Embrace divine shelter to overcome life’s struggles
It may sound very insulting, but this is what most of us, if not almost all of us routinely do. Because it is so natural to do. We have a deep desire for something considered most dear. Or, we may not want to lose something considered crucial for our existence. So what do we do? We keep on thinking about it. Yes, we also do whatever we can to ensure it or should.What happens in most cases? We fall short because we are small, and helpless in the ultimate sense.
God keeps control of Himself regarding the fruits of our actions. (The Bhagavad-Geeta 2.47) We have only been given the right to desire and do. (2.47) But we either don’t give up trying by ourselves or with the help of others, if we choose to do that. Now worry sets in because we have set our hearts on it. And we hurt ourselves both in terms of mental health and physical health because they are so intertwined.Are we doomed? No, we are not, if we choose to do what we are expected to do, which is to approach God. That is why our scriptures, especially the Bhagavad-Geeta, persuade us to do that. I will cite some verses in this connection. The verse #18.62 goes like this, “In all respects take shelter of God only. By His mercy, you will achieve supreme peace.” What does this mean? We will not suffer from mental problems, by which a quarter and more in the world are suffering. (9.22) Isn’t what we want? You get started on this path and start becoming deserving. God will respond suitably. But our natures won’t allow us to do what God wants us to do to qualify for His ‘kripa’ (grace).
Even if we somehow curb our natures, our egos come in the way. For us human beings, our egos are everything; we cannot imagine taking unconditional shelter from anyone including God of course. So we remain in the shelter of worry. Exalted personalities have surrendered to God and reaped all kinds of benefits from Him. Sanjaya of the Mahabharata fame illuminates, “Where there is the yogeshwar Shri Krishna and where there is a devotee of God (as Arjuna was), there will be opulence (saubhagya), victory (success), wealth and definite principles (dharma).” (18.78) God is unlimited and He can give what we cannot even imagine. Swami Vivekananda went to America in 1843. Not only did Swamiji give an iconic speech on Hinduism at the World’s Religious in Chicago on September 11, 1843, but introduced Hinduism and Indian spirituality to the Western world.
We just have to get started and achieve what these exalted personalities achieved after several lives. It is not so difficult, but requires determination. What is so difficult to pray? All we have to ensure that whatever we pray for is according to dharma. God will respond in a way He decides about what we deserve. Then, doing ‘naman’ (namaskar) to a Deity of God in a temple shouldn’t be so difficult. God, being what He is, cannot be a debtor ever. He will give something, again what He feels is good for us. What is wrong with chanting God’s names? This activity appears so innocuous but people of all religions for ages have been chanting Ohm and God’s names. It must be useful, otherwise it would have been discontinued a long time back. What is so difficult to thank God if something good happens? We know how thanking helps us to make friends even with strangers. Then, how it must benefit if we thank God. ‘Dhyan’ (meditation) is catching attention worldwide. Why? Because it is extremely useful. Remembering God is another spiritual activity, for which God rewards handsomely. I can go on. Believe that these spiritual acts are highly beneficial, and can be done by one and all. Spiritual acts help in this regard and change us for the better.Then, why take shelter from worry, anxiety, depression, sadness, etc.? Take shelter from the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, controller and owner of the Creation and say goodbye to negative emotions.
(The writer is a spiritual teacher, views expressed are personal)
