It is because we are too lazy to make the efforts required to gain all that linking with God has to offer, writes AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI

We lose out because we are too lazy to make the efforts required to gain what all linking with God has to offer. I have written many times about the benefits of God consciousness. Still, I will mention a few. God consciousness gets us the elusive peace and happiness, which we all crave. (Gita 2.66) God provides what we lack and protects what we possess. (9.22) God helps us in getting out of trouble. (18.58) God gives us knowledge, which removes the darkness of ignorance. (10.11) Association of God brings wealth, success, other opulence and moral principles. (18.78) God even grants us liberation (5.24) and, subsequently, a place in Vaikuntha also if we so deserve. (8.13)

Compare these with what we gain by studying, learning, etc for almost two decades; we are able to maintain ourselves. Yes, this is important but why not get what is most precious in our human birth. Is what God expects from us too difficult? He says develop my consciousness. (18.61) We have some consciousness, eg politicians have political consciousness. How many reach the top of the ladder, and even then, how long does that last? No, ego comes in the way. Why should we follow God’s instructions? I will decide. I am independent; I am intelligent; I am not going to be dictated by someone else. Do we realise how dangerous this ego is? It effectively destroys. (18.58). Then, there are lame excuses. Give me proof of God’s existence. Follow God’s instructions and you will realise the reality of God as countless people have done and are presently doing. This is like asking an airline to prove that a particular flight is safe. The officer concerned invites the person to board the plane and he will be able to experience a safe flight as millions do every day. Faith in God is not like eating an ice-cream, which can be tasted instantly; this can be realised by efforts made a little longer.

Many do make a start and give up as soon as some trouble is encountered. What did we expect? That God will change the nature of the world and make it trouble-free just because we took some preliminary steps on the spiritual path. God helps His devotees in coming out of trouble as stated earlier, but having such outrageous expectations shows lack of seriousness. Then, some feel that turning to God is a sign of weakness. Those who are engaged in God-worship have something lacking in them. That is the reason they took the shelter of God. Such thinking is weird. God is not just any person; He is the one who owns everything. (5.29) This is like ignoring the boss of a company while working in the company. Some give excuses based on science. As there is no scientific proof of God’s existence. He does not exist. Do we know everything there is to know? If it was so, all the present scientists are wasting their time. I have one simple question for these non-believers, “Why do we helplessly pray when we are badly stuck?” The answer is simple. Because it is natural for a soul — part of God — to seek help from God.

There is no dearth of excuses for being lazy. Others are trying to cheat us in the name of God. There is some merit in this argument. Some are cheating, yes, but that does not invalidate God’s reality as such. This is like rejecting all the doctors just because there are some quacks posing as doctors. What about those preachers who spend their entire lives living by the principles they advocate?

Lastly, these folks are unfortunate because either they did not have any exposure to God in their previous lives and this one also or they have a tremendous amount of ignorance, which does not allow them to have an open mind. All in all, whatever may be the reason, the faithless lose out.

Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com