MISTAKING THE CHANCE

We take new chances but overlook the one given to us

The occurrence of events in the absence of any obvious intention or cause seems to explain ‘chance’. Taking chances is very much a part of life. In fact the beginning of a life; is by a chance of pregnancy.

The choices taken be it for carrier, business, relationship etc. their fulfilment to one’s satisfaction is much with chance. The mind gets Gyan on ‘Chance’ early in life and it comes from just anybody and everybody. External sources make the mind believe life is about chance and risk; that some things happen only once so make the most of it. While indulging in them it is not uncommon observing ourselves making same mistakes leading to vicious cycle of disappointments and the wounds of failures have to be healed with thoughts that it is an experience and that should make one stronger and smarter.

Sooner the external Gyan is superseded by one’s own mantras and the mind now ponders on the lines “What if” and “Why didn’t I?” Enjoying its independency the mind has a tendency to demonstrate aggression playing with chance satisfying strong urges disguised as pride, anger, ego, greed and lust for immediate or futuristic fulfilment. Quite likely everything becomes personal and what follows is; selfish compromised gains, cheating with systems, distancing the self from ethics & values, developments at a cost of abusing nature’s wellness and damaging environment and so on.

Life is not all about eating, drinking and making money. It may just be wise to question ourselves, do we want to keep taking our chances trying to be great or do we want to be safe and good. The earlier we identify the chance given to us by our creator and toil in its path the better.

Pursuing the Creator’s given chance, what follows are humble choices, making it better living of two worlds.

A few quotes from Gurbani advising humanity on the chance given and the need to take it.

“This human body has been given to you.

This is your chance to meet the Lord of the Universe.

Nothing else will work.

Join the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; vibrate and meditate on the Jewel of the Naam.

Make every effort to cross over this terrifying world-ocean.

You are squandering this life uselessly in the love of Maya. SGGS12

“Sexual desire, anger, intoxication with Maya and jealousy-

I have lost all of these in the game of chance.

Purity, contentment, compassion, faith and truthfulness –

I have ushered these into the home of myself.

All the loads of birth and death have been removed.

Joining the Saints' Society, my mind has become pure; the Perfect Guru has saved me in an instant”. SGGS379

“You are the True Guru, and I am Your new disciple. Says Kabeer, O Lord, please meet me - this is my very last chance” SGGS324

Generally people play the game of chance on the board of egotism, with the pieces of falsehood and ego. To be a winner the word of the Gurus shabad has to be part of you. As is the cane in the hand of the blind man, so must be the lord’s name by us. Humans who miss this chance to unite & walk HIS path shall suffer the pains of coming and going in reincarnation as believed in some Asian religions.

Together we pray to take the Creator’s Chance and stay blessed in two worlds.