This is a verse from our (Sikh) evening prayers “Rehraas Sahib”. Many of you may not know about it...The above verse says “Pain is the remedy and pleasure is a malady; as where there is pleasure, there is no desire for God”. This verse provides a brighter aspect of “dukh” (pain). It means - Suffering is a blessing in disguise. One's mind at once turns to God and seeks his grace. Misery comes to everyone. In adversity God is remembered the most.
In one of my earlier post I did mention about the life’s unpredictability… and it is what makes a life worth living...I would like to pen down some more thoughts on it…Well when do we find life to be unpredictable? Or when do we actually think over this “unpredictability of life”? Is it not only when we face the downside of life’s capricious nature...?
Well we believe it or not…the true fact is unpredictability works both way…Rarely do we say “Why me?” when we achieve something in life; or when the sun is shining on us…In fact we think that its because of our own sheer hard work and this is what we deserve...We accept our good fortune with grace and often take it for granted; as if we earned those blessings. But as soon as tide changes; we start to whimper and question the wisdom of the universe…
We keep asking why bad things happen to good people. There is no easy answer. We live in a broken world with broken people. Those who are hurting often hurt others, intentionally and unintentionally. So we are left with one option and that is to trust God to heal our wounds. Its only when life feels so random and crazy-making, we try to hold fast to that which does not change — God. We start remembering him and start praying to help us come out of this painful state… People calling themselves an “Atheist”; at once start believing in the existence of God…but then trusting God is not easy. It calls for honesty, forgiveness, time and an open mind.
What does God wants from us? Does he really need anything from us? All he needs from us is to remember him. Remember him during good and bad times… Not for his selfish needs. But for us…who forget that we are just the puppets whose strings are in the hands of God and it is his move that will be the “last and final” move. However hard we the puppets struggle to move the strings according to the direction we want to go. It’s his one move that would matter…
Yes, life is uncertain, but there is no need to be fearful or to go it alone. A constant companion and comforter is just a prayer away. In the best of times and the worst of times, God promises to be our rock in a weary land and a shelter in the time of storm.
Baba Nand Singh ji Maharaj said:
Main Tuhanoo Chhaddan Vaste Kuchh Nahin Kehnda.
Par Ik Cheese Hor Phar Lao. Guru Nanak Da Naam Te Bani.
Eh Paras Hai Te Sari Zindagi Nu Sona Bana De Ga.
Mahan Baba Ji did not ask anyone to leave anything. A daily routine schedule of 24 hours includes so many activities in every body's life. He advised one more activity to be included in that daily routine. And that was remembering him. If the holy name has the power of Paras (Magical Touchstone), it will convert the whole daily schedule, routine, and the whole life and living into gold. It will purify and spiritualize the whole daily routine.
Life is duality; we have to reach that God which is one and is reality. Therefore life should be “Sukh Vele Shukrana, Dukh Vele Ardaas, har Wele Simran.”
(We should always thank God during our good times. During our bad times; we should always pray to him to remove our pain and suffering. Most importantly we should every day remember him and enchant his name.)
