EFFORT AND GRACE
The term effort and grace here refers to the
devotion to meditation and meditative way of life. If someone is asked to
choose between the results of one’s effort and the Divine grace, then the probable
majority view would be for Divine Grace!! One knows and feels that one’s
efforts will be limited and constrained while the Divine Grace is limitless. To put this thought into our speaking
language—आदमी
अपनी औकात से मांग सकता है और भक्ति कर सकता है// पर खुदा अपनी औकात से देता है और
खुदा की औकात किसी दायरे या हदूद की महुताज नहीं है//
But there be could be
another aspect that-- most of us shirk from hard work, and therefore feel that
Grace is the easy way out. But the proponents of efforts are also exposed to
the danger of building up of explosive ego that could vainly claim to have won
the Divinity. Such an assertion would be flimsy, fallaciously false with the
foul smell of heightened hoame.
PROS AND CONS OF
EFFORT AND GRACE
Having said that—let it
not be misconstrued that the role or domain of effort is to be negated. Infact
effort and grace are the two sides of the same coin. With grace comes the effort
and with effort the more grace flows. Thus there is a cycle of
grace-effort-grace.
There are a section of
people in this world who consider this mind-body complex of human beings as the
beginning and the end of the Self. Inventors and scientist with their strenuous
efforts have contributed to the knowledge and understanding of the world,
including working mechanism of human bodies and other creatures. They believe
that focused efforts have to yield results.
Rational theory of human
mind is that input must yield equivalent output after deduction of some
permissible losses of energy in the process of conversion. But there is little
understanding of the working of human consciousness which is invisible, even
with the best of instrumentations. What makes us think? How thoughts and
judgements are made within unseen software of the mental network?
Coming back to the
science, if grass is green due to chlorophyll, then the “next question”-- why
there is chlorophyll-- is unanswered. While science is able to decipher many
seen and unseen things, it is still exploring the deeper recesses of mystic
Reality embedded in the human consciousness –also called the Soul. Efforts and
research in scientific pursuits raise more questions than answered.
The origin of the five basic elements is a
prime mystery. Many rationalists erroneously presume that all elements of
Nature- fire, water, earth, air, ether and all planets, including earth, sky
and other creatures are at their command. They assume their existence for
granted. Thus they can achieve what they wish. Even if they cannot attain what
they want and wish---“now”—perhaps it will be possible in future to have the
mastery over the universe.
But it is also true that in 14 billion
years—since this universe is said to have come into existence by scientific
assumptions—and despite the evolutionary thrust of mankind, only a fraction of
it has been discovered with many ifs and buts. Mystics tell us that there are other numerous universes of whom we are
not even aware of.
असंख नाव असंख थाव//अगम अगम असंख लो (P4 SGGS) (countless names and places, inaccessible, unapproachable countless
celestial realms ). Thus man has limitations in knowing the
totality of transient creation and gnostic knowledge, even with sincere efforts.
Can
human beings create any new element other than five is the open question posed
in Gurbani. पंच ततु करि तुधु स्रिसटि सभ साजी कोई छेवा करिउ जे किछु कीता होवै 736 ॥ This
universe is fashioned and functioning through five elements. Can anyone invent
the sixth element??
As human beings, though we are
endowed with highest degree of intelligence or Vivek, we still don’t know from
where we come and go. Parents are the means
only—but neither the beginning nor the end. We have been in this cosmic creation
for eons. Ignorant we remain of future—even of tomorrow
or next moment. Think of the level of awareness we carry within ourselves. Many
of our decisions in attaining our self- proclaimed goals of life either go
wrong or are messed up.
Life goes through periods of pleasure and pain
depending upon what we deem right or wrong. When we earn money with hard work,
we are first happy then unhappy and when we don’t have it we are again
unhappy. We seek comfort in our
children—but the fear of their life and careers breeds pain. The life is
riddled with shadows of opposites. Under such a situation of gross ignorance
–whether one can be successful by self-made efforts is a gross naivety. Our existence
on this planet is without any effort. We exist because of some sort of Divine
design or Grace. Then how can we experience Divinity by efforts alone—unless
that effort is supported by the very Grace responsible for our existence?
Bhagwat Gita is very candid in
the matter of effort and results. This Holy Scripture says that one must act
sincerely and righteously without expectations for the results of efforts or
such actions. "कर्मणये वाधिकारस्ते
मां फलेषु कदाचन । मां कर्मफलहेतुर्भू: मांते संङगोस्त्वकर्मणि" ।।
(Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 47)
(Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 47)
1) karmany
evadhikaras te: कर्मणये वाधिकारस्ते: you have a right to work only
2) ma phalesu kadachana: मां फलेषु कदाचन: but have no right to the fruits thereof
3) ma karma-phala-hetur bhur: मां कर्मफलहेतुर्भू: let not the fruits be the motive of doing karmas
4) ma te sango ’stv akarmani: मांते संङगोस्त्वकर्मणि: let yourself not be attached to inaction.
2) ma phalesu kadachana: मां फलेषु कदाचन: but have no right to the fruits thereof
3) ma karma-phala-hetur bhur: मां कर्मफलहेतुर्भू: let not the fruits be the motive of doing karmas
4) ma te sango ’stv akarmani: मांते संङगोस्त्वकर्मणि: let yourself not be attached to inaction.
Put simply that end result is
neither in our hands, nor the time and space when the results may or may not materialise.
But human mind cannot do anything without anticipations of results. At the same
time, we must be action oriented. No results, lack of results or results that fall
short of expectations generate more sadness and grief.
Allama Iqbal—the spiritual
philosopher says-खुदी (खुद ही) को कर बुलुंद इतना कि हर तकदीर से पहले, खुदा बन्दे से पूछए कि
तेरी रज़ा क्या है//
Normally it is interpreted that the efforts of the self
be so intense that destiny may be made according to one’s wishes. That is
wrong. This does not mean that God's will changes or God's Hukam or Raza
or destiny is suited to meet the wishes of an individual. God’s will is
supreme, sublime and immutable.
Here Khudi means the “soul”. Thus
it implies that let the level of consciousness of the soul, which is currently
covered by layers of mind and maya, be removed so as to attain soul’s
transformation into Oneness with the Divine. Then there is no difference
between the will (Raza) of the soul and the destiny designed by Divinity. Why the above interpretation is correct
because Allma Iqbal also believes –
मिटा दे अपनी हस्ती को गर कुछ मर्तबा (enlightened attainment) चाहिए//
कि दाना खाक में
मिलकर, गुले-गुलजार होता है//
That is –unless one demolishes
oneself into non- existence, the experience of Eternity cannot be attained. Enlightenment can only be gained by reaching a
state of de-existence where grace and effort are acting in tandem.
ROLE
OF HOLY BOOKS
There are numerous holy
scriptures in each religion that give directions to attain spirituality. But
most of us are interested in cramming their verses or repeating them verbatim
without understanding their meaning and significance. There is hardly any follow up action in doing what is
stated in these books. The more a person claims to be a
scholar, the more he is inflated with ego. Guru Nanak Sahib says – लिख लिख पड़या// तेतो
कड़िया// P467. Knowledge is not the only pre-requisite for
gaining acceptance in the Divine Court. Then Guru Nanak sahib says –
पड़िए जेते बरस बरस पड़िए जेते मास// पड़िए
जेते आरजा पड़िए जेते सास //नानक लेखे इक गल होर होअमे झखना झाख// Reading for months and years, even lifetime reading
with each breath leads to messy entanglement in egotism. What matters is the
loving remembrance of the Lord.
These books are the narrative of
the spiritual experience of the saints and they give a guidance of the path to
be followed. Since self- realization has
to happen through concentration at the eye centre within the living body, we
need to apply the technique written therein. None of the holy verses endorse
the path of their daily repetition as the means of gaining mystical insights.
The knowledge documented in these books leads to higher understanding—that
urges us to practice. That practice will give us faith and self-realization. A
debate on the “Self” or God remains inconclusive by reading and writing-- as
one argument can be demolished by another.
There is a small story of Kabir
Sahib’s inter action with a learned Pandit on the power of efforts applied
through holy books on one side and pride, humility, surrender, grace on the
other--
“There was a learned
Brahman, versed in Veda and other scriptures who named himself
Sarvajit “as he defeated many great pundits”.
His mother once met Kabir Sahib and was initiated by him. She asked her proud son to defeat Kabir.
With books loaded on a bullock cart, he went to meet Kabir Sahib and challenged him to be engaged with him in debate in any aspect of philosophy or scriptures. Kabir Sahib admitted his ignorance, admitting his defeat, telling that he had not even seen so many books at a time. Elated, Sarvajit asked him to give it in writing etc. which Kabir Sahib said that he was unlettered
but knew only to sign his name. So Sarvjit wrote in paper, "Sarvjit has defeated Kabir" and Kabir Sahib signed it. He took it to his mother but when he brought it out before her it read, "Kabir has defeated Sarvajit".
Perplexed, he again went to Kabir Sahib
and again wrote "Sarvjit has defeated Kabir" and Kabir Sahib signed without any dispute. But it became the same as he came to show it to his mother.
He repeated this effort for some times getting the
same result each time. He said to his mother
that Kabir was a magician
who changes the words of his certificate as he approached his mother. To which
the mother replied
that due to this
pride and ego he could not appreciate Kabir Sahib message.
"Son, In order
to argue about what the scriptures
say, you had to study them thoroughly. In the same way, to draw Kabir into a debate you should learn from him what his message is ----
कबीर का घर शिखर
पर, जहां सिलसिली गैल
पाँव न टिके
पिप्लीका, पंडित लाया बैल
Meaning--- Kabir’s eternal abode is at the pinnacle of a mountain where
one has to pass through a narrow lane which is very thin,fine and slippery. Even
an ant even cannot creep through this path. Then how a learned man with loads
of books on the back of an ox can go there?
Note-Kabir
Sahib is referring to the inner journey or experience of the soul where books are
of no avail. Sarvjit then submitted
himself to Kabir Sahib for his grace through initiation.
EFFORT AND GRACE AS PER
GURBANI
In Gurbani there is a clear
classification of people who subscribe to two divergent views. Those who
believe that they themselves are the doers and self-achievers are termed
Manmukh. हम कीआ हम करहगे हम मूरख गावार ॥करणै वाला विसरिआ दूजै भाइ पिआरु ॥ page39. Ignorant or Moorkah they are.
The second kind considers that they are just
puppets in the hands of a power/called God—who determines their course of life.
They put in their best of hard work, leave the results to Him and accept the
outcome with gratitude. Such persons are called Gurmukh. Fifth Guru Arjan Dev Ji says-- मनु तनु तेरा धनु भी तेरा ॥ तूं ठाकुरु सुआमी प्रभु मेराII जीउ पिंडु सभु रासि तुमारी तेरा जोरु गोपाला जीउII कार कमावा जे तुधु भावा जातूं देहि दइआला जीउ//P-106
To further simplify--- Gurmukh lives in His will happily; Manmukh does not
understand Omniwill but asserts
self-will.
Of our own we neither become Manmukh or Gurmukh. This world constitutes both
Manmukh and Gurmukh by virtue of Divine design. Hazur often explained -- By the
Will or Hukam of the Creator, some bricks are in the foundation and others in
the wall or on the roof top. Bricks have no choice but to be at a place fixed
by the Greatest Mason. God decides who is to be Gurmukh or Manmukh.
Guru Ram Das Ji descripts the superiority of Gurmukh as follows--
सबना तेरी आस प्रभ सब जी तेरे
तूं रास// प्रभ तुध तूं खाली को नहीं दर गुरमखा नू साबास// (page 40) All creatures yearn for You and You are their only treasure trove. While
You bless all, but
only Gurmukh are acclaimed at your door.
There are no external signs on the body of any
human being whether he or she is a Manmukh or Gurmukh. Both
the Manmukh and Gurmukh may pursue the path of Dharma or righteousness ---but
their mental orientation and life streams are different. Effort is required in
both the cases. Both Manmukh and Gurmukh pursue their paths by fated destiny.
The former is directed by mind or higher mind; while the latter is guided by
precepts of an enlightened guide—Guru/Satguru-- whose grace and tutored
technique of Nam (shabd) simran/dhyan helps in abiding by the will of the Lord.
Grace comes with mutual love of the Teacher and the taught. It is a settled
principle that for attaining higher degree of realization one needs
instructions from a person who is evolved to elevated level of consciousness.
Belief of Manmukh is that Divine
realization is possible by following the path of righteousness as preferred by
their higher mind. Gurmukh surrender their self to the directions of their
Master to become a good human beings by mitigating the perversions of mind of
Kam, krodh , lobh, moh, ahankaar and slowly defocussing their attention from
ephemeral creation to the Creator itself with the aid of shabd or nam bhakti.
Guru Amar Das Ji while making a comparative analysis of Manmukh and Gurmukh
says—
1.
मनमुख मैल न उत्तरे जिच्र गुरु शब्द न धरे प्यार//
Efforts applied through self-will
do not get rid of dirt of ignorance.
2.
गुरमुख गावे गुरमुख बूझे गुरमुख शब्द विचारे//
Through meditation on the Shabd, Guru-focussed persons can understand and
comprehend the Divine mysteries.
3.
पूजा करै सभु लोकु संतहु, मनमुखि थाइ न पाई//
Those who are self- willed, their worships do not yield any
results in Divine realization.
EFFORTS AND GRACE AS PER SUFISM
Sufism also believes that without the grace of a living Murshid, none can
traverse the higher regions. Murshid is the Satguru while Mureed is the seeker.
Grace of the Murshid is pre-requisite for making efforts.
There is a school of thought that says by surrendering to the Murshid one
becomes a slave. But slave we are anyway of our senses and mind. Where is the
freedom? Infact the “thought waves” sprinkled by mind into senses make us
bonded labourer of action and reaction which result into cycle of pleasure and
pain. Murshid’s love frees the mind from attachment to the materiality of the
world. Such a surrender of Mureed is exalted by the love of the Murshid—who is
Word made flesh or as Baba Bulle Shah says—आदमी मौला बन आया //
Sufism
also does not recommend substantive reliance on scriptures. By reading holy
books, can we not make efforts for self-realization? No!! Had it been so,
there would have been no need of any school, colleges or universities!!
Each person while living in the present day and age requires a living
teacher to guide and supervise him consistent with the need of these times. In
the recent past, teachers taught through slate and chalk or copy and pencil.
But these days the same curriculum is covered through computers/calculators and
other devices. Similarly, a dead doctor or an old book on medical practice cannot cure current patient. A living medical
practitioner is required to dispense the recent medicine for recovery.
Just as Gurmukh has to follow a living Guru, a mureed has to be guided by a
living Murshid. Says Hazrat Sultan Bahu ---
अल्लाह पड़ (Reading Koran) हाफिज
(wiseman) होया,न गया हिजाबों (maya) पर्दा हू //
लख हजार किताबां पड़ीयां,तालिब (student) होया जर
(money( दा हू //
पड़ पड़ आलम फ़ाज़ल होया,जालम नफस (mind) न मरदा हू //
भाज फकीर किन्हें न मराया,एह चोर अंदर दा हू //
(Meaning--By
reading Koran, the veil of maya (Hijab) is not removed; by reading other books
even then we remained servile to money and wealth. By gaining intellectual
wisdom, the malicious mind is not reined. Only the one who has become “fakir”
can kill this dangerous thief (mind) that lives within the body.)
Who is Fakir?
The one who is free from “fikar” (फिकर)—worry or
fear of all kinds-- has absolute faith in the Murshid, wants and expects
nothing, either from the world or from the Lord and is absorbed in meditative
contemplation with love as per the wishes of his Murshid. There is no chanting
or ritualism. They speak wordless unspoken language of Ishq. Hazrat Sultan Bahu
says—आशिक पड्न नमाज़ प्रिम दी, जा विच हर्फ न काई हू//
Endorsing the
concept of Gurmukh—that is of mureed under the instructions of a Murshid,
Hazrat Sultan Bahu says
अलिफ़ अल्लाह चम्बे दी बूटी मुर्शिद मन मेरे विच लांदा
हू
My Master Murshid has
planted-- a fragrant shrub of Jasmine—
of God’s Nam in my spiritual
heart (third eye).
जिस गत उत्ते सोहना राज़ी , ओहो
गत सिखांदा हू
He teaches me to live in the
Will—Bhana or Raza-- of the Lord
because that is what pleases
the Lord.
हरदम याद रखे हर वेले , सोहना
उठ्न्दा बहअन्दा हू //
He ensures that I abide by
Lord’s will and makes me do
what is liked by him(Murshid)
आप समझ समझांदा बाहू, आप
आपे हो जांदा हू //
He himself is the teacher and
the taught within me and
transforms me unto his
(Murshid) form. (Murshid and Mureed merge in Oneness.)
In short Sufism also preaches
the path of Grace obtained through the living Master and then being intoxicated
with the Ishq of the Murshid under his guidance.
EFFORT AND GRACE AS PER KARMIC
THEORY
Do we perform karma of our own efforts and freewill? Is it pralbadh-or fated destiny? Or is it all Grace?
There are two ways of looking at this creation—
1
From the top, looking down—the
Creator’s point of view
2
From the bottom, looking
up—man’s point of view.
From the top, it looks as
though the Creator is all in all. He is the Doer and all others are puppets
tossing as per the pull of the threads/ropes of the Creator. Neither the
individual enjoys any freewill, nor applies any efforts and therefore no responsibility
whatsoever. All saints of the highest orders see Him working everywhere and
describe the creation as His manifestation.
If a seeker comes under the
protection of a Saint who are karmaless, surrenders unto him with body and
mind—then the mercy and grace of the Lord flows through the Saint for
meditation and self- realization. Self-realization comes when there is no
thought and no karma left.
Looking from below, or the
self-willed point of view, everybody is working with a will of variety of
conviction created by mind and senses for self-realization. They do their
chanting, kirtans, pilgrimages, rituals and meditation. All actions are
recorded in the memory of mind which keeps such seekers pinned down to
material, astral and other mortal spheres. Cycle of transmigration continues as
per the desires and wishes with which rites and ceremonies are performed. The
individual acts as the doer and therefore bears the consequences of his
efforts.
Guru Nanak Sahib says (p 467)
that even performing good, nay sublime actions, under the influence of one’s
best of wisdom are of no avail. It is the Lord’s grace that matters.
लख नेकिया चंगियाना लख पुन परवान //लख तप उपर तीर्थान सहज
जोग बेबान ---
जिन करते करना कीया लिख्या आवन जान// नानक मत्ती मिथ्या करम
सचा नीसान //
(Meaning – millions of honest actions/dealings done with sense of righteousness; noble
deeds that are gratefully acknowledged by others; meditating at the pilgrimages
and doing “Sahaj yoga” (relating to awakening of kundlani) in the lonely jungles
ultimately result in coming and going as per the will of the Lord. All efforts
conceived with mind are myth. Only the grace of the Lord ---through the Satguru
is the real stamp of registration or the visa for experiencing the Lord.)
This is in no way to be misunderstood that good deeds are not to be done.
First we need to know what good deeds are!! According to Sant mat, living life
style advised by the satguru are the only good deeds. Guru Ram
Das (P 763) –
इत मार्ग चले भायीड़े गुरु कहे सो कार कमाए जीओ//
(Meaning --Oh sister soul brides—do what is advised by the Guru.)
Gurbani page 293 says
ज्ञान अंजन गुरु दिया अज्ञान अंधेर बिनास//हर कृपा ते संत
भेटया नानक मन परगास //
The guru has blessed me with the healing ointment or collyrium of spiritual
wisdom and dispelled darkness of
ignorance. By Divine Grace, I have met a perfect Saint who has enlightened my
mind.
EFFORTS AND GRACE AS PER
BUDDHA
BUDDHA had meditated in isolation under a tree for
many years in his own way. After a few years he searched within for any
noticeable experience or change. He found he had no enlightenment or
realization. His body was very weak. He hardly
had the strength to take a bath in the nearby river. He felt that his efforts may not be
enough. He again meditated for a year or
so. By then his frail frame was
famished.
When he got up again and prayed— “Oh Almighty I
have failed. My efforts have yielded no result. I surrender unto you even if
you have not blessed me with any divinity”.
It is so believed that it was the very moment when
the realization dawned upon Buddha that efforts are of no avail. Then Grace was blessed by God and he became
enlightened. Efforts cannot demand Grace. Efforts help in cleaning the mind but
grace is His will at His absolute discretion.
CONCLUSION
Evidently the path of grace is
preferred by those who want liberation form the cycle of sukh and dukh, birth
and death, coming and going and for experiencing blissfulness of Divine abode.
The path of efforts keeps one
bound to the upper and lower regions and species of creation. That is one
remains imprisoned into superior or inferior bodies in heaven, hell and earth.
Unfortunately one has little option. It is the Lord who bestows His grace on an
individual soul and shows the path of experiencing reunion with Him. Gurbani
says Page 1429(Guru Arjan Dev Ji-5th Guru).
तरस पया मिहरमत होई सतगुर सज्जन मिल्या //
नानक नाम मिले तं जीवंआ तन मन थीवे हरया //
(Meaning-The Lord first took pity on me. Then His Grace came. Grace is the
gift that is given even if one does not deserve. How that Grace was blessed? Through
a living Satguru—the Truth incarnated-- who met me as friend. I did not have to
find Him. The Guru then taught me the technique of Nam Bhakti. That is when I made
the efforts for attaining the life eternal.
The purpose of coming of human birth was then fulfilled. Thus
grace-effort-grace is intertwined. One can make efforts only with His grace.
For that Grace and efforts one can simple pray for His forgiveness through
daily meditation and living a life as per the principles of Sant Mat which
includes becoming a good human being, honest living and earnings, good moral
character , lacto vegetarian diet and sewa for the fellow beings.
We can never terminate the cycle of karma and 84 till He forgives us. Apart
from the karma of this life called Parlbdh, Kriyaman karma—action and reaction
of unfulfilled desires that manifest in future, and Sinchit karma—the store
house of previous births, we can pray for Divine forgiveness through our
meditation.
Gurbani says— page 261
लेखे कीते न छूटे खिन खिन भूलन हार //
बखसन हार बखस ले नानक पार उत्तार//
Meaning--because of imbalance in the karmic account, I can never be
liberated. I commit sinful mistakes every moment. Oh Forgiving Lord, I seek
your forgiveness repeatedly and carry me across this labyrinth.
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