4 ON 10 - Life in all humility

I first heard this incident some 3 years ago, since then it has been one of my favorites. This is about Tuslidas Ji and Rahim Ji. 

Story goes that Rahim Ji was well known for his strange manner of giving alms to the poor. He never looked at the person he was giving alms to, keeping his gaze downwards in all humility. When Tulsidas Ji heard about Rahim Ji's strange method of giving alms, he promptly wrote a couplet and sent it to Rahim Ji:

Aisi deni den jyu, kit seekhe ho sain
Jyon jyon kar oonchyo karo, tyon tyon niche nain

"Sir, Why give gifts like this? Where'd you learn that?
Your hands are as high as your eyes are low"

Realizing that Tulsidas Ji was well 'Aware' of the 'Truth' behind creation, and was merely giving him an opportunity to say a few lines in reply, he wrote to Tulsidas Ji  in all humility:

Denhar koi aur hai, bhejat jo din rain
Log bharam hum par kare, taaso niche nain

"The Giver is someone else, bestowing, day and night.
The world gives me credit: so, down are my eyes."

I am amazed and honestly humbled every time I come across Rahim Ji's name and this incident. I just imagine, how he would have actually recited these words with eyes down in humility...just amazing!!

Perhaps this is the 4th item to be kept on my To Do list - Humility. Wish when I breath my last, I would have inculcated this important teaching in my life.

As Ravi Ji other day reminded that "Mitha bolo te niv chalo, Murshid ehiyo seekhaanda hai"...humility is such an important aspect. I have seen so many living examples of humility in my life, that I sometimes just feel jealous :)

With jealously, I recall Upashak Ji's example where he says that beauty in a garden is guaranteed because rose is not complaining why I couldn't be as tall as coconut tree and coconut tree is not complaining that why I couldn't have beautiful flowers like rose. Everyone is happy the way they are.

Obviously Jealously shouldn't be there :) That's another thing I need to learn. 

If you are wondering like me, how does jealousy, humility fit in same post...and if you have known me in person and wondering how does humility even relate to a person like me....just chill!!!

I don't have any humility I know but that's why I am keeping it in my To Do. I pray, and you too join me in prayers, that may Nirankar bless me with a life that's lived in all humility. 

Amen!

SHADES PART 1

Last Sunday we were traveling back to the town when I recalled of this particular incident. Since this incident and the one on Sunday were alike, therefore I feel like calling them as PART 1 & PART 2.

SHADES PART 1 - Some 5-6 years ago I was posted in Bangalore. I and a colleague used to sit on the top floor of the building where our desk faced a window which in turn faced the Sun. The window had no curtains, no blinds; sun’s glare would directly fall on our eyes. Working on Mainframes systems; we found it difficult to read the characters on the monitor. We were so uncomfortable with the working conditions that we had raised multiple requests with the Facilities. May be it was the traffic Facilities had, that they couldn’t respond to our requests. The requests were pending for weeks with them.
One Wednesday afternoon it clicked to me that I could visit stationary and get a wall Calendar which could be used temporarily to cover the window glass. This would give some relief at least. I made it a point to collect calendar same day after the lunch. But somehow I forgot. As soon as I reached desk, I remembered that I had forgotten to go to stationary. I would do it tomorrow with that remark I left it for the next day. Height of my laziness!
Next day, same thing happened.
On Friday afternoon, fortunately I remembered the task. I took one calendar, cello tape, and scissors from the stationary. Patting my own back, I reached the desk. After all now I will be relieved of the burning sun! I noticed my neighbor wasn’t at her desk, thought of quickly finishing the task so that it would less inconvenience to her. I opened the calendar but another thought disturbed me, “Waah Sunil babu  brought calendar just for your own self. Won’t she be feeling the same? You should have brought another calendar for her.” Somehow I tried to convince myself that I would bring her another calendar next time I go to the ground floor where stationary was. But my conscience didn’t allow me to put the calendar in front of my desk. So to be at ease, I pasted the calendar in front of her desk.
And for self I thought I would do it next time when I go downstairs. She came back after lunch, surprised to see the shade on her desk! She asked me how come this calendar was there. I mentioned to her that I thought of this as a temporary solution. She thanked me for being considerate. I acknowledged her thanks with smile but inside thinking why on earth did God gave this thought of exchanging desks for this calendar? I was happy that she was in shade but unhappy for self. I was so lazy that I didn’t want to go back to the stationary again. Height of my laziness!
Aaah...at that point! I now think it was so stupid of me to question God at that point. I asked God that we hear that God acknowledges even a smallest of act, be it in a corner. Let me see how you acknowledge my act of kindness to this lady. It wasn’t that this question was disturbing me but as if I wanted to play with God. I asked Him show me how you would acknowledge this!
In moments, I got back to my routine. I totally forgot about the calendar, window, neighbor etc. Now focus was on the work, although in between I kept looking at my watch to leave on time from the office. I noticed that weather had become pleasant. Clouds covered the sun; therefore it became easier for me to work. I finished work earlier and went back to home. Enjoyed the weekend as I would.
On Monday when I came back I was astonished to see that there was no calendar on neighbor’s desk. More astonished to see that the windows now had blinds. Oh my God is this how you acknowledge that small act! I wondered how come those pending requests with Facilities were now acknowledged out of the blue moon…I had just questioned God on Friday and on Monday I saw the answer! Oh my God…I was so thrilled to see how God had acknowledged my stupid question. But why did you not acknowledge on Friday itself? (My stupidity continued). Less than a second…I realized God had already acknowledged my request on Friday but I had missed to realize it on the same day. The weather which was so sunny for all past days had changed all of a sudden on Friday afternoon. There were no rains that day but I recalled that not even for a second did clouds again uncovered the Sun. While I had hoped that calendar would provide shade to my colleague from Sun, but in turn God provided me (and others) with a natural shade.
I apologetically thanked God for this wonderful realization! It could have been just some sequence of events for others, but for me it was a direct communication that I was having with the creator. I was sorry for what I had asked, but thankful that He proved Himself to be correct. He would even involve nature, if need be to answer his servants call. The only pre-requisite is that the servant should be willing to listen!
Had He not acknowledged that day in the way He did, His status would not have reduced. Neither would He have failed in any test….but by doing so, He has given me an example to share of His Kindness which knows no boundaries.

A man of no/all religion

I received an email from Wasi yesterday who offered to answer my queries, if any on the principles of Islam. I replied back with thanks stating that there are no queries as such. Moreover life already seems to be on direction of becoming a true Muslim.

I later received an email from Poul who asked whether my parents were Christian looking at my inclination to quote Bible.To him I replied that though parents were born Hindu but they nurtured me to become a true Christian.

Oh my goodness! I myself was surprised of the replies I gave, but those were not replies out of confusion, also not to confuse them. I wanted to bridge the gaps that might have existed based on outer layers of religions. Therefore I tried to create a comfort factor to instil a feeling that I belonged to them.

The feeling next to surprise was of gratitude - To understand such basics of religion was never in my capability. While there are people who go to extremes for converting someone into "their" religion, and here was I who was himself converting his religion with every email. That too because of one simple message.The simple message that prophets have given from time to time is such a powerful tool to resolve all differences. Wish whole humanity could understand, and then the peace - both internal and external - would become a reality. 

I later wondered what would Wasi and Poul think of me? I didn't know the answer May be "A man of no religion" or "A man of all religion". 

But one thing I was sure of was that they would have pulled their hairs if they had read what my replies were to other person's email :)

What's on your mind?

"What's on your mind?"...I have always been tempted to reply to this question which one would normally see on almost all social sites these days, sites such as Facebook, Twitter etc. It does give you a feeling as if some one is keenly waiting for you to log on, and ask you whats going on in your life! And you would see people replying also...their revelations, their anger on some event, their love for loved ones, major events in their lives, their visits to places etc etc. Facebook is full of such 'personal' information.

Facebook..another blog on Facebook! There isn't any like or dislike for this site, its just that Facebook played an important role for the learning that I am trying to post. 

While I was cautious not to share much of personal stuff on Facebook, I couldn't resist the temptation to answer this very question "What's on your mind?". I felt as if I would be impolite to the Facebook designers if I don't answer this very question each time I login into Facebook. So I would reply...always with a quote.

It so happened that one day I was falling short of quotes that I could share. Lakshmi was sitting next to me, I casually asked her to tell me a quote which I could share on Facebook profile. It must have been stupid of me to ask that from her...but I did ask. Quite surprisingly she answered, "Sunil Ji, roz quote badalne se kya hoga...baat to tab banegi agar ham ek hi quote ko poori zindagi nibha lein". Thereby she cautioned me not to fall in trap of sharing more and more because mere sharing will not bring any changes in us. For bringing change in us, we'd have to follow those. Even if we stick to one quote, and follow it religiously...it would do miracles in our lives. A single quote that is followed can do what all the quotes which are just shared collectively also cannot do.  

Very profound thoughts Mrs Sethi has - I must admit. 

Since that day, I have tried to consciously remind myself not to fall in the same trap again. Now whenever I login into Facebook, and see that question again...I smile and answer "Same as it was on the last time!!".  

 And to go bit deeper on the learning, this is much of the problem that we see around...we often rush to speak, but rarely pause to listen. That reminds me of this riddle....'The moment you name it, it is gone...what is it?' "Silence".  

Wish we could pause, and ponder...ponder deeper to realize that even single thought is sufficient to bring a change in our lives.

3D - Don 2 (12A)

Just back after watching Don 2...3D version.


Saw a 3D movie for the first time in my life so far. Indeed it was nice experience. Came out of the movie hall, and all of a sudden cars outside appeared to be 3D as well :)


Anyways... Dimensional aspect reminded me of Rob Bell's statement about spiritual world which is outside 2D. I feel he was right when he said that Jesus and other prophets were trying to show a world outside limited dimensions of science and religion (believe he meant rituals without knowledge). Many people are busy fighting for their own dimensions....some fighting for religion, some fighting for science...without keeping a margin for one more dimension. Aah..much like a cylinder, which appears to be circle if you see on its base, and appears to be a rectangle if you see on its height. Cylinder is both, and yet is something extremely different at that same point of time. Wish we all could see this spiritual 3D view!


Anyways (again!)... as soon as I wore 3D glasses, I wanted to thank. It might have taken some 30+ years for me to see a 3D movie but for the spiritual 3D world I am thankful ... It has always been there as far as I recall. 


I am indeed thankful!

Birthdays..Facebook..Time..

Not so often would you come across such a question on your birthday 'Is there any particular wish or statement by someone which has resonated in your mind since morning?'

Made me think.

One from last year perhaps. A statement from Nidhi Ji. 

(Nidhi Ji - If you read this someday, Please believe I can 'imagine' the proud smile on your face.)

While wishing me last year she made sure that she adds a special touch to it - '....Bhaiya I wish on your birthday because I remembered it not because I saw it on Facebook.' She has not been a fan of Facebook - this I have known but had never thought about how we often tend to connect to our friends only on their special days that too because we see a reminder. However, I personally don't fully disapprove of the Facebook reminders, perhaps on one day people make someone feel special - even if it is for one day and that too because of reminders. Though it would have been better if we remembered people and their days without any external help.

Yesterday was filled with connections - wishes from family and friends, even from the Facebook world. Not much different I would say - same as it must be for everyone. I was at work yesterday therefore was not able to spend quality time with the wishers. A learning that I would like to take forward from yesterday is to take off from work on birthdays - there's a world that would connect to you on this day and you must receive it 'fully'. At so many points during the day, I felt I wasn't doing justice to the friends who took out time from their schedules to connect with me. Anyhow, there is something to learn and take forward - that's more important.

For many years I have thought how nice it would be to have everyday as a birthday - one receives so much love and warmth from friends which on normal days one doesn't hear. I don't think that warmth, love is absent on other days and suddenly rises on your birthday but think everyone is busy on their chores, and seldom they pause to express it. Birthdays are just such opportunities when people come to express via their wishes. However yesterday I was thinking the opposite - how about birthdays being days with not super jet speed? At least you don't feel guilty of not being able to give time to people as you would do normally. Its strange - normally people don't get time to pause and on this day you don't get time to reciprocate. Anyhow, not so serious topic to think about :)

Crux is to be thankful - even if people wish because of Facebook, take out time to receive gracefully, and when it comes for you to wish - try that you make people are a part of your life so that you don't have to depend on external reminders. And most importantly - treat everyone, everyday as it is their birthday :)

Mrs. Devsi

I don't remember what standard I was studying in when this incident took place. All I remember is it was Mrs. Devsi's class and she was checking notebooks. She came as an substitute for some other teacher who was absent that day. Normally on such occasions substitute teacher wont bother teaching their own subjects. They were just present to make sure class didn't make much noise.

So was Mrs. Devsi present there - and she preferred to utilize that time by checking notebooks. Just to introduce Mrs. Devsi - She was (and is) teacher in strictest sense - she was gentle at heart but strict enough to make sure pupil learnt for what they were in school - she taught us grammar. I wouldn't be wrong if I say almost whole school was scared of her .... actually her "pinches". A single mistake you make, she would put her hand in your half sleeves shirt and "pinch" you until you realize your mistake. She would also use canes at times, but not that often.

Looks like I am going on to tangent, so I'll end the introductions. This was Mrs. Devsi. And I will go back to the story....

So Mrs. Devsi was present in our class as a substitute teacher and she preferred to utilize that time by checking notebooks. All children were busy too - doing something or the other - some chatting, some playing 'tick tack toe', some 'bollywood', some 'sweet 16'. Class was little noisy - you could hear all children, also Mrs. Devsi who once in a while asked for a spare pencil for doing corrections in some notebooks. Everyone seemed to be enjoying this 'free class'. I can't remember what I was doing but I too was busy - perhaps busy in paying ear to what others were gossiping around. It so happened that I again heard that Mrs. Devsi was asking for pencil. I looked in my pencil box and took one spare pencil to her. To my astonishment, Mrs Devsi got up from her seat in anger. To catch everyone's attention she banged the duster on table once or twice and shouted  - 'There's only one student in my class, and that is Sunil. I have been asking for pencil from some time but only he has heard & responded." I then realized no one else in the class had got up to give her a pencil. I was taken aback by her reaction - never expected such a statement from her. But Mrs. Devsi said this in front of whole class -  I too felt nice, not only she.

More than 15 years have passed since this incident happened but I haven't refreshed it more than 15 times since then. However, now feel like reminding myself of it again and again - but more in spiritual context. I seriously wonder if Mrs. Devsi can feel nice when I heard her once, will Guru not feel great if I listen to what He is asking? On similar lines, deep within there is desire to make Guru happy by following what He is teaching.

But there is difference too! At that time, perhaps it was immaturity, I myself felt nice when Mrs. Devsi said I was the only student in class. In spiritual arena, I realize there can be no competition between students. All you can expect is, by grace, that "There's one student, Sunil, in my class". There is no room for 'Only' word in spirituality - and perhaps that's not important too. What's important is following what you hear...

God bless Mrs. Devsi - where ever she is still teaching!