Satsang: Ashutosh Maharaj
Why should we be good and do good when others don’t respond the same way? What is the use of showing compassion? To help others is a humanitarian attribute; a compassionate nature is proof that you’re human. You know this. That’s why you’ve expressed doubts over the relevance of the ‘be good-do good-feel good’ principle. Maybe someone you trusted broke your heart! If your intention is to really help others, then your entire concentration should be on the word ‘others’. There would be no scope to think about yourself. The ideal of helping others is not a barter transaction, wherein you give something in exchange of something. It is just giving, pure and simple, and not taking. If we entertain the selfish idea of receiving something, even a warm thank you, the idea of helping loses its charm. Then it will be just like any commercial transaction. That’s why we’re told, “Do a good deed and throw it into the well!” What it means is, do good and forget about it. Don’t even expect a smile of gratitude in return. One afternoon, Jesus Christ cured 10 lepers. But, do you know how many of them stayed on to express their gratitude or even say a word of thanks to Jesus? Just one. Read the account of Luke in the Bible; it says that Jesus turned and enquired of his disciples, “Where are the other nine?” The disciples answered: “Master, their selfish desire is fulfilled and, therefore, they have now gone from here.” Listening to this, Jesus smiled and simply proceeded further to help other poor and unhappy persons while telling his disciples: “Do good unto others.” Even the Messiah, who gave a fresh lease of life to others, had to taste bitter ingratitude of the selfish. What then can people like you and me expect? So, let us make this the motto of our life: To help others not for any commission but just to enjoy the inner feeling of indescribable joy. Help for the inner joy of helping. Nature never leaves you empty-handed. There was a farmer named Fleming in Scotland. One day he heard a call for help. He saw a boy sinking in the quicksand. Fleming pulled the boy out of the quicksand; he affectionately patted him and told him to go home. Then, he returned to his farming job again. Next day, a welldressed gentleman arrived at his hut. “You saved the life of my son; i wish to present you with a reward,” he said. But Fleming said that he had only done his duty. Spotting a boy in rags, the gentleman asked Fleming if that were his son. Fleming nodded. And the gentleman took the responsibility for the boy’s education. Years later the farmer’s son became a scientist, Alexander Fleming. He became renowned for his invention of Penicillin. A few months after the invention, the boy who his father saved got a severe attack of pneumonia. And his life was saved, this time by Fleming Jr’s invention. What goes around does come around. As you sow, so shall you reap, in whatever form. Nature returns everything with interest. Jesus Christ would say: “Happy are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied... don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. And your father who knows all secrets will reward you.”
Why should we be good and do good when others don’t respond the same way? What is the use of showing compassion? To help others is a humanitarian attribute; a compassionate nature is proof that you’re human. You know this. That’s why you’ve expressed doubts over the relevance of the ‘be good-do good-feel good’ principle. Maybe someone you trusted broke your heart! If your intention is to really help others, then your entire concentration should be on the word ‘others’. There would be no scope to think about yourself. The ideal of helping others is not a barter transaction, wherein you give something in exchange of something. It is just giving, pure and simple, and not taking. If we entertain the selfish idea of receiving something, even a warm thank you, the idea of helping loses its charm. Then it will be just like any commercial transaction. That’s why we’re told, “Do a good deed and throw it into the well!” What it means is, do good and forget about it. Don’t even expect a smile of gratitude in return. One afternoon, Jesus Christ cured 10 lepers. But, do you know how many of them stayed on to express their gratitude or even say a word of thanks to Jesus? Just one. Read the account of Luke in the Bible; it says that Jesus turned and enquired of his disciples, “Where are the other nine?” The disciples answered: “Master, their selfish desire is fulfilled and, therefore, they have now gone from here.” Listening to this, Jesus smiled and simply proceeded further to help other poor and unhappy persons while telling his disciples: “Do good unto others.” Even the Messiah, who gave a fresh lease of life to others, had to taste bitter ingratitude of the selfish. What then can people like you and me expect? So, let us make this the motto of our life: To help others not for any commission but just to enjoy the inner feeling of indescribable joy. Help for the inner joy of helping. Nature never leaves you empty-handed. There was a farmer named Fleming in Scotland. One day he heard a call for help. He saw a boy sinking in the quicksand. Fleming pulled the boy out of the quicksand; he affectionately patted him and told him to go home. Then, he returned to his farming job again. Next day, a welldressed gentleman arrived at his hut. “You saved the life of my son; i wish to present you with a reward,” he said. But Fleming said that he had only done his duty. Spotting a boy in rags, the gentleman asked Fleming if that were his son. Fleming nodded. And the gentleman took the responsibility for the boy’s education. Years later the farmer’s son became a scientist, Alexander Fleming. He became renowned for his invention of Penicillin. A few months after the invention, the boy who his father saved got a severe attack of pneumonia. And his life was saved, this time by Fleming Jr’s invention. What goes around does come around. As you sow, so shall you reap, in whatever form. Nature returns everything with interest. Jesus Christ would say: “Happy are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied... don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. And your father who knows all secrets will reward you.”
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