Everyone must go on a pilgrimage
some time in their life.
We often read and hear the need
to see the big picture, to view things from a broader perspective, to have a
sense of gratitude – to transform. A pilgrimage provides a real life
opportunity to make this possible.
When I decided to go for Haj (the
obligatory pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina for every Muslim who has the
requisite health and wealth) I had no idea about this. All I had in mind was
that it was a necessary thing to do at least once in a lifetime and now that I
was able to, I should.
The Quran says about Haj that whosoever
performs the pilgrimage the way it is prescribed becomes pure like the day he
was born. When I used to hear this statement in various sermons it sounded
lofty, almost patronizing, the way all religious text appears when ‘read.’ The
end outcomes of religious decrees are always either too lucrative or too
fearful and most discourses focus on the outcome. What is rarely explained is ‘how’
our actions logically lead to these outcomes. What is needed they say, and
sometimes quite conveniently, is the need to have belief or faith. But faith is
easier said than believed.
Logic is the asset of an educated
mind; it can also sometimes become its liability. When a logical mind doesn't see the ‘how’ it disbelieves the outcome. That is logical. The question that
needs to be asked is, is it because there is no ‘how’ or is it simply because
one has not yet understood the ‘how’?
During those 40 days of
pilgrimage there were many moments when you start experiencing that how. I will, in the next few articles
try to share that experience.
I share this because,
irrespective of our religious beliefs, our age, education or financial background,
there is universality in what we seek beneath all the obvious needs; peace and
purity.
And there is no one more pure
than a new born – s/he has no diabetes or blood pressure, no desire or need except
for hunger and love, no pride or prejudice and only one expectation – to be
attended to when cried. How does an adult who has
‘experienced’ life re-achieve this state of peace and purity? And how does a
pilgrimage help? The answer lies in performing the pilgrimage ‘the way it is
prescribed.’
A pilgrimage, as per Wikipedia is
a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance. A journey generally
implies travel and it is interesting to note that all quest for knowledge –
whether spiritual or worldly has implied travel. Why the travel? Travel reveals our true
character. It is said that you do not know someone unless you have traveled with him. The Urdu word for travel (safar)
is derived from the Arabic sufur
meaning ‘to unveil’.
So what is the prescribed way for this journey? The
next article will focus on how one should prepare physically, mentally and
spiritually for a journey of this nature; a journey that you will supposedly
undertake only once in your lifetime.
Very well said lines :)......please share the whole experience.
ReplyDeleteLogic is the asset of an educated mind; it can also sometimes become its liability. When a logical mind doesn't see the ‘how’ it disbelieves the outcome. That is logical. The question that needs to be asked is, is it because there is no ‘how’ or is it simply because one has not yet understood the ‘how’?
Mirrors the confusions of the mind - whether to believe or not the spiritual sayings. Looking forward to the next articles as we would travel as readers with you with the faith of finding that purity.
ReplyDeleteGood one :)
ReplyDeleteRiaz, commendable first step... an attempt to explain the "how" in written words to "logical" minds when many erstwhile attempts got thwarted by the "logic". With your blend of modern corporate management thinking and the newly found spiritual experience, I am sure you will take us one mile closer to the experience. All the best.
ReplyDelete-Sameer Agashe
2 comments or maybe observations ...though not so intelligent ones...
ReplyDelete1) When computer was a huge machine lying in some supercool room and no one knew of the word "internet" , writers used to rely on "the dictionary meaning of something" as a base to their thoughts. Then came the age of PCs and intelligent dining room conversations when the dictionary meaning was replaced by "politically correct" ideas. And now in the age of e-books and social networking ...Wikipedia seems to be the last word and the buck stops right there.
2) About ur thots on logic....there's something I observed yesterday while watching the LIVE antimyatra of Balasaheb. We ; the supposedly well read, assumedly well(?) educated lot are the ones who need logic/ scientific evidence to support a statement, be it a line from quran , a verse from the gita, a simple theory put forward by a scientist...meaning in short , we question the existence of God/ anything good, if not that then the ways and means of the paths leading to HIM. And on the other hand, is the not-so-educated/learned class ...those who do not have white collar jobs , those who do not shop at malls... those who live by each day...that's the class who (I think) puts complete faith in someone (be it GOD, be it political leader, be it a certain sect or religion)...and then without any "tark-vitark" or arguments or any need for logic or rationale or scientific evidence , they just follow the chosen path. So its clearly a case of strongly assuming that there is a "how" and then following the path shown by the entity who u believe in. Atleast thats the message that i got from the 20,00,000 odd junta who took to the roads just to say good bye. While there were others still debating whether the person had actually more good than bad, whether there was ever "more than meets the eye", whether is it safe to actually take to the roads or just watch from the comforts of our couch. Apologise the digression of example, but the point still being the same ...its "Knowledge shines your path" v/s "Ignorance is bliss".
Hetal, beautiful observations both. And an interesting dilemma between knowledge and ignorance. The 'ignorance' you mention is the ignorance attained after the firm knowledge that someone 'knows' and that you will follow that someone. Blessed is a person who has achieved that level of faith, but then with it she needs to ensure that she is following the correct person / path. The question is does it absolve one from the responsibility of seeking knowledge?
ReplyDelete