The sequel
SOME COMMON FAQs
The reader is first advised to read the previous article ” The process of divine apology” first before reading this. In case that strikes a chord within you feel free to delve into it deeper by reading this. If not , no stress, Feel free to skip these too.
Listed are some questions you might have to this abstract concept I was talking about in the last article. Hope reading this gives you a clearer insight into the same.
You talk about the conscience. It differs so much from person top person. Do you not feel it depends on upbringing? Some feel that it is right to kill people. Some feel that it is right to be very selfish and that you can serve god best in that way. The point is the very fact of conscience varies widely. When that be the case where does the fact of listening to your conscience assume significance?
This is a very pertinent and a relevant question. I did speak to many about it, introspected a lot and arrived at something that would hopefully clarify the point. In fact it is not that complicated. If you go by the simple rule that do unto others what you would have them done unto you, it solves a huge proportion of the cases. The problem comes when you feel you are different and they are different. Then you can argue in ways that are not that very wise. You start telling things like THESE WERE MADE FOR ME TO KILL or THESE WERE MADE FOR ME TO ENJOY, HOW DOES IT MATTER EVEN IF IT DOES SUFFER? If you would exactly regards others like you and realize we all more or less have the same feelings, you start becoming closer onto the right track.
Why should I do this and what makes you think it would give results?
I can humbly tell you that if you start taking a magnifying glass and have an overly analytical mind in spiritual matters, it might not help much. Perhaps you have come to this article and read so far because something within you has told you that you have done wrong and it needs to be rectified. Perhaps you were not very happy with what others have told you about the action reaction principle.
What happens when you do pratikraman with a sincere heart is that over a period of time the sense of wrongdoing that has gripped you slowly starts to fade away. You realize that the very nature of your being is eternal and the person or thing hurt by you was in the grand scheme of things, for a reason that is inscrutable. At least now you have realized the same and are taking corrective action in repeatedly asking for forgiveness.
And as for results I can tell you this much. When you have done wronged somebody/thing what is the ALTERNATE COURSE you have apart from seeking forgiveness? It is not that there are a 100 paths to follow and you are confused about which is right. Asking for forgiveness this way could indeed seem right after a period of time.
Assuming this works, what goes on behind the scenes?
Sorry to bore you, but it is worth repeating when I say that a hurt inflicted by you WILL have undesirable reactions. With pratikraman the intensity can be greatly reduced or even eliminated depending on how frequently you do it and how sincere you are in seeking forgiveness. Who would not want to reduce the negative force of their wrong doings?
How often do I do it?
You basically do this whenever you feel a repentance welling up in you till that incident no longer has a sting. As one of my mentors told me, its not acceptable if you have done wrong in wholesale and do pratikraman in retail. As mentioned in http://sawaal.ibibo.com/puja-and-rituals/when-must-we-pratikraman-503265.html
shoot at sight pratikraman is the ideal way wherein you ask forgiveness immediately when you have hurt someone even very slightly. That way not even an iota of negative repercussions remain over time. I leave the frequency to you.
I still do not believe this spiritual mumbo jumbo.
I fully respect your opinion. I also humbly say that there is no conclusive way to PROVE everything in this world. Some things are taken for granted and some are taken in good faith. When I was introduced to this, something clicked very deeply in me, something resonated in me, something stirred in me like never before which was why I started doing this. I share all this with you with all good intentions. Whenever this strikes a chord in you, you are welcome to try it out. Till then I shall just keep doing what I love to do namely writing what has influenced me really deeply and positively.
Warm wishes
