Page 14 - The Indian EYE 051724

SPECIAL FEATURE MAY 17, 2024 | The Indian Eye 14

IN THE JOY OF OTHERS…

hen it comes to managing
our day-to-day interactions
Wwith one another, most of
us can often be described as compli-
cated. In navigating our personal rela-
tionships, sometimes we are deliberate
and thoughtful, and sometimes we are
impulsive. Sometimes we are easily
angered, and sometimes we are calm.
Sometimes we are optimistic about our
relationships, and sometimes we feel
hopeless.
I doubt it is an exaggeration to say
that on most days, most of us are genu-
inely trying to land on the right side of
these internal conflicts.

However, it is also not likely an
exaggeration to say that most of
the time, even with the best of in-
tentions, we fail. Our minds are a

battlefield. The good and the bad
inside of us fight every day to see
which will claim victory over the
other.

In navigating these sometimes im-
mensely difficult internal challenges,
in trying anxiously to do right by those being. His was a life of humility, powerful in the moments that I to Pramukh Swami Maharaj, our pres-
around me, and in pledging to heal not devoted to service — service of spend in our temple, our mandir, ent guru Mahant Swami Maharaj, and
hurt, these are the words that, in my his own gurus, service of Bhagwan where I feel Pramukh Swami Ma- Bhagwan Swaminarayan. And I see the
life, have made the difference between Swaminarayan, and in equal mea- haraj’s presence the strongest. As murtis — images — of Bhagwan Swa-
love and hate, unity and division, un- sure, service of all the devotees of much as I understand Pramukh minarayan and His spiritual successors.
derstanding and anger, patience and BAPS. The inspiring reality is that Swami Maharaj’s words, as well as And in that moment, I feel peace.
intolerance: in the joy of others was his own. other teachings of our gurus and Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s words
In the joy of others lies our own, He spared no effort to uplift our our God, I know that what is in have so much meaning, in so many
In the progress of others rests our own, lives, our spirits, and our souls in our heads does not easily make its different ways and in all the different
In the good of others abides our own, every way that he could. Despite way into our hearts. I have come contexts of our lives. If we embrace
Know this to be the key to happiness. the vast numbers who reached to appreciate that their words and these words in the way that he asked,
These are the soothing words of my out to him in a moment of need, the examples of their lives have to our impact on the people we love and
guru, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, whose he was only a phone call away, and be contemplated, reflected upon, the people around us has the potential
life was defined by faith, forgiveness, he would always send a personally nurtured, tended to, reinforced, to be exponentially powerful. If I fail to
empathy, harmony, love, and selfless- handwritten letter with words of and experienced in ways that it is remember Pramukh Swami Maharaj in
ness. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the blessing and guidance. Pramukh only possible to do when I am in moments of distress, then I just simply
spiritual leader of the BAPS Swamina- Swami Maharaj helped to heal my mandir. fail. I find the inspiration to do what
rayan Sanstha, until his passing in 2016. those who may be suffering and My mandir is itself a source he asked me to do: abandon my anger
He lived until the age of 94. Pramukh shared in the delight of those who of immense personal joy. From and embrace patience; discard my pet-
Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual may be celebrating. the moment I arrive and catch the ty jealousies and celebrate the victories
successor to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, I have found that in many first glimpse of the magnificent of others; refuse to turn a blind eye to
in whom Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s moments of my life it has been architectural structure, invoking someone in need and volunteer chari-
faith was absolute, pure, unbounded, challenging to live by my guru’s a connection to our Hindu her- ty; surrender my grievances and offer
and unshakable. And Pramukh Swa- words. But I have found that in itage, culture and history, I am forgiveness. And in doing this, I know
mi Maharaj shared his faith with us, in those moments where I am drawn overcome. Over the years, my con- I have myself experienced joy, I hope
every moment, in every encounter, in to my darker instincts, remember- versations with our swamis have that I might have fostered joy in others,
every conversation, in every letter he ing Pramukh Swami Maharaj and spanned the full range of my life’s and I pray that I brought joy to my be-
wrote, and in every word he spoke. remembering the example of his experience. Our swamis don’t just loved guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj never life is an inspiration to do better. convey our guru’s message, they Rakesh Patel
once in his life thought of his own well- And I find this inspiration most live by it. They are my connection BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

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