An Excuse to Forgive

For I am near, and will restore all things, not only completely,
but generously and in full measure.
_{Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ}

There is a common theme in the writings of the saints on God’s forgiveness and love for errant human beings. Like a loving parent, the divine presence is always there to welcome us with open arms, however much we may have been rolling in the mud. He is the one who, in the fullness of time, will draw the soul back to himself.

In reference to the clearing of our karmas, we often hear that the Master sometimes reduces the blow of a hammer to a pinprick. We may still go through our fate karmas but their negative effects are much reduced. This is because, by the grace of the Master, we learn to rise above them. But to grow in that awareness, we have to diligently practise the meditation taught to us at the time of initiation.

Your slowness in turning to prayer is the greatest obstacle to receiving My heavenly comfort.
_{Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ}

Meditation inculcates receptivity towards the blessings we receive. It increases our awareness of the support we get when going through our destiny. We develop a conviction that we are not alone, and our faith grows.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways, acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
_{Proverbs 3:5-6}

There is a Vedic school of thought known as the Vadagalai. This philosophy advocates that a devotee’s attitude should be like that of a baby monkey, which is carried about and protected by its mother and yet has to cling to her in order to be carried. In other words, according to this school, a spiritual aspirant must take some positive steps, like the baby monkey that exerts itself in order to cling to its mother. In fact, the Vadagalai School is nicknamed ‘the monkey school,’ as it lays stress on the collaboration of the devotee with God, just as the baby monkey clings to its mother.

Wait patiently for Me, and I Myself will come and heal you.
_{Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ}

We need to exercise patience in our relationship with the Lord. There is so much he has to help us work through in terms of our karmas and spiritual growth. Only the Lord knows what is best for us. Our limited understanding cannot comprehend his ways. This is where we need to rest our limited intellect upon the wisdom of God. By doing so, we will experience contentment and equanimity during our spiritual journey, even when our life is filled with trials and tribulations.

Do not imagine yourself utterly forsaken if for a while I have allowed some trial to harass you, or withdrawn the comfort that you desire; for this is the way to the Kingdom of Heaven. Be assured that it is better for you, and for all My servants, to struggle against difficulties than to have everything as you wish.
_{Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ}

Often, we lose patience with the process and focus on our apparent lack of progress or think that perhaps we are being tested. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Many a mystic has said, “let our faith never be tested, because if it were, we would never pass such a test”. Instead of testing us, the Lord finds excuses to forgive us. That is why the Great Master encouraged us to come to him even with our failures, and why Hazur Maharaj Ji would tell us to sit in meditation, considering it a duty even if we did not feel like it. This clinging to the instructions of the Master and our attempts to submit to his will are just excuses for him to forgive us.

There is grace – we can always depend upon that. You see, if the student is very obedient in class, and very disciplined, the master, the professor, is always anxious to pull him through with one excuse or another. So if we are not intelligent enough to secure that high standard, let us at least be disciplined and good and obedient so that we can invoke his grace to get through.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. II}

We can get insight into the Lord’s generosity from a story told in modern American folklore of a young man who left home shortly before the time of the Great Depression in the 1930s. Angry with his parents, tired of his family, and frustrated with rural life on the farm, he wanted excitement, adventure and experience. So, after quarrelling with his parents, he left home, seeking fame, fortune and a glamorous life in the big city. But when the Depression struck, employment was scarce, and instead of wealth and luxury, the young man found himself living in poverty on the streets.

Feeling nostalgic, he thought of his home and his family, remembering the comfort, love and security they had once provided. But in the years he had been away, he had never contacted his parents, and now he was too ashamed to seek their forgiveness and ask to be taken back into the family home.

As times got harder, he eventually found the courage to write to his parents. He told them he was sorry for having caused them so much pain and distress. He also confessed that he was afraid to face them and ask for forgiveness in case they would reject him. Nevertheless, he told them that he had collected enough money for the train ride home and would be arriving at their local station on a particular day. The railway track ran near their farm, and the young man asked them to tie a white handkerchief on the old apple tree that stood near the tracks if they forgave him. If he saw the handkerchief from the train, then he would know that he could alight at the station and be welcomed home. If there was no handkerchief, he would return to the city.

The young man set out on his journey. Seated in the compartment, he was lost in thought. Next to him sat an older gentleman who drew him into conversation. Little by little, the older man heard the whole story.

As they approached the tree, the young man became increasingly agitated. Finally, he said to his new friend, “I cannot look. You look and tell me what you see.” When the train approached the farm, the young man covered his eyes, while the older man looked out the window. “Well,” asked the young man, his voice shaking, “do you see a white handkerchief?”

“No,” said the old gentleman. But he was smiling. “There is not one white handkerchief. The whole tree is festooned with white handkerchiefs!”

Mystics remind us that the breeze of God’s grace is always blowing, but one needs to unfurl the sails of the boat in order to feel it. Our humble but sincere efforts at meditation and virtuous living are nothing but an excuse for the Master to forgive all that comes between us and the Lord.

The gardener is more anxious that the tree should yield fruit. Master is anxious to finish his responsibility, anxious that all the souls allotted to him should go back to the home of the Father. He doesn’t withhold his grace at all.
_{Maharaj Charan Singh, Spiritual Perspectives, Vol. II}