Our Duty

Excerpts from ‘Quest for Light’

There are always ups and downs in life. Things never remain the same, and we should try to face these moments of trial with patience and courage, keeping full faith in him. Our destiny is already marked out according to our past actions and we have to undergo this in any case. It is our duty to make an effort to overcome our difficulties and solve our problems. We should make use of the understanding and wisdom that the Lord has given us to function in this world also. To make an effort is our duty, but the results are not in our hands. Sometimes we have to learn to live with our handicaps when efforts fail. This is the time of test for us and we should not lose our mental equilibrium, but say and sincerely believe that this is the will of the Lord and we accept it in all humility. Who knows? Things could have been worse. So our feeling of gratitude to him must never be lost. He alone knows what is best for us and it is for us to live within his will.

Give Sant Mat a trial and give all the time you can to meditation, without expecting any visible signs of progress. That is not in our hands, but in the hands of a higher power. Our duty is to remain at the door of the Lord, like a beggar, and pray for his mercy and grace.

We should not feel disappointed and dejected in the least. All are struggling souls on the path and when we are given initiation it means the Lord now wants us to come back to him. If that is his wish, who can stop us from achieving our goal? But we must become fit for presentation before the Lord. He does not touch or accept anything that is soiled. We have to cleanse ourselves and shine like crystal before we can stand before him. It is only a question of time. The battle with the mind has to be won. Many blows will be given and many received, but with the Master and the Lord on our side victory is assured. Do your duty every day without worrying about anything. All grace, blessing, purity, love and devotion will come from bhajan and simran.

Do not worry but go on doing your duty in the world and as far as meditation is concerned it is not for us to judge what progress we are making. This only he knows. With our limited intellect being unable to see ourself as we are, we cannot have any idea of what the Lord is doing for us all the time and in how and in what way he is making us fit to enter his palace. Our duty is to do our meditation every day with love and faith. The rest he will do himself.

There is no occasion to feel any disappointment upon the path of the saints. We are all struggling souls and each one carries his own burden of karmas. The very fact that the Lord has brought you upon the path and has shown you the way inside is proof enough that he is now ready to receive you back to himself. The time factor is the only thing that is left. When on one side you think of your sins also think upon the other side, of the infinite grace and mercy of the Lord. That is always there. Do your duty every day with love and devotion, attend to your bhajan and simran and keep your thoughts in him. Leave all the rest to him. He will not fail in his duty.