Speaking to Mahindren who dropped by my home after work yesterday, we agreed that divorce is becoming too common, even among our families, relatives, and friends. Marriages seemed short-lived these days. It makes us wonder what made our parents and grandparents stay together or glued together even in the worst of situations. In the very past people were living close to nature and one with nature. They need not travel the distance to be with nature. They found solace and solutions in nature. Just years ago, one could step out from their home or office environment and take a walk with nature in the neighborhood or city parks. We could take a stroll down the beach or go for a hike in the hills and cool it off. It instantly refreshes and rejuvenates both body and mind. My boss at the office who was a devout Muslim, would fetch his bag and leave the place whenever he was angry with others and their decisions. Another boss of mine not realizing that I was coming by the corridor, raised his foot and kicked the wall upon stepping out of the meeting room to let off his anger. He is now a monk at Yogananda Paramahansa's Ranchi mission. So did some take their problems to the Gods in the temples and places of worship and sat before their favorite deity in silence, tears welling in their eyes and flowing down their cheeks. They would cry in silence before God.
In times like these, we could turn to our loved ones. But if they too are caught in the problem or part of the problem or contributing towards it, we shall not find a solution. We need to seek advice from a third party. But how can they help us unless they have gone through a similar situation? Then again what worked out for them might not work for us. Many these days turn to the Kaanda Nadi written by the Siddhas in the past or the Aasi Kandam or Jeeva Nadi spoken in real time for solutions.
We could turn to songs to comfort us.
The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
In restless dreams, I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light, I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never shared
No one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls,
In tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence
(Source: Musixmatch)
Sadly though these days we take to social media thinking we shall find solace in the words of others. Yes, many might sympathize with our plight and give us the courage to move on. But sadly equally many shall throw brickbats and hurt us more as a result of hatred which has led to suicides, as in cases of cyberbullying.
I too was happily posting on my numerous websites about my pilgrimages and my gurus when a friend picked up a photo of Supramania Swami from my website and posted it on FB. Someone he knew gave a nasty comment. I happened to come across it and told myself that I shall not let others ridicule my guru. I deactivated all my websites and my YouTube channel too. Later when I informed Tavayogi of my drastic move, he asked, "Why son? Let it be. People will come to know about the Siddhas through this medium too." I started from scratch building up these lost pages and videos, turning off commenting this time around.
Jnana Jothiamma who was minding her business and finding her way back to Agathiyar too had enemies who reached out to Tavayogi and spoke ill about her to him. I too might have made enemies traveling this path. To them I extend both my hands and ask for forgiveness for to err is to be human, for aren't we all here to experience life and learn lessons?