Negativity

Humility and divinity are synonymous.

Humility and divinity are synonymous. They cannot be separated. 

The closer one comes to divinity, more humble he or she becomes. 

हरि हर  खांड रेत महिं बिखरी, हस्ती चुनी ना जाए 
कहु कबीर गुर भली बुझाई,  चींटी होय कै खाए 

"Hari Har Khaand rait mahin bikhari , Hasti chuni na jaaye
Kahu Kabeer guru khari bujhaayi, cheenti hoy ke  khaaye "

                                                                   ( Sant Kabeer ji )

Divinity is like Sugar spilled on sand. An elephant cannot separate the Sugar from the sand but the ant can.

 An egotistic mind cannot separate the Divine from the 'Maya'. 

 The Guru teaches us that humility is the path that leads to Divinity. 

"Jyon Jyon phal darakhat nu lagdai, 

Tyon Tyon jhukdaa jaanda ae"       (Avtar Vani)

The more fruits a tree bears, it's branches bend down more towards the ground. 

The closer we get to the Divine, more humble we become. 


                                             ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Speech or Silence ?

"It takes two years for a child to learn how to speak but it takes a life time to learn when not to speak"

                                               Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji

“It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it.”
                                                                ― Maurice Switzer 

Qualities of a Saint

I think two main qualities of a saint are simplicity and humility. All the virtues and everything else follow.

                                                  Gyan makes us humble.

 If we constantly see the vastness of Nirankar around us, and His majestic powers thru His nature, we will remember how small we are. And Sangat should help us to stay focused on Nirankar. Basically, when there is no ego, there is no evil or sin ...... like anger, greed, pride, jealousy and hatred or desire to control others etc.
No ego also means love for all, helping others like your own, not hurting anyone intentionally.

ਨਿਕਟਿ ਬੁਝੈ ਸੋ ਬੁਰਾ ਕਿਉ ਕਰੈ ॥ निकटि बुझै सो बुरा किउ करै ॥
Nikat bujẖai so burā kyo karai.

How can anyone do evil, if he realizes that the Lord is near (& everywhere)?   (Mehla 5, SGGS Page 1139)

Even a small child, knowing that he is doing something wrong, will stop doing it immediately when he sees a parent or an older sibling watching him.

We do not go over the speed limit if we see a police patrol car nearby or in the rear view mirror. Similarly we can not do anything wrong if we see Almighty God all around us.

                                                Simplicity brings contentment.

 A simple person does not need to lie or use unfair means to earn more. He has fewer desires and his needs are limited.
However, it does not mean that he should not enjoy the worldly pleasures. It means :
 
 "Yallabhase Nijakarmopaattam,  Vittam Tain Vinoday Chittam" 

  "Be content and happy with whatever you get through your own (sincere & honest) actions."  (Adi Shankarachaarya)

           Rishi Vyas Dev ji used to say "Saint neither demands nor rejects."


 I don't consider myself an expert on this subject. I am simply sharing whatever I have learned from the Sadguru and some of the great saints that I had the privilege to be with and by reading Holy Scriptures.

Humbly,
Rajan

Counting other people's sins

As we become more enlightened,

As we become more enlightened,
  We become more compassionate, More wise, More Humble
                  And Less Attached.
                                           'Rajan Sachdeva'

Difference Between God And Humans

One Of The Basic Differences Between God And Humans is,
      That   God Gives, Gives, Gives And Forgives.

   And  Humans -  Get, Get, Get And Forget.
ਦੇਦਾ ਦੇ ਲੈਦੇ ਥਕਿ ਪਾਹਿ ॥  देदा दे लैदे थकि पाहि ॥   Ḏeḏā ḏe laiḏe thak pāhi.
"The Great Giver keeps on giving, while those who receive grow weary of receiving."
ਜੁਗਾ ਜੁਗੰਤਰਿ ਖਾਹੀ ਖਾਹਿ ॥   जुगा जुगंतरि खाही खाहि ॥ Jugā juganṯar kẖāhī kẖāhi.
"Throughout the ages, consumers have been consuming" (His gifts).   (Japuji Sahib)

ਕੇਤੇ ਲੈ ਲੈ ਮੁਕਰੁ ਪਾਹਿ ॥ केते लै लै मुकरु पाहि ॥ Keṯe lai lai mukar pāhi.
"So many ask and receive again and again, and then deny receiving."
                                                                               - (Japuji Sahib  Mehala 1 Page 5

               Be Thankful in Life for whatever we have !!!!

The New maid

                                      The New Maid

A rich women hired a live-in maid. On the first day of job, she showed the maid what to do and said 
 " I want everything done properly and efficiently, but most of all, I want obedience and truthfulness."

The maid said " Madam ! Let me understand it. Say.....If you are reading a magazine or watching TV and the phone rings. You ask me to answer the phone and tell them you are not at home.

What should be my duty then ...... obedience or truthfulness ?"

Lord Krishna and the Monster

                                Lord Krishna and the Monster
 
Once upon a time, Bhagvaan Krishna and his older brother Baldev, along with their friend Saatyaki, were lost while traveling through a forest. It was getting dark, so they decided to spend the night under a tree. The forest was dense, full of wild animals and other dangers, so it was decided that each person would take turns staying awake to keep guard, while the other two slept. First, it was Saatyaki's turn. In the middle of the night, a monster came down the tree and challenged Saatyaki to a fight. Saatyaki became angry and accepted the challenge. Each time the monster roared at him, Saatyaki shouted back. Each time Saatyaki shouted, the monster became bigger. In just a few minutes, the monster grew to ten times his original size, causing Saatyaki to fall on the ground. As soon as Saatyaki fell to the ground, the monster disappeared. Saatyaki woke up Baldev as it was his turn to keep guard, and without telling him about the monster, Saatyaki went to sleep. 
A little while later, the monster appeared in front of Daau Baldev too and challenged him to a fight. Baldev also became very angry and started fighting with the monster. But just like before, every time Baldev attacked or shouted back, the monster doubled in size. Soon Baldev grew tired and eventually fell to the ground. 
Now it was Shri Krisna's turn to stay awake and guard the other two. Daau Baldev did not mention anything about the incident to Shri Krishna, and went to sleep.
Soon, the monster appeared and challenged Lord Krishna to a fight. Lord Krishna looked at the monster and smiled. The monster repeatedly shouted, however Shri Krishna stayed calm and simply kept smiling. Each time the monster roared, Lord Krishna smiled and the monster decreased to half his size until it became the size of an ant. At which point, Lord Krishna picked up the monster, placed him in his handkerchief, and tied a knot. 
In the morning, Saatyaki and Baldev Daau told Lord Krishna about the monster, and what had happened to them. Bhagvaan Krishna smiled, took out the monster, which was now the size of an ant and said – ‘Here is that monster, and it is called Anger. The more you fight anger with anger, it doubles and conquers you. But if you face anger calmly, with a smile, it reduces, and soon disappears.’
Anger can be conquered, not with anger, but by controlling our reaction to it.

भगवान् कृष्ण और पिशाच

                            भगवान् कृष्ण और पिशाच

एक बार भगवान श्री कृष्ण, बड़े भाई बलदेव एवं मित्र सात्यकि रात्रि के समय रास्ता भटक गये !
सघन वन था ! निर्णय हुआ कि वहीं रात्रि में विश्राम किया जाय ! ये तय हुआ कि तीनो बारी-बारी जाग कर पहरा देंगे !
सबसे पहले सात्यकि जागे बाकी दोनो सो गये ! कुछ देर के बाद एक पिशाच पेड़ से उतरा और सात्यकि को युद्ध के लिए ललकारने लगा !पिशाच की ललकार सुन कर सात्यकि अत्यंत क्रोधित हो गये ! दोनो में युद्ध होने लगा ! जैसे -जैसे पिशाच क्रोध करता सात्यकि दुगने क्रोध से लड़ने लगते ! सात्यकि जितना अधिक क्रोध करते उतना ही पिशाच का आकार बढ़ता जाता ! युद्ध में सात्यकि को बहुत चोटें आईं ! वो धरती पर गिर गए और पिशाच चला गया !
एक प्रहर बीत गया अब बलदेव दाऊ जागे ! सात्यकि ने उन्हें कुछ न बताया और सो गये ! बलदेव को भी पिशाच की ललकार सुनाई दी, और वह क्रोध-पूर्वक पिशाच से भिड़ गये ! जितना वो क्रोध करते, पिशाच का आकार उतना ही बढ़ जाता ! लड़ते हुए एक प्रहर बीत गया उनका भी सात्यकि जैसा हाल हुआ !
अब श्री कृष्ण के जागने की बारी थी ! दाऊ बलदेव ने भी उन्हें कुछ न बताया और सो गये ! श्री कृष्ण के सामने भी पिशाच की चुनौती आई ! पिशाच जितने अधिक क्रोध से श्री कृष्ण को ललकारता श्री कृष्ण उतने ही शांत-भाव से मुस्करा देते ; और पिशाच का आकार घट जाता ! अंत में वह एक चींटी जितना रह गया जिसे श्री कृष्ण ने अपने पटुके के छोर में बांध लिया !
प्रात:काल सात्यकि व बलदेव ने अपनी दुर्गति की कहानी श्री कृष्ण को सुनाई तो श्री कृष्ण ने मुस्करा कर उस कीड़े को दिखाते हुए कहा -यही है वह क्रोध-रूपी पिशाच ! जितना तुम क्रोध करते थे इसका आकार उतना ही बढ़ जाता था ! परन्तु जब मैंने इसके क्रोध का जवाब क्रोध से न देकर , शांत-भाव से दिया तो यह हतोत्साहित हो कर दुर्बल और छोटा होता गया !

अतः क्रोध पर विजय पाने के लिये क्रोध से नहीं, बल्कि संयम से काम लें तो क्रोध स्वयम ही समाप्त हो जाएगा !

Why are we here?

                         Why are we here? 
 

We all have come here in this world to gain some experience, to learn some lessons,
Like patience, tolerance, contentment, humility, compassion and detachment etc.
While everyone should develop all these virtues, some people might have to work harder
 in some particular fields than others.

We should ask ourselves: "Why am I here? What is my lesson to be learned?"
 I think my lessons are patience and tolerance.  What is yours?
You have to find out yourself.
Humbly,
Rajan Sachdeva

Accept the Reality

We always try to control the 'reality', whatever is happening with and around us.

 We are convinced that ' what is' or 'what has happened' has something to do with me.

Most of the times, we look at the 'happenings' in two different ways.
1.  It is the way it is because I did something to make it happen this way. Had I not done 'that', the reality would have been different.

2. It is the way it is because I did NOT do something to change it, to make it happen differently. Had I done 'something', the reality would have been different.

   The first scenario has a sense of 'ego'.
   The second has the sense of  'guilt'.
   
   But how do we really know that the things would have been different? We will never know, would we ?
   We can not go back and see if our doing or not doing would change anything.

When we start questioning reality, we either become egotistic or experience stress and frustration.
Does that mean we should not do anything?

No, It means perform your actions and accept whatever the outcome is.
" Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshou kada chana,
Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani "      ( Bhagvad Gita 2 : 47)

" You have the right to perform your actions, but the fruits of the actions are not in your control.
never consider yourself to be the cause of the result of your actions,

nor you should be attached to the thought of Not doing your duty."        ( Bhagvad Gita 2:47 )


So, stop arguing with or questioning the 'Reality'. It is what it is.

"Hukam Razaayi chalna, Nanak likheya naal" (Japuji Sahib)

Go with the flow of  "Highest Order".

This is the way to attain the peace and bliss.

Humbly, 
Rajan Sachdeva

Truth & Truthful Living

In the Japuji Sahib, Guru Nanak Dev ji explained what is 'Truth'

 

'Aadi Such, Jugaadi such, hai bhi Such, Nanak hosi bhi Such'

 

That, which was before the existence of the worlds and at the appearance of the worlds.

That which is now and 'Nanak' says will be there after the disappearance of the worlds, is TRUTH.

 

Then a question came up ....... what is Truthful living?

 

'Kiv Sachiaara hoyiae, kiv koodhe tutay paal?"

 

How can we become truthful? How can we live a life of 'Truthfulness'?

 

Guru Nanak Sahib gives a very simple answer in one word.........

 

"Hukam razaayi chalnaa Nanak likyeaa naal"  (Japuji Sahib)

 

"Surrender to the will of God."

 

Live according to God's will and all other virtues will follow.

 

What a simple and marvelous solution to all our problems. 

 

Humbly,

Rajan Sachdeva

The Serenity Prayer

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Original version  by :  ' Reinhold Niebuhr ' 1943

God, give me grace to accept with serenity

the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things

which should be changed,

and the Wisdom to distinguish

the one from the other.

        Living one day at a time,
        Enjoying one moment at a time,
        Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.  

God is not a vending Machine

God  is not a vending machine where we put some money,

Push the button and the snack of our choice comes out.

God  gives us what we need......

 Not  what we always want. 

Maturity is when a person hurts you
& you try to understand his situation instead of hurting him back. 

Kuchh to majbooriyaan rahi hongi
yoon hi koi bevafaa nahin hota

 कुछ तो मजबूरियाँ रही होंगी
यूं ही कोई बेवफा नहीं होता 

Actions.......... Not just words

Something to think about- Actions.......... Not just words

                                 That  we are truly blessed!

If you never learn the language of gratitude,

you will never be on speaking terms with happiness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A father and mother kissing their dying little girl goodbye. If you are wondering why all the medic people are bowing: in less than an hour, two small children in the next room are able to live thanks to the little girl's kidney and liver.

 

 

Response depends on how you ask

A man asked a priest "Father ! Can I smoke while I pray ?

Priest got Angry. "No you can do that" he said.

Another man asked "Father. Can I Pray while I smoke?

Priest agreed and said "Sure ...... You can pray any time"

Moral:       Response  depends on how you ask ..........

Life is Too Short

The Vampire

The Vampire

The concept of a Vampire is that he sucks out the blood, and thus the life out of the body. Prior to modern medicine, we did not know the concept of many fatal diseases such as cancer. If someone had a similar disease, their energy was being drawn out slowly; they were becoming weaker and sicker by the day. So people came up with the idea that some invisible evil force was sucking the life out of the person and called it a Vampire. Now we know that the cause of such symptoms is fatal diseases such as cancer.

There is another invisible evil force like the Vampire that works in our mind. This evil force is "Negativity". Negative thoughts also suck out energy from our brain, as well as from our body.

We all, at one point or the other, become a victim of this "Mind Vampire". However, we must not give into its evil power. We must focus on positive thoughts, and not allow negativity to take over.

Thoughts not only have a great influence on our minds, but also on our surroundings. Just like a small stone thrown into the still waters of a lake causes ripples up to a great distance, our thoughts can also create a similar effect in the universe. In the book The Secret, they explain that whenever we have a thought or desire, whether negative or positive, the whole universe begins to work towards fulfilling that desire.

Long time ago, I heard a story from Shehanshah Baba Avtar Singh ji, that once there was a man traveling through the desert. It was a very hot day and he soon became exhausted. He yearned for a tree so he could rest under the shade, and suddenly he saw a tree in front of him. He sat down in the shade and wished for some water as he was thirsty, and suddenly a glass of water appeared under the tree. He then thought how great it would be to have some food as he was hungry, and in matter of seconds a plate of food appeared under the tree. While eating, he began to wonder, since there is no one else around, who fulfilled all of my wishes? 'There must be a ghost around here' he thought, and 'what if he appears?' With that thought, suddenly a ghost appeared. Fear overcomes him and he thinks, 'what if the ghost eats me?' At which point, the ghost proceeds to eat him.

Shehanshah Ji explained that our thoughts, even though invisible, are very powerful. Whether they are negative or positive, they have a strong influence in our life. When we think negative, negative happens, and when we think positive, positive happens. So we must control our thoughts at all times, which can be accomplished by changing our thinking process in the subconscious mind, by constantly reminding ourselves to stay positive. With positive thoughts, we can find the solution to every problem, and cause for every effect. Our thoughts can heal our illnesses, troubled minds, and broken hearts.

As explained in the book The Secret, our subconscious mind works in accordance with the law of faith. First-most, you must believe that your mind is powerful. All experiences, events, conditions, and actions that happen are indeed the reactions to our thoughts. It’s the believing in something that brings the results.

At the same time, we must be careful about what we believe in. Believing in myths and superstitions, or fears that are widespread in the world may lead to negative impact on us. Therefore, we should only believe in the Eternal Truth.

Our mind is an empty ground, and our thoughts are the seeds. The thoughts we sow in our mind, leads to the outcome of our life. Holy scriptures and great philosophers have repeatedly proclaimed, 'change your thoughts and you can change your destiny'.

 Ye yatha maam prapadyante, Tanstathaiv Bhajaamyaham: (Howsoever people approach me, So I approach them.)

                                                                      Bhagvad Gita 4:11

If our approach is negative, then negative will come back to us, and if our approach is positive then positive will happen. By accepting God's will without complaints, we can find peace within ourselves, as well as with our surroundings and situations.

I would like to narrate another story here.

There was a potter in a small village who used to make clay pots. One morning, when he was getting ready to start his work, his neighbor came and asked him what he was going to make that day. The potter said he was planning to make an angeethi, a small clay stove. The neighbor stood there to watch him work. The potter took some clay, placed it on the moving wheel, and with his hands started to give it shape. When he was done, the neighbor saw that what the potter had made was not an angeethi, but rather a suraahi, a long jar to hold water in the summer. Surprised, the neighbor asked 'you said you were going to make an angeethi, but this is a suraahi'. 'What happened?'

The potter replied 'I know, but while working on it, I changed my mind'.

According to the story, the suraahi said, 'my dear potter, by simply changing your mind, you have changed my whole life ... my destiny. Had you made me a stove, then I would be burning inside myself, and all those who would come in contact with me. Now that I am a Suraahi, I will always stay cool and keep others cool by providing cold water to everyone else.'

So remember. By changing our thoughts, we can change our destiny.

  From: Sant Nirankari Magazine  By: Prof. Rajan Sachdeva