At the ripe young age of 96, Sadhu Vaswani slipped in the bathroom and broke his hip bone.

The pain was excruciating yet he lay on the hospital bed with a smile.

I asked him how does he endure this pain?

He replied, “Because of this pain, I am thinking of God so much. I smile at his grace. HE wants me to be with him. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Stunned with his reply, I asked, “Are you not disappointed with your fall?”

After a pause that would lasted for over 30 seconds, holding my arms tight, looking straight at me with his sparkling naughty eyes, he answered my question through a question, “Isn’t disappointment a sign of ego?”

I realised, all sufferings in life are based on disappointments.

I am so blessed that I had a chance to experience this saint.

Pain is a Consequence while Suffering is a Choice.

 

I saw this point in action through the venerable Sadhu Vaswani.

Though this happened over 5 years ago, it is still absolutely fresh in my mind.