Disclaimer:
This blog post has had its birth in my offensive mood. So, just in case it offends someone’s sensitivities, I firstly apologize for the hurt. However, not in the wildest of imaginations, shall I apologize for the content following this. I stand by every word written in it and i mean everything that I wrote. It is probably my way of expressing love for a person who changed my life.
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It was like any other day. It was like any other place. But, nature though had suddenly and silently shaken the world of faith that moment. Time put three diametrically different feelings - love, hatred and indifference - at swords with each other. It made faith, doubt and silence battle out each other. And it was all happening on the banks of a small river.
Virgil, the squirrel was silently crying. A few hours ago, it had received the news of its spiritual Guru’s passing away. It was a pain, that would need years of mourning. Rafiki, the monkey, though was more happy than ever before. He never had any appreciation for the Guru, although given his monkey mind, he would, from time to time, appreciate the humanitarian works done. And Barry -the bear, couldn’t care for anything. He was a sort of atheist by birth and never believed in the principle of Gurus. He thought that the whole concept of divinity, miracles, followers was too foolish to be followed and too insignificant experienced.
It had been four hours since a word was spoken among them. A small, howling wind had just picked up and it swayed the branches of the tree on which Virgil and Rafiki sat. Barry was comfortably resting his back against the trunks of the tree.
Rafiki ( The Monkey ) : Barry, why don’t you say something ? The silence is too eerie.
Barry ( The Bear ) : Say what ?
Rafiki ( The Monkey ) : Well, anything. Just don’t be silent. Something big has happened today. How can you keep quiet ?
Barry ( The Bear ) : Oh.. Rafiki, Just because something big has happened doesn’t mean I poke my nose into it ! And by the way, I know that our friend Virgil believes in the Guru. So, let’s not hurt his feelings.
Rafiki ( The Monkey ) : Oh Virgil, you wouldn’t mind, would you ? I know you wouldn’t. I have always been curious about knowing whether the Guru was really Divine. I personally doubt it. You know, when you see all the videos, hear the rumours, read all the articles, see the BBC news clippings, the commentaries and other happenings – anyone would. In a perfectly rational world, I cannot accept it without doubt.
Virgil was silent in response.
This blog post has had its birth in my offensive mood. So, just in case it offends someone’s sensitivities, I firstly apologize for the hurt. However, not in the wildest of imaginations, shall I apologize for the content following this. I stand by every word written in it and i mean everything that I wrote. It is probably my way of expressing love for a person who changed my life.
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It was like any other day. It was like any other place. But, nature though had suddenly and silently shaken the world of faith that moment. Time put three diametrically different feelings - love, hatred and indifference - at swords with each other. It made faith, doubt and silence battle out each other. And it was all happening on the banks of a small river.
Virgil, the squirrel was silently crying. A few hours ago, it had received the news of its spiritual Guru’s passing away. It was a pain, that would need years of mourning. Rafiki, the monkey, though was more happy than ever before. He never had any appreciation for the Guru, although given his monkey mind, he would, from time to time, appreciate the humanitarian works done. And Barry -the bear, couldn’t care for anything. He was a sort of atheist by birth and never believed in the principle of Gurus. He thought that the whole concept of divinity, miracles, followers was too foolish to be followed and too insignificant experienced.
It had been four hours since a word was spoken among them. A small, howling wind had just picked up and it swayed the branches of the tree on which Virgil and Rafiki sat. Barry was comfortably resting his back against the trunks of the tree.
Rafiki ( The Monkey ) : Barry, why don’t you say something ? The silence is too eerie.
Barry ( The Bear ) : Say what ?
Rafiki ( The Monkey ) : Well, anything. Just don’t be silent. Something big has happened today. How can you keep quiet ?
Barry ( The Bear ) : Oh.. Rafiki, Just because something big has happened doesn’t mean I poke my nose into it ! And by the way, I know that our friend Virgil believes in the Guru. So, let’s not hurt his feelings.
Rafiki ( The Monkey ) : Oh Virgil, you wouldn’t mind, would you ? I know you wouldn’t. I have always been curious about knowing whether the Guru was really Divine. I personally doubt it. You know, when you see all the videos, hear the rumours, read all the articles, see the BBC news clippings, the commentaries and other happenings – anyone would. In a perfectly rational world, I cannot accept it without doubt.
Virgil was silent in response.
Rafiki (The Monkey ) : So, Barry, now that Virgil doesn’t mind, what do you think of the Guru ?
Barry (The Bear ) : Hmm Rafiki, I don’t know & I don’t care. Personally, I believe that God has no right to exist on earth. I mean you see all this suffering around you. And people say that God is silently witnessing everything. I ask, why should he even witness ? A silent witness to all the suffering happening on the planet deserves more punishment than anything else. If at all there is a true God, he is not doing what is expected of him and what is..
Barry (The Bear ) : Hmm Rafiki, I don’t know & I don’t care. Personally, I believe that God has no right to exist on earth. I mean you see all this suffering around you. And people say that God is silently witnessing everything. I ask, why should he even witness ? A silent witness to all the suffering happening on the planet deserves more punishment than anything else. If at all there is a true God, he is not doing what is expected of him and what is..
“What do you want Rafiki ?”, interrupted Virgil and speaking for the first time.
“Oh Virgil, you all right ?”, asked Rafiki hearing the almost choked voice of Virgil.
“I asked, What do you want ? Why this discussion ?”, asked virgil.
“Hmm, well, lets say i want the truth”, said Rafiki sensing the seriousness in virgil's voice.
Virgil : What truth ?
Rafiki : Whether your guru is a godman or a conman ! A miracle worker or a cheat !
Virgil : So, how do you know that what I shall say will be the truth ?
Rafiki : Well I do not. But I just want to know your perspectives.
Virgil : But since why do you care for my perspectives ? And why of all days, today ?
Rafiki : Its not out of care you see. Its more out of a need for rationality. Besides, there are thousands of crores of rupees at stake. And one has been hearing so much about the trust and other things.
Virgil : Rafiki, I am too small and too insignificant to discuss it all. I do not wish to speak. Can we all stop this discussion ?
Rafiki : Oh come on Virgil ! Who, if not you ? You have been born and brought up in Guru’s faith all life. So, why shy away now ?
Virgil : I am not shying away.
Rafiki : Then why are you not answering my question ?
Virgil : What question ?
Rafiki : The question of whether your guru is a godman or a conman ?
Virgil : hmm, what answer do you want to hear Rafiki ?
Rafiki : Your answer.
Virgil : Well Rafiki, you said ‘your’ guru. So, its already clear where your allegiances are and what your perspective is. So, I do not want to loose a friend by speaking my side.
Rafiki : Oh come on Virgil, be a sport. You know I wouldn’t mind.
Virgil : That’s the point. Of what use is my perspective, when it cannot cause your perfectly reasoning, rational thoughts to mind it ?
At this moment, Barry the bear got impatient.
Barry : Virgil, why don’t you speak it out, just so that this monkey can shut up and we all can sleep peacefully !
Rafiki : Sleep ? Oh Barry ! How can you think of sleep ? I mean, I know you are an atheist. But sleeping ? Not today ! Especially when our friend Virgil is sad !
Virgil : Well, Rafiki, honestly what is that you really want want ?
Rafiki : To hear you and your perspectives of the alleged happenings within the Guru’s ashram. Of the trust. Of what the media has to say. Of how will you carry yourself from now on ?
Virgil : What else ?
Rafiki : That is it !
Virgil : No, that is not it. There is something more.
Rafiki : Naa, that is it.
Virgil : So, what is your motive behind trying to know of the incidents, happenings and rumours ?
Rafiki : Well, there is no motive. I just want to know.
Virgil : Ahh, I know you have a monkey mind. But I have never seen you act without a motive. So, what really is your motive ?
Rafiki : Well, if that’s the case, then let us assume that my motive is prove your faith wrong.
“hahaha.. There you go ! I love you Rafiki. You are so very caring about me”, said Virgil with a hint of sarcasm.
“Well, I believe that we were not discussing your acknowledgement of my ability to care”, said Rafiki.
“Hmm”, said Virgil.
Rafiki : Come on Virgil, speak up ! Do you still hold onto your faith ? After all that has happened over the past few days !
Virgil : Hmm Rafiki. Yes, I still hold onto my faith. Infact more stronger than ever. Rafiki, unlike a rational world, where people love those who they consider trustworthy, faith in spirituality is born out of love. An unconditional, selfless, blind love. And faith born out of such love is blind too. So your attempt to break my blind faith using reasons, is like an attempt to break a hard stone using a loud voice – It wouldn’t make any difference.
Rafiki : But isn’t it wrong ? I mean to bow yourself in devotion out of faith to someone, who isn’t truly divine ?
Virgil : What is wrong in it Rafiki ? I am not seeking anything, but his love. I am craving away for his affection. I am learning to be selfless. I am giving away my wealth out of detachment. I am living for him. So, what is your problem ?
Rafiki : But he is not God !
Virgil : What has that got to do with my devotion and what i do ?
Rafiki : If he is not God, how can you be devoted to him ? If he is not God, he cannot change your lives. All his miracles are cheap tricks.
Virgil : My devotion has got nothing to do with his ability to do miracles. I do not want a miracle that can change my life forever.
Rafiki : Well, its not right ! He’s fooling your intellect and toying with you.
Virgil : And he is doing that with my permission.
Rafiki : That makes it all the worse !
Virgil : Why are you scared of it ?
Rafiki : I am not scared. But it is not right !
Virgil : What is not right ?
Rafiki : I don’t know ! But something is certainly not right !
Virgil : What is that something ?
Rafiki : I don’t know.
Virgil : haha.. you see Rafiki, that is the problem ! You don’t know what you want out of this discussion. The simple truth is that for too long, your monkey-natured human mind been too selfish and too self-protective. It is scared of hurt. It has been trained to be so. It trusts only those who can never hurt. And at the first instance of hurt, it goes into a shell and shall never trust anyone, anymore.
Rafiki : What do you want to say now ?
Virgil : I want to say now what you don’t want to hear. I want to say that I shamelessly believe in the messages of my Guru. I trust him because I trust his principles. I trust him because I have seen him stand by his principles and seen him execute his principles. I have myself received education, healthcare and potable water facilities because of him. All of his activities were love executed in action. All of which built my faith in him. All of which miraculously transformed my life.
Rafiki : But that doesn’t make him a god !
Virgil : Rafiki, who, for you, is a God ? A person who at the wave of a hand can miraculously produce something for your astonishment or A person who can provide food to the hungry, medicine to the diseased and education to the illiterate ? A person who has been a life giving support for millions of people – building their hope, support, affection, love and trust for each other ?
Rafiki : That makes him a great human being. Not God.
Virgil : For me, that is enough to treat him as a God.
Rafiki : Hmm, you say that you would consider him a God even if he does not perform miracles. Then why do them at all ? Why have the videos and the slander against you when you can calmly do your work ?
Virgil : Yes, I would consider him a God even if he does not perform miracles. And at the videos, slander and all the articles, I am happy for them.It helps separate my faith out of love from their faith out of expectations. Rafiki, to love God just because he can perform miracles is like loving a woman just because she is beautiful. It is nothing more than lust. My faith and love though is dependent on an unconditional, infinite trust. And such trust can never be broken.
Rafiki : Speaking of trust, what do you think of the activities of his trust and the thousands of crores of rupees ?
Virgil : Rafiki, such a monkey you are ! Anyways, why would I even need to think of the trust and all such things ?
Rafiki : Don’t you think its your responsibility ?
Virgil : Don’t you see my faith has got nothing to do with the trust’s money and the humans controlling it now ? My faith is more on the message, the principles and the service happening around ?
Rafiki : You have become a brainwashed, idiotic blind fool Virgil ! Hasn’t he barry ?
Barry : Rafiki, I said “I don’t care” for what he is ! I want to sleep. I am tired. So, will you stop all this non-sense ? And neither you nor virgil nor any fool is ever going to change mind out of all this discussion.
Virgil : Barry is right. I am a fool. And someday, if my faith is proved wrong, I will die a fool. But Rafiki, what about you ? Not that I care, but just incase, through a remotest chance, my faith is proved right, what would happen to you ? Wouldn’t you have lived a life of doubt, slander and libel ? Aren’t you already living on the hope that he is not god and that you’d not have to atone for the guilt of having spoken bad ?
Rafiki : Hmm, let’s not talk about it.
Virgil : Ok. As you wish. I would shut up.
“And that's what i have been saying. Shut up guys ! And I hope the media shuts up too !”, said Barry drawing the discussion to a close on an evening, where the sun never seemed like setting down.
Rafiki : Hmm, you say that you would consider him a God even if he does not perform miracles. Then why do them at all ? Why have the videos and the slander against you when you can calmly do your work ?
Virgil : Yes, I would consider him a God even if he does not perform miracles. And at the videos, slander and all the articles, I am happy for them.It helps separate my faith out of love from their faith out of expectations. Rafiki, to love God just because he can perform miracles is like loving a woman just because she is beautiful. It is nothing more than lust. My faith and love though is dependent on an unconditional, infinite trust. And such trust can never be broken.
Rafiki : Speaking of trust, what do you think of the activities of his trust and the thousands of crores of rupees ?
Virgil : Rafiki, such a monkey you are ! Anyways, why would I even need to think of the trust and all such things ?
Rafiki : Don’t you think its your responsibility ?
Virgil : Don’t you see my faith has got nothing to do with the trust’s money and the humans controlling it now ? My faith is more on the message, the principles and the service happening around ?
Rafiki : You have become a brainwashed, idiotic blind fool Virgil ! Hasn’t he barry ?
Barry : Rafiki, I said “I don’t care” for what he is ! I want to sleep. I am tired. So, will you stop all this non-sense ? And neither you nor virgil nor any fool is ever going to change mind out of all this discussion.
Virgil : Barry is right. I am a fool. And someday, if my faith is proved wrong, I will die a fool. But Rafiki, what about you ? Not that I care, but just incase, through a remotest chance, my faith is proved right, what would happen to you ? Wouldn’t you have lived a life of doubt, slander and libel ? Aren’t you already living on the hope that he is not god and that you’d not have to atone for the guilt of having spoken bad ?
Rafiki : Hmm, let’s not talk about it.
Virgil : Ok. As you wish. I would shut up.
“And that's what i have been saying. Shut up guys ! And I hope the media shuts up too !”, said Barry drawing the discussion to a close on an evening, where the sun never seemed like setting down.
4 comments:
The comparison you made for loving God is awesome:). One other thing I liked is "Faith out of expectations Vs Faith out of Love"
Very nicely explained the truth!! I liked it
what a post! It made me feel like i am reading paulo coelho's writing! superb!"to love God just because he can perform miracles is like loving a woman just because she is beautiful." Beautiful!
a lovely blow to all who believe and who does not
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