Let’s protect everyone…

Have you ever seen a trapeze artist perform in a circus? Though his act is full of uncertainty and risk, the artist is able to perform without hesitation. What enables him to do this? The assurance of the safety net at the bottom. He has the surety in his mind that even if he falls while performing, he cannot get hurt because the safety net will catch him.

Similarly, we all seek that ‘safety net’ or protection in our life. This need for protection is fulfilled by different things including people, our status in life, the amount of money we have etc… These things provides us with security and peace of mind that helps us move on in life.

However, it is not enough to look for our own safety always. It is important that we also create an environment that allows other people to feel safe in our presence. When we make someone feel safe, it means that he/she does not fear us in any way. They can be open with us and not fear being judged for something they say or do.

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan has defined this as the ultimate form of charity called, ‘Abhaya daan’. He says, ‘Abhaya daan is where one’s conduct is such that he will not raise fear in any living being. For abhaya daan, one should have the inner intention of not hurting any living being, even in the slightest degree. Only then will this come into practice.”

So on this auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan, why don’t we decide to create a safe, open environment around us, which will enable others to feel protected in our presence?