Kuch Kar Ke Dikhao, Kuch Ban Ke Dikhao

Do Something, Become Something

This is a phrase that we may have heard in satsang, one that has deep meaning attached to it. What is that ‘something’ that saints tell us we need to do? They say that we need to fulfill the purpose of this human birth. We have been blessed with a human body and have the power to discriminate. We are the only species who can achieve this. The rest of creation is limited to acting only within the parameters of its nature. This ability to discriminate allows us to make better choices through increased awareness and mental poise.

The saints explain that we have to increase our awareness. We have to purify ourselves and let the true self, the soul, shine in us once again.  Meditation is the way to refine and purify ourselves and consequently increase our awareness.

The saints tell us that we have unlimited, under-utilized potential waiting to be harnessed. However, we are so engrossed in this highly material and sensual world that we seldom think about what we are doing.

To achieve a better state of mind so that we can make the right choices, respond instead of react, and be loving and kind human beings, we have to prioritize our spiritual goal. We need to take our commitment seriously and persevere.  If that implies sacrificing some time from the rest of our schedule, then that’s what we should do. We have to practise like athletes who wish to compete in the Olympics and bring home those shiny gold medals. Or like the young pianist who devotes hours of practice to be able to play beautiful harmonies perfectly in front of huge audiences. 

We have to be deliberate about how we spend our time. We should devote a minimum two and a half hours for meditation first, then fulfill our worldly commitments as best as we can. Meditation will equip us to fulfill all those responsibilities well. The stilled mind will be able to cope with these challenging responsibilities and obligations.  We cannot just wait for the ‘perfect life’ to happen to us or for perfect circumstances before we sit down to meditate.

Our second task is to become something. We have to become a worthy child of our divine Father – the Creator himself, whose love for us is boundless. We do this by turning to a true living teacher, a human beacon of spiritual Light.

The Masters teach in so many ways: by giving enlightening discourses, by being a good example, and most important, by initiating seekers on the spiritual path. The Master-disciple relationship commences with initiation and evolves and matures with the practice of meditation. Meditation is the alphabet of spirituality. However, it is said that what is being taught by the spiritual guide cannot be expressed in words and cannot be explained with concepts: it is a reality that must be experienced, and this experience comes through practice. The Master points his disciples towards a reality that is within the disciple himself. He helps the disciple re-discover that reality, but the Master cannot do the work for him.

The relationship between a spiritual mentor and his disciple is one of love. As the great poet Goethe said, “We learn only from those we love.”

In The Spiritual Guide the author explains the wondrous teacher-disciple relationship that exists in eight different spiritual traditions and cultures. Despite the diversity, there is commonality in the relationship that leads to the understanding of God.

The teacher whom you have met by the power of your past actions, and whose kindness you have received, is the most important of all…. Obey him in all things and disregard all hardships, heat, cold, hunger, thirst and so on. Pray to him with faith and devotion. Ask his advice on whatever you may be doing. Whatever he tells you, put it into practice, relying on him totally.

Look upon your teacher, the spiritual friend who teaches you here and now what to do and what not to do, as the true Jewel of the Buddha…. Consider every word of your sublime teacher as the Jewel of the Dharma. Accept everything he says without disobeying a single point….. The teacher is the main refuge…. Recognize him, therefore, as the quintessential union of the Three Jewels. Follow him with absolute trust and try to pray to him all the time. Remember that to displease him with anything you do, say or think is to renounce the entire refuge, so make every effort to please him all the time. No matter what happens to you, be it pleasant or unpleasant, good or bad, sickness or suffering, entrust yourself entirely to the Jewel of the teacher.
_{Patrul Rinpoche, as quoted in The Spiritual Guide, Vol. 2}

A living teacher, mentor, guide, friend, father – he is bestowed with many titles. If we can do as he tells us and follow the vows implicitly, then there is every possibility that we will walk shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand with him to our desired destination and thereby become one with the Creator.