Oh God !

Caz, as she likes to be addressed as, is a friend from work. Often Caz and I together have walked on way back to home from work. Our talks revolved around TV shows, Indian and English cultures, colleagues etc and not forgetting the most important topic – God. Out of all these topics, God is the one where she has patiently listened without any comments. On one such walk, Caz mentioned – ‘Sunil, I don’t believe in God.’
Respecting her sentiments, I decided that I won’t discuss this anymore. Probably that was the reason why she kept quiet while I talked of quotations, parables etc from scriptures or other sources. That was April 2009.

Not many days passed before we both had to work late nights. The project had gone really bad, and the only way to deliver it on time was to put some extra efforts. We both sat late hours, spent weekends, holidays in office trying to make code work. Every time she made some change, and I tested – result was a failure again. ‘Oh God! Let me try something else’, ‘Oh God! Why doesn’t this work now?’, ‘Oh God! ..’, nothing seemed to work – Caz’s face would go pale as mine. Her sadness and helplessness was obvious from her remarks – and to be honest my state wasn’t different either. Just that I tried to show my balance with my silence. Both of us were exhausted and finally thought of taking a short break.

As I grabbed a piece of Pizza, I couldn’t resist adding – ‘Caz you know?’
Caz – ‘What?’
I – ‘The other day you mentioned you don’t believe in God, and now you were taking His refuge is every single line. Were you making fool out of me? You…..’

I still recall smile on her face which accompanied one on my face.

From the same experience, I admit that being a believer (at least I call myself one) I never thought of seeking blessings when I felt exhausted. But one who called herself as a non-believer made efforts to include and pick strength from God. Her talks may not have sounded like prayers, but at least she called our Savior. And Savior too fulfilled His promise – Include Him in all your ways and He will make all your paths straight! Soon her prayers were answered and we found a fix for our problem. Miracles like this happen now and then, can’t say that I sat down to write a Miracle, instead an experience where I learnt that even if child rejects the existence of father, father still clings to the child.

I meet people who call themselves atheists, I meet people who call themselves believers, I meet people who call themselves religious, I meet people who call themselves spiritual - trying to distinguish themselves from the others. And I wonder where lies the difference? Does vision from Moon distinguish India or England?

Even I want to learn

Chottu, just imagine if you get two gifts from your US friends.

Friend 1 sends you a gift worth 1000 dollars. However, to get that dispatched you need to pay postage worth 100 dollars and to send him an acknowledgment receipt you spend another 100 dollars.

Friend 2 sends you a gift worth 50 dollars. Here you dont have to pay anything.

Which gift would you appreciate more?

Sheelu, my brother, asked me this question on my recent trip to India. Before I could calculate the worth of first gift which was net 800 dollars, he answered himself - I think you should appreciate the gift from Friend 2.

For next hour or so, he mentored me on Unconditional actions - your acts are valuable as long as those are unconditional. The moment you start expecting, holding grudges...anything you have done so far looses its importance. You may do less, but do what ever keeps you grudge-less. Friend 1 might have spent 1000 dollars but his act costed you 200 dollars, however Friend 2 spent less but he did not ask anything in return. Cherish Friend 2 in your life, because his acts are unconditional.

The same thing I have been hearing from him for so many years, and even on this trip while he explained me this old message - I felt as if its new to me. Sheelu perhaps wants me to learn that what ever acts I do are unconditional, are something that I enjoy from core of my heart..no matter even if those are limited. Because this is what will keep me and others around me happy !!

Babaji....Thanks your mentoring !!!

Simple yet powerful

I met this brother in one of the chat sessions.

Till date, it is the first and final conversation we have had. As our talks progressed, it unfolded that he is out of his country for studies; he further disclosed that he has stopped offering Namaz five times a day, as his hectic schedule in college doesn’t allow him to do so. Without talking too much in depth, we did agree on how much easy living becomes when we include Allah in our day to day tasks. As we spoke of Allah every now and then, brother remembered his olden days and perhaps felt that he should start offering his Namaz as regular. He promised to offer Namaz five times a day. As heard often, I just added – “That’s great! Let’s try to remember Allah in every breath. “

Before our chat session could end, this brother asked me of my nationality. I said –‘Indian’. ‘Are you a Muslim?’ was his last question. ‘Yeah’ – was a quick answer.

Since then I haven’t come across this brother. I don’t even remember if I asked his name. But till date that feeling of thankfulness is afresh. Often when I come across souls being particular about any religion, sect, group – I recall your blessings Maalik. Born in a Hindu family, educated in a Christian school, with company of Sikh friends, I was taught to appreciate Allah.

Words fall short to thank you for the bliss that you have brought into my life. May I remember to thank you Maalik!!

And please bless that may we all understand your simple yet powerful and life turning messages!!

Contributions

Lately it unfolds to me that the biggest contribution you can make in anyone's life is by making him/her feel good about himself/ herself, and similarly worst you can do to some one is by hurting his/her self respect.

And when I think of relationships, I feel this is one of the keys.

I haven't left this habit yet but looking forward to a living where I can contribute positively in lives of those around. And that needs your Magical Touch !!

Always remember – He’s.....

Once, a saint and his son were on way to seek Babaji’s darshan. As they crossed a market on their way, the father thought of carrying some mangoes for Babaji. He stopped at a mango shop and started checking the mangoes. The fruit seller showed varieties of mangoes, and also started mentioning about the prices. However the saint wasn’t satisfied with the quality being offered, so before moving to the next shop this saint finally asked fruit seller if he had anything better to offer. Fruit seller mentioned that there was another quality too, which was priced almost double the cost of highest priced quality saint had already seen. Saint expressed his wish to see this quality as well. This quality seemed to be the best, so saint with out a second thought bought One Kilo.

Before saint could pay the price, his son checked if they could buy some mangoes for home too. Saint happily agreed to this request. Saint asked fruit seller to pack one more kilo of mangoes but this time the ones with lowest price. Both son and the fruit seller were surprised to hear. Son however managed to ask another question – Father, if you have seen all qualities and found that one with the highest price is the best among all, the one you also are buying for Babaji, shouldn’t we be taking the same best quality for everyone at home? Or are you short of money?

Father smiled and explained – Son, I have enough money for us to buy another Kilo of the highest priced mangoes but I don’t want to give myself a feel that I am at par with Satguru. Tomorrow, we can come and buy mangoes with better quality and double this price I wouldn’t mind but at this time, when we are buying mangoes for Babaji and also ourselves, we cannot compare with what we are offering Babaji.

When I was hearing this incident from my elder bro, the very first thing I felt was why this saint differentiated? Did he miss seeing Nirankar’s form in his family members? Perhaps not, his expression there was just to give his son a message. A message that my brother gives me often, do not think even in your dreams that you and Guru stand at same level.
Always remember – He’s higher.

All rounder wish

Dated : 12 April 2007.

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Dear Manik,

We wish in the holy feet of Almighty God that He keeps you in His feet throughout your life and showers all His blessings on you.

May you receive all comforts of life more than you deserve and desire. May your body remain healthy, mind at peace and there should be morethan enough money to serve yourself, your family and all the saints.

May God bless you with 'His darshan', the most precious gift anyone canget in one's life from God!!

Many many happy returns of the day,

With love,

All of us.

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Atleast One

Days ago, I sat opposite to Dimple bhabhi discussing about Amrit Auntie and her contribution in lives of souls around. Amrit Auntie - all I recall is her friendly support.
Ijazat hai? - I asked Dimple bhabhi.
Dimple bhabhi smilingly said - Abhi nahin. Pehle koi baat sunao.
I was in a hurry to leave for home but she insisted that we talk for some more minutes. Amidst our regular talks, she started speaking - bhaiya meri life ka ek nicchod hai jo aapse share karna chahti hoon. If I think of Mummy, I recall her as a mother more than a mother in law. I really enjoyed my relation with her. In our lives, we are daughters to some one, wife to some one, husband to some one, and similary so many relations we have. Bhaiya, waise to sab hi relations enjoy karne chahiye par kam se kam ek rishta aise ho jo aap thoroughly enjoy karo. Life ke end mein agar peeche dekho to ek relation aisa zarur ho jismein aap aap ho.
Don't know why but I understood what she meant.