OurWord

This is not a serious article and I am not sermonizing. The conversation is generic in nature. We may call it a flight of fancy but it is fun to soar.

No offence intended.

This is my imagination. This is an exercise for my mind to ask questions and provide what I think could be the answers. I may not have a plausible explanation, but I do believe that the universe governs our lives with a set of laws. The two laws etched on rock are The Law of Karma and The Law of Impermanence. No exceptions are made. There I am sure will be arguments on this philosophy but that could be for later. I do have conversations with the universe. We all do that. We talk to ourselves wondering if anyone cares. Sometimes answers are provided. Certain situations in our lives make us wonder if events happen as a coincidence or is something out there.

Armed with a wavering belief that the universe is an entity and is duty-bound to provide answers to the seekers, I decided to seek an appointment with the universe—an unprecedented measure to counter life seemingly spiraling out of control.

 I decided to write a request for an audience with a representative of the universe for 30 minutes.

The request was short and business-like.

It said:

Dear Universe/Divine/God

I have lost count and, on many occasions, requested you to answer my questions. I do understand that you manage a remarkably busy organization, and I get the impression that you are understaffed to the core. Surely over these million years, you could have resolved your staff problems.

My point is that you have ignored my plea for answers, and I deserve to be heard.

An affirmative response from you will restore my confidence in your credibility.

Thanking you

With warm regards

Seeker

The letter was addressed to Mr. Divine/ Ms. Divine

Universe Ltd

Head Office

Paradise

Heavenly Circuit

Universe

I did write my address on the back of the envelope.

I posted a letter while admonishing myself for this childish act.

The divine I thought, as far I was concerned, had a very lackadaisical approach towards seekers. I mean what makes this universe respond to our voice? It was then I decided to be childlike and send a request for a meeting. I was tired of being an adult or behaving like one at least.

On my routine peep in the post box, I found an envelope in it. I found my name on it with no sender’s address. The letter said the following:

Dear Seeker

I am pleased to inform you that you have been granted an audience “With the Divine” at 10 am, 12 February 2024. Please note the address mentioned below.

Universe Ltd

Paradise House

Eternity Street

G4EVER

You are advised to have your questions ready with you. The representative with all the commitments will grant you 30 minutes only. Please be advised that any extension or reduction of your time with us is at our discretion.

Our best wishes are with you.

Please be punctual.

The divine is within you.

I could not believe my eyes. A part of me was screaming with joy that the universe had responded to my request. A faint voice within was warning me that someone was playing a prank. Someone in the postal distribution section must have read the letter and decided to take my imagination further. The address for my interview seemed genuine. The address was two streets away from where I lived. I was confused as well about the identity of the sender of this letter.

I was at the address at 9.55 am. Why have I not noticed this house before? It looked deserted and seemed work-in-progress. My thoughts were interrupted by footsteps. The door opened and I found myself looking at a face strangely familiar. Where have I seen this person before?

“Hello, my friend, it is so good to see you. Please come in and follow me to the room. I hope you did not have problems finding this place.”

My head was spinning. I was geared up for a prank, or a no-show. But this was for real. It could still be a prank with people jumping out of everywhere, laughing at me for being so naïve, for believing that the universe would turn up.

“Excuse me, if this is a prank, I admit that I have fallen for it. I can leave now and never see each other again.”

Divine: I know you have doubts about this meeting. I can assure you this meeting is real, and it is happening as we speak. I am resigned, any way to my fate of always being questioned about my existence.

Me: So, do you exist?

Divine: It is for you to be aware of me. And I am not going to prove my existence. I am aware of all the questions you have in your arsenal, but I want you to ask me the questions before your time is up. Seekers are lining up by the minute.

Me: The numbers are growing. Many of us are cynical about your existence. Nothing, I am sure, has escaped your attention. So, look around and see the atrocities on this planet. We humans have been decimating each other for centuries. We have this sense of superiority over others. Countless wars have been fought over religion. The victor or the vanquished claim that their god is the legitimate one. I do realize that all the scriptures, holy books, and philosophies suggest that we should live peacefully with each other. So what version are you?

It will not go unnoticed by you the way we are destroying nature. The serenity and the innocence of nature have been compromised by us. I could continue with this, but do you care? It seems that you have handed over controls to a handful on our planet to plunder lives, nature, and resources, and convert this planet of abundance into scarcity.

Do you have a count of how many of us die of poverty? How the vulnerable are exploited? I could go on and I am sure you know so much more than me. One of the holy scripts says “The meek shall rule the world”; that does not seem to be happening.

How could your creation be so bigoted? Where did this magnitude of cruelty come from?

I could go on, but I am going to stop. I do not want to be a whiner. It is a beautiful planet, and its offerings are free. This is the reason we wish you could do more to preserve its sanity.

Divine: Gosh! I am relieved you stopped. Of course, I care. And I hope that you humans care as well. If the divine had not cared, your planet would still be a gas ball. The divine chose your planet Earth, as we have done with others, to evolve, to realize its potential. The divine is not apologetic about the way things are on your planet. We did not create earth to be an abode for angels. Evil is a part of the same coin. You can do well for others only if you recognize evil. We encourage you to be good. We encourage you to be ambitious. If you want to be the richest person in the world, go ahead and become one. Unfortunately, if you want to be greedy, or covetous: can we stop you? If you want to beat your chest for all the resources you have, go ahead, and do it. We do not even object if you make yourself famous by announcing all the philanthropic work you do. The elders in our domain nod their heads in approval when people work selflessly for others, for the unsung. We appreciate those small gestures people make to help others. These may sound like cliches, but the Law of Karma activates immediately when you help a blind cross the road. If you carry bags for the elderly, help push a broken car. I can go on, but I am booked for many meetings today.

Me: So, you ignore all those who have built institutions, hospitals, hospices, shelter homes, or schools.

Divine: Not at all. We are all for development, humans are designed to search, question, and evolve. We have never suggested that be complacent. We recognize all the philanthropic work that are done by the goodness that prevails inside you. We are not suggesting that you twiddle your thumb because the laws of karma will come into play. Any inaction on your part is an action with consequences.

 We gave you a bag of free will and on occasion guided you to use them appropriately. Unfortunately, the external noise, and the pressure to conform crush your voice within.

Me: So where do we go from here?

Divine: Slow down. Look around you. There is so much each one of you can do for all living beings on this planet. Each one of you has goodness embedded in your system. Each one of you could surpass all to work for this planet.

Me: Now that we are talking, what is it about us looking for happiness and truth? Why is it so important for us to be permanently happy? Why is the search for truth so important for us? Do you feel we should be spending so much time listening to gurus, reading books for solutions, and self-improving ourselves?  Does it offer us any protection at all?

Divine: I think you humans have exaggerated this concept of happiness. Your lives are a journey. Every life has its twists and turns. Life will have its share of things going your way and at times be in the dumps. There will be times when you can laugh your heart out. There will be occasions of loss, sorrow, despair, or frustration. If you accept the fact of The Law of Impermanence and accept what life may throw at you, you are truly in a space of authentic happiness. I am not suggesting that you twiddle your thumb because The Laws of Karma will come into play. Any inaction on your part is an action with consequences. And this age-old pursuit of truth. Have you ever heard the truth? Will you be able to recognize the truth in any form? My suggestion is, to analyze such concepts but not let them paralyze you. My observations are despite attaining “true happiness or recognizing truth”, you will still have to “chop wood and carry water.”

Me: This Karma thing baffles me. We are living beings and action is a part of our lives. We are creating karma all the time. How do we keep ourselves on the credit side of the karma ledger?

Divine: If you disagree with an individual, community, school of thought, or way of life that is fine. If you agree that is fine too. You create karma when you hate or belittle someone.

Me: As individuals, most of us have faced challenges that seemed insurmountable, but we have survived them. It does haunt our memories though, because of the scars it has left behind.  How do we deal with it? It is all good to say that it has passed, now look ahead. We do that but it is painful when memories flood in. You may say it builds our character, true in many ways, but it inhibits us from growing because of those scars.

God: I know what you are referring to. We are not discussing those details here. As I said before, life will challenge you. You will have scars because everybody hurts. Believe me, life in many ways will compensate you for your wounds. Moreover, do you have a choice? You must move on. Life is such an exciting journey. Ride the waves of adventure and enjoy every single moment.

Me: I have had some moments of revelations in the past. It was as if the universe was telling me that I had not been abandoned. Unexplained incidents, unknown people reaching out to help me. There were moments of grace that overwhelmed me. Was it you doing all this?

Divine: You must have done something commendable, that so much was offered to you.

Me: How can I get those spiritual experiences back?

Divine: They are happening with you or many others every day. Check out your receptors if they are in order. Look back at your life. How did things fall into place for you? However, there is a caveat, that is, it opens a new set of realities or challenges, as you may want to call it. This is life at its best.

Me: Is it time for me now?

Divine: Well almost. Remember my friend, there is a lot of strength in simplicity. Please keep it simple. Avoid reading too much into things. It would be too overwhelming for you to change the world. Simply change yourself. Set examples for others to follow. Not many will agree but at least it generates a discussion. In our organization, as you called it earlier, words such as success or failure are not used.

It is all about intent.  As far as we are concerned that is when we nod our heads in approval.

Me: Any parting suggestion for me?

Divine: The laws of the universe will always work in your favor if you come to us from a position of strength. Say that you have a lot of abundance and that you are grateful for that. Use your abundance in any form to help others.

Please do not be impatient with anything. What will be, will be.  You will not be denied anything you deserve. When it is time, it will happen. The onus is on you to recognize that the universe is rewarding you.

It was so good to talk to you. I hope it was worth your while to be here with me. I have given you words, no handouts, or guarantees of permanent happiness, and no pain. All I have said is that we care for you and that you are not alone. Next time you are perplexed by a situation, ask for a sign. The sign will come to assure you that our “organization” is working out a solution for you. I suggest looking at things with acceptance. Perceive things as they are without labeling them as good or bad.

Me: I stood outside the building. My thoughts were interrupted by a man. He seemed to be working in the building.

Man: “I notice you have been standing here for some time. Is there anything I can do for you?

Me: Did I enter this building?

Man: No, you did not. You have been standing here at the door all the time.  Is everything ok?

Me: I thought I went in and met with someone inside.

Man: Mate must be your imagination.

I walked back home in a trance. The person looked so familiar. Was it me? The divine within me.   It must be my imagination.

Lexicon time:

Word of the day is Ingenious which means being clever, original, and inventive.