Pending Perfection

The teachings of the saints set a very high standard for their disciples. Satsangis are expected to uphold the highest moral values and bear the hallmark of excellence in conduct and behaviour at all times.

To achieve self-and God-realization, we recognize that we need help. The mystics often say that it is not healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick. So, when an individual stands before the Master in humble supplication for the gift of Nam, he is seeking guidance and grace to fulfil his deepest desire to become the best version of himself and realize the purpose of human life.

Living the Sant Mat way of life is the medicine we take in order to accomplish this. We try to strengthen ourselves, curb our negative tendencies, and exercise our sense of discrimination to become good human beings.

The problem arises when we expect perfection – from others and ourselves. The Masters explain that expectations are the root of our unhappiness. Our disappointment and sadness most often appear when others do not respond to us the way we imagine they should. Sometimes we expect a business transaction to be smooth sailing just because we are dealing with a satsangi. If he turns out to be flawed, we become disillusioned and think: “But how can that be, he is a satsangi!?”

The Masters often remind us that if we were perfect, we would be with the Perfect One. But instead, here we all are – struggling students in the university of life, where every event and circumstance is meant to teach us something, so we can learn, evolve and grow.

After all, it is only when we make mistakes that we have the opportunity to learn what it means to forgive. And when we have to work with difficult people, we acquire patience. When we come across selfishness, it is our chance to show understanding and kindness. And when people criticize us, we get to practise how to respond calmly instead of reacting.

The point is that as human beings, we are all a ‘work in progress’. The Masters have told us again and again that there is no difference between a satsangi and a non-satsangi. Until we have united with the Divine within, we are all seekers. We are all at varying stages of our evolution – pending perfection.

Under the fatherhood of God, each one of us is trying in our own way to be deserving of his love and grace. The only difference is that initiates look up to a true living Master for guidance and inspiration.

No one is perfect. But Sant Mat is a path of compassion and forgiveness. And that is the point. This is what we have to learn. Because the minute we have learned to forgive and be compassionate towards others, then we will have earned His compassion and His forgiveness.

And if we have that … the only thing pending is eternal bliss.

God is busy with the completion of your work, both outwardly and inwardly. He is fully occupied with you. Every human being is a work in progress that is slowly but inexorably moving toward perfection. We are each an unfinished work of art both waiting and striving to be completed. God deals with each of us separately because humanity is a fine art of skilled penmanship where every single dot is equally important for the entire picture.
_{Elif Shafak, 40 Rules of Love}