MISSING VALUES IN LIFE

A released prisoner of war (POW) once wrote that you would only value freedom when you are behind bars, in his case behind the barbed wire at a detention camp. How true. We do not cherish health until we fall ill. We do not appreciate happiness and joy until confronted with sorrow. We do not cherish life until we are on the threshold of death.

When I had several kandams or a life threatening situation, I was to lose my life, but the good lord thought I should live longer. So what does he do with my karma? He converts it into another form. I end up either losing money, or falling sick etc but I am still kept alive.

Karmically people have to go through their sufferings. Erai stays aloft and watches, but the Siddhas plead with him to lessen man's sufferings. With the consent of Erai, the most compassionate Siddhas set forth to do what needs to be done to cushion the effects of the blow on the devotees. In working on our karma and converting it, the Siddhas would advocate us to carry out certain remedies; make a payment; feed others or do some form of charity. For instance when someone comes for treatment he gains relieve from his suffering by parting with his money for the treatment. Man however finds it difficult to part with his money or possessions.

Having relieved him of a major portion of his karma, taking a huge load of his chest and shoulders, he is then left to go through minimum pain, anguish and worry during this period of trials and tribulations.

The divine works in mysterious ways. But the sad thing is we expect Erai to come in the forms that he is always portrayed in.

The divine comes in the form of a doctor or a healer, taking away the sufferings and pain of people, bringing them relieve and cure. There are doctors working in remote places, harsh conditions, treacherous places, and war zones saving lives. That is why their work is divine. The sick once they are on their feet should in turn serve others.

The divine comes in the form of a samaritan bringing him food and aid, releasing him instantaneously from the pangs of hunger. He should then feed another once he is better off in life.

The divine comes in the form of an advice through someone, that clears his doubts, gives him hope, makes him drop his fear and charts a new course of action for him. Once he is established and well, he in return should lead the others from their shortcomings.

Tavayogi says do not pray that you shall be spared suffering, but instead pray that you are given the good sense to figure a way out of it, and to overcome it.

The difference between a gnani and common folk is in their perspective on suffering - a gnani accepts suffering; we don't. A gnani accepts it, endures it and hence ends his cycle of birth. The common man cannot accept suffering, seeks relief from it and ends up having to come back to go through it again.

On another note, when once I told my colleague in the office that I was going to stay at Kallar Ashram during my trip to India, she immediately told me, "Then everything would be free, right?" I told her that was not the case as a typical ashram needs funds to feed the traveling sadhus and the poor; provide refreshments to visitors; and provide three meals a day to ashramites. Besides that the ashram needs funds to operate; pay for the maintenance of its buildings and facilities; and pay the utilities bill. When we make a donation towards the ashram before departing, that fund can be used to pay for the stay and comfort of other devotees who turn up after us. It is alright if a service or treatment etc is given free to the hardcore poor for off course they cannot afford the charges but if they can afford why not charge them so that that money can be used for the next poor guy who comes along. Anyway if you are to book a lodge or hotel nearby you still have to dish out your money, right? Man however finds it difficult to part with his money or possessions.

To be humble is to be divine. Man has forgotten to be humble. The ego in him and his arrogance drives him to expect to receive everything he sets his mind on, immaterial if he deserves it or otherwise. He thinks it is his right to grab everything around him at the expense of causing misery to others, irrespective if it is meant for him or someone else. Sadly the rich values in life has gone into hiding.