Over the last week I have been thinking
about a conversation I had with a friend about new experiences. She said that
in our society today we put a lot of value on individuals who crave adventure
and new experiences, even when they are at the expense of relationships and
spirituality. This is a big topic amongst my classmates as we figure out where
to spend the next years of our lives after graduation. Many of them have
mentioned that their criteria for choosing where to go is mainly based on seeking
out new adventures. It was interesting to see how people were making their
choices and to see how my own factors have changed over time.
When I think back to a couple of years ago,
I craved the feeling of an exciting experience as well. It sounds thrilling to
be the surgeon saving lives, or the ER doc running trauma codes. I knew those
specifically didn’t fit for me, but I was planning on doing a different 5-year
specialty on the other side of the country. It seemed like a cool idea… until I
didn’t end up liking the specialty I thought I wanted, or even the location! They
simply didn’t fit me, and I fell in love with a different area of medicine.
Interestingly, one of friends said the same thing about her experience as a
police officer. The popular thing to be is an undercover or “drug cop” but it
isn’t a good fit for everyone so most people end up pursuing something
different. I think its important to choose what you like and what fits you even
if doesn’t sound as bold and adventurous.
I think this idea transcends careers into
our other areas of life as well. A lot of times young people get caught up in
what is exciting instead of going by what they value. It’s easy when society
emphasizes spontaneity over planning and stability. So they leave their home
after high school, move to bigger cities, might end up in programs they don’t
like, or make major life decisions based on external pressures to make an
“interesting” or bolder choice. It’s sold as the idea of “freedom.” Apparently
to choose otherwise is not to be free, open-minded, or flexible! I remember one of my friends wanted me
to move in and be her roommate. I think at a different time in my life I might
have been caught up in the fact that independence is heavily valued over family
life in western culture, but I was at a point where I knew that didn’t fit who
I am. I knew that family has meaning beyond just people who support and love
me, but also spiritually as part of my journey as a Sikh.
One of the biggest things I have learned is
that the adventure I was craving was never on the outside, and could in fact
only be found inside myself. The journey of my mind has been the biggest
adventure I have undertaken, but I don’t think I would have been able to do it
without some external stability in my environment. To allow my mind to grow and
change so much, it has been important to have some comforts and supports. As I travelled for
my electives this year, I appreciated the growth from them but I also
missed my community, our Gurdwara, and my family. It reminded me how special
those are for me. It reminded me that I’m allowed to be content with where I am
in my journey and I don't have to go outside to look for what I already know exists within me.
In the past, I’ve been guilty of judging
other people for making the more “comfortable choice” but I understand now. It’s
about being content with who you are, where you are, and knowing your values.
It’s okay if others don’t see what you see because different people value
different things. It has been great to make this big decision about what to do and where to live based off of what
is important to me rather than thinking about what is right or popular
according to someone else’s standards. Maybe to someone else it seems like I’m
making all the boring choices, but that doesn’t matter because there’s nothing
wrong with knowing that I love and value my spirituality, my interpersonal
relationships, my community and the very roots in the place that shaped me. There's a time and a place for spontaneity and new adventures, but there's also an important place for contentment and stability. I’m
excited to find out what comes next for me. I trust wherever God brings me because I
know the right path will find its way to me, just as my calling as a healer
found me.
If and When you have time, Please read The Essential Rumi, a mystic Sufi poet from 12 century, like Baba Farid. One translation whom I saw at PBS and loved, is Dr Coleman Barks. One Poem is When in Cairo, dreaming of Baghdad,,
ReplyDeleteexcerpt from that poem
I am new to Cairo. I live in Baghdad." He told the story
of his dream and the buried treasure,
and he was so believable in the telling that
the night patrolman began to cry. Always,
the fragrance of truth has that effect.
Passion can restore healing power, and prune the weary boughs
to new life.
The energy of passion is everything!
There are fake satisfactions that simulate passion.
They taste cold and delicious,
but they just distract you and prevent you
from the search. They say,
"I will relieve your passion.
Take me. Take me!"
Run from false remedies
that dilute your energy. Keep it rich and musky.
The night patrol said, "I know you're not a thief.
You're a good man, but you're kind of a fool.
I've had that dream before.
I was told, in my dream,
that there was a treasure for me in Baghdad,
buried in a certain quarter of the city
on such and such street."
The name of the street
that he said was where this man lived!
"And the dream-voice told me, 'It's in So-and-so's house.
Go there and get it!'"
Without knowing,
he had described the exact house,
and mentioned this man's name!
"But I didn't do what the dream said to do, and look at you,
who did, wandering the world, fatigued,
and begging in the streets!"
So it came quietly
to the seeker, though he didn't say it out loud,
"What I'm longing for lived in my house in Baghdad!"
He filled with joy. He breathed continuous praise.
Finally he said,
"The water of life is here.
I'm drinking it. But I had to come
this long way to know it!"
http://www.terredefeu.org/stories/4591010235/The-timeless-words-of-Rumi-(13th-century-Persian-poet-and-mystic)---In-Baghdad-Dreaming-of-Cairo-In-Cairo-Dreaming-of-Baghdad/10293321
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/reviews/view/741
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing. I followed the link and read the whole poem, its beautiful. Reminds me of the book the Alchemist. Sometimes its the journey that teaches you what you had all along. I have read many of Rumi's quotes, they definitely are aligned with Sikhi. I had never thought of reading a book of his works though, so I will definitely buy it and read it! :)
DeleteFirst time I heard of Rumi was on Public Television documentary on him. The man who translated his book, Dr. Prof Coleman Barks was interviewed. That stuck with me. I got his book from the local library and Photocopied the WHOLE book. I read and re-read and re-read. I was so excited, I wanted to stand in the middle of the town square and read it loud to people. I loved it and still do. It helps me understand Gurbani, especially the Concept of duality. He says, how we act yet everything we do is God's creative action. We act freely and are yet compelled.
DeleteThen I saw many many interviews of Dr Barks on the net. In one interview he says he met Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, a living saint in his dream before he was to do this translation and before he even knew who Muhaiyadden was..Wow
Here is the Orginal interview I saw on PBS more than 20 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT3NI_hwEvk
You watch a lot of documentaries! That's really good. Important to keep learning. Do you know which language it was translated from, arabic? I feel that way about books too sometimes, I feel so joyous, I want to read it to everyone out loud and share what I learned with the world. That's such a beautiful feeling. I'm glad you loved it so much. I'll definately have to read it in my free time. I'll watch the link when I'm free and let you know what I think! Lately i've been busy with studying but I'll put in on my watch list.
Delete1)The language is Persian(Iranian) - Farsi. Guru Gobind Singh ji also wrote in Farsi
ReplyDelete2)There is Endless knowledge on the NET. I am thankful for it. But at the End of the day..we always come back HOME - to Shri Guru Granth Sahib. We took the Journey to find out something Which We Always had in our pocket
ਸਭ ਕਿਛੁ ਘਰ ਮਹਿ, ਬਾਹਰਿ ਨਾਹੀ ॥ਬਾਹਰਿ ਟੋਲੈ, ਸੋ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਹੀ ॥
Everything is in YOU(home), if you look outside, you are Confused. Even Gurubani says...God and soul reside in the same home, but don't talk to each other. The Owner of the home has LOCKED the house, and given the KEY to Guru...ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹਿ ਸਭੋ ਜਗੁ ਸੋਇਆ ਇਹੁ ਭਰਮੁ ਕਹਹੁ ਕਿਉ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥ਏਕਾ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਇਕਤੁ ਗ੍ਰਿਹਿ ਬਸਤੇ ਮਿਲਿ ਬਾਤ ਨ ਕਰਤੇ ਭਾਈ ॥ਏਕ ਬਸਤੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਪੰਚ ਦੁਹੇਲੇ ਓਹ ਬਸਤੁ ਅਗੋਚਰ ਠਾਈ ॥੨॥ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਗ੍ਰਿਹੁ ਤਿਨਿ ਦੀਆ ਤਾਲਾ ਕੁੰਜੀ ਗੁਰ ਸਉਪਾਈ ॥ਅਨਿਕ ਉਪਾਵ ਕਰੇ ਨਹੀ ਪਾਵੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥੩॥ਜਿਨ ਕੇ ਬੰਧਨ ਕਾਟੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤਿਨ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਈ
If the KEY is with Guru - EK ONKAR SATGUR PRASAD - Who is the Guru and Who AM I
God is Guru!!! And God is I(” ਮਨ ਤੂੰ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਆਪਣਾ ਮੂਲੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥” (ਪੰਨਾ-੪੪੧))
God, the Guru:
ਆਪੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਆਪਿ ਹਰਿ; ਆਪੇ ਮੇਲਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ॥
ਆਪਿ ਦਇਆ ਕਰਿ ਮੇਲਸੀ; ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪੀਛੈ ਪਾਇ ॥ਸਭੁ ਜਗਜੀਵਨੁ ਜਗਿ ਆਪਿ ਹੈ; ਨਾਨਕ, ਜਲੁ ਜਲਹਿ ਸਮਾਇ
If we are 100% within God, how does God chooses and how do we receive his merci and compassion...I guess Ardas, ask and ye shall receive
ਕਰਤਾਰ ਕਰੁਣਾ ਮੈ ਦੀਨੁ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕਰੈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਤੁਮਰੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤਰੈ
beautiful! That last shabad ਕਰਤਾਰ ਕਰੁਣਾ ਮੈ ਦੀਨੁ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕਰੈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਤੁਮਰੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਤਰੈ is the one that the Gyani Jis read at the Gurdwara today!
Delete