What should be my question?

Few years ago, we got the news of Puri Sahib's tour in Bangalore. As an act of encouragement to the youth, we were offered a session where Puri Ji would answer any questions young children would like to ask. I could notice how excited friends were, who wanted to ask so many things from an experienced elder who was like a mentor to each one of us. 
I too wanted to use this opportunity to learn from this soul be it through a Q & A session. However there was a problem.

The problem was I didn't know what to ask - despite spending time in thinking, I could not get hold of any question that would be 'just' appropriate to ask Puri Ji. Most of the questions made no sense, some questions I wasn't sure if were appropriate for the gathering - I was just "question-less". 

I could not decide what would be better in this situation? To ask some question for the sake of asking or let go this wonderful opportunity. In this state of indecisiveness, I rang up a saint for consultation. I explained the situation to her and then asked "What should be my question?".

In her usual composed state she started, " Sunil Ji, You know now instead of thinking what to ask anyone else, I have started to wonder on what could be asked of me. I don't know how to answer if asked that Love was taught to you, why didn't you follow it? You were reminded that forgiveness is important, why did you ignore it? I get worried on what would I reply...."

Our phone conversation continued for another few minutes before call was disconnected.

She didn't suggest a question, neither did she discourage me from asking one but gave me another frame for looking at the same situation. Needless to add that I dropped the idea of asking any question.

I wonder if some day some one would ask me the same question, "What should be my question?"....but definitely this is how I would like to answer.

Experiences still purifying!

If I admit, I would have to say it all started with 'Purifying Experiences'. This wonderful collection of experiences of Prof Puri comes in mind often. Like others, I too had gone back to thank Puri Sahib after reading this book. A truly 'Simple' book - simple language & simple day to day experiences, but there was also something 'Special' about it. Spiritually it inspired, at the same time motivated - to see what power words could have to transform an individual. I had witnessed it on me and so was inspired to pass on. Aaawh - pass on! Young over confident years - without realizing that I have neither comparable set of experiences nor any literary skills, I still wanted to write and share. Well not to blame fully the over confidence, I did pick up this hobby of writing which I started to enjoy and hopefully still do.

Well I didn't start to write about my hobby, but about Prof Puri. Many including me have been inspired by his spiritual talks - many know. However for me, he also became an inspiration to write. I perhaps did pick up, some sort of hobby from his book but still haven't picked up the approach & wisdom what he lived and inspired. One such attributes of his profile was humility. One of the emails I exchanged with Puri Sahib re-iterated his humble self when I asked permission to use his writings -

My dear Respected Sunil Ji,

Dhan Nirankar Ji. Anything that enhances the cause of the Mission does not need any permission. You may feel free to use the material anyway you like or deem fit. Thanks to Birmingham Saints too to keep this humble self in their memory.
My only anxiety is who would care for these worthless rubbish scattered thoughts. I am not at all a writer.

With deep regards,

Das Puri

I can't recall what I had sent him back on this email but surely want to say that this email often comes as a sweet yet strong reminder that I stand no where. It was definitely shocking to see how one who had inspired people to write, was so carefree & selfless of his 'own' writing skills. People like me who often write page or two fall into trap of identifying themselves as writers, but yet who have written on hearts of thousands proclaim, "I am not at all a writer."

Puri Sahib, Sach mein kamaal ho gaya!

1 ON 10 - A Friendly Ear

Heard this from Shastri Ji last week - Once Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji was sitting on stage and namaskar was going on. Babaji called Shastri Ji close to himself and spoke "That particular mahapursh standing in queue for namaskar will take good amount of time..". Shastri Ji asked "So, should I take that mahapursh out of line? This way the namaskar line can advance normally." To this Babaji responded - "Shastri Ji, I am saying that mahapursh will take good amount of time, please do not interrupt him while he is speaking his heart.".
BANG!! went the chords in my heart!
Shastri Ji continued sharing that we should be a patient listener. We never know what comfort our listening can give to the speaker. Irrespective of whether there is any logic in talks we should be able to give an ear to the speaker.
another BANG!!
It seemed that I too could understand what he was trying to convey. All these years of transformation perhaps, I have witnessed what magic listening could do. Be it Amrit Auntie, Puri Sahib..I miss these souls who gave ears to my talks without any judgements. Despite their age, both of them could give me a friendly feeling. Don't know why the wire got connected so strongly with both of them that its hard even today to compare anyone else with them. Amrit Auntie...honestly I till date admire how she paid ears to my talks... any kind of talks...Sheetal's exam...My exams, My scores, My colleagues, Incidents in their lives...It seemed that every thing was of interest to her. I understood from her, what wonders listening could do.
It wouldnt be wrong if I call her my role model for listening. But I still havent managed to copy this behaviour into my life, however I wish someday I could. The 10 things to be done before I die - Listening is one thing I definately would like to do! Listening that could give support to those who need it without myself being disturbed !
Babaji, I dont know if this is a must have quality or a quality that I am destined to have, so these raw thoughts are in your hands to mould them in the best possible way! Seeking your blessings for the life ahead that could be comforting to those around me and ofcourse myself :-)
Ta!