Me, my Guru – on hole in a boat

 

Contd....

Me, my Guru – on hole in a boat

Our Guru stopped, took her tea and enjoyed it. We were lost in the story and our tea ran cold. And those that drank didn’t realize that they had tea?!

“Maam, we are getting a raise of just 20% when we deserve 40%. And here, even without a wee bit of work you are paid such huge sum by that student. Tell us the secret to ‘this type of financial abundance’?”

This simple question was loaded with jealousy, sarcasm and taunt. And yet, she answered the question. Not because she had to but because she wanted to use this opportunity too to teach something. Therein lay her character. And that was the basis for this phenomena!

She didn’t’ explain much. She said it all in action!

“Just ‘be’ the example that you want your child to emulate. Let your character shine forth as a light that guides your child. Children follow their parents’ actions not words. If the parent is shouting, loosing calm, agitated, depressed and like, you can’t expect the child to be calm, respectful, disciplined etc.

Be the ‘role model’ that you want her to be!

Then no in-laws can make an impact on her. Tomorrow when she grows up, she will meet all types of people in this world. How can you shield her from all those people? No one can. But by giving her right (sanskar) values you can make her sensible and responsible enough to make right decisions in life. Look at the ‘hole’ in your boat’ that needs to be repaired to do all this” said our Guru.

Contd....

# hole in a boat, on being grateful, on appreciating others little deeds of good, little nothings that matter, go an extra mile, do all the little acts of good, being human, character, honesty, giving 100%, on giving right and completely, on love, on giving, giving and receiving, secret of abundance, you receive what you receive for who you are

also read suggested : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2018/04/stories-and-all-wild-flower.html 

Points from this post : 

"And here, even without a wee bit of work you are paid such huge sum by that student. " - It is usually seen that we negate or demean others success with simple words like "oh! he is so lucky or his dad is famous maam etc".

DON'T!

Every one gets what he deserves. May be his worthiness is not from present time but for acts done previously by him. But, whatever it is every one gets his due!

Whenever it pains to see someone's growth, success, happiness - use that jealousy to your advantage. Instead of projecting it on the person who got his due, use it to achieve things that you desire. See how you can work to get those things that others have and you desire. Plan your work and work your plan! Then your jealousy also becomes your friend. Use your every emotion to your advantage. They are your 'road maps' telling you something about you and your life. They show us where we lack and why....use them wisely and instead of suffering BECAUSE  of them, grow BECAUSE of them!

That is the secret of shifting towards being spiritual from being materialistic. That is the way to break the vicious cycle of karma! See this happen in the following lines "Not because she had to but because she wanted to use this opportunity too to teach something. Therein lay her character. And that was the basis for this phenomena!"

Please Note : As ever read all the post at one go at the end of the completion of the posts on a certain topic. 

Get back with your doubts, understanding, experiences and application of the same for others to benefit from your learning.

Me, my Guru – on hole in a boat

 

Contd....

Me, my Guru – on hole in a boat

The landlord said “Yesterday, I paid for the painting job. But, today, I saw that the ‘leak/hole’ in the boat has been repaired by you”

“But Sir, that was a ‘small hole’ that I fixed” replied Satyadev.

“Let me explain what happened” started landlord. “Yesterday, I left for town when the paint dried, my 3 children took the boat for fishing. They didn’t know about the ‘small hole’ in the boat. Imagine my plight when I came back and found out what happened. I can’t explain how relieved I was when I saw them safe that evening. I checked the boat for I was confused at their safety – though of course happy about it! I found out that you had ‘repaired the small hole’ though it was not your job” so saying landlord with tears in her eyes hugged Satyadev and continued “The money I am giving is nothing in comparison to what your small ‘repair’ gave me. I can never repay you in full. This is just a token of my ‘gratitude’ – not value for your ‘small deed’.

He left man transformed!”

Our Guru stopped, took her tea and enjoyed it. We were lost in the story and our tea ran cold. And those that drank didn’t realize that they had tea?!

Contd....

# hole in a boat, on being grateful, on appreciating others little deeds of good, little nothings that matter, go an extra mile, do all the little acts of good, being human, character, honesty, giving 100%, on giving right and completely, on love, on giving, giving and receiving, secret of abundance, you receive what you receive for who you are

also read suggested : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2021/01/stories-and-all-he-said-i-said.html 

"But, today, I saw that the ‘leak/hole’ in the boat has been repaired by you”" - There are good souls who actually do more than what they are paid for! Appreciate those who do it in the right way! Be genuine. Be real! If you don't appreciate what 'little nothings' that others do for you, you can't expect others to do the same for your job!!

When people look at others works they usually see flaws or negate their contribution or work with statements like "but I paid for them etc".

But when they are talking about their giving gifts, doing work or doing something for others then every small act or thought is also magnified. 

This double standards is the cause of 'creating karma'. This double standards is the cause of pain and suffering. 

If at all you have to have double standards, then negate your biggest acts also as 'nothings' and magnify others little acts as also 'life saving'. See the impact and the effect it has on you and your life!

"“The money I am giving is nothing in comparison to what your small ‘repair’ gave me. I can never repay you in full. This is just a token of my ‘gratitude’ – not value for your ‘small deed’." - Agreed, money can't buy everything. It especially can't return the 'favour' of the giver by any account. But that is not an excuse to get away with "hallow words". Just as you want to be shown love and affection by your family and company by kind and cash, you also show your gratitude by kind and cash.  

Remember, the way you pay back others services and affection is exactly the same way you are going to be paid for your services and affection in your life. This is karma! Simple yet painful for the one who tries to trade honesty and integrity with ingratitude and manipulative words!!!

Me, my Guru – on hole in a boat

 

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Me, my Guru – on hole in a boat

All these and related questions seemed normal to an outsider. But to one receiving this questions – it was frustrations rolled in words!

No, our Guru didn’t complain. She didn’t tell anything. But, I could see it myself. Later, few other students like Rahul, Aziz also validated my observations.

Now, if it was us in her place, these people would’ve had it. But she being her just continued with explanations. I didn’t like this one bit. She didn’t lose her calm one bit!

“In a certain village Ummeedpur lived a wealthy landlord. He had a boat that needed painting badly. He called for a painter. He wanted it to be painted blue. He showed the boat to the painter, agreed on the charges.

The next day, the painter Satyadev came with blue paint, brush and other tools required for painting that boat. He sat to paint. As he was painting he found a ‘small hole’ in the boat. He silently repaired it too! He finished the painting, took his charges and left. The landlord too had an errand in town and so he too left to attend to his business.

Next day, the wealthy landlord came to painter and gave him money much more than his painting job. The painter simply said “but sir, you’ve already paid for my painting job as agreed. This is way too much of payment. Why do you give me this?”

Contd....

# hole in a boat, on being grateful, on appreciating others little deeds of good, little nothings that matter, go an extra mile, do all the little acts of good, being human, character, honesty, giving 100%, on giving right and completely, on love, on giving, giving and receiving, secret of abundance, you receive what you receive for who you are

also read suggested : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=On+genuinity+and+happiness 

"No, our Guru didn’t complain. She didn’t tell anything. But, I could see it myself. " - Look at the entire series of Me, My Guru, you'll never find Guru saying anything about herself. It is always some other character either praising her or finding fault with her. She is always seen from others' perspective! Note this always!

This one observation will tell you how we conduct ourselves and how we create "OUR WORLD" through our perception, understanding and psychic impressions. Guru does what she does! But it is ever judged by other characters depending upon their level of understanding, character, state of mind and level of consciousness that they are operating through....

The same applies to everyone in our life. We judge and give marks to people on how we relate with them. And that depends solely on our conditioning of mind, expectations from them, belief systems and our needs and wants! And yet, we assume the 'other to be bad'!!??

Think about it!

Me, my Guru – on hole in a boat

 

Me, my Guru – on hole in a boat

Summer this year seemed to be hotter than ever! We didn’t know if it was the same in other places too! We attributed it to ‘global warming’. It was taking its’ toll on our patience and psyche too! We were angry, irritated and frustrated (in that order) today. It expressed itself in our conduct, words and questions.

How do I become successful in my career?”

“How do I earn more?”

“Is there an easier way to experience and express ‘love’ the way you talk about by us in our day to day life?”

“What is that that separates the ‘leader’ from the crowd?”

“My in-laws are bad influence on my kids. How do I bring them up right?”

One old student came to meet our Guru. He sat for say ½ an hour. Didn’t ask any doubt, clarification or query. He simply placed ‘certain huge amount’ at her feet bowed and left as silently he had come!

Many became restless. And slowly volley of questions were bombarded at her…

Contd....

# hole in a boat, on being grateful, on appreciating others little deeds of good, little nothings that matter, go an extra mile, do all the little acts of good, being human, character, honesty, giving 100%, on giving right and completely, on love, on giving, giving and receiving, secret of abundance, you receive what you receive for who you are

also read suggested : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2009/08/on-ingratitude.html 

Points from post :

"We attributed it to ‘global warming’. It was taking its’ toll on our patience and psyche too! " - Whenever we are angry, confused, frustrated, fear and so, we put the blame on something outside of us...it can be as distant as "Global warming" - we are searching for someone to put the blame on. It can be anyone and anything - be it a parent, sibling (brother/sister), kids, neighbours, political leaders, nation, Guru or even God! We have even climate, weather as excuse to behave the way we do!

As long as we "assume, think and say" others are responsible for our "state of mind" we never will have power over what we think and how we think! No doubt, we don't have power over how we feel too in that scenario! Don't give others power to rule your mind! At least own up your own mind!

"He simply placed ‘certain huge amount’ at her feet bowed and left as silently he had come and sat!

Many became restless. And " - sometimes, people who are not related to us in any way too can scatter our emotions. Not because of how they behave or don't - because of how we relate with them and their actions. 

Here, that particular student just comes and expresses his gratitude and leaves. But that act makes others restless. Why? Think about it! If you can fearlessly face this question and get answer to it, 100% of your life problems would be gone...and yet.....we are afraid of facing our own devils...

To live on!

 

To live on!

We bring nothing with us when we are born.

We take nothing with us when we die.

But, between these two facts of reality - life and death - we can do so much that we are alive in someone's heart as an inspiration.

We  can live so that we make a difference in the lives of all those whom we pass by!

We can be so that people want to walk our path after we are long gone!

We can achieve things great - not in terms of amassing things of the world - but creating things in this world so meaningful, useful, productive, inspiring, truthful, beneficial for ages to come and for the whole of mankind as a lot!

That everyone has equal opportunity and everyone can achieve. 

And that path and way when walked, we live on even after we are dead...

also read suggested : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=legacy 

Me, My Guru - On life and death – III!

 

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Me, My Guru - On life and death – III!

5.The difference in benefit received from student to student depended solely on their attitude and intent. Procedure being the same gave different results to each depending upon his level of consciousness. And we asked “ma’am, if such miracles happen to her, why can’t my simple wish be fulfilled?”

Our Guru just smiled and left. Though we understood a lot, I knew we didn’t understand it all! We needed to understand it better and for that we had to go within and we had to heal ourselves more!

For now, we decided to work on our fear and attitude of postponing everything. Other things can wait – for now!

Concluded.....

***  

# life and death, living life, make moments count, long life, meaningful life, full of life, life, death, problems and solutions, inevitable and how to face them, suffering is optional, 

Me, My Guru - On life and death – III!

 

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Me, My Guru - On life and death – III!

3.Don’t wait to share your affection, thoughts (right ones), time, gifts with the person you care about. You never know when you have to say ‘goodbye’ to people in your life. When we lose a person then we sit and regret and miss that person. Don’t be that fool any longer. Just live relationships for what and how they are meant to be like! Throw that list of complaints, to-do-list and fault-finding nature out of the window. Go, live life with that person. We miss out on ‘living a relationship’ (when I say relationship I don’t mean just the one that all want to or have with the ‘special one!?’ but every relationship that constitutes our world) by way of complaints and then pray “God, give me long life” Why? Whatever you are doing now, you are going to do till 100!?

What is the purpose of carrying this bitterness till ripe old age? We are waiting for that ‘special person’ to come. We are wishing for person ‘now’ in our life to vanish from our lives. We are assuming to live life happily in our imagination. There in our imagination we have all our conditions met. But, that day, sadly is never gonna come. So, in short we are never gonna be happy. Then why live life so long? 

4.People who sit to discuss, analyse and trying to understand hardly go from point A to B. But, the one – the one like that students’ sister – the moment they hear about someone being in some sadhan would follow suit. They don’t sit to gauge its uses, benefits or understand it’s working. That is ‘love’ (love for self) that drives you to pick up something even without reasoning about it. That is ‘trust’ that drives a person to reach great heights of growth through a simple procedure followed. The quality required for this is purity of intent, trust and surrenderence!

Contd....

# life and death, living life, make moments count, long life, meaningful life, full of life, life, death, problems and solutions, inevitable and how to face them, suffering is optional, 

also read suggested : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2009/03/real-growth-is-in-letting-go.html 

Points to understand post :

"the moment they hear about someone being in some sadhan would follow suit." - 1.Most common excuse for not coming to class or doing sadhan is "I don't have company" or "I am waiting for XYZ to get time so that we would come together"

Do everything in life together. But we are born alone and die alone. We also have to fight our inner demons alone! Don't wait for others to come with  you. ONLY in this area of life, be totally selfish. Ask others to come with you, encourage others to work with you and come with you. But if they don't, don't wait for them. It's your time and life you are wasting. Think about it! 

2.The sister of the monk did not postpone being in sadhan. She didn't say "But Buddha is dying. I will learn at my pace and at my sweet convenience." We all assume we have time. WE DON'T. Don't fret it away with lame excuses. Sadhan, sadhan nothing like sadhan! 

Grab every opportunity to fine tune yourself! Every step taken towards knowing your inner thoughts takes you towards your real self - the core of your being - the centre of abundance of every kind! 

When  you come to class, you not only heal yourself but with your 'healed self' you are better company to the one you are/have been waiting for. Isn't it? A person when he heals himself, makes atmosphere good and comfortable to all with whom he is interacting, living and being in relation with! Then is it not sensible to come alone rather than not come alone to class?

Do you stop sleeping, eating, travelling or enjoying life just because that 'someone' is not there with you? Then why that reason for sadhan and for coming to class?

Question time :

The points explained doesn't sum up all the points that can be understood through this post. There is lot more to it than that meets the eye!

All the students understanding doesn't sum up all that needs to be understood from the story that the Guru told. What is your take on that story?

How did this post make its mark?

What did you take from this post?