Challenges will inevitably confront everyone who seeks something worthwhile. There are once again a few caveats for this article. Everyone is different, and therefore what may seem a challenge to one person may not be for another. Depending on one’s nature and aspirations, they will set themselves sometimes very different targets and have very different approaches. In either case, challenges will be there in the workplace and we will try to explore here the perceptions and attitudes that lead to our reaction to challenges, which can either enable or empower us, or indeed hinder us from progressing from the situation both spiritually and materially.
Let’s take our minds back to the days of battle in the Ramayana. After Lord Rama’s younger brother Lakshmana had been severely injured by Indrajit, Lakshmana fought Indrajit a second time the following day. Lord Rama’s camp, chief amongst whom were the might Hanuman, Vibhishana, Sugriva, Angand, Jambuvant, Nal, Neel and Hanumanji’s father Kesri, were all very conscious of the threat that Indrajit posed, having defeated all of the demigods including Indra, and having injured Lakshmana in their first bout. After hours of intense fighting and exchanges of ferocious weapons, Indrajit summoned the Shakti weapon, which then rendered Lakshmana completely unconscious. After hearing the celebration roars of Indrajit and his army, Lord Rama and His army, all in complete anxiety, ran where Lakshmana lay. Lord Rama was entirely distraught, inconsolable. He began to lament, saying that “You served me so unswervingly, you never slept as you would always serve, and I could not even save you, and here I am alive? How will I approach your wife my dear brother, and explain to her that in order to save My own wife, I was unable to save your husbands life? How will I go back and approach your mother? Please call out to me like you always do! O Brother! Why will you not call me?” Tears streamed down Lord Rama’s face as He held and looked at His brother. In this situation, just imagine the sentiments of the chief members of Lord Rama’s army. Sugriva, when he was devastated, having had his wife stolen from him by his brother Vali, came to Lord Rama and surrendered. Vibhishana, when he was abolished from Lanka came to Lord Rama and surrendered. Everyone was surrendered to Lord Rama, and here Lord Rama, the only resort for those who were inconsolable, was inconsolable. What would they do? Of all of the members of Lord Rama, Sri Hanumanji spoke, “Are we all going to simply watch this and not try to find a solution to help Lord Rama?” Vibhishana, also in tears replied, “There is a solution, but there is no point mentioning it as it is impossible.” Hanuman at once said “Nothing is impossible with Lord Rama’s grace, please tell me what it is.” Vibhishana explained firstly that no one has survived the Shakti weapon, but that there is a ayurvedic doctor in Lanka, which is impossible to get into now, and he would need to bring the doctor, who would need to be willing to help, which is impossible as he is a servant of Ravana, he would need to assess Lakshama, identify a cure if at all possible, which would likely involve an almost impossible task of getting ingredients for a remedy, and then the remedy would need to work. Hanuman, consequently begged the tearful Lord Rama’s blessings and set off to Lanka. He was consequently successful and the entire operation was a success. Just imagine the challenge faced by the core group Lord Rama’s army; Lord Rama had never shown such signs of morose after battle had commenced. Just think how much faith Hanumanji had in the Lord, that He even trusted in that situation, that by Lord Rama's grace, there could be a solution, when even the Lord Himself was not hopeful! Hanumanji is the epitome and top most example of dasya-rasa, or the relation with the Lord, as His servant. Whilst nobody has ever nor will ever compare with this example of complete willingness to serve as Hanumanji, the learnings can certainly be meditated upon carefully, absorbed, and applied in our lives.
Our perception of the challenge
When striving for something, we will inevitably face some form of challenge. We must have heard that the most important factor is how we react to the challenge, and surely this is true. But, have we thought about what forms our response? Our perception of the challenge, which is borne from our attitude, will form the basis for our reaction. If our attitude is that the workplace is full of maya, then our perception will be that it is not worth it, and then our thinking faculties naturally will not be as creative or positive. If we think, these people are all full of greed and passion, why should I get stuck up in their ambitions through all these challenges? Better that I just withdraw and settle for whatever result comes from it, then it is likely we will not be so engaged in addressing the situation. Now, whatever the other people may be like, whatever their motives may be, we have chosen to be in the field, and this article is aimed at addressing being effective in the field- selecting a relevant field is for another time. Hanumanji enthusiastically inquired to seek out a solution, if our attitude is that we are keen to serve and help, knowing that anything is possible with Lord Rama’s blessing, we can aim to assist in a very objective way, which is also detached because we are aware that ultimately the result will not be down to us. This will likely be very different from the attitudes of many others, and automatically sets us aside. Krishna Consciousness is more about the attitude and the endeavour than the result so we must try our best to be detached, not become so unnecessarily involved in judging others, and strive sincerely with committment, for the best outcome. We should not be attached to enjoying the result of our work- that is a big differentiator that can immediately set one aside in your attitude, and it is visible. It is astonishing how when we adopt this mindset, the results will come. Why do results come if we are detached whilst in the service of the Lord? Because who is qualified to possess something? Someone who knows that God is the true owner, is qualified because he or she will not misuse those things. When we are detached, we are also willing to strive very hard in the service of the Lord. In this way, Hanuman was endowed with so much power that he could have even killed Ravana himself if he wanted, because he never misused it because he knew this was the promise of the Lord.
Thinking outside the box
One of the biggest differences between experienced people and inexperienced is that experienced people keep the goal firmly in front of mind and also think outside the box on how to achieve the goal. When Hanumanji arrived at Lanka, he had a number of goals, or services in mind. He needed to give Sita Devi the ring from Lord Rama, he wanted to show the enemy Lord Rama’s armies prowess, and wanted to size up their army and get a feel for the kinds of style and formations they would use. Not only did he achieve his objectives, but did so in great outside the box style! By setting fire to Lanka, and flying past it, it was monumental and remembered by all. Now of course, or challenges are different, but in relation to handling challenges, the principles we can learn and apply from Hanumanji of not giving up, trusting in the unlimited power of God and His great devotees to inspire and empower us, and most importantly being very willing to do what it takes to make it happen.
No comments:
Post a Comment