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Paris Talks
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Pages 109-112
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PAIN AND SORROW
November 22nd
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In this world we are influenced by two sentiments,
Joy and Pain.
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Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength
is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding
less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the
world and to find our sphere of usefulness. But when
sadness visits us we become weak, our strength leaves
us, our comprehension is dim and our intelligence
veiled. The actualities of life seem to elude our grasp,
the eyes of our spirits fail to discover the sacred mysteries,
and we become even as dead beings.
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There is no human being untouched by these two
influences; but all the sorrow and the grief that exist
come from the world of matter--the spiritual world
bestows only the joy!
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If we suffer it is the outcome of material things, and
all the trials and troubles come from this world of
illusion.
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For instance, a merchant may lose his trade and
depression ensues. A workman is dismissed and
starvation stares him in the face. A farmer has a bad
harvest, anxiety fills his mind. A man builds a house
which is burnt to the ground and he is straightway
homeless, ruined, and in despair.
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All these examples are to show you that the trials
which beset our every step, all our sorrow, pain, shame
and grief, are born in the world of matter; whereas
the spiritual Kingdom never causes sadness. A man
living with his thoughts in this Kingdom knows perpetual
joy. The ills all flesh is heir to do not pass him by,
but they only touch the surface of his life, the depths
are calm and serene.
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Today, humanity is bowed down with trouble,
sorrow and grief, no one escapes; the world is wet
with tears; but, thank God, the remedy is at our doors.
Let us turn our hearts away from the world of matter
and live in the spiritual world! It alone can give us
freedom! If we are hemmed in by difficulties we have
only to call upon God, and by His great Mercy we
shall be helped.
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If sorrow and adversity visit us, let us turn our faces
to the Kingdom and heavenly consolation will be outpoured.
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If we are sick and in distress let us implore God's
healing, and He will answer our prayer.
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When our thoughts are filled with the bitterness of
this world, let us turn our eyes to the sweetness of
God's compassion and He will send us heavenly calm!
If we are imprisoned in the material world, our spirit
can soar into the Heavens and we shall be free indeed!
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When our days are drawing to a close let us think of
the eternal worlds, and we shall be full of joy!
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You see all round you proofs of the inadequacy of
material things--how joy, comfort, peace and consolation
are not to be found in the transitory things of the
world. Is it not then foolishness to refuse to seek these
treasures where they may be found? The doors of the
spiritual Kingdom are open to all, and without is
absolute darkness.
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Thank God that you in this assembly have this knowledge,
for in all the sorrows of life you can obtain
supreme consolation. If your days on earth are numbered,
you know that everlasting life awaits you. If
material anxiety envelops you in a dark cloud,
spiritual radiance lightens your path. Verily, those
whose minds are illumined by the Spirit of the Most
High have supreme consolation.
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I myself was in prison forty years--one year alone
would have been impossible to bear--nobody survived
that imprisonment more than a year! But, thank God,
during all those forty years I was supremely happy!
Every day, on waking, it was like hearing good tidings,
and every night infinite joy was mine. Spirituality was
my comfort, and turning to God was my greatest joy.
If this had not been so, do you think it possible that
I could have lived through those forty years in prison?
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Thus, spirituality is the greatest of God's gifts, and
`Life Everlasting' means `Turning to God'. May you,
one and all, increase daily in spirituality, may you
be strengthened in all goodness, may you be helped
more and more by the Divine consolation, be made
free by the Holy Spirit of God, and may the power of
the Heavenly Kingdom live and work among you.
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This is my earnest desire, and I pray to God to grant
you this favour.
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