Each one of us has a role to play in the great cosmic drama of life. This drama is unfolding itself day by day. But, of course, there’s a catch. In the cosmic drama of life, you have to play a double role. You have to be an actor and you also have to be a spectator
Why do we often feel upset, frustrated, disappointed? Because we are attached, because we are involved. When we expect others to satisfy our desires, and they disappoint us, as they inevitably must, we experience distress. And this distress takes the form of anger, frustration, disappointment and depression. If I do my work, if I live my life as if I am playing a part, I would not be upset. All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players, they have their exits and their entrances; said Shakespeare.
If something happens in a play, do you feel troubled? Supposing another ‘character’ in the play shouts at you or speaks ill of you, do you get angry? No! You know in the heart within that it is just an act and you have to play your part well. If you don’t play your part well the entire drama will be spoiled.
I remember, when I was a little boy scout, we had a variety entertainment show. And in this show, I was made to play the part of Napoleon, the great emperor. There I stood in my imperial majesty. In a succeeding scene I was given the part of Taatiya. I was supposed to be a boy servant to a Zamindar. Now, this Zamindar, this landowner was one of my common soldiers when I played the part of Napoleon. Now, this landowner tells me fiercely, ‘Taatiya, bring me a glass of water’. I felt tempted to tell him, ‘What do you mean? Five minutes ago, I was the great emperor Napoleon; you were one of my common soldiers. How dare you tell me to bring you a glass of water?’ But I’m happy I did not yield, I did not succumb to the temptation. Otherwise, the whole drama would have been spoiled.
You have to play your part well. That is all you’re required to do. What affects us is the sense of attachment. I get attached to an individual. Now that individual drops me out and I feel disappointed, I feel sad. We have to get over this attachment.
Therefore, life gives us such experiences so that we grow in the spirit of detachment. Man has come to this earth plane to become a master man and you cannot become a master until you grow in the spirit of detachment. Therefore, always regard yourself as an actor on the stage of life, playing your part to the best of your ability.
A famous actor once remarked, “In a particular film, I was made to play the role of the husband of a woman whom I disliked strongly. I would not like to see her face at all but in that film I had to play the role of her husband and I played it very well. I showed that woman that I loved her immensely and she was the only one whom I cared for in the whole world. But that was only for so long as we were facing the camera. When we got out of the studio, I would not even look at her or speak to her.”
Each one of us has a role to play in the great cosmic drama of life. This drama is unfolding itself day by day. But, of course, there’s a catch. In the cosmic drama of life, you have to play a double role. You have to be an actor and you also have to be a spectator. You have to watch the play unfolding before your eyes and you also have to act. If you are able to do this well, you will not lose your peace of mind. Why is it that we lose our peace of mind? Because our wishes, our desires, are crossed. We want a particular thing to be done in a particular manner.
When it happens in a different way, perhaps in exactly the opposite way, our peace is lost. If only we can realise this, that we are all actors in the drama of life; that the role we are playing have been given to us by the Cosmic Director we will never feel distressed.
It is not easy to do this-maintain your inner equilibrium at all times and in all situations. Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani used to tell us, “God upsets our plans to set up His own. And His plans are always perfect.” If I have the faith that whatever has happened to me is according to the plan of the Highest, that there is some hidden good in it for me, I will not be upset.
Once you realise this, there is no more frustration, no more unhappiness. You abide in a state of tranquillity and peace. You may not be able to achieve this straight away. It is a process through which you must move.
“What affects us is the sense of attachment. I get attached to an individual. Now that individual drops me out and I feel disappointed, I feel sad. We have to get over this attachment”
By Dada J P Vaswani
