A Question on ‘Strange weather’

Rev. Rajan ji,

Yes we all agree and preach that acceptance as it is, is the ultimate and best for internal peace. My question is that by virtue of the wisdom provided to one by almighty Nirankar if he or she knows that actions of their co-workers are not in the interest of the others, what is best … to walk away or oppose it and try to correct the course to the best of your abilities with the caution you should not be advancing your personal interests?

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This is a tough question ... especially for me to answer.

My personal approach on this matter has always been to hold my thoughts and step back. Though, honestly it may not have ​​given​​ me much peace of mind; for the time being anyway, until I completely let it go.

Perhaps this is part of my nature, my personality, which everyone may not agree to.

 I usually look for the answers in the scriptures.

​Interestingly, we can find both options equally convincing. According to Rishi Ashtavakra, Sant Kabeer ji, Guru Nanak and Jesus Christ, we should simply accept everything as 'Karma' or God's will... good or bad or even cruelty and do nothing. Let God or the course of nature take care of it. 

On the other hand, Lord Krishna, Lord Rama and Guru Gobind Singh ji encouraged to stand up against the falsehood and fight for the truth.

I guess it depends on the individuals; which path or philosophy they want to follow.

I think it also depends on the circumstances and the strength of the individuals as well.

Looking deeply into it, Sant Kabeer ji, Guru Nanak and Jesus Christ did not have any worldly power, neither much of following and nor much of resources at their hands. They did not come from the warrior class so their thinking was different; passive and perhaps because of their humble background, did not think it would do any good to fight back. So they preached Non-action.

But On the other hand, Lord Krishna, Lord Rama and Guru Gobind Singh ji were kings and warriors. They were not raised with passivity. They had armies, followings and weapons available to them. They did not accept the falsehood or wrong doings passively. They fought against it and also preached the same. Bhagvad Gita and the writings of Guru Gobind Singh ji encourage people to fight against the evil and for their rights.   

I cannot say which path is right or wrong.

I think everyone has to choose their own path.

I have chosen my path of passiveness. May be because I don't have enough strength, courage or support to raise my voice, or maybe this is part of my innate nature. 

Personally, I like this philosophy the best:

"O’ God! Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

 the courage to change what I can,

 and the wisdom to know the difference. "

   ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

 

Strange weather

Strange weather

Last week, when I left from Delhi, India on October 10, it was still quite hot.

Everyone was saying it’s almost middle of October but it’s still so hot. What has happened to the weather? It’s not at all like previous years.

Do the things always happen as they are supposed to?

Do they always happen as they used to?

Obviously not.

Weather does not follow precise calendar.

Traffic patterns may change according to the weather or other conditions.

We may get delayed in reaching office or home and the boss or family may not be as receptive as expected.

Things and situations change according to the circumstances. It’s not only weather or traffic, nothing can be predicted precisely. And we cannot do much about it.

We all know this, and yet we complain.

We also know it’s not going to help if we complain but we still do.

We become unhappy and frustrated because knowing and accepting are two different things.

Until and unless we accept the things as they are, we cannot be at peace.

                                                                                       ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

No one else is to be Blamed

No one else is to be Blamed

Whenever something goes wrong or something bad happens, we tend to blame it on others; some one, something, or the situation or even God.

“Dosh na kaahu deejiye, Dosh karmaa aapneaa

 Jo mai keeaa so mai paaya, dosh naa deejay avar janaa”

“Others are not to be blamed. It is all according to one’s own ‘karma’

What we do, that we get. Do not blame others.”

If we throw a ball against the wall, it is bound to come back.

Is the wall to be blamed if the ball comes back straight and hits us?

No.

It’s our action which creates the reaction.

Every action has an equal reaction. It’s the law of nature.

Instead of blaming the wall, we should take responsibility of our actions and accept the outcome. Blaming others will only add more to our miseries. On the other hand, acceptance may provide some relief and peace.

                                                                                          ‘Rajan Sachdev’

Brigadier Shamsher Singh ji

Brigadier Shamsher Singh ji was one of my heroes and a great inspiration to me during my early youth. I met him for the first time in 1967 in Ferozepur Punjab, and I was immediately drawn to him by his great personality and ever-smiling face.

Later, as I got to know him more, I became so amazed and impressed by his humility. His down to earth nature not only made me one of his admirers, but he became a hero for me whose footsteps I wanted to follow.

I particularly remember one incident that has remained with me after all these years, which I will never forget.

I was preparing for my master’s degree when he was posted as a colonel at Ferozepur, Punjab. Though he was not able to come to Sangat regularly because of his work responsibilities, his wife, Krishna Behan ji was always there. She always treated me with love as a younger brother. Soon, I had built a close family relationship with the entire family, and we visited each other quite often. ‘Rubi’ (Ravinder ji) and Bindu (Virender ji) were quite young at that time. We always had a great time talking about philosophy, Shayari and playing music. Since I was living alone, they invited me over to their place quite often for food or tea, etc.

One very hot, summer afternoon, when I was just about to leave for their residence on my bike, Mr. Thana Singh, a great devotee and a regular member of Ferozepur Sangat suddenly came to visit me. He was a rickshaw driver. When I told him that I was about to leave, he insisted that he would drop me to colonel Sahib’s place on his rickshaw. Even though I was reluctant, I had to give in.

Upon our arrival, ‘Colonel Sahib’ (Brigadier Shamsher Singh ji) saw us through the open door. When he noticed that Mr. Thana Singh was about to leave after dropping me at their house, he came almost running out the door and invited him in for a cup of tea also. Thana Singh ji did not want to come in the house, so he made some excuses. When he was told that he cannot leave without having some snacks and tea, he requested that it should be given to him outside, that he would drink it while sitting in his rickshaw.

‘Colonel Sahib’ knew why he was hesitant to come in. So he grabbed his hand and brought him inside the house, in the dining room where the table was already set for tea and snacks. Thana Singh tried to sit on the floor in a corner.

Realizing that Thana Singh was concerned and kind of ashamed of his clothes and stature, Shamsher Singh ji put his arm around him and said “Thana Singh ji! Right now, I am not in my office or on duty as a colonel. You are in my house, you are my guest. So you are sitting with us on the dining table as my brother."

The orderly, the peons, who were dressed in fine tip-top traditional army uniforms were staring at his torn shirt and pants with holes and wondering why they had to serve this 'poor man' along with their 'boss' and the ‘Maim Sahib’ at the same table?

I noticed that Thana Singh ji was also feeling very uncomfortable seeing the well-dressed peons serving him with such orderly manners and respect. He was leaning forward with humility, his head and shoulders were shrinking towards his feet. He was almost slipping under the table when I heard a gentle voice trying to make him feel comfortable. I looked up and saw a wonderful man with a kind gesture and a gentle smile on his face. Rev. Shamsher Singh ji, a tall man, had suddenly grown much taller in front of my eyes.

I was wondering, how this celebrated army officer, recipient of  ‘Veer Chakra’, a great soldier who bravely fought several wars to defend his country, could be so soft and gentle at his heart?

Just like anyone else, he could have said “Thana Singh. Do not go yet. I will send you some tea and snacks out there.”

But he did not. He did not look at his clothes or status. He treated him not as a poor rickshaw driver, but like a fellow human being, who at that moment was his guest. I remembered a verse from the scriptures:

“Atithi Devo Bhavah” (The guest should be treated like God)

And this is exactly what he did.

How many of us can do that?

My salutations to this great saintly officer; a true ‘Sant Sipaahi’ who showed us that a person can be strong and brave to fulfill his responsibilities truthfully and yet remain soft, kind and very gentle at heart.

                                                                         ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Who is a Yogi?

Everyone wants and craves for attention, affection. appreciation and acceptance.
One who is beyond  these, is a yogi.

Yogah chita vruti Nirodhah   (Patanjajli)

Translation: Yoga means control over mind and desires.

Talking to the self

                                        

Talking to the self is very important.

We all, quite often do talk to ourselves.

But when we do, which ‘self’ do we talk to?

The real self or the superficial self; that we commonly identify ourselves with?

Normally we talk to our superficial self which is consisted of body and the upper layer of the mind, commonly known as ‘ man’ or mana.

While talking to the superficial self, we are either remembering the past or planning the future; remembering some old happy moments or anticipating the new ones; complaining about the situation or how unfair, ungrateful and selfish other people are etc.

  Of course, this kind of talk is not very helpful.

Talking to the self should mean talking to the real or spiritual self.

  That is only possible by quieting the mana, or the mind and going deep into the ‘Self’.

‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Showing Emotions

​

when we grow, in age and grace, we usually try to hide our emotions. 

We think that showing our emotions is childish and immature.

But yesterday, our master showed us that there is nothing wrong in showing emotions. That it is alright to tell the world how we feel. There is no need to hide it. Maturity of grace is not in  hiding but accepting the facts.

He showed that great responsibilities come with great positions which may sometimes change the way how we treat certain people and interact even in close relationships. We must fulfill our duties and responsibilities and act as is expected even if we do not feel comfortable. 

'Rajan Sachdeva'