New York Times bestselling author Steven Furnick states in his book 'Crash the Chatter Box' that our brains generate a lot of negative thoughts throughout the entire day. These thoughts influence our lives. Amidst all these thoughts, a glimmer of faith and belief gives us a ray of hope.
Every day around the world, thousands of accidents occur on the roads. However, we have the firm belief that the vehicle that we are travelling in will not be harmed. There are thousands of aeroplanes taking off every day and sometimes there are also mishaps that happen while in flight. Yet, we are confident that nothing will happen to us while we fly in an aircraft. Just like we have faith in the driver and in the pilot, if we have faith in God and the saint then our lives will function smoothly.
When we leave for work or business from our homes, we have a lot of questions running through our minds. There are many complexities related to our job or business. Yet, each time we feel confident that we will overcome it and succeed, and that eventually we will be fine. Thus, if the company's boss has great self assurance and self confidence, then the morale of the entire team is boosted with that energy.
Millions of people had extraordinary faith in Pramukh Swami Maharaj. At its root was Swamiji's unwavering faith in God. No matter how frightening, terrible, or distressing the situation was, he was never afraid, shaken, confused, or depressed.
Swamishri was going to arrive in London by an Air India flight on the 10th of July, 1985. In the third week of June, terrorists had exploded a bomb in an Air India flight which had taken off from Canada. All the passengers travelling had died. Terrorists had also issued a threat that every plane of Air India is on target. People were scared and started cancelling future bookings with Air India. The devotees from London called Swamiji and requested him to cancel his Air India booking and fly with some other airline. They were insistently requesting him. But Swamiji said: “Don't you believe in God? Have faith in God. There is nothing to worry about." Swamiji boarded the Air India plane and travelled abroad. He traversed the seemingly dangerous journey with a smile and taught the whole country and the entire world a lesson in fearlessness. Only the one who has faith in God can enlighten the future of millions.
When Swamiji was in Mumbai in the year 2007, Dr. kantibhai patel came to give him a check up. He told Swamiji, “Dr Ashvinbhai Mehta keeps telling me why you are rendering so much service here in the mandir? But today while he was leaving after taking your test, he told me that Pramukh Swami Maharaj is amazing! I saw that the expression on his face was the same before the test and after the test! There was no trace of worry on his face. I have treated many patients and have also seen the changes in the expressions on their faces on hearing about the seriousness of their heart disease. The depression on their faces would be evident. But, there was not the slightest bit of change on the face of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.” Swamiji said, 'We take Thakorji with us whenever we go for any check up. God worries about us. He is the doer. Everything happens as per His wish.'
Dr Kiranbhai said 'You must be knowing the results of the test? Please ask Bhagvan Swaminarayan about the result of today's test yourself.' Swamiji replied, 'So many doctors have affection for me. Saints and devotees are also praying for me, so the results will definitely be good. So far, the tests have all been good and will come out good again.' Hearing this everyone realised Swamiji's infinite faith in God. When it comes to one's health, even strong people sometimes tend to become fearful and shaken up. During the outbreak of Corona, a well known personality got infected. When one saint came to know about this, he called him up and spoke. He was going to the hospital at the same time. In a very frightened and sad voice, he said, 'Swamiji I have contracted Corona. Please pray that I do not succumb to it..'
A person who was suffering from a disease, was to be administered a small injection. When he saw it and the fine medicine squirting out, he blacked out and collapsed in a dizzy. Sometimes people cry like little babies on just seeing an injection.
Swamiji suffered severe physical ailments. Yet all the time, he showed everyone a new way to fight any ailment by having infinite faith in God.
Thanks Giving
This article is written and submitted to The E Today by Sadhu Amrutvadandas. We thank swamiji for his research and analysis and hope to see the awareness about life and peace being spread ahead to larger mass of our citizens.