One answer is karmic debt: We suffer because we must atone
for the transgressions of our past lives. It’s karma. Suppose we restrict our time frame to a
period spanning a single lifetime on planet earth. Can we say with any reasonable certainty that
a decent, hard working, law abiding human being will end up living a happy,
comfortable life? Does virtue lead to
prosperity? Does every crime lead inexorably to punishment?
We tell our children: Actions have consequences. You can
either discipline yourself and act responsibly or face the music. This is
rational, it makes sense. And yet, if
you take a good, hard, honest look around you, you see the corrupt flourish and
men of integrity get a raw deal – over and over again! Might is right. The strong crush the weak with impunity. Why?
Their strength is nothing more than
muscle, be it power, money, authority, status or brute force! It’s a kind of
power that has no ethical, judicial or spiritual basis.
I've been told that ‘good’ people don’t want the same things
that the not so good do. To some extent, this is true. But many of us want the
bangla, car, makaan – but not by cutting corners. We want it as a return on
honest, intelligent hard work and talent.
Why is it so hard for us to survive or to prosper? When I look at
relationships, it’s almost a law that most decent women end up with awful
husbands and viceversa! Of course there are exceptions but exceptions prove
the law.
A sadhu once answered my question by giving a familiar
example: the refining of a precious metal like gold: The metal is hammered, put
through the fire several times, melted, stretched and beaten into shape before
it can be used to make an ornament. He
said: ‘Adversity is a cleanser. It frees us of our base emotions. We evolve as
human beings and acquire spiritual and emotional depth. We become
compassionate, loving human beings.’ I’m
not convinced. A happy person in a comfortable milieu can be generous, loving,
caring, and good. Extreme suffering or deprivation may lead to a criminal
mindset.
And then there are stories like those of Helen Keller. Mind
over matter. Spirit over mind. Spiritual websites like ‘Speaking
Tree’ have many Masters, seekers, savants. I appeal to them to show people like
me the way to truth. Why do good people suffer? Why should there be a
connection between suffering and goodness?
I loved the film ‘Barfi.’ I leave you with its title song;
‘Ala Barfi.’
