Rules Of The Road…
Wednesday, March 7th, 2012
When man is the maker of his destiny the road rules that he should adhere to while journeying through is to accept Him as the Charioteer. Once you begin your journey, we can then drive slowly with caution leaving the wheel unto Him that ensures to take us safe to the destination.
Why is it that Baba is always stressing the necessity of our starting early, driving slowly, in order that we might reach our intended goal safely? Like so many of our Lord’s teachings, it is on the surface deceptively simple. While I find its words occurring to me from time to time, I tend to translate it somewhat simplistically, relating it mostly to short term events. Although this undoubtedly has its place, on further investigation one is able to find many layers of spiritual meaning emanating from this rather brief recommendation.
For purposes of greater clarity, let us break down this teaching into its three separate parts. Part one says ‘Start early’, but when you think of it, our earliest conscious efforts on the road toward a higher life result directly from grace. For as Baba says, ‘You can only come to Me if you are called.’ In a very obvious and real sense we cannot make any significant movement toward the Divine without God’s grace. So in essence, the start, whether it be early or later, is entirely out of our hands.
Let’s go on to part three—’Reach Safely’, which is indeed a great idea. I doubt that anyone would quarrel with that. And while we all do want to reach the goal safely, this too is out of our hands. Baba tells us, ‘Above all, do every act as an offering to the Lord, without being elated by success or dejected by feat; this gives the poise and equanimity needed for traversing the highways of life.’ So, while we all wish to reach, we are given a strong warning not to be attached to it, which is to say that we must immerse ourselves in a special kind of Karma called Nishkama-karma. This, according to Baba, is the highest form of Karma, where one remains detached from the fruits of one’s actions.
Finally, that brings us to part two, the phrase commanding us to drive slowly. For is this not the only part of the trip over which we have any control (if indeed we do), the actual journey itself? That does bring up an interesting point. Do we even have any control over the journey itself? Yes, I believe we do. If we examine that journey (our lives) in microcosm, we can see that it is nothing more than the sum total of its parts, namely all of our acts, all of our words and all of our thoughts.
Before departing on any journey, whether it be to a particular place or the Lotus Feet of the Lord, we need to satisfy the rudimentary requirements for a successful trip. It is not always sufficient merely to start early. It is essential, whether the path be physical or spiritual, to know where we are going and to keep that objective uppermost in our minds. Baba says, ‘You must have that yearning, the yearning of the stone to become a diamond. You must hold the hand of the Mother and walk safe by her side. Be like the infant monkey that clings to the mother and so is guarded and guided by her superior strength and wisdom.’
In the context of driving slowly on the way to God, that yearning translates into stamina and the slowness of speed into a workable pace. So it is that spiritual stamina, dogged persistence, and the ability to pace one’s self are essential criteria. It is almost as if Baba has posted a speed limit in the spiritual high way in order to safeguard us. Fortunately, on the freeway to Baba’s feet there is never a fuel shortage since the Lord has erected ever full filling stations in each of our hearts.
However, one obstacle against which there can be no guarantee is the roadway upon which we travel, ever rocky, ever under construction. Baba says, ‘true Bhakti alone will overcome all obstacles and like a swollen river leap over bunds and banks and overwhelm all by its strength. Difficulties are created to increase the yearning and to sift the sincere devotee from the rest.’
There is yet another aspect of critical importance regarding the speed at which we act. Were we all perfect Yogis at every moment, ever in union with God, we could move at great speeds and never do harm. But since, for most of us, this is hardly the case, it behooves us to proceed with great care no matter what the task. Baba so often cautions the crowds at festival times to have respect and love for every person present and most importantly not to injure another in a frantic attempt to approach Him, for in so doing, He warns, we injure that self-same Sai.
How many times I can recall being thoroughly engrossed in performing acts, which on the surface were offerings of service, but the manner in which I carried them out was contrary to the intention of the deed e.g., driving hurriedly to the home of a sick person, but forgetting to acknowledge the ever present Sai, perhaps actually being downright unsafe.
Life is made up of just a limited number of chances to do huge beneficial acts, but rather an infinite number of opportunities to remain focused on the goal. So, to remain ever conscious of the infinite Lord and to express that attitude unswervingly is of course most desirable.
One time Baba asked a western woman, ‘Are these things which Swami does miracles?’ She answered without pausing, ‘Yes, Baba, of course they are!’ to which Baba instantly replied, “The real miracle is that I am always happy, never hurried, never worried, never borne down by thoughts of anger, greed, fear or lust.”
If the rules of the road become too difficult there is a shortcut with which Baba has provided us that in and of itself will enable every one of us to reach the goal safely. For the ultimate decision we can make is to allow Swami to be our Sanathana Sarathi, our eternal charioteer, because as Baba has often been heard to assure devotees, “I am your driver for life!”
II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
Posted in Sadhana - The Inward Path |
