FASTING, MEDITATION

From the desk of Mrs. Baby Abraham . . . . . .

               FASTING,   MEDITATION

Why do people fast ?

What do they achieve by fasting ?

For whom do they fast  ?

Do they do it voluntarily , out of compulsion , because it is a tradition, because others do,

Because it is a pre- requisite for pilgrimage ,

What is a pilgrimage ,

Why do people go on pilgrimage ,

What do they gain out of it ?

Do they get the power to control body , mind , emotions , thought process , speech control ,behavioural   control ,

Before and after fasting or pilgrimage ,

Is there any difference in  their life style, dealings with others, emotional stability , power to  control their own mind  and emotions like anger, hatred, jealousy etc

Other than spending some money on pilgrimage , can others detect any sacredness or Hajiar character, or Ayyappa character or characteristics of the respective Gods and goddesses .

Or is it just another picnic spot and no spiritual gaining at all ?

                Once they are aware or made to be aware of the purpose, the great spiritual gain , and the following betterment of family life, and the character of the whole nation , then only the nation can be proud of the pilgrimage places of all religions everywhere . How much arrangements  like deputation of police , ambulance, bomb detecting squad  etc are occupying the sacred shrines, temples and mountains . That is sacrilege . How can anyone store arms and ammunitions in temples and churches and mosques which  are epitome of peace, mercy, kindness , justice and all pervading holiness .

           Who is responsible for the presence or works that demands the presence of police in sacred places. Few police to guide the traffic is welcome. But why do we need police to control devotees ???? After fasting forty days or fifty days or sixty days , the flame of hatred and jealousy and communal disharmony is still burning violently , they are not well prepared for the pilgrimage. Where is the devotion and concentration on the presence of the divinity   .  After making violence , once they reach the holiest place, they fold their hands , they bow down .  The clenched fist slowly open up and assume the worshipping posture !!! For what reason do they do that . Once you do everything which Rama, or Ayyappa detest most, you go before the sanctuary and say , this is how we are protecting you !!!! Who protects whom ? Who obey whom ? They all obey the police because of the lathi in their hands or the gun in their hands . No devotion , not a tinge of devotion . They do not even know the characteristics of the gods whom they worship . They want their own presence to be felt there , not he presence and divinity of Rama or Ayyappa . Every one want to say . we won , we won . No worship at all !!! In the end some die.  some are taken back in ambulance, some are blood stained , some are limping, some are crying in agony . What a pilgrimage. Do not make a mockery of gods. If you believe in them, leave them alone in their contemplation and meditation or whichever is their preference  and their activities . If you receive any thing good, be satisfied and live a noble life irrespective of your wealth or physical strength or financial position  .  Do not go there to disturb their peace. Lord Ayyappa could not bear the atmosphere of the palace, so he went  to the mountain . Now people from all over India and abroad are destroying his peace. Same with Rama in Ayodhya . If temples , churches, mosques , the very sacred places we seek peace and blessings are made war zones, they why go there in the fist place. Some people  wherever they go  , it  is their habit destroy the sanctity of the place or family . Since they never had that in their house, or temple or church, they are bent on destroying others who have them instead of preserving and joining them and make the country peaceful !!! What great training camps to manufacture terrorist dressed up in different colour dress, and character . holy places covered with people , not with folding hands as in worship , but with clenched fists !!Are the gods to be treated like this. Are they violent and vulgar and wicked to be presented with clenched fists . Then why do you go there ???

         If anyone own a farm or factory, or shopping complex , will they allow all people to come there and shout with clenched fists . Are temples of lesser importance ? If you have a 2000 or 3000 strength cow farm , you will never allow anyone come near it with shouting and slogans .  What value we attribute to things or building or mountains or possessions  determines our behaviour .

                     ******************************************