VISITOR SANS (WITHOUT) POSSESSION

I would like people to live in the present with eternity in mind.  If there is in fact going to be rapture one day, in which we leave everything behind, shouldn't that loosen our grip on our material possessions right now? ----(Robert Jeffress)

I check in a resort.  Amuse myself about the ambiance- frescoes, chandeliers, life-size  statues, greenery, swimming pool sparkling with bikinis, exquisite drapery and upholstery  of the suite. But when I check out, can I lay my hand on a single piece of choice of my heart and take along with me?. No way! Just I am a visitor to stay for a while.  Same is true with our coming into this world too. "This world is a delusion of two days.  The present life is of five minutes" (SwamyVivekananda).  Bear-handed at the entry point and bear-handed only  at the exit point. Then why this illusory passion for possession?  From time to time  I have been sharing with open heart the gradual transformation within, stage by stage. The last vestige of remote possessive attitude was about my father's rare piece of invaluable antique - a sturdy portable Remington Typewriter (Made in England), used by him in the British Service ( may be of 1930's or 40's, that is in pre - Independence days of India) as Deputy Collector.  I had thought of a centenary celebration for it in about a decade or so. But recently on one fine morning I found the ghastly sight of termite infested piece in  rubble.  No more sense of attachment.  Great realisation!   'Time is at once the most valuable and the most perishable of all our possessions.' (John Randolph).  My intention about the  regular anecdotes is to impress upon the necessity of understanding the spiritual succour that our younger generations too must possess. Two stories about the trivial nature of material possessions follow....

'Once a visitor wished to have an interview with a mahatma. He searched for the address of the noble one. After putting in much effort could trace his house with single room.  Entering the room the visitor saw to his surprise that there were no furniture, no comforts worth the name.  The mahatma was simply seated in a meditation posture on a mat.  The visitor asked, "Mahatma!  Hearing about your name and fame  I thought that you were of high status with all comforts. But I find you here now that you are so simple living."  The mahatma asked, "Who are you?'  Reply came from the former, "I am a visitor."  "So I too!" said the mahatma and continued," I am also a visitor. When I know that my stay here on this earth is so short and can't carry back to my eternal abode even a tiny item, how can I go on accumulating them?"   The visitor was speechless!'

'Another story is said to have happened in the time of  Guru nanak Dev. Among many of the Sri Guru nanak's devotees there was a rich business man who was a miser too.  Guru Nanak wanted to open his eyes. On one of the visits by the devotee, Guru nanak addressed him, "See, I am getting old and may leave this world any time. I wish to take a help from you.  Please keep this needle with you. When you too come to the heaven please do not forget to return back this needle to me there." Upon this the devotee felt embarrassed and said, " How can it be, Baba! You know that I cannot carry this tiny rusted needle or for that matter any other object  from this earth to heaven."  Guru nanak Dev then smiled and said, "So you accept that even a tiny rusted needle cannot be taken from here to heaven.
Then is it not wise for you to dispose of your wealth, amassed  for so many years,  to the needy ones?

Leave miserliness be charitable to remain in the hearts of the poor even after your leaving for the heaven." The miser got realisation and dispensed  with his properties on charities. '

So, let us be large hearted, Our imprints are indelible in the hearts of the people, even after our departure,  by what we part with  and not by what we possess.  Let us remember the golden words of James Cash Penney, "Men are not great or small  because of their material possessions.  They are great or small because of what they are!."

A 'Visitor on this Earth'

Om shanti!