Religious Gatheka
By Hazrat Inayat Khan
5. ‘There is one Law, the Law of Reciprocity, which can be observed by a selfless conscience together with a sense of awakened justice.’
Man spends his life in pursuit of all that seems to him profitable for himself and when he so absorbed in self-interest, he loses in time even track of his own interest. Man makes laws to suit himself, so that he can take the best of another and this he calls justice. He only recognizes injustice when it is done by another. He therefore can never lead a peaceful and harmonious life with his fellow-men until the sense of justice is awakened in him by a selfless conscience. As the judicial authorities of the world intervene between two persons who are at variance, knowing that they have a right to intervene, when the two parties in dispute are blinded by personal interest, so the Almighty Power intervenes in all disputes however small or great.
It is the Law of reciprocity that saves man from being exposed to the Higher Powers, as a considerate man has less chance of being brought before the court. The sense of justice is awakened in a perfectly sober mind that is free from the intoxication of youth, strength, power, possession, command, birth or rank. It seems a net profit when one does not give but takes, or when one gives less and takes more, but in either case there is a greater loss than profit in reality; for every such profit spreads a cover over the sense of justice within and when many such covers have veiled the sight, man becomes blind even to his own profit. It is like standing in one’s own light. ‘Blind here remains blind in the hereafter.’
There are different laws taught by different religions, teaching how to act harmoniously and peacefully with one’s own fellow-men, but they all meet in this one truth: ‘Do unto others as thou wouldst they should do unto thee.’ The Sufi in taking a favor from another, enhances its value, and in taking adverse treatment from another, he makes allowance. in taking measures against someone, he leaves a margin, knowing that selfishness plays a part in it, and in doing a favor he adds to the degree to which he should do so.
For those who have renounced, a life in the forest is suitable; for the beneficent a life of seclusion is needed; but those who live in the worldly struggles a right sense of reciprocity is necessary.
Daily Reflections on the following point in Religious Gatheka 55,
Part 5
Point One:
‘[T]he the Almighty Power intervenes in all disputes however small or great.’
Contemplation: The Prayer Dowa
The Prayer Dowa
Save me, my Lord, from the earthly passions
and the attachments which blind mankind.
Save me, my Lord, from the temptations of power, fame, and wealth,
which keep man away from Thy Glorious Vision.
Save me, my Lord, from the souls who are constantly occupied in hurting and harming their fellowman,
and who take pleasure in the pain of another.
Save me, my Lord, from the evil eye of envy and jealousy,
which falleth upon Thy bountiful Gifts.
Save me, my Lord, from failing into the hands of the playful children of earth, lest they might use me in their games;
they might play with me and then break me in the end,
as children destroy their toys.
Save me, my Lord,
from all manner of injury that cometh from the
bitterness of my adversaries
and from the ignorance of my loving friends.
Amen.
