I spent most of yesterday repeatedly listening to Bulleh Shah's poetry beautifully sung by none other than Abida Parveen.
And I think that one song has everything I've ever read or understood about surrender to God.
Bulleh Shah says: You've read a thousand books, but have you ever tried to read yourself? You've visited all the temples and mosques, but have you ever visited your own soul? Every day, you fight evil and negativity - but have you tried to fight your own negative intentions and your own ego? You aim to reach and touch the sky but have you tried to touch that which resides in your heart? Listen, my dear human being, you can destroy the temples and mosques all you want, but please to don't break someone's heart. Please don't break someone's heart, for it is therein that God dwells.
Even Rumi said, that it is only from the heart that one can truly touch the sky.
This knowledge, this awareness has been with us since centuries in the form of poetry, songs and sermons. Not just through the Sufi approach, but the Buddhist approach, the Hindu approach, the Christian approach. They all fundamentally talk of One thing. The One formless, Divine, Beautiful power of God. It is our conditioned habit as human beings to keep separating. Dividing. Looking for a separate self, then a separate city, a separate country. And we think that creating our world in this world will bring us joy.
Is it doing that?
There is no superior motive. No competition. Who are you competing against? What will you get? How far will you go? Today you climb the ladder, tomorrow someone else will. We're only here for a short time. So, instead of measuring success by the number of ladders 'I' climb, try for once, to measure success by the number of people you help get up. My very amazing friend once profoundly said to me, ''Sneha, if you win the rat race, it just shows that you are a very fast rat.'' :) Well said my friend!
Your only job is to be true to yourself. That's all. Really. And if you don't know what to do, ask for help. Asking is not a sign of weakness or being a victim. It means you want to do something, and you're ready to do all it takes to get there.
Internally, we all know who we are, what we do and why we do it. Take responsibility, forgive yourselves and begin new. Every day, every moment presents you with an opportunity to start over.
© Sneha Singh 2010
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