To Sadhu Maa about Discussion of daily message on work

[Guest guest]

Sadhu Maa wrote:

....It seems that if we are working in the world we should try to do a

good job. Should I not take career paths that might bring name, gain,

etc.? Should I forfeit use of my God given talents in favor of an

annonymous job doing construction, or landscaping or something

else...all great jobs but perhaps not what I would be best at. Is

this making sense?...

Dear Sadhu Maa ~ It makes very good sense to ask these questions. I

have wondered about this myself. When I was still able to work, I did

what I was good at and loved to do. Some people would put me on a

pedestal, but I have always tried to resist that ... whatever it is.

When I used to do workshops (avocation) or perform my music (which I

have always believed comes from God/dess), I could actually see this

process happening right before my eyes.

 

At one point, after a wonderful concert (private, home concert, one of

the high points of my life, and a gift from God/dess), I saw this

group of men walking toward me. I was used to people coming up to me

after performances, and my goal was to be appreciative and accepting

toward whatever any individual had to say. This group, though, had

not only clearly put me on a pedestal, but had also decided I was

going to be dinner. The energy they were emitting was very physical,

and I saw it really more clearly than I actually would have liked to.

As soon as they came over, I thanked them and then made a quick get

away. Whew.

But I did not stop singing.

 

Someone who has the inclination and gift to be a doctor, or a poet, or

a scientist, or a teacher, or a coffee shop owner, or ... whatever ...

I believe that is their gift, and it comes from God/dess. (And, as the

saying goes, we shouldn't hide our light under a bushel.) If all the

doctors, teachers, nurses, bus drivers, singers, artists...and even

the landscapers or the garbage collectors or the people who hand us

our cups of coffee in the morning ... if all these people went off to

become sadhus, who would take care of us if we broke our leg or got a

disease? Who would teach our children? Who would take them to school?

What would Ravi Shankar do with his beautiful music? Who would build

our homes? Who would plant the food that we eat?

 

I believe that if God/dess has given us a gift or even an inclination,

we have a duty to use that for the sake of our sisters and brothers.

We can do it consciously, offering the fruits to God/dess. Or we can

do it unconsciously, putter along, maybe seek fame and fortune. But

in the midst of this doing what we do well, I believe we should be

appreciative of the gift, and make time to thank God/dess (worship,

spiritual practice, meditation).

 

Recently we had a discussion in the digest about providing for the

guru, which in India is an ancient and revered practice. Those of us

who are healthy and can leave our jobs for a bit could respond to

Nanda's recent call for people to come to the Mandir and chop wood

(and oh, how I wish I could do that ... but with my illness I would

chop one piece, and then I'd have to go to bed). Or we can contribute

in other ways. But if there wasn't this balance between the guru (or

gurus, who are few and far between) and those of us who are called to

other kinds of work, then who would provide for the guru?

 

All is balance ... in my very humble opinion. And I know that this

question is a deep and sincere one because I have asked it of myself.

Jai Maa , Jai Swamiji ~ Linda

[Guest guest]

Thanks Linda for your very wise and compassionate words.

 

, nierika wrote:

> All is balance ... in my very humble opinion. And I know that this

question

> is a deep and sincere one because I have asked it of myself. Jai

Maa , Jai

> Swamiji ~ Linda

>