Meditation: The Path of Salvation

Lord Jesus was once staying at a house. The room he was staying in was so filled up with people from different places that not a single man could enter through the door. In this situation a few men arrived at the door carrying their paralized friend in a cot. They sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus. Not finding a way in because of the multitude, they went to the housetop and let him down  through the tiles with his cot into the midst before Jesus. Seeing the firmness of their faith Lord Jesus said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you. I tell you, arise, and take up your cot and go to your house.” In front of everyone else’s stunned eyes the man did as he was told.

Another time, Lord Jesus was leaving Jerusalem with his disciples. It happenned, as he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging.  When he was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, the man, named Bartimos, cried out, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out all the more. " Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me." Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do?” Bartimos said, “Lord that I might see again.” Jesus said, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.” Immediately Bartimos got back his sight and became a disciple.

Faith Lord Jesus;s first lesson. He himself had faith and asked others to have the same. Immediately after his baptism, he withdrew into the wilderness to fast and pray for forty days and night. During that time he flouted all the temptations by the devil with the fortitude of his faith. First, the devil tried to take the advantage of his hunger and thirst. He said, “If you are really the Son of God tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written, man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

The second time, the devil  took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple." If you are the son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, he will command his angels concerning you, they will lift you in your hands, so that you will not strike your feet against a stone." Jesus answered him, " It is also written in the scriptures, do not put your Lord your God to the test."

The third time, the devil led Jesus to the top of a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give to you", he said, “If  you bow down and obey me.” Jesus replied, “Away from me Satan!. For it is written, worship your Lord your God, and serve him only.” With his firm faith, he won over the devil on his third and last attempt too.

His second teaching is anticipation. Lord Jesus has said, “Those who are honest and patient; and anticipate bliss and honor and eternal life, God will give him so.”

And the third teaching is empathy. Jesus said, “Faith, anticipation and empathy –these three are eternal. But among these three, empathy is of the foremost importance. One must had empathy even towards ones enemy and opponets. He says, “Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.”

Jesus has done this very thing throughout his life. Even when he was being taken, along with other prisoners, to be crucified, he prayed to God, “Lord! Forgive them. For the do not know what they are doing.”

He was a symbol  tolerance and magnanimaty. Once, a woman was brought to him for punishment for her infidelity. When Jesus felt that she was sincerely repenting for her act, he forgave her. Once some complains were lodged regarding  a few men who had used his name for exorcising and healing others. When his disciples asked him if he wanted to launch a drive against them Jesus said, “I was sent to free men, to save lives; not to push them to death.”

This meant that aa man may have made a 100 mistakes but he must have done at least one good thing. We try to develop on this one good act . Based on Jesus’ teachings this is our lesson and principle. Whereever we see immorality, we try to drive it away.

The source of Jesus’s power was his meditation and prayers. In his meditations he reached the proximity of God. About prayers he said, “Whatever you desire in your prayers, believe that you will get it. Then you’ll definitely have it.” After spending his whole day with his disciples and devotees, he used to find a quiet place in the evening and immerse in deep prayer; forgetting all his hunger and tiredness. He used to say to others, too, “You have worked a lot. Now meditate. Scrutinize your day’s activities, find the mistakes, observe your reflection in the mirror of your mind and change your life.”

I believe meditation or reflection, in whichever name we call it,  is the path to our salvation. Meditation opens the door to spirituality and this results in peace and brotherhood. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism or Christianity; none of these religions support terrorism, immorality or unrest.

Keeping this in mind, every year we arrange inter religious dialogues from the missionary. If the number of total participants is 200 then there are 50 Muslims, 50 Hindus, 50 Buddhists and 50 Christians. They get a chance to come closer to each other in an open and cordial environment.

Quantum is playing an important role in this respect.  The example of peaceful collaboration among the representatives of all the religions that has been established is inspirational. I wish the foundation eternal progress.