajan Sachdeva'

Wafaa or Anaa ? वफ़ा या अना ?

       क़र्ब के ना वफ़ा के होते हैं 
      झगड़े सारे अना के होते हैं 
                    ~ फ़ैज़ अहमद फ़ैज़  ~ 

Qarb kay na vafaa ke hotay hain
Jhagday saare anaa ke hote hain 
                      ~Faiz Ahmad Faiz~

( Neither to gain closeness, nor for the sake of love

All quarrels and fights are - to satisfy one’s 'ego' )

क़र्ब     Qarb       -     Closeness 
अना     Anna      -     Ego

अपने अंदर भी कभी Apane Andar Bhi Kabhi

अपने अंदर भी कभी झाँक के देखा होता 
  आइना सारे ज़माने को दिखाने वाले 
                                    

Apne andar bhi kabhi jhaank ke dekha hota 
Aaina saare zamaane ko dikhaane waalay

                                                                                 

अभी बाक़ी है Abhi Baaki Hai

है  थोड़ी  दूर अभी  सपनों का नगर अपना
मुसाफ़िरो - अभी बाक़ी है कुछ सफ़र अपना । 

                                                                                                 " जावेद अख़्तर" 

Hai thodi door abhi sapno ka nagar apnaa 
Musaafiro - abhi baaki hai kuchh safar apnaa 
                                                                     "Javed Akhtar"

मेरी शायरी तो इज़हार है (Hindi)

कोई ख़्याल जब उठता है कभी ज़हन में मेरे 
 चंद लफ़्ज़ों के दायरे में उसे बाँध लेता हूँ 

मेरी शायरी तो इज़हार है मेरे तजुरबों का 
कुछ एहसास अपनी ज़िंदगी से छाँट लेता हूँ 

शायद इन को पढ़ के सम्भल जाए कोई  'राजन ' कहीं 
इसी लिए ख़्याल अपने - सब में  बाँट लेता हूँ 
                                     'राजन सचदेव '


उपरोक्त शेर -साहिर लुधयानवी साहिब के इस शेर से मुत्तासिर  (प्रभावित) हो कर लिखे  गए थे :

              "दुनिया ने तजुर्बात ओ हवादिस की शक़्ल  में  

              जो कुछ मुझे दिया -वो ही लौटा रहा हूँ मैं "

Meri Shayeri To Izhaar Hai (Roman Script)

Koi khyaal jab uthtaa hai koi zehan me mere
chand lafzon ke daayaray me usay baandh letaa hoon

Meri shayeri to izhaar hai mere tajurbon ka
kuchh ehsaas apani zindagi say chhaant letaa hoon

Shaayed in ko padh ke sambhal jaaye koi 'Rajan' kahin
Isi liye khyaal apanay - sab say baant letaa hoon
                                                              'Rajan Sachdeva'

Inspired by this beautiful sher of Sahir Ludhiyanavi sahib:

Duniya nay tajurbaat-o- havaadis ki shaql me
Jo kuchh mujhe diya vohi lautaa rahaa hoon main

बद गोई से क्या हासिल ? Badgoi Se Kya Haasil ?

बुराई  या  भलाई  गो  है  अपने  वास्ते  लेकिन
किसी को क्यूँ कहें हम बद  -कि बद गोई से क्या हासिल ?
                                              ~ बहादुर शाह ज़फ़र ~


Buraai ya bhalaayi go hai apanay vaastay lekin
Kisi ko kyon kahen hum bad - ki badgoi se kya haasil ?
                                                      "Bahadur Shah Jaffar"

बद  Bad (bud)    -                  Bad or wrong
बद गोई   Budgoyi     -           Talking ill about others- to put them down
हासिल  Haasil       -             Use, usefulness,  benefit