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Thread: Gratitude to GOD

  1. #1
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    Gratitude to GOD

    Namaste All

    Hari Om

    As I grow more & more older, I get more & more convinced that wherever I am, whatever I am is due to HIS grace. For example, I have tried so hard to achieve some professional achievement (that to my small ego "seems" to be an achievement) but have so repeatedly failed. Incidentally while I narrate this I do vividly remember the words of a learned jyotish many many years back - that I will NOT be able to achieve this particular professional achievement. While, in those young days, these words passed off as unwelcome (and rather irritating) advise, as years roll on I cannot but agree.

    I have come to the conclusion that whatever happens is by HIS grace and that the only thing that we can do is a sincere prayer in morning, seeking HIS grace. Beyond that, once the day unfolds the pull of Maya and the craving of senses hardly leaves us in any control.

    Please share your experiences.

    Om Namah Shivay

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    Re: Gratitude to GOD

    Namaste

    I am now 58 years old this summer. I am noticing that indeed my body is getting old, though I am told by others I am doing remarkable considering and do not look my age. My father who is 90 years old is slowing down, but with his birthday he is still remarkable in health and appearance. My mother however looks old, she appears as the age indeed she is. In regards to God's grace, he has always been a mayavadi type impersonalist, she a buddhist type. Myself, not like either, a bhakta Hindu. But whatever each is or was, we were and are what we are, everyone thinks their problems or happiness is monumental to the world, but really it is not so, and actually no one sees others problems as monumental. And typically those who do not think so about their own problems enjoy life as it is. Each is on their own in large part even when surrounded by friends and family when it comes to success or failure, but it all turns out to not be very important in short time.

    The other day one of my upper rear molar teeth cracked in half and I accidently swallowed the half that fell off. I could act like the world is cruel, but that really would be over reacting in the least. In January, my wife was taken to a hospital because a drunk driver on liquor and marijuana smashed into the rear end of our car. But thanks to the prayers of others, she is doing very well now indeed.

    I try to think back, what "crisis" has there been in my life? There were some (... many times I lost my car keys, I might have had fever, I got lost in the forest, I almost died about 3 times I think but each is a long crazy story... hmmmm... crisis?), but it's hard to remember them specifically as I am always having fun.

    So basically, I have never had a problem in my life so far. That is, I don't recall. No doubt I will fall over dead, probably it will be a heart attack due to spicy food. But everyone will die. Around me, all sorts of friends have died in time, but to me it is like they aren't dead but just on another adventure. I do not cry for them. The main thing is the adventures, and not if you live or die but just make sure you have a lot of adventures.

    The best adventures are always when you have God and spiritual adventures. Some have an "end game" in the path or adventure. Oddly, I have no "end game". I understand perfectly well where and what I am SUPPOSED to "end up", but I just go about enjoying the adventures. To me, I have great relations with the Devatas, but my "end game" isn't One or the Other (per say) but the adventure itself. I almost think, they will never end. The experience seems to be the end game. So the grace can come in many ways, always becoming but not ending. I may have my favorites, but all Who add to the adventure are welcome, and I thank all of the them and enjoy the company.

    I had and have a career. It pays well, but really the true wealh was my own making by investment and "luck" and not by being paid in a salary. But no matter what, there are others who want to try and steal your wealth at every corner, the worse thief is the government and politicians, so no matter how rich you are they are always trying to rob you so no one who counts coins is at peace even for a moment but always looking over the shoulder no matter how rich, the thieves are relentless and there won't be peace in that regard ever.

    I enjoy everything. I even like some of those thieves, depending. Even some demons can be interesting in some adventures. So just have "fun". Those are my thoughts about grace. And Grace actually does come every day.

    Om Namah Sivaya

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    Re: Gratitude to GOD

    Vannakkam: I don't know how any bhaktar couldn't be grateful. Half our prayers begin with 'Thank You' .

    On the other hand, sometimes I'm troubled with the concept of free will as it relates to God. I think sometimes we can be fooled into using things that happen to us an excuse ... "God didn't want me to get this job." I believe we can walk a fine line with this.

    So the question becomes, "How do we determine if an obstacle is a gift or just another challenge to overcome?"

    Aum Namasivaya

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    Re: Gratitude to GOD

    Vinayaka said it well. Not too gab too much, but another thing for me is, whenever I think about or look at Mahadev Shiva in white ashes and meditating with Ganga Maa flowing down His locks, it is such a peaceful feeling, it is like (to me) Shiva is saying that old British saying, "Stay calm, and Carry on".

    And I do. Like right now, after 2 horrible meetings early in the morning, I am driving home because I have yet another horrible meeting in the evening (it's a global world), and my battery light goes on solid and stays on after I parked.

    But then I just checked the charge with a meter, and though the battery light comes on and stayed on, the battery is fully charged at 12.85.

    Ha ha, such is life. Stay calm and carry on. Even if the car broke down, it all depends where. Your next adventure could be right around the corner, and who knows who that tow truck driver may turn out to be.

    Another great Hindu?

    Stay calm.
    Carry on.
    Jai Mahadev.

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    Re: Gratitude to GOD

    Quote Originally Posted by ShivaFan View Post
    "Stay calm, and Carry on".

    And I do. Like right now, after 2 horrible meetings early in the morning, I am driving home because I have yet another horrible meeting in the evening (it's a global world), and my battery light goes on solid and stays on after I parked.

    But then I just checked the charge with a meter, and though the battery light comes on and stayed on, the battery is fully charged at 12.85.

    Ha ha, such is life. Stay calm and carry on. Even if the car broke down, it all depends where. Your next adventure could be right around the corner, and who knows who that tow truck driver may turn out to be.

    Another great Hindu?

    Stay calm.
    Carry on.
    Jai Mahadev.
    Vannakkam: We're in tune. For me it was a checkup this morning at the tooth specialist. But then a cancelled appointment led to me having a root canal done this afternoon. Too many specialists! But he figured the sinus and nosebleed problems were all related to that tooth. A couple of hours and 3 prescriptions later, and I feel great. Whenever somebody actually acts so quickly on one's health, Ganesha has to be at work. I'm grateful, it's been 4 months of a lingering problem. Have a great evening!

    Aum Namasivaya

  6. #6

    Re: Gratitude to GOD

    Quote Originally Posted by Eastern Mind View Post
    So the question becomes, "How do we determine if an obstacle is a gift or just another challenge to overcome?"
    Namaste!

    I'm not sure there is a way to tell. I'm not sure it's important to know. Maybe what's important is that we tackle each obstacle to the best of our abilities. Sometimes that means we climb over it, or dig under it, or go around it, or break through it. . . and sometimes that means we walk away to find another path.

    If it's a gift, then by tackling an obstacle with good humor, and learning a lesson, we've accepted that gift in the best way possible. If it's just another challenge, then we've also done good, because we kept our humor and learned.

    That said, there's something wonderful about gratitude all on its own. Some of my happiest moments in recent memory have come from the old "attitude of gratitude". Not that I always have anything specific in mind at the time to be grateful for. It's just an expansive, happy feeling that makes an often confusing universe just a little more comprehensible.

    Senebty, may you be healthy.
    All these things shine.
    May you shine, too!

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    Re: Gratitude to GOD

    Quote Originally Posted by SatBast View Post

    If it's a gift, then by tackling an obstacle with good humor, and learning a lesson, we've accepted that gift in the best way possible. If it's just another challenge, then we've also done good, because we kept our humor and learned.

    That said, there's something wonderful about gratitude all on its own. Some of my happiest moments in recent memory have come from the old "attitude of gratitude". Not that I always have anything specific in mind at the time to be grateful for. It's just an expansive, happy feeling that makes an often confusing universe just a little more comprehensible.

    Senebty, may you be healthy.
    Vannakkam: Very well said, especially the staying in good humour part. Sometimes its just karma, and we should always welcome karma with open arms. It's like finding money on the ground.

    Aum Namasivaya

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    Re: Gratitude to GOD

    Quote Originally Posted by Eastern Mind View Post
    Vannakkam: I don't know how any bhaktar couldn't be grateful. Half our prayers begin with 'Thank You' .

    On the other hand, sometimes I'm troubled with the concept of free will as it relates to God. I think sometimes we can be fooled into using things that happen to us an excuse ... "God didn't want me to get this job." I believe we can walk a fine line with this.

    So the question becomes, "How do we determine if an obstacle is a gift or just another challenge to overcome?"

    Aum Namasivaya
    Namaste. So true. I have observed this myself. As the mind tries to constantly justify its actions; we do such things willingly or unwillingly. It is easy for e.g. to dismiss someone without basic amenities to be victim of Karma or gods divine positioning, but when one becomes hungry or lacks basic amenities themselves suddenly is birthed ''fire in the belly'' so to speak. It is definetely a fine line : & if I've learnt anything from Yajvan-ji and other elders on this forum it is that our current action is more potent than all that surrounds it. The truth is I think that, we don't know and most of us won't know. So we should just be positive and move forward with faith and dharmic action. How I see it (currently) anyway.
    As always with everything though : easier said than done

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