Acceptance

I can accept things quite well when they go my way or even if they show signs that they are likely to go my way. I have found that I’m not alone in this attitude. But the tricky part has been to accept results and situations that are nowhere near what I would have liked. How do I accept it when people don’t play by the agreed rules? How do I accept it when … any number of unplanned events unfold? People often face this predicament. Acceptance with full humility is perfect abidance by God’s will. It may appear odd to one who is not given to this line of thinking that we need to be so accepting. Is this only for the earlier period in human history? Is it a viable way of life even in this day and time? Many such questions are bound to arise.

All of these questions are valid. Not having perfect acceptance is not wrong. However, if our goal is to attain the highest consciousness, then perfect acceptance will aid us in getting there.

Consider the Biblical story of Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel, who lived in the land of Canaan. He had many half-brothers, who were jealous of him, as he was their father’s favorite. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he had two significant dreams that he shared with his family. The implication of those dreams was that the family would be bowing to him; this angered his brothers, and so they plotted his demise—all but one. The lone dissenter advised the others against killing Joseph—so the family faked his death and had him sold to traders.

Eventually Joseph was sold to a captain in the pharaoh’s guard, where he was well liked and well treated—by the captain, at least. The captain’s wife was not so disposed; she made a false accusation on his character, and Joseph was thrown into a prison. There, Joseph rightly interpreted the dreams of two of his fellow prisoners—the pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and the chief baker. As per the dreams, the unfortunate baker was later hanged, but the cupbearer was released and reinstated. Joseph asked him to pass along a good word to the pharaoh, which he agreed to do—but then forgot! After two years, the pharaoh himself had two disturbing dreams. All his resident wise men were unable to interpret the dreams to the pharaoh’s satisfaction—which finally triggered the cupbearer’s memory. Joseph was brought to the pharaoh, where he interpreted the dreams, was released from prison, and placed in administrative charge over the whole of Egypt. In effect, he became second in command, just behind the pharaoh.

The story continues, but the important piece from our perspective in the context of acceptance is the manner in which he simply accepted his situation. He did not fight when his brothers sold him away, when he was thrown into prison under a false accusation, or when he was made the second-most-important person in the whole of Egypt. He was full of faith and patience. He did not harbor ill will against either his brothers or the captain’s wife, although he later taught a lesson to his brothers for their own good. While such acceptance may be considered a bit too steep to practice in today’s world, it is still worthy of remembrance and emulation, if one is capable of it. Not many people find themselves in Joseph’s heightened circumstances, but we do read about people who fight unfair legal battles, or who sacrifice greatly in public service. When faced with difficult situations I draw strength from Joseph’s story.

God Bless and Namaste!