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The Gift of Suffering: An Invitation to Awakening

2/18/2015

14 Comments

 
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Khuda Tujhe Kisi Toofan Se Aashna Kar Dey
Key Tere Beher Kee Maujon Mein Iztiraab Naheen

May God Bring a Storm in Your Life
(As) There is No Agitation in the Waves of Your Life’s Ocean


- Allama Iqbal 

***
I came across this couplet in 1989. The message resonated with me so much that I had it inscribed on a plaque; it’s been a fixture in my offices since. Back then, the maker of the plaque was amused at my request, wondering what kind of man would wish a tempest into his own life. I always tried to interpret storms in my life as opportunities for self-growth: 2014 really challenged this perspective.

Last year, my storm was flanked by what felt like multiple gail-force winds: being diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, then having doctors tell me how long I had to live, then reading that lung cancer takes more lives yearly than colon, breast and prostate cancer combined. As I contemplated more and more on the wisdom behind the couplet, I realized I needed to view this storm as an invitation to self-awakening - a wake- up call imploring me to take on a journey closer to my heart’s desires.

The great philosopher Gurdjieff once said that in order for one to come out of prison, first and foremost, one has to realize that he is in prison. The prison he was referring to is the web created by strands of negative and depressing thoughts and the fear of the unknown, thus creating pain and suffering.

As a result of entrapment in such a web, hopelessness takes over, thus feeding the illusion that the web is impenetrable. In India, the web of attachment to negative emotions is called entrapment by "mayajaal" (net of illusions) preventing a person finding his/her true self. The word illusion points to the fact that the web is created by mental formations. These formations can be made to disappear by looking deeply into the nature of them. Therefore, one is directed to view life’s experiences with wisdom, but without attachment to goals. This is the first step in the journey towards awakening.

A story I heard a long time ago has been an inspiration for me to keep this aforementioned perspective in my life. I’m not sure how the original exactly goes…. like any truly great story, I feel as if it’s now my own:

An old man often used to ride his mule by sitting backwards. People used to chuckle at him and ask him to explain his unorthodox methods. He would say, “By riding backwards I am meditating on experiences on the journey without attachment to success, failure, or any emotional turmoil.”

One day, a crowd of onlookers asked him, “Aren’t you destined to fall off?” He responded, “Since destiny depends on many factors that I can’t control, I focus on the experience…. that’s what counts.”

An old friend asked him, “Isn’t your ride meaningless if you can’t focus on the destination?” The old man responded, "Most people end up reaching a destination that is way different than their wishes. In my journey, I will experience good, but also experience illness, rejection, loss of material wealth, and even the death of loved ones. These incidences are always lurking in the shadows, sometimes beside me and sometimes just a step behind.”

His friend exclaimed, “That’s terrible!!!” Riding away, the old man said, “Maybe… or maybe the heartbreaks during my journey will create openings for entry of compassion in my heart. Just as I chose how to ride, the meaning I take from experiences is totally in my control.”

In Zen Buddhism, it is said that enlightenment is impermanent. There is no guarantee that raw feelings of fear and vulnerability will stay out of your mind. It is only by constant practice of self-compassion and feeling the presence of your true nature that these feelings will diminish. The higher being has provided the path to every sentient being that leads to an awakened life. 

Sometimes the mountain is hidden from me in the veils of the clouds,
sometimes I am hidden from the mountain in the veils of inattention, apathy, fatigue,
when I refuse to go
down to the shore or a few yards, up the road on a clear day,
to reconfirm
that witnessing presence 


-Denise Levertov

The awakened self then becomes like a brook meandering through a valley of experiences, absorbing tributaries of new experiences without attachment, joyfully moving towards merging with a higher self. 

14 Comments
Sonia Kamboh
2/18/2015 11:57:45 pm

Uncle, your words are very powerful, and hit a very personal note with me. I am most moved by the Buddhist idea that even enlightenment is impermanent. I know that one's own mind has the potential to be one's worst enemy. However, controlling one's thoughts and actually practicing self love is very difficult. We would all really benefit from your wisdom if you were to talk in greater depth about that. Looking forward to reading more of your posts.

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Manav Srivastava
2/21/2015 03:29:04 am

Thanks to Nitya to have shared this. I'm enlightened to read this. This is a life perspective very close to my views!
<Respect>
Hope you are doing good?

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vibha
2/21/2015 07:51:42 pm

inspiring. touching. thank you. may the light of your spirit burn bright...
namaste

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Lee
2/25/2015 04:31:30 pm

I found this quote and thought it was fitting:

"We are not meant to stay wounded. We are supposed to move through our tragedies and challenges and to help each other move through the many painful episodes of our lives. By remaining stuck in the power of our wounds, we block our own transformation. We overlook the greater gifts inherent in our wounds — the strength to overcome them and the lessons that we are meant to receive through them. Wounds are the means through which we enter the hearts of other people. They are meant to teach us to become compassionate and wise."

  Caroline Myss

Sending you Love & Light.

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Lee
3/8/2015 08:26:43 am

Dear Lee
Thanks for sharing such as wonderful quote. I was in the hospital for the last 8 days and came back only yesterday. I am hoping to post my next blog in the next couple of days.
I look forward to receiving suggestions and ideas from you and the the larger spiritual community of your friends
Take care

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Tony G link
2/26/2015 11:49:10 pm

It is much easier to sit in a classroom, or while in discussion with friends talk in philosophical terms talk about life and the challenges which require wisdom, integrity and courage to actually carry out the self fulfillment brought about by enlightenment. It is the true mark of the higher self when one complies with these ideals while living those challenges. Paul, it was an honor to meet you the other day and a true pleasure to share a few moments of talk with you.

As I understand your quote: "May God bring a Storm in Your Life..." it must be spoken by a person of greater than average wisdom. A man (or woman) who is cruising along "comfortably blind" to our grander spiritual nature, such a statement is foolishness. Why would they want to rock the boat of a decent home, a tolerable job, a superficially close family, and a inner voice shouting out quietly but sublimely that you need to go through challenges to grow; they wouldn't ! Here are a few things that come to mind as I read through your thoughts.

"Eben Alexander: A Neurosurgeon's Journey through the Afterlife" as expressed on Youtube and in his book, Proof of Heaven, speaks of our higher purpose and meaning to suffering in this life. He states, "The hardships and difficulties... (which)...include illness and injury...they are gifts, they are opportunities for growth of our souls." His near death experience (NDE) is actually quite interesting. A sage of modern times, Joseph Campbell offers other thoughts on our "mental formations" which illuminate life and offers us a chance to put this existence in perspective. "Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging." And, "Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We can not cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy."

Please forgive any appearance of my offering advice, because I see you as the leader in this area, my friend. I only hope that through my experiences and contacts in life I can accomplish my truest nature of shining bright my light of our God source. Namaste.

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Sheena Khurana
3/1/2015 06:17:02 am

Very well written Pal chacha. The value of suffering and the focus on the journey are such deep concepts. You are indeed blessed with inner strength and wisdom that helps you to look even at adversity in a positive light. Clearly, human life is a testing ground for the soul. I found the following lines on sikhismguide.org that elaborate on this concept:
"The entire span of human life, whether long or short, is a testing ground for the spirit. Having been endowed with a soul, which is essentially a spark of the Divine, man is initially innocent and free from impurities. Such innocence, however, has no virtue, since the human being has not yet had the opportunity of trying its higher attributes. Experience, knowledge and wisdom are only gained by hard work and a dedicated life. As steel, tempered in the fire, comes out tough and unbreakable, so the soul, after being tempered in the fire of a good life, comes out the readier for its final task. In the various ups and downs of life, when the human being goes through the trials of toughness, resilience, courage and temptations; strength and weakness, ignorance and knowledge, happiness and sorrow, harmony and discord, the soul finally exerts is divinity and leads man on the path of goodness to his eternal goal."

Love you a lot.
May Waheguru always keep you in Chardi Kala!!

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Janet Kimball
3/10/2015 02:14:05 am


Dear Paul,

You and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that you are navigating your storm in the best possible way.

My comments were delayed because for the past few weeks, I have been weathering my own storm. As I look back on the experience,
I realize that it would have been much more difficult to endure had I not been keeping up with your blog. This brings to mind a quote...
"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship." Louisa May Alcott

Thank you Paul, for sharing your wisdom and enriching us all.

Peace,
Janet Kimball

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Janet
3/22/2015 04:42:29 am

Dear Janet
I myself was in the hospital for a procedure where the doctor's had to drain fluid which had accumulated around my heart. I hope you are doing well.
I have posted another blog yesterday. The title is I Am En Route. Look forward to your feedback.
Thanks

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janet kimball
3/22/2015 04:56:15 am

Dear Paul,
I hope that your procedure was successful and that you are more comfortable as a result of it. You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
I look forward to reading your latest post.

Harmeet Kohli
3/24/2015 08:17:59 pm

Dear Paul
Very inspiring thoughts.
It is very easy to read but immensely hard to follow.

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Om Prakash Gilmore link
5/4/2015 04:45:41 pm

Greetings Paul,

Thank you for your words of wisdom. I had prostate cancer at one time. I was working in a place that was not nurturing to the soul, struggling to survive in a cut throat environment. I remember the shock of the diagnoses; I had it at such a young age where only 2% of the population had it. I realized that my body was telling me something. It was as if all of the poison I had been fighting off on the outside had somehow invaded me on the inside. A part of me died.

At the same time I realized that I was alive. I was who I had always been. My eternal soul was at peace. There was some fear, some sadness, some anger, but I was forced into a state of singularity. Something was very strange about the singularity and the peacefulness of it. I still remember that and hold onto it. In times of trouble and despair when I stop the eternal dialogue I return to that place of peace, silence, and joy.

The world is suffering. I suffer sometimes as I respond to the suffering in the world all around me. I know, however, that somehow out of the pain, suffering, and death a new world is being born one person at a time or one being at a time. In the ego there is pain and suffering, outside of the ego the thin line between pain and suffering, life and death, all the opposites break like the shell of an egg giving birth to the divine self that dwells at the core of each person and in the essence of reality.

I think, sometimes, that it is out of this suffering that life arises through realizing who and what we really are. Taking a hold of the original nature as one with the power that creates and emanates from all things is beautiful, but when one is awake one sees all clearly and plainly. The most frightening thing that I have experienced, every so often, is when the pain and the pleasure become two sides of the same coin and I realize that they are only one thing, the experience of life in an evolving universe buried in the heart of the Divine. Thank you for your posts and your inspirational messages. I am very grateful that you are willing to share your experiences and your wisdom.

Namaste

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Om Prakash
5/6/2015 03:42:46 pm

Dear Om
Thanks for sharing your insight and your life's story. It is definitely very inspiring. Suffering as you saw in your case opens anew door for entering into world of awakening which we we never know whether we exists or not. Looking forward to receiving more insights from your writings. Thanks Again

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Vicky Bhalla Singh
9/16/2015 11:16:16 pm

Uncle - I believe that through adversity we're given perspective and through perspective comes understanding. Understanding that things happen that are beyond our control and understanding. Thank you for sharing and inspiring others through your strength and courage. May babaji continue to give you this strength and courage.

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    I will be using this blog to share my thoughts on human nature, philosophy, and religion. 

    I hope you share your thoughts as well.

    Thanks,
    Paul
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