Faith - To Have, Or Not To Have!?

 

If asked, what is faith, people would reply according to their own interpretations, and probably everyone will be right. But I believe that most of the answers will be, believing in a higher power that is watching over and taking care of us.

The other day, I watched a very interesting video. A devotee requests his favorite deity to visit his home as his mother wished to see Him. The deity agrees on the condition that the devotee must take His place in the temple. The devotee agrees. So, the deity dresses up His devotee as Himself and leaves for his home with these parting lines – ‘Just stand in place and let the people bow and pray to you. Do not be granting any wishes, for everyone will get their fair share of Karma.’

I believe this will come as a shock to all those who place their faith on divine powers and believe that they will be granted everything they wish for.

Last night, I watched the movie Mahavatar Narsimha (which is a splendid, spectacular creation that people must watch at least once). The basis of the whole movie, or I should say, the whole incarnation of Mahavatar Narsimha is a five-year old child’s unwavering faith and belief that his God will protect him always. No matter how many times the child almost dies, he never doubts his belief that God will protect him, and God does protect him.

So, which version of faith works?! The version where everyone will get their due share of karma, or the one where faith will bring miracles in life?

In my opinion, both the versions work. There is the universal law of karma and its effect, and there is also the wonderful possibility of miracles. What we need to do, I feel, is change our criterion for faith.

Faith doesn’t mean just the belief that everything will always work out in our favor. It also doesn’t mean that we should just accept our fate or shouldn’t believe in miracles. I feel that we need to have that kind of faith, that whatever happens, we will find a way to rise. Consider the law of Karma and its effect as an incentive for your life. Consider the miracles as a bonus. Consider faith as your performance!

Some of you might be believers in divine powers, some of you might be believers in the laws of a just universe and some of you might be atheists as well. Whatever is your inclination towards faith, it is essential to have it – either in the divine, or in universal laws, or in yourself. Life without faith will be dry and meaningless. We need something as an anchor to keep us grounded while facing turbulence in life. Faith is that anchor. Faith helps you to keep going. Faith lends you a purpose when everything seems to have fallen apart.

Natural and manmade calamities, tragedies, disasters – these often shake up our faith in the universe. They make us question everything that we believe in and hold on to. I have often pondered about these situations, and I could come only to one conclusion – some events have no explanation. I came across a quote that goes something like this – The universe is under no obligation to make sense to anyone. All we can do is accept these situations, grieve for the losses and still find a way to move forward.

In my previous blogs, I have written about the trilogy of the rituals – gratitude, forgiveness and surrender. Faith lends a packaging to the trilogy. Without faith, surrender is not possible. Without surrender, faith will not matter. Faith and surrender are two sides of the same coin.

Here’s hoping, that you have that kind of faith that keeps you going no matter what.