Friday, May 31, 2013

(May 31,2013) Daily routine – Spiritual Living

Daily routine – Spiritual Living
Divine Life Society Publication: Chapter 12:Everything About Spiritual Life by Swami Krishnananda

Study, svadhyaya is also something very important. You will not be able to go on meditating, and do nothing else. When the actual entry into direct meditation on the Supreme Reality of life is found to be impracticable on a particular day for some reason or the other, stop the meditation. Don’t tire the mind and whip it up unnecessarily when it is not willing to do it. At that time, take up a scripture – anything that enthuses you, rouses your feelings, and enables your spirit to rise – whatever be the scripture or a textbook that you may find most suitable for the purpose.

When you are calmed, and your mind is properly prepared after this study of a scripture, you may take to meditation a second time. But, even then, if you find it is difficult, take to mantra japa. A mantra is a summoning of the Ultimate Being by associating it with the principle of sound. Just as everything has a name, the Universal Reality also may be summoned by some kind of description, a designation. If you have an ishta devata – a god whom you worship dearly – a mantra of that deity can be taken up for your daily japa. A few rounds of the japa mala with chanting for some 15 minutes, or even half an hour, will prepare your mind for meditation.

So, three prongs of this trident of the sadhana process may be said to be meditation, svadhyaya and japa. All the three may have to be attempted every day. Keep a few minutes for japa, a few minutes for study, and a few minutes for actual meditation. But more than all these, there is satsanga. Nothing can equal satsanga, the company of a great person who will sustain your enthusiasm for spiritual living.

Today you may find it difficult to locate a great master.  You can place the portrait, picture, or a photograph of that great master in front of you, and go on gazing at it. What you see with your eyes, you should also think at the same time. There is a direct connection between sight and thought. So, ishta is the name that we give to this form that you place before yourself for the purpose of meditation – the dear one. The mind wants many things, and one of the things is yourself. This kind of thing is not ishta. Mortal objects in the world cannot bless you with such a thing. So, your must-have ishta does not mean a perishable object, because a perishable object can give you only perishable satisfaction. Thus, when you do not have an actual Guru whom you can befriend and receive instructions from, you must have something imperishable in front you for your purpose of concentration.

Therefore, we have japa, svadhaya, meditation, dhyana, and satsanga with great ones. If you are sincere, you will come in contact with these Gurus. The Almighty Lord, who is seated in your heart, who loves you very much, who is your real friend, will bring you in contact with a Great Master. The Guru will come to you, instead of your going to the Guru. Suhṛdaṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati (Gita 5.29): “Remember, I am your real friend,” says the Great Master Yogi, with humility in the Bhagavadgita. He will come to you for every little thing, and satisfy you with His succour.

Study the Bhagavadgita every day. I mentioned to you that some svadhyaya is to be done every day. There are many holy books. The Bhagavadgita is very good because it tells you what your duty, mama dharma, is. The Bhagavadgita is not easy to understand, though you may chant it any number of times. Its intricacy is very difficult to make out. It is a comprehensive teaching, touching every aspect of life. Or you can have any other book – the New Testament, or the Koran, or the Bible. Whatever you like, take to it with the heart, and study that.
Never forget that God sees you; all your thoughts and feelings, your actions and your performances are seen by millions of eyes around you. You are always watched with a caretaking eye, and it notes all your deeds. Whenever you do something, or speak, or act, remember that you are doing it in the presence of an all-seeing eye. Every atom is an eye of God. Sarvatokṣiśiromukham (Gita 13.13): Everywhere He has got eyes. Every sand particle is an eye of God; it sees. Every brick, every leaf of a tree are all eyes of God. They see. They see, not merely to punish you for your bad deeds, but also to protect you, to warn you and take care of you, and to provide you with all your needs – to see to your yogakshema, and to give you what you need and take care of you in every way.

So, trust in God; do the right. When you do the right, you must remember that it is possible only if you trust in God. Only a person who trusts in God can do the right. Otherwise, your concept of righteousness may sometimes be tarnished by a little bit of your personal selfishness. The great Master Jesus Christ said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Ananyāś cintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate, teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ yogakṣemaṁ vahāmy aham (Gita 9.22): “Whoever is intently thinking of Me, is contemplating on Me, is united in his heart with Me, I shall take care of that person continuously and provide that person with every little need.” The world will follow you, instead of your running after the world. The tables will be turned completely; the subject will become the object, the object will become the subject. God will be with you for ever and ever.

Continue to read:
The Trident of the Sadhana Process - Chapter 12:Everything About Spiritual Life by Swami Krishnananda

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