Maktub

I have always been curious to understand the meaning of Maktub. The concept of “everything is already written” raises thousands of questions in my Mind. As if we all are acting in a play of life, and our characters are written by someone else. I wonder where is the place for choices then?  A character cannot choose his part or role in the play; it is up to the Scriptwriter’s will. Strangely, more than a sense of despair and weakness, this word brings stability in my Mind. The reason could be my belief in Karma. As written in the Bhagavad Gita – Everyone is here to perform a certain role; a warrior will go to war, and the king will rule to fulfill their duties, which are already assigned to them.

Karma is acting or doing one’s duties in life as per his/her duty without attachment to results (a sort of constant sacrifice of action to the Supreme).

Maktub, if I do not control the results or actions and if I am here to play my role solely, then I would have I worry about fate falling on me. I am sure the Almighty scriptwriter has already written an ending for me as well. Then why not I happily perform my duties and stay tuned with HIS WILL.

Maktub brings peace to me; it makes me fearless. It is like a flowing river without any road-map and reaching its destination.

A quote from Shri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikhism) which will make you think more about this concept of “It is written” –  The director (God) stages the play, playing many characters (life forms) in different costumes (bodies); but when the play ends (the world ends), He takes off the costumes, and then He is one, and only one. How many forms and images appeared and disappeared? Where have they gone? Where did they come from? (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 736).

An ancient saying which says, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things which I can not change and wisdom to change the things which I can.” One of the Buddha’s quote explains that the only thing that we can change is our reaction to the events. “How we respond to an event is in our hands.” We can respond either from Mind or with awareness.

All things and events are happening or predetermined. The only thing that is not happening and that we have to practice is being aware.

Maktub, for me, is not worried or attached to the results, simply follow my path and open to experience life to the fullest.

“Maktub,” she said. “If I am really part of your dream, you’ll come back one day.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

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