Friday, May 14, 2010

I Desire not to Desire. {51.}

****
Radhasoami!

I recall the fairy tales
I read in my childhood,
where the child
had a mysterious magic bowl
that fulfilled all her desires.

Everyone always wants more,
and more and more
of this, of that, of everything.

More money, sumptuous meals, designer brands,
attractive spouse, obedient children,
sleeker car, spacious mansions,
and that vague “respect in society”.

Religion has merely thrown in
several newer desires
like more Prashad {sanctified eatables}
and God’s Grace.

The essence of Sant Math
is understood by few Satsangis,
and practiced by perhaps none.

As the Paath {or hymn} lines clearly state:
Duniya ko chahe tu aur Deedaar ko.
Yeh hai mushkil ansamajh hai yaar tu
.”

That is,
“You seek the world and beholding the Lord's Countenance
That is difficult, you are naive, my friend.”

However, we may derive hope
from Maalik’s Bachan of enjoying
both Sansari and Parmarthi laddus
{both worldly and spiritual fruits}.

Desires are virtually endless
and are at the root of
the cycle of
transmigration of soul and rebirth,
which has trapped all jeevas {living beings}.

A desire is a desire,
be it for carnal sex
or for abode in Satloka.

For true salvation to occur,
desires are to be transcended.

Repression is not the answer,
the root must be killed.

Renunciation is the only way
to free oneself forever from
the possibility of desires altogether.

It is not enough to
know or understand sublime truths.
Their practice is necessary,
otherwise a crucial lifetime
will have been wasted.

But, as the proverb goes:
There’s many a slip
betwixt the cup and the lip.

Radhasoami!
****

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