‘I am such a good person. I am suffering’. ‘He is such a wicked person. How come he is so rich and enjoying his life?’ We hear such statements regularly. It appears that most of the good people in the world are suffering and the evil and wicked are flourishing. Is that really so?
When we look closely at humanity – every single person is suffering. It does not matter if he is good or bad. All suffer in some way or the other. So such questions regarding suffering are meaningless. Just because a person is good does not mean he will not suffer.
We need to understand what is ‘good’. A person who works and feeds his family is merely doing his duty. He is not being good. When we return a favour done we are not doing anything special. It is a mere payback. When we help others to complete their goals, we are good. When we help and serve others in society for sake of helping them and without expectations, we are good. Man is a divine being on a human holiday. He should not forget his original nature. When we perform acts which confirm to our original nature, we are good. An incident in the life of Namdev illustrates this truth: once when Namdev came out from bath, an insolent villager spat on him. Namdev went back into the river and took bath again and came out. He did not say a word. But again the villager spat at him. And again Namdev went for bath. And again the villager spat. This went on till Namdev had bath for 108 times. The villager realised his mistake and fell at the feet of Namdev. Namdev forgave him for he had realised his true Nature – that he was the Atman. And the Atman is beyond insults. This is goodness at its heights.
We need to realise our true nature in order to be good. True goodness is the quality of the Supreme Power. When we identify with that Power and realise that Power within us we become good. We see no differences between human beings and serve all with a higher purpose. When the yearning for serving others with no expectations comes, goodness begins to surface within us. When we follow the practices of Mantra Japa and Meditation and Bhakti, goodness strengthens. When every action is performed for with love of God and Mankind, there is fullness and strength in the goodness.
What is suffering? All people in this world suffer. Suffering does not choose any particular person. Suffering can be because of past actions. However we are good in this life, if we have sown thorns in past times, we cannot reap jasmine blossoms. There is suffering in world due to pain, sickness and handicapped bodies. But the degree of sorrow is wholly subjective. We may have great wealth but suffer if no one gives us importance. We may be powerful but if every single person does not accept our power we suffer. A handicapped man may have physical discomfort to some extent but when he overcomes his shortcoming and achieves his goals, he is a happy person and feels no suffering. Suffering comes when we are forced to do something against our principles and ethics. A saint will undergo any extent of personal discomfort instead of causing pain to others. He suffers only when he cannot help others who are in need or pain.
Our bhakti or love for God protects us from suffering. We accept the situations and happenings as the Will of the Supreme Power and are able to tap in resources and energies of the highest level and move on. What is suffering to one person is not so for another. A bhakta is protected by the love of God and the higher purpose of life for which he lives. A good person does not suffer. When a good thought enters his mind he is happy. When circumstances are not favourable he accepts them as will of God and is again happy. Only when we compromise our goodness we suffer. Hence we must be very strong in our convictions. Then there is no suffering.
