Why bad happens to Good People

This is a note and not a transcript of a lecture ‘Why bad happens to good people…?’delivered by Deepak Shinde of Alma Mater, an evolving consciousness.

Some anecdotes will not be elaborated for either want of time or they being cliché, however the message will be noted.

Commenced with the clarification of who you are? A conversation between the master and the disciple was used as an anecdote. During the process, your true identity was conveyed to be a life/an bundle of energy and not your name, classification of animal kingdom etc. Thereafter, it was suggested that you drop the identity of who you are in this world and then listen to this transformational talk.

Drop your identity label of this worldly world.

Often repeated story of a horseman, horse, son and kingdom was narrated to illustrate that the events that occur in life have their own relevance. To sit in judgment of whether it is good or bad is incorrect. One never knows whether it is for good or it is for bad. Example of ghastly death of Rajiv Gandhi was quoted. However, that incident enabled Sonia Gandhi to exhibit her tenacity and become one of the most powerful women in the world. Or else she would have remained a housewife. It appears harsh however it’s a reality.

In the background of bad something good emerges

While you are being repeatedly put to trials, reassure and pray

Oh Lord! What are you preparing me for?

One needs villain in life to bring the hero in you.

In another conversation with his master, the disciple asks, ‘Have you seen God?’ Does he really exist? It was narrated to clarify, ‘to understand you need knowledge, however to feel it you need to experience it.’ One will experience it while you are with nature – fresh breeze/rain etc. The private divine experience is to be experienced. There are two experiences – one with the world of incidents/relationships and the other between you & HIM. Subtle experiences.

Nothing is right or wrong, one has to experience it, don’t resist it.

Don’t resist it: A good example of driving on the correct side of the road was quoted, while traffic signal, corruption were other ones. In such instances there is nothing one can do for certain results, even in instances where one is sure you are right and the other one is wrong, don’t make it your agenda of proving him wrong, it might be suicidal. The rule of life in relationships is, if it’s your life that is at stake, it doesn’t matter whose mistake it is, adjustment, compromise, sacrifice is the rule of life. If you are making/confronting similar situation repeatedly, just think whether something can be wrong with you as well. You can also be wrong. I can also be wrong.

Get the man right, the world will automatically look right.

What can you do for ubiquitous potholes? Focus in between the potholes and thus negotiate.

Focus on things that are positive, negotiate and be happy.

Good people don’t know to take care of goodness. They want to earn a good name and live a bad life. It’s better to earn a bad name in order to have a good life.

If you believe, people are taking you for granted; it is you who is to be blamed. Teach them of how you would like to be treated. You are treated the way you teach them. Assertion and not aggression is the key. He quoted the reason behind maintaining the discipline during the lecture sessions. Doors being shut, prohibition to carry mobiles and wristwatches are intended to benefit all those people who have come to listen and secondly, the organization would like to be taken seriously. Conspicuously, so-called busy elite of Gulbarga sat through the 150 minutes programme without attending to the mobile. Earlier he also highlighted the over indulgence with sms/mobile use.

People treat me the way I teach them to treat me.

You need to be confident/courageous.

Existential perspective: Life is the consequence of series of choices one makes. One consequence is immediate - action and reaction is immediate. Another one is delayed.

The rule of life is, if the consequence is immediate, it is equal – it is equated, if the consequence is delayed it multiplies (Karma).

Example of money lost: If you loose money, old account is being settled.

If money, favour and goodness are not reciprocated be happy that life will return it in a multiplied form. Life is a multiplier.

Don’t use your power to convert wrong to right.

Today’s success and today’s defeats are just another step in the long journey of your life. World judges you by the action, however God/life judges you by intention. Don’t worry about being bad to leave a good life.

Be character oriented and not reputation oriented.

If you have intentionally wronged, seek forgiveness.

Therefore for pure selfish reasons be good, Life is a multiplier.

God/Silversmith puts the you/silver in the furnace till the time he can see his image in the medal. Till the time you have enough qualities of him in you. How centred/composed and how better you have become than before is the consequence.

If the silver/you glitter, you become better. Don’t make the result bitter. The ending will be good. Have Faith.

Life is not a hole it’s a vent. Never see life in isolation – everything has its own limitation. The story is not yet over. See life in totality/holistic perspective. The ending is always good.

Don’t go according to expectations, bends are bound to be there, but there is no end.

Night is the darkest just before sunrise. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Consider sharing this with your friends who have attended the programme. It might help them to recapitulate and enliven the experience. People often need reminding for remembering.