By: V. S. Kuber
In my growing up years, John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ left a mark on me. Though I forgot all about the book in the intervening years, the message remained – that I should learn to walk encumbered in life.
Sri Narasimha Swamiji has stated in his masterpiece ‘Life of Sai Baba’ that it is not easy to shed extra baggage in the form of anger, hatred, jealousy, greed, etc., which hang on to us as pre-judgments of others. Unpleasant memories of the past become a burden. We should not to pay them too much of attention. In Sai Baba’s idea of the world as ‘perception’, beyond the space and time we create for ourselves, I have allowed all such encumbrances to come in my way! Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji felt that I have given too much of importance to those who view me negatively and who can never see anything good in me. He prompted that these perceptions are not the real me; what others think of me is not my problem.
The pilgrim’s progress has no final cut-off date or time. The journey continues, and the way ahead gets easier, because we choose not to listen to negative voices. We may never inherit a hostile-free world. But the pilgrim acquires the ability to pick up stones and turn them into jewels.
We have to learn to accept and transform circumstances. We have mountains to climb, rivers to cross and valleys to navigate, but the pilgrim’s steps do not falter. And if they do, they are steadied by time and experience.
We are sometimes encouraged to keep daily logbooks in which we record our daily lives. This habit may help us as pilgrims to reflect and introspect on our experiences, turning them to our good.
At the end of our earthly lives, we will not close the chapter, but continue the journey. Sai Baba has promised an ‘afterlife’ for all! Pilgrims must eventually reach a destination – freedom from cycle of births and deaths. However, very few accept it. Others choose to travel with too much baggage – of hate, animosity and vengefulness. They cannot even get started on the journey.
Learning to walk unencumbered is the pilgrim’s task. If we try it, we can move ahead and walk freely, less weighed down by baggage. Less luggage, more comfort makes travel a pleasure!
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