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Category: Message Of Week
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By Swami Venketashananda

If we pray to God and say, "God, please tell me how to turn within," He might say," Haven’t you ever been unhappy in life? Haven’t you ever had headaches? I gave you those so that you may turn within. I also gave you happiness so that you may feel difference and turn within to achieve lasting happiness. Thus, you will realise where the pain & suffering is and will turn within."

The Swami says, "I cannot see any other reason for the God to create pain & suffering. He is not sadistic, who takes pleasure in torturing His own creation. On the other hand He is kind & compassionate & loves ALL." "Your life is in a state of confusion because you lack insight. You are aware of the conflict within yourself, but are unable to resolve, as you do not know what insight means. Hence when you are unhappy, instead of seeing within you start blaming others for your suffering."

Swami says, "I don’t ask why I am unhappy or how this unhappiness has arisen? But I ask, Where is this unhappiness and what is unhappiness?’ The unhappiness is in me not in you. Which part of me is unhappy? This question turns your attention within; the next question is "What is it?" This process of looking within is called Natural Meditation. You don’t need to sit bolt upright in lotus posture. You can be sitting in car, bus or train and looking within.

For example, while travelling someone calls you an idiot, you roll up your sleeves and you prove him right, in the sense that you have no control on anger. On the other hand if you allow the inner light to shine, your attention is focussed on where the anger arises and is able to control it. Thus, by looking within, one realises that he or she is a part of the same kind & compassionate God, who is synonymous with Love and hence how can one be unhappy or be in pain or in anger. Love & kindness to ALL should be the motto of our life too.

‘O Lord, Give me some problems’
Whats wrong in having problems
The only people without any problem are in Cemetry
Problems are a sign of LIFE
So be glad you have got them. It means you are alive.
More problems you have, the more active you are
If you have no problems, better get down on your knees & ask
"Lord, don’t you trust me anymore? Give me some problems"