WHY DO GOOD PEOPLE SUFFER? – 5
Question: Can karmas be wiped off by japa?
Answer: It is believed that the effects of karma can be mitigated through nama japa. In any case, the suffering can be reduced, because nama japa acts as a sort of chloroform. It is like going through an operation. The surgeon puts you under anesthesia and you come out of the operation without feeling the acute pain. Else the pain is so excruciating, that a person could die of it. This is what Nama Japa does to you.
Question: Can saints take over the karma of their disciples?
Answer: They can. However, normally, they do not wish to interfere with the law of karma. For they know that the law of karma is not punitive but reformative. The law of karma does not wish to punish us for what we may have done in the past. The law of karma wishes to reform us and so sends us experiences which may help on our spiritual advancement. It is true there have been cases when men of God have taken the karmas of their devotees upon themselves. It is like having birds released from their cages. A man may purchase the birds and set them free. Likewise, a man who is rich in the wealth of the Spirit may, if he so desires, pay for our karma and released us from the cage of maya.
Question: Tell us how to face suffering?
Answer: If our attention is on suffering they get magnified beyond all proportions. In the midst of suffering let us count our blessings. Usually, we suffer only in one area of our life. There are so many other things for which we should be grateful. Take a piece of paper and make a list of all the blessings you still have. There was a man who started from scratch and build up a flourishing business and one day become bankrupt. The first thing he did was to take up a piece of paper and write down all the things he still possessed. He found, he still had a great deal to be thankful for. With gratitude in his heart, he started anew and built up a still larger business. If we count on our blessings, our suffering recedes in the background.
In all conditions of life, let us thank the Lord. Let us make it a habit, - to praise the Lord at every step, in every round of life. Even in the midst of fear and frustration, worry and anxiety, depression and disappointment, let these words come out of the very depths of our hearts: “Thank you, God! Thank you, God!” and we will be filled with a peace that will amaze us. When we thank the Lord all the time, we build for ourselves a ladder of consciousness on which we can climb and touch the very pinnacle of peace.
Let me tell you the story of a woman. Her husband fell seriously ill. The doctors dispaired of his condition and said he would not be able to last longer than six months. The woman had deep faith in God and started thanking the Lord a thousand times everyday. “Thank you, God! Thank you, God!” she prayed again and again. “Thank you, God, for having healed my husband and made him whole.” She continued to offer his prayer even though there was no sign of healing in sight. Strange enough, a few months later, when the husband went for a check up, the doctors were amazed at his miraculous recovery. “A power above and beyond ours has been at work!” they exclaimed.
Whatever be the condition in which you find yourself, whatever be the suffering through which you pass, keep on thinking the Lord all the time. When you do so, your heart expands and you become receptive to the helpful and healing forces of God.
In every situation, do the very best you can and leave the result to the Lord. When Henry Ford was seventy-five years old, he was asked the secret of his success. He answered: “My life is built in these three rules. I do not eat too much, I do not worry too much and, if I do my best, I believe that what happens happens for the best.”
-concluded.
(Author: Sri J P Vaswani)
