Spiritual Intelligence
“You are such
That anybody
Would feel jealous
Of you ….”
She remarked,
Philosophically,
With a pensive,
Penetrating gaze ….
She was a Sadhvi,
Who wanted to
Learn Music from me,
But was finding it
Too difficult to
Stop analyzing me ….
I couldn’t doubt
Her appreciation of
My singing,
But, her inclination
To learning
Was absolutely lacking.
I have taught
And trained
Hundreds in Music,
This Sadhviji being
The most inattentive
Of all.
My silent surprise
Brooded over
Her ignorance
Or her carelessness –
Whatever be the case –
Towards
Her sympathies
With those
Feeling jealous of me,
Overshadowing
Her appreciation
Towards me ….
Behind her aspiration
To learn Music
Was some other
More intense motive,
More important concern,
That just could not
Help peeping
And prowling ….
I left,
Wondering and pondering ....
"Oh Krishna !!
What priorities
Do these
Undisclosable desperations
Of saint robed,
Seeker guised,
All knowing minds
Dictate, that
Validate such means
For desired ends,
That are
More important and
More Imperative
Than Truth and Trust ??!!"
- Vanita Thakkar (09th November, 2019)
Reflections ....
Minds driven by mundane, materialistic compulsions suffer from deviations that are most unfortunate and sad to encounter.
The incident narrated here shows that even those who have dedicated their lives to eternal quest can loose track of the very fundamentals ....
It reminds of the dialogue from a very acclaimed Hindi movie titled Baavarchi - "It is so simple to be happy, but it is so difficult to be simple !!"
This incident, which took place in 2005, is also indicative of the fact that the abnormalities related to administrative malpractices prevalent in organizations are widespread. We may not come across exceptions even in religious and social work organizations. This is also true for domains of relationships and interactions in the society.
The role of the leader or the person whose priorities dictate a given situation as well as the individual strengths of those who support him and rely on him - both are extremely important in creating an overall atmosphere of progress, justice, love, harmony, peace and well-being.
Individuals have to be aware of their roles in the collective strength of groups, whether as a part of an organization or as a unit of human society. Truth is the path as well as the destination.
“When the lamp of truth is lit, darkness vanishes by itself. Stand up men and women, dare to believe in the truth, dare to practice the truth!”
One more array of observations and incidents / experiences, where difficulties in discerning social and religious aspects of spirituality came forth, is narrated in another poem, written in October, 2021.
We come across many a narrations / experiences or news regarding difficulties / discrepancies in religious and social work organizations. Labels may be different.
As commoners, we have to be careful. Everything is not wrong everywhere. Right decisions regarding priorities are necessary.
May the Grace of Almighty bestow faith in goodness and love among all !! May Peace, Harmony and Well-being prevail everywhere !!
The Monk Who Lost His Way ....
A renounced man,
A revered man ….
Overall,
Affectionate and caring ….
Yet, so illogical,
So unreasonable,
In expressions
And expectations !! ….
Messing up on –
Excellence and Expertise,
Dedication and Devotion,
Professionalism and Volunteering,
Womanhood and Versatility,
Sponsorships and Grants ....
Complaining ….
Provoking complains ….
Unanswered concerns,
Unreplied queries
About what
Is troubling ….
What is it ??!!
The same old
Morbid mis-firings
Of ideals ??!!
Another (inadvertent ??!!)
Representative of
Blame gaming guilt-mongers
Weaving snares of
Identities and loyalties,
Inclusivities and exclusivities ??!!
Why ??!! ….
Perhaps,
A wrong turn of
Convictions ….
Misdirected administrations ….
From giving to extracting ….
Misled him
And he lost his way ….
So said Bharthrihari,
The essence of Sevaa,
Which means service,
Is deep and inscrutable,
The path, elusive ….
Very rare and blessed
Are those, who can
Discern it
And live up to it …. !!
Almighty !!
May the surge of Faith within
And the light of Hope in it
Be strong enough
To dispel the heavy gloom
Of piercing sore possibilities
Such facts bring along !!
May the bounty of
Your unfailing Grace
Steer the course of happenings
To the enlightened path
Of Realization and Integration !!
- Vanita Thakkar (October, 2021)
“The world contains a mixture of truth and untruth. Discard the untruth and take the truth. Even those engaged in worldly activities, such as office work or business, should hold on to the truth. Truthfulness alone is the spiritual discipline in the Kaliyuga. Dwell in the truth and you will certainly realize God.”
