THE WORD OF GOD — From The Scriptures

ASK MAULANA What is the importance of ritual? Ritual is the outer form of worship. When imbued with the inner spirit, rituals are good, but without that, rituals are of no avail. The body of a human being is important, but without the inner spirit, the body is lifeless. By this example you can understand the significance of rituals. Can I ever be free of negative feelings such as fear and doubt? No. Negative feelings are not an evil. They also have their positive aspect. Negative feelings are like shocking experiences that awaken your mind; negative feelings make you able to reassess your plans and your mode of life. If you engage in introspection, negative feeling becomes a great teacher for you, provided you do not allow your negative thoughts to overcome you. What is the difference between adjustment and compromise? There is a great difference between the two. Adjustment is a principle of wisdom; it is the well-considered behaviour of a wise person, while a compromise is a form of expediency designed merely to secure your interests, without following any particular principle. What is your view of the problem of suffering? The problem of suffering is not an evil. The positive point of suffering is that it is a challenge. It gives us an incentive to work. It activates one’s mind. Suffering is a blessing in disguise. History shows that those who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths failed to achieve any great success, while those who faced hardship and disadvantages emerged as super-achievers. It is not ease, but effort; not facility but difficulty, that makes a man. Why is it difficult for people to accept their limitations? The reason is that people generally do not apply their mind; they run after their emotions. If you apply your reason, and think about the pros and cons, if you try to understand the result of your actions, then you