Sunday, August 26, 2018

EFFORT AND GRACE IN SPIRITUALITY




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)
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.
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  Sarvajitas 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  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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