There are a number of important lessons I have learnt throughout my life, which have become central to how I conduct myself. They include the attitude of gratitude, the gift of service, the means of overcoming adversity and the joy of meditation. All these practices have provided me with the foundation of a perfect life. I’d like to share what I have learnt, in the writings below.
Attitude of Gratitude
When asked if my cup is half full or half empty, my response – inspired by Sam Lefkowitz – is that I am thankful that I have a cup! This also reminds me of the teachings of Nirankari Baba, who often recommended not just the practising of thankfulness, but ensuring an attitude of gratitude. The premise being that beauty can be found in every facet of life if we look for it. What we practically need, therefore, is positive reinforcement, which comes from positive friends and colleagues, who not only enrich themselves with spiritual company, but nourish and inspire others in their immediate vicinity as well.
Once we have this positive mind-set and practise gratitude regularly, we can overlook apparent faults or shortcomings and concentrate on perfecting our vision, as opposed to seeking perfection within situations and people. Nirankari Baba, using Matthew Prior’s quote on Women’s Day, reminded us: Be to her virtues very kind; be to her faults a little blind.
Gift of Service
Life is a game of give and take. The ones, who give, always win. There is something reassuringly rewarding about helping and selflessly giving where the mere act of service feels like the reward. Lord Jesus Christ told his disciples (Mark 10:45) that he had come not to be served, but to serve others. Mata Sudiksha Ji, the spiritual head of the Mission today, echoed these sentiments at the turn of the New Year when she said, if equal affection cannot be, let the giving and loving one be me.
Overcoming Adversity
Lord Buddha once said, pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. Some years ago, I met an individual whose son was diagnosed with a critical illness. To search for a cure, he tried an array of treatments and alternative medicines. He even tried some places of worship. To ease his troubles, a close friend of his suggested attending oneness gatherings within the Nirankari Mission. The individual went on to say that attending these gatherings did not save his son, who sadly passed away. It did, however, provide him with the mechanism to cope with his loss and to remember the time spent with his son fondly. The spiritual experience he had with the Mission may not have changed his circumstances, but it did change him.
Detached attachment is a protective element in overcoming adversity. Life can throw unexpected challenges at us at any time. The more we accept the unexpected or make peace with the sudden turn of events that are appear not to be in our favour, the better it is. The Bhagavad Gita reminds us that life demands we perform certain actions, but a spiritual soul never dictates the fruit of those actions. In other words, do your best, and leave the rest to God.
Meditation
Meditation, if performed regularly, can render us calm and composed. Nirankari Baba taught me how to practise meditation, to connect with the All-Pervading Entity, using Simran. The All-Pervading is perfection. The Mission calls this Nirankar, who when fully realised, through the grace of Satguru, and remembered via the trio of Seva (selfless service), Simran (remembrance of Nirankar) and Satsang (truthful company), becomes our foundation. It is such a foundation that we need for a perfect, meaningful life.
– Raul Kamal, London
