My wife and I left Bombay about 14 years ago to live in the Himalayan foothills in retirement. We then, had no intentions of starting a Society or doing the type of work that we are currently engaged in.
The work related to the Society happened. It became the vehicle for a long journey to a higher self. I needed a destination. I needed to move from the state of just existence to a more meaningful life, where I would discover my higher self through an exercise in self-improvement. I needed a guide to follow this path and it turned out that the Divine himself offered his Grace for me to follow. I also understood that the only prescription for me to understand my guide was complete and absolute surrender to this power. The effort therefore is to perfect this surrender and faith in the Guide that I chose for my progress through Life.
I needed to transform my character which was naturally arrogant and self opinionated. I used to doubt the efficacy of prayer and instead trust my ability to think logically and rationally. I needed to change and learn to have unflagging faith in the Divine Grace and discipline myself and every part of my being into accepting His Will. I learnt that such total and unquestioned surrender alone had the ability to transform my Self.
One of the lessons that I have learnt is that Life has an unseen driver, a guardian presence that carries us through the lanes and bye lanes of Life. The intention of this driver does not often co-relate with our desires or specific ambitions and ideas. More often than not, we are driven in opposite directions, and yet somewhere in the middle or at the end we find that we have been taken by the shortest route possible to the exact place that we wanted to go. Mental, vital and physical desires and expectations make it difficult to discern the guiding will and the only solution is to have faith that we will be led to the right destination and surrender consciously to the inner guide.(This paragraph is a copy of my notes from another source; cannot remember from where)
Both my wife and I were given this opportunity to help transform the lives of people living in this Community. This journey has helped us practice the virtue of Trust and has constantly helped us strengthen our belief that the Lord’s hand alone can guide and transform lives. That learning has become the sole personal purpose of my Mission with the Society.
My wife founded this Society along with me and we manage this as best as we can with the help of friends. There is challenge in living the simple life that I attempt. Often I am congratulated for the growth and record of the Society and knowing the fragility of its finances and plans and the extent of its dependence on continuing ‘Grace’, I often wonder about this record!
I recall a few lines from Sri Aurobindo in Savitri “ The world was not built with random bricks of Chance…….There is meaning in every curve and line…….In which the unseeing hands obey the unseen…..And of its Mater builder she is one”. It is not for me to question the plans so of this Master builder.
One also recalls the story from Mahabharata of Balaka, the hunter. Balaka had the uncanny skill of being able to aim accurately by mere sound. One day, hunting to feed his blind parents, he killed, by chance, a ferocious creature called ‘Andha’ and the gods showered flowers and celebration. Andha had become a monster because of a boon from Brahma- a menace since he had become almost indestructible. Balaka acted unintentionally but got the reward. He just happened to be at the right time and place. If the Society has moved forward and I happened to be there over the years it was just that I was used as the Instrument by the Lord for his work and I need to fully realise it and remain grateful for his having chosen me.
In my present life, while there is freedom to be what I want to be, I also need to deal with busy lives and complicated relationships since I am attempting to raise money and support for poor children and women who need care. My wife and I are attempting to give away our most precious possessions, namely our time and our life to those who need it. While we feel content and rich, feel compassion for those who need it; there is certain vulnerability while being open and sensitive to others. All that we are trying to do is to lead a simple life, rather than be moulded by consumerism and advertisement. We are yet to resolve this dilemma and we pray that we may conduct ourselves as worthy children of the Divine.
