If you board the wrong train

If you board the wrong train, would it help if you start running in the corridor in the opposite direction? 
Obviously, not. 
Running, complaining, shouting, or stamping on the floor is not going to help at all - in fact, it may irritate the other passengers. 
Therefore, sit and relax - and calmly try to find a solution.
It's easier to find a solution with a calm and rational mind than being in an anxious or angry state of mind. 
Anxiety will bring more anxiety and restlessness - within your mind and in the surroundings as well. 
Therefore: 
Enjoy the trip and go wherever the train takes you. 
And if you have the power and ability to steer the train, then turn it around and take it in the right direction.
Or find a safer way to get off - without upsetting others - and try to find the right train that suits you. 
                                                        ' Rajan Sachdeva '

Sakaar or Nirakaar? Form or Formless?

                   साकारमनृतं विद्धि निराकारं तु निश्चलम 
                   एतत्तत्वोपदेशेन न पुनर्भव सम्भवः 

     Saakaaram-Anritam viddhi Niraakaaram tu Nicshchalam
     Etat-Tattvopadeshna Na Punarbhav-Sambhavah 

“Know that which has ‘form’ - to be false - And the Formless to be changeless. 
Through this ‘Tattva-Gyaana’ (true knowledge), You shall escape the cycle of Re-birth.”
                                  (Ashtavakra Gita’  Shloka 18 - Chapter one)

That, which remains changeless in the past, present and future, is the Real - and that - which was not from the beginning and will not be in the future, but seems to exist temporarily - is unreal. 
Regardless of how much physical and emotional value we place upon an object - that, which has a physical form is changeable and perishable. 
Whereas only Nirankar, the Formless, remains unchanged and constant.

We should seriously ponder upon the message of the above and other such Shlokas and verses from the Holy Scriptures and do some soul-searching.
We should ask ourselves: 
As the followers of the Nirankari (Formless) Mission, what do we believe in - Nirankar or Sakaar?  Formless or Form?
The very first Shabad of Avtar Vani - which is the fundamental and core philosophy of the Mission - says:
             Roop Rang tay Raikhon Nyaaray - Tainu lakh pranaam karaan
Millions of salutations to You - which is free of Form, color, and dimensions.
We should ask ourselves what we value more - The ‘Formless or a particular physical ‘Form’?
Undoubtedly, the Guru is the medium through which a seeker can endeavor to know the Truth. 
However, we must remember that our goal is to realize the Truth - The Truth, which is Constant, unchanged, and beyond any physical form or appearance. 
To achieve the final goal of life - The Moksha - the Ultimate Liberation, the mind must get detached from any form, shape, frame, or physical structure whatsoever. 
                                                 ' Rajan Sachdeva '

When the motor is running - it gets heated

While the engine is running, and the car is moving, then it's natural for the silencer to get hot. 
However, the engine remains cold when the car is parked in the garage and not running. 
If the cow that gives milk kicks, we stay quiet. 
We ignore the harsh words and sarcasm of the clients who provide monetary benefits to us. 
Similarly, If we take the harsh or bitter words from the father who works hard and runs the household with his earnings - from the Gurus and teachers from whom we got wisdom and are still getting it - the relatives and friends who guide us to move in the right direction - then we can succeed in life much faster. 
Although it is natural for everyone to lose temper sometimes, however, that does not mean that it's OK for the parents or elders to get angry all the time - or them being angry all the time is justified in any way.
It simply means that it will help us in the long run - that we should try to understand their timely or untimely rage; their anger calmly, and keep moving forward with their help. 
We must not lose regard for parents and elders and create distance and fractures in the relationships.
                         ' Rajan Sachdeva '

मोटर चलती रहे तो गर्म हो ही जाती है

यदि कार स्टार्ट हो - इंजन काम रहा हो और कार चल रही हो तो स्वाभाविक है कि इंजन एवं साईलेंसर गर्म हो ही जाते हैं 
- जबकि गेराज में खड़ी हुई अथवा बेकार पड़ी हुई मोटरों के साईलेंसर (Silencer) ठंडे ही रहते हैं। 
दूध देने वाली गाय अगर लात भी मारे तो हम चुपके से सह लेते हैं। 
जिस से लाखों का फायदा होता हो उस ग्राहक की कठोर वाणी और कटु-शब्दों को हम अनसुना कर देते हैं। 

इसी तरह जिस पिता की कमाई से घर चलता हो या चलता रहा हो - 
जिन गुरुजनों से हमें ज्ञान मिला, और मिल रहा हो - 
जिन संबंधियों और मित्रों से सही दिशा में बढ़ने की प्रेरणा एवं उत्साह मिलता हो - 
उनके कठोर अथवा कटु शब्दों को भी अगर सह लें तो हमें जीवन में सफलता की ओर अग्रसर होने में सहायता मिलेगी। 

लेकिन इसका अर्थ यह नहीं कि माता-पिता अथवा गुरुजनों को क्रोध करना ही चाहिए - अथवा उनका हर समय क्रोध करना उचित ही है।  
बल्कि इसका अर्थ केवल इतना ही है कि उनके समय-असमय के क्रोध अथवा कटुशब्दों को सह लेने, और जो उन्होंने हमारे लिए किया और कर रहे हैं उसे ध्यान में रखते हुए उत्साह-पूर्वक आगे बढ़ते रहने में हमारी अपनी ही भलाई है।  
माता-पिता, गुरुजनों एवं बड़ों का आदर करना कभी न भूलें 
और अगर वो कभी डाँट भी दें तो उसे सह लें और रिश्तों में दरार न पड़ने दें।
                                                           ' राजन सचदेव '

कहाँ पर बोलना है और कहाँ पर बोल जाते हैं

कहाँ पर बोलना है और कहाँ पर बोल जाते हैं
जहाँ ख़ामोश रहना है वहाँ मुँह खोल जाते हैं

कटा जब शीश सैनिक का तो हम ख़ामोश रहते हैं
कटा एक सीन पिक्चर का तो सारे बोल जाते हैं

कुर्सी मुल्क खा जाए तो कोई कुछ नहीं कहता
मगर रोटी की चोरी हो तो सारे बोल जाते हैं 

ग़रीबों के घरों की बेटियाँ अब तक कुँवारी हैं
कि रिश्ता कैसे होगा जबकि गहने बोल जाते हैं

नई नस्लों के ये बच्चे ज़माने भर की सुनते हैं
मगर माँ बाप कुछ बोलें तो बच्चे बोल जाते हैं

बहुत ऊँची दुकानों में कटाते जेब सब अपनी
मगर मज़दूर माँगेगा तो सिक्के बोल जाते हैं

अगर मख़मल करे ग़लती तो कोई कुछ नहीं कहता
फटी चादर की ग़लती हो तो सारे बोल जाते हैं

हवाओं की तबाही को सभी चुपचाप सहते हैं
चिराग़ों से हुई ग़लती तो सारे बोल जाते हैं

बनाते फिरते हैं रिश्ते जमाने भर से अक्सर हम
मगर घर में ज़रुरत हो तो रिश्ते बोल जाते हैं 

कहाँ पर बोलना है और कहाँ पर बोल जाते हैं
जहाँ ख़ामोश रहना है वहाँ मुँह खोल जाते हैं

                  ✍ अज्ञात ✍

Kahaan par bolnaa hai aur kahaan par bol jaatay hain

Kahaan par bolnaa hai aur kahaan par bol jaatay hain
Jahaan khaamosh rehnaa hai vahaan munh khol jaatay hain

Kataa jab sheesh sainik ka to hum khaamosh rehtay hain
Kataa ek scene picture ka to saaray bol jaatay hain

Kursee mulk khaa jaye to koyi kuchh nahin kehtaa
Magar rotee kee choree ho to saare bol jaatay hain

Gareebon kay gharon kee betiyaan ab tak kunvaari hain 
ki rishtaa kaisay hoga jab ki gehnay bol jaatay hain

Nayi naslon kay ye bachay zamaanay bhar kee suntay hain
Magar maan baap kuchh bolen to bachay bol jaatay hain

Bahut oonchi dukaanon mein kataatay jaib sab apnee
Magar mazdoor maangega to sikkay bol jaatay hain

Agar makhmal karay galtee to koyi kuchh nahin kehtaa
Phatee chaadar kee galtee ho to saaray bol jaatay hain

Hawaaon kee tabaahi ko sabhee chup chaap sehtay hain 
Chiraagon say huyi galtee to saare bol jaatay hain

Banaatay phirtay hain rishtay zamaanay bhar say aqsar hum 
Magar ghar mein zaroorat ho to rishtay bol jaatay hain

Kahaan par bolnaa hai aur kahaan par bol jaatay hain
Jahaan khaamosh rehnaa hai vahaan munh khol jaatay hain

                             ✍  Writer unknown ✍

The Saint and a Thief

In my childhood, I heard a story from my grandmother.
Once upon a time, there was a great saint who used to walk through the villages teaching Vedantic philosophy and helping needy people. As it was the tradition in the olden days, people would respectfully offer him food and a place to stay overnight or for a couple of days.
On one occasion, he had to choose between staying in the home of a scholarly Brahman or the home of a thief. 
He chose to stay in the home of the thief.
Everyone was surprised and asked why he chose the home of a thief over the home of a well-respected scholar from an upper class. 
The Saint replied: 
Undoubtedly, the learned Brahman is a great scholar, but he also has a huge ego, and wherever there is ego, there's no room for God. 
On the other hand, I found that the thief was very humble and remorseful. Even though he steals, which is wrong, I felt he was better because he is repentant and wants to mend his ways. He is willing to learn how to improve his life. Since he has no ego, he has the room for learning. 
But a person who thinks he has all the answers - does not feel the need to change or to learn anything new. 

This story has always been one of my favorites - because it illustrates an important lesson for those who want to travel on the path of Spirituality. 
Knowing everything is not a prerequisite for gaining wisdom - or a requirement for living a spiritual life. 
If we think that we have all the answers - if we believe that we have all the spiritual knowledge that there is - then obviously we have not learned the meaning of Spirituality. 
To become a Lighthouse - or a vessel - a container of Light - we have to become humble. 
We must get rid of our ego. 
We must recognize that in some way, every person in our life is a messenger of Light.
But it would only be possible if we are open to listening to everyone. 
However, listening to everyone does not mean that we have to agree with everything and follow everyone else. 
We must use our wisdom, judgment, and logic to see what is right or wrong and proceed accordingly. 
If we believe that God gave us everything for a reason, then He must have given us a brain for a reason too - to think. 
He provided us the faculty of choosing and the ability to make decisions as well. 
Now, it is our responsibility to use this faculty carefully and wisely. 
Surrendering the mind means - instead of stubbornly holding on to our procured concepts - we should be willing to listen to the fresh ideas - the views of the wise, and enlightened people - to learn and adapt from their experience to enrich our lives. 
But at the same time, we must remember to stay humble and polite - and keep a watch on ourselves not to accumulate ego in this process.
                                    ' Rajan Sachdeva '

The Law of Attraction

                                The Law of Attraction:
It is said that we can attract whatever we wish for - if our desire is strong enough.
However, I believe we don't always attract what we want - We attract what we are. 
Just like we attract like-minded people - people who are similar to us - we attract things and sensations that are similar to our nature - to our lifestyle. 
If we are angry all the time, then how can we attract and create peace in our surroundings?
If we are angry, we will attract more anger - not peace. 
How can we attract love and respect if we continually keep complaining about everything - and keep criticizing everyone all the time? 
If we want to attract respect, then we must stop complaining and nagging all the time. 
Become what you wish for, and you will attract the same from the universe. 
                                    ' Rajan Sachdeva '

Becoming Wise

We become wise when we know -
That we don't have the answer to all questions. 
The Vedas proclaim:
"One who thinks he knows all - knows not".

Only a fool thinks that he knows everything.
The wise know that everyone may know something, but no one can know everything 
- that it's not possible for any individual to know about everything that there is. 

Therefore, instead of living in a false state of ego - 
let's keep our mind open to welcome new, fresh ideas and to gain more knowledge.
                           ' Rajan Sachdeva '

The Principle of Balance

There is a principle of Balance that governs the universe.
Nature keeps everything in perfect balance. No more - no less. 
No light without darkness - No qualities without defects - 
No goodness without evil - No happiness without sadness.
If there is something in abundance at one place, then there must be less of it somewhere else. 
If there is light in one place, then it's dark at another. 
If someone has more of one thing, then they must be lacking something else. 
Divine Order is always there - although we may not notice it. 
Moving to a new state of consciousness means to accept this truth and learn to be Grateful. 
                          ' Rajan Sachdeva '