All World
Gayatri Pariwar

What should be ideal attitude towards adversities?



I am unconquerable.  My spirit is unconquerable.  My eyes are unconquerable.  My praña shakti (subtle life current) is unconquerable.  My apana life current is unconquerable.  My vyana life current is unconquerable.  I am fully unconquerable.

Do not get perturbed by adversities.  Face them boldly.  Problems and adversities come into everyone's life.  They spare none.  Even those who live in comforts or hold high positions are confronted by such situations.  Life is, in fact, a composite of dualities – pleasure and pain, riches and poverty, fortune and misfortune, and so on.  That the one facet may exist but the other not is simply not possible.  Even if it were to happen for some reason, life would become unidimensional, monotonous and dry.  For complete and all-round development, times of trial are as much necessary as moments of joy.  Either situation puts to test our subtle power of discrimination.
If the time of adversity is utilized properly, it leads to the cleansing of the karmic sediments deposited on the soul over many previous births as also to the purification of the inherent urges and to increase in inner strength.  Hence, instead of running away from crises, one should learn the technique of using them as lessions.  Blessed are they who make themselves thoroughly proficient in this art.  In the history of mankind, the lives of all great men and women are a testimony to the verity of this statement.  They all were sculpted and shaped by Nature with the chisel of adversity and misfortune.  The lives of those who live only in comforts and luxuries remain like uncut gems which command no real value.

Whether difficulties are small or big, one should try to develop a positive and purposeful attitude towards them.  There is, of course, no need to invite troubles but a dogged spirit of struggle and perseverance in life does need to be inculcated.  This quality comes to those who are non-sparing towards themselves but charitable towards others.  Those accustomed to an affluent life-style are staggered and even devastated by one blow of adversity while those who lead a hard and austere life are mentally strong and capable of weathering any storm with fortitude.

The other quality which needs to be developed is the courage to accept challenges.  All the problems whether of health, money, an examination or some other matter present before us a challenge.  Instead of getting perturbed or shaky we should confront and grapple with them.  True it is that this fight will require us to make major changes in the pattern of our lives, in policies, values and habits.  But what of that?  What is right and justified must be done.  To this end, no effort should be spared in marshalling all the inner resources, energy and courage.

Let us take the example of a health problem.  This situation tests our patience and self-control.  The doctors invariably prescribe alongwith medicines many dietary restrictions and a particular regimen of life.  These instructions entail a life-pattern quite different from the one we are habituated to.  Consequently, the majority of persons fail to follow them, succumbing either to the charms of the palate or other entrenched habits.  To break out of this mould requires strong determination which comes from discriminative knowledge and enlightened thinking.

The same applies to other kinds of problems.  They all require courage, fortitude and sagacity.  He who has developed these qualities in him is also able to quickly formulate an effective plan of action, a plan which not only manages the crisis effectively but also bestows fresh gains.  These gains could be in the form of either new channels of material progress, renewed courage, increased mental strength or improved health status.

Yugrishi Gurudev used to say that adversities test our self-confidence and faith in God too; and we must come out of this fire purified and cleaned.  Indeed, if adversities test the devotee, they also test God.  If it is a trial of the devotee to see how firm his faith is in God or in his sadguru (spiritual preceptor), the latter also takes the test in how loving and caring he is towards the devotee or disciple.  Experience tells us that God and guru never let the devotees come to harm.  By their infinite grace, mountains of trouble turn into anthills.

An incident in Gurudev's life is a shining example of the positive and constructive attitude towards an ordeal.  In the beginning of 1984, a malefactor, instigated by some demonic persons, made an attempt on the life of Gurudev.  Although he could not succeed before the spiritual shield of Gurudev, yet he was able to inflict many knife wounds on the body.  These injuries forced Gurudev to rest and recuperate for some time.  In later years, while referring to this incident, he would jovially remark how enjoyable it was during those days.  There was no work as such.  So with total concentration of his being he kept communing with God.  The sadhana for sukshmºkaraña (lit-"subtilization") could also be completed.  Such a positive attitude in the midst of adversities is an inspiration for others to channelize the moments of crises into fruitful direction.

"God helps those who help themselves" – this maxim is true, because the Law of Creation is infallible.  Performance of duties attentively is incumbent upon all; and those who think that God will do everything for them while they themselves need do nothing are indulging in wishful expectations.

There was a devotee of Lord Hanuman.  One day he was going somewhere in his bullock-cart and the cart got stuck in the mud on the route.  He stood up there and started reciting Hanuman Chalisa (Ode to Lord Hanuman) hoping that the cart will pull itself out by divine intervention.  A wise man was passing that way.  He remarked: "Friend, your Hanumanji, even though he had no definite inkling as to where the sanjivani (a life-saving herb) was, he nevertheless went ahead and fetched the entire hill overgrown with various herbs instead.  The least you can do is to apply your hand to the cart".  The man got the point, pushed a little and the bullocks did the rest.  The cart moved out of the mud-pool.

Param Poojya Gurudev writes in Prajnapurana: “Atmashakti purika tu shakti sa parmatmana¡”.  Meaning: "Divine grace is complementary to one's own self-effort".  ______________________________________________________________________________