In common every day talks we always speak of being one with God, His Prophets and Saints, so also with pious people and law obedient ones. But compulsions of daily living, the material world, the economic needs of daily pressures makes us trip and fall. Though we say our prayers, keep Namaz, give doles and Zakat and make Holy pilgrimages yet our conscious stands witness against us for our hidden misdemeanors. We wear a mask and hide our self from our wrongs by projecting ourselves as very virtuous, kind and affectionate ones. Quite large number of our very close ones would discover our make up and recognize our real one in us.
Great many sages and wise ones have realized that there is no dichotomy in us. The evil and good are both ourselves. It requires of us to sacrifice a great amount of ourselves with deep penance and very hard work to realize our positive and negative nature, to conquer it to achieve bliss and tranquility. It is but only a few in humanity who reach the pinnacle of heights of success yet remaining totally humble to the core with sublimity and total surrender. The process of annihilation of inner egoistic self to the most Beneficent and Magnanimous Self is a daunting task, requiring every second of vigil of our unruly self. To conquer our self itself is a greater Jihad. Those who succeed even to a small percentage in life can be said to have achieved something if not the entire glory. But we should not be lacking in efforts even for a moment.
Hazreth Waris ali Shah of Barabanki, Lucknow, a very eminent Sufi was asked to give a small formula to fight the battles of life, he said that it is only through LOVE you can make peace with the world and ease the woes and pains of life. Hazreth Jesus peace be upon him said offer your other cheek if someone slaps on one of your cheek. He was teaching us not to retaliate but to forgive as otherwise it would escalate into a big fight and peace would disappear altogether. Therefore it is better to surrender than keep fighting as it would other wise ruins us. This has been demonstrated in our times with destruction of so many countries in the Afghan and Middle Eastern wars. In micro level we see thousands of court case without settlement ruining families and societies.
Peace, Shanti and Salam should first be achieved in ourselves by annihilation of our Ego, pelf, pride, anger and jealousy and so many of our negative traits. For this we should surrender before a Guru, a Sufi Master or a Bishop who would tender our inner self with care and compassion and help us to achieve our goals.
Total Surrender
I love HIM, respect HIM and honour HIM;
Each breath of mine is spent in His service.
Day and night merge and I slave forever
Out of dedication, Love of Labour.
Neither vagaries of weather, ill health
Nor desires, nor slumber can deter me.
With deep devotion, I burn the Candle
Of my life at His feet in total surrender.