SHARED THOUGHTS.......10.08.12.
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“Ramadan Kareem” is the usual way one greets another, in this part of the world, whether you are a muslim or not. …. I am not a Muslim. I am not fasting. I live in harmony among those who are and those who perform with sincerity, the ritual of fasting for about 13 hours in this unforgiving weather conditions.
I have read, that “The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh.) said, "If any Muslim comes out of Ramadan without gaining forgiveness and goodness, he is a real loser."
The last ten days of Ramadan are very special days in the life of every Muslim. According to Muslims, they are the most blessed days in the blessed month of Ramadan, the month the Holy Quran was revealed.
For Muslims, the last ten days should be a time to perfect one's fast and avoid anything that may break it. It is a time to give more charity and to settle disputes and forgive one another. It is also a time for soul searching, evaluating one's life, supplicating, and asking forgiveness. This should be done sincerely because if Allah accepts the supplications, the reward is the remission of one's sins.“
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Reflecting upon above, I am looking particularly at the importance of “to give more charity, to settle disputes, forgive one another…”
As the holy month of Ramadan is progressing to the last ten days, also known as 'Laylat Al-Qadr', which is the final 10 days of fasting, it is a good thing to reflect upon how we conduct ourselves within the family, within the friends' circle, within the office, within the society at large.
‘Settle disputes’ … ‘forgive one another’….. really?
When I glance at the daily newspaper, the headlines that scream at me – of violence, deceit, bombings, ruthless killings – all in the name of religion that preaches peace, is difficult to comprehend, especially committed by those who are perhaps fasting and praying.
Where is the question of ‘settling disputes’ or ‘forgiving one another’ in this scenario around the world?
Limiting ourselves to a smaller circle around us, let us see how among our friends or relatives, we can try to settle disputes and forgive one another, that may be necessary to some extent or other.
How does one handle a situation when faced with the option of either be a friend for now and be nice, or be a real friend and inflict a deep hurt, for his own good ?
Such an act of friendship, may in fact, be the very reason for a dispute among friends.
Sometimes we go through a roller coaster of a friendship or relationship with a person who means a lot actually, but with whom it is a strain to sustain a continuous productive, positive, pleasant relationship. One easy way out will be to “love from a distance” and cut off all contacts. But when the person is a shake-hand away, then what happens?
The sentiment—harsh medicine may affect the best cure—is ancient, but Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, apparently coins "I have to be cruel to be kind," a very common phrase nowadays… yes, sometimes, one has to be cruel, in words or deeds, to be kind to another, who may perhaps not appreciate or understand now, feel as though a big dispute is in the making… only Time will show.
One can only silently hope that the ‘dispute’ is settled and forgiven for the wound inflicted, all done in good faith.
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When mind is confused and muddled, it deprives one to think clearly, focus on priorities and the result is unnecessary & unending clash of view-points, refusing to see the right from wrong.. It is at these times, the beautiful lesson shown by Lord Buddha will help a great deal, to remain tranquil, especially when mentally disturbed.
Once Buddha was traveling with a few of his followers. While they were passing a lake, Buddha told one of his disciples, "I am thirsty. Do get me some water from the lake."
The disciple walked up to the lake. At that moment, a bullock cart started crossing through the lake. As a result, the water became very muddy and turbid. The disciple thought, "How can I give this muddy water to Buddha to drink?"
So he came back and told Buddha, "The water in there is very muddy. I don't think it is fit to drink."
After about half an hour, again Buddha asked the same disciple to go back to the lake.
The disciple went back, and found that the water was still muddy. He returned and informed Buddha about the same.
After sometime, again Buddha asked the same disciple to go back.
This time, the disciple found the mud had settled down, and the water was clean and clear. So he collected some water in a pot and brought it to Buddha.
Buddha looked at the water, and then he looked up at the disciple and said," See what you did to make the water clean. You let it be, and the mud settled down on its own -- and you have clear water.
Your mind is like that too ! When it is disturbed, just let it be. Give it a little time. It will settle down on its own. You don't have to put in any effort to calm it down. It will happen. It is effortless."
Having 'Peace of Mind' is not a strenuous job; it is an effortless process!
From Surendran Thampi, Ajay Sharma.
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TREAT EVERYONE WITH POLITENESS
EVEN THOSE WHO ARE RUDE TO YOU
NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT NICE
BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE NICE.
EVEN THOSE WHO ARE RUDE TO YOU
NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT NICE
BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE NICE.
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It is good to remember always, GOD IS NEVER WRONG. Even the utmost painful trials and tribulations have some purpose. Having implicit faith in God is one thing. Yet it is up to each one of us, to realise how God is answering our prayers in different ways in His Infinite Wisdom.
A King who did not believe in the goodness of God, had a slave who, in all circumstances, said: My king, do not be discouraged, because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes!
One day they went hunting and along the way a wild animal attacked the king. His slave managed to kill the animal, but could not prevent his majesty losing a finger.
Furious and without showing his gratitude for being saved, the nobleman said "Is God good? If He was good, I would not have been attacked and lost my finger."
The slave replied: "My king, despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good, and he knows "why" of all these things. What God does is perfect. He is never wrong!"
Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his slave.
Later, he left for another hunt and was captured by savages who made human sacrifices.
In the altar, ready to sacrifice the nobleman, the savages found that the victim did not have one of his fingers, so he was released. According to them, he was not so complete to be offered to the gods as a sacrifice.
Upon his return to the palace, he authorized the release of his slave whom he received very affectionately.
"My dear, God was really good to me! I was almost killed by the wild men, but for lack of a single finger, I was let go! But I have a question: if God is so good, why did he allow me to put you in jail?"
"My King, if I had gone with you in this hunt, I would have been sacrificed for you, because I have no missing finger, therefore, remember everything God does is perfect. He is never wrong."
Often we complain about life, and negative things that happen to us, forgetting that nothing is random and that everything has a purpose.
Every morning, offer your day to God, don't be in a rush.
Ask God to inspire your thoughts, guide your actions, and ease your feelings. And do not be afraid. God is never wrong!
You know why this message is for you? I do not know, but God knows, because he never makes mistakes.......
The path of God and his word is perfect, without impurities. He is the way of all those who trust in Him.
God knows why He chose me to send this message. Please bless someone with it..God is never wrong.
A King who did not believe in the goodness of God, had a slave who, in all circumstances, said: My king, do not be discouraged, because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes!
One day they went hunting and along the way a wild animal attacked the king. His slave managed to kill the animal, but could not prevent his majesty losing a finger.
Furious and without showing his gratitude for being saved, the nobleman said "Is God good? If He was good, I would not have been attacked and lost my finger."
The slave replied: "My king, despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good, and he knows "why" of all these things. What God does is perfect. He is never wrong!"
Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his slave.
Later, he left for another hunt and was captured by savages who made human sacrifices.
In the altar, ready to sacrifice the nobleman, the savages found that the victim did not have one of his fingers, so he was released. According to them, he was not so complete to be offered to the gods as a sacrifice.
Upon his return to the palace, he authorized the release of his slave whom he received very affectionately.
"My dear, God was really good to me! I was almost killed by the wild men, but for lack of a single finger, I was let go! But I have a question: if God is so good, why did he allow me to put you in jail?"
"My King, if I had gone with you in this hunt, I would have been sacrificed for you, because I have no missing finger, therefore, remember everything God does is perfect. He is never wrong."
Often we complain about life, and negative things that happen to us, forgetting that nothing is random and that everything has a purpose.
Every morning, offer your day to God, don't be in a rush.
Ask God to inspire your thoughts, guide your actions, and ease your feelings. And do not be afraid. God is never wrong!
You know why this message is for you? I do not know, but God knows, because he never makes mistakes.......
The path of God and his word is perfect, without impurities. He is the way of all those who trust in Him.
God knows why He chose me to send this message. Please bless someone with it..God is never wrong.
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Have a blissful week ahead and happy Eid to all.
Also wishing happy Krishna Janmashtami.
MOHANDAS. KP.
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