Picture: Jesus lamenting over the poor spiritual health of Jerusalem
You might say this is about anti-thanksgiving, those things we are not grateful for; when people lie, cheat, steal and even murder. As aspirants for realization what do we do when are lives are touched by, or we collide with, such situations?
There will be few who have not done any of these things themselves; and fewer still whose lives have not been seriously disturbed by others who do. We must have an avenue to get through such times so that we do no harm to ourselves or others; that we may actually do what we can to set the situation right.
When it comes to my own behaviour I act as if all that I do will be used as headlines in the newspaper or television. This can have a sobering effect on any misbehavior. It is interesting that when I have done something wrong, I have wanted it to be done in secret.
Knowing that to God, all of His angels and the spiritual Masters there are no secrets, there is no place to hide and everything is known, then only a fool can believe no one will know. Jesus said it most graphically when he said, That which you think you do in secret will be shouted from the rooftops!
When your life is touched by others who lie, cheat, and steal there can be no doubt that you will have some reaction. Mother Hamilton, in her fully realized state, said that others imagine that she could not feel hurt or pain because of someone else’s actions or words. She said that was most assuredly not true, she could feel deeply hurt.
So what distinguishes a realized soul from those of us in spiritual ignorance? The difference is that such hurt did not separate Mother from her conscious oneness with God, for others it does, and that makes all the difference.
And it is in this difference that you can find a stepping stone to freedom. When someone injures you through mis-behaviour, you see the situation as you imagine God would see it. You may think, “God feels pain for everyone involved, but He is also dispassionate; God is always God. And God always sees the truth of a situation, He is not blinded by a need to gloss over a behaviour.
By mentally staying connected to God you remain anchored to your vast, Divine Nature, even while you interact with the pain and disappointment of this world. Highly realized souls can feel deep pain by what others do. Master went to Mexico after a betrayal by a childhood friend and helper in his work here in America, feeling that he just wanted to return to India; until Divine Mother prompted him to stay and complete his work in America.
A touching experience occured during Sri Yuktewar’s last days on earth when he had a deep disappointment, although it did not include wrong behaviour. It happened when he had asked Master to stay with him, but Yoganandaji was keen upon attending the Kumbha Mela where he hoped to have the darshan of Babaji. When Sri Yukteswar came to know that Master had left, he took to bed for three days in a deep despair.
It can be disturbing to know that great spiritual masters can be affected by others, but it can be comforting as well. The key to finding your way through a situation is whether you take your mind off God or you keep your attention upon the One. You may still feel pain, distress, anger, and frustration, but with a perfected consciousness there is not a cloud of separation from the light of God; in fact your mind goes deeper into God, such as Lahiri Mahasaya did when he came to know he was to soon leave the body.
This is something to deeply think upon during this time of Thanksgiving. When God is present in disappointment and tragedy then pearls of Truth may be realized and the great Comforter may come to you in a dark night; these rescues from the Divine are truly something to be thankful for.