RE: The earthquake - any explanation for the tragedy and suffering?

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your post Frankji and for raising points worth pondering.

Although dramatic events draw our attention and the heart breaking stories

are hard to bear, suffering seems universal and is not limited to one

country, continent, nationality, race, or creed. We all respond to what is

around us according to our nature (prarabdhakarma).

 

May all be consoled, blessed, and in peace.

Love to all

Harsha

 

 

f maiello [egodust]

Monday, January 29, 2001 7:33 AM

advaitin

Re: The earthquake - any explanation for the tragedy

and suffering?

 

 

hariH OM! sri sudhir malhotra-

 

yes, even apparently calloused people will be deeply

moved by tragic events of such proportions.

 

in many ways, we 'spiritual seers' tend to feel it that

much more. however, we're also quite aware that the Self

remains unscathed and unaffected by such. sri krsna makes

this abundantly clear in bg. however again, this neither

implies that we shouldn't care. what bg is trying to tell

us, is that such shouldn't be taken to heart to the extent

that it derails our equanimity and faith in the wisdom of

the unfolding will of God (isvara).

 

the fact also emerges that, yes, this is the karma that is

in fact *vital* to the evolution of these souls. i believe

unequivocally that each of us has in our past, undergone

such tragedies, for this very purpose.

 

99% of the people of the world are unaware of the fact that

virtually *every single day*, over 120,000 people die of

starvation alone...40,000 of which are children under 5!

(statistics according to the Worldwatch Institute.) this

is sobering to say the least. but it also clarifies the

nature of the soul's inscrutable plan [of evolution, and

its often paradoxic dynamics]..

 

i've researched such matters and recently posted some of my

findings along with a proposed plan to help address these

problems. despite that i believe whatever is unfolding is

necessary, i also believe that part and parcel to isvara's

plan involves certain individuals being responsive to such

problems (viz. one's svadharma embracing seva, as a byproduct

of one's prarabdhakarma). if you're interested, see:

http://pyramodule.com/egodust/fmpagebio3.html

 

namaskaaram,

frank maiello

 

____________________________

 

 

Sudhir Malhotra wrote:

>

> Dear Sir:

>

> Hare Krishna. May God have mercy on all.

>

> I have been reading about the earthquake in India with a heavy heart.

> About 16,000 are feared dead and the toll is rising.

>

> I am very new to following Sri Bhagvad Gita, and that's why I am asking

this

> question. Is there is any explanation in the Sri Bhagvad Gita for the fate

> that befell these people, old, and young, schoolchildren, pregnant mothers

> and unborn children.

>

> The most heart rending news was about the 500 schoolchildren and 50

teachers

> who were participating the the Republic Day parade and were buried alive

> when the buildings caved in on them. 500 bright little children walking

> proudly in the parade for their country with their doting parents watching

> them or waiting for them just around the corner, and life gets snuffed out

> of them.

>

> Can it be simply explained by saying that they have been punished for

their

> misdeeds in the previous Janmas (lives). Or is this just a natural

disaster?

>

> Please be kind enough to let me know.

>

> Hare Krishna. May God give everyone the strength to deal with the tragedy.

>

> Sudhir

 

 

Discussion of Sankara's Advaita Vedanta Philosophy of nonseparablity of

Atman and Brahman.

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