How often do you think of ball bearings? When my engineering friend asked me this question, I was totally baffled.
He explained that ball bearings are used in a variety of products – all sorts of medical equipment, motors, turbines, and even watches. Centuries ago, ball bearings were better known as wheels. They were mainly made of wood, and used in carriages. But in 1794, tiny metallic ball bearings were invented, and used in a regulatory clock. This became the blue print for the industrial revolution.
Now they are used in a host of everyday tools and appliances – dental drills, wheels, gearboxes, watches, turbines, conveyor belts at your local supermarket checkout, photocopiers, and DVD players, to name but a few. The chemical, agricultural, automotive, paper and aerospace industries just would not survive without them. Hence, ball bearings are essential for daily life to function smoothly.
Ironically, I had never really heard of ball bearings before this conversation. Hence, my answer to my friend’s question was ‘no’. In fact, I had never really thought about them at all.
Having done my research, ball bearings, for me, are comparable to what Babaji referred to as the silent heros, who play a vital role in everyday life. Of course, ball bearings are lifeless objects, and lack consciousness. Yet we can learn something of how anonymously they serve, without reward or recognition. If as human beings we could become as selfless, it would be remarkable. We would be more fulfilled, silently serving humanity with no desire for name or fame. It would be in keeping with Babaji’s invocation to us – work for the cause and not the applause.
Attributes such as humility and meekness can be easily overlooked, being treated as out of date qualities in a world that is loud and proud. However, they are of great significance. Just like ball bearings, the silent heros of humanity also make the world go round.
The Avtar Bani (verse 102) sums it up as follows:
Devout with every breath,
Sub-servient does remain,
Whatever the Master says
He simply obeys the same
A disciple – however wise,
Considers himself – inept,
Master’s dust, even when,
He’s so wealthy and adept
A devout, negates himself
At the Lord Master’s door
When he errs unwittingly
He simply repents, encore
A devout works earnestly,
Never ever for any reward
Avtar – such a soul is even,
Lauded by – the Good Lord
Shehenshah Baba Avtarji, the author of the Avtar Bani, describes humble saints as powerful and esteemed. And yet, the disciples regard themselves as nothing. They are undoubtedly masters of love with open hearts, ever ready to give generously. It gives them great pleasure when their hands are working for others. They constantly learn and transform themselves to enable others to be helped supported.
They ensure that our bhavans (prayer halls) are warm, the seating area equipped, and the stage prepared for the oneness gathering to begin. They serve in the kitchen in the early hours of the morning, ensuring that the langar (communal meal) is ready for all to share. They staff the crèche facility, oversee the audio-visuals, volunteer as helpers and mentors in the youth sangat, manage donations, stock bookstall and offer welcome to all who attend the gathering, even when this means standing at the gate with umbrellas during inclement weather. The said saints spend tireless nights, working on the Mission’s literature, organising events and updating social media channels to foster universal access to the message being shared. They voluntarily serve as cameramen, cooks, cleaners and hosts. They visit those in need, render physical seva during large scale tree plantation and cleanliness drives and even donate blood, for the welfare of human beings at large. When the saints may seem to be inactive, they can often be found praying quietly, sending positive thoughts to humanity as a whole. Babaji, and now Mataji, gave such a blessed insight, that even when the saints are at work in their schools, offices and workplaces, they send positive vibrations to all through their connection to Source.
Although they may not be observed, they are, in the words of Babaji, noticed in God’s eyes1. They are just like ball bearings, allowing their physical selves to be used as vehicles, in whichever way needed, for the betterment of others.
These silent heros, very much like the ball bearings, always prevail to bring a practical, but harmonious stillness in our lives. May they continue to inspire, motivate and guide us towards stability, peace and joy.
– Harishta Kaur, Huddersfield, UK
