Dedicated to Swamiji Ajay Jain ji

Swami ji said…

In our day to day lives- we come across individuals- who are committed to making an improvement in the quality of their lives. They seek peace- in the madness of the turmoil around them; tranquillity- amidst the chaos in which they find themselves submerged, and to gain a deeper spiritual understanding of life. In order to achieve this, they are willing to experiment with the latest practices- as they know it is only then that it will be possible for them to improve the quality of their life- irrespective of the circumstances in which they live. They believe in the importance of living in the present moment only- not dwell on the past that has gone for ever, nor, live in the imaginary, illusionary future. They believe that they must make the best use of the circumstances in which God has placed them.

Some say that we must focus on the body—its health, strength, and appearance. Many of us follow this path with great sincerity. We exercise in parks and gyms. We watch our diet carefully. We ensure that we do not consume even an extra grain of food. We regularly measure our weight and waist, hoping to see signs of weight loss.

Others say that we must become more learned and knowledgeable. For this purpose, we read many books, write journals, listen to intellectual discussions, and try to make our mind more aware of the world around us. Through these practices, we, earnestly and diligently, try to expand the horizons of our mind. Then there are those who advise us to return to the ancient traditions of our ancestors— yoga, meditation, controlled breathing, and, many other spiritual practices. There is nothing wrong with any of these suggestions. In fact, all of them are beneficial.
However, what often happens is that, though there may be changes in physical appearance or mental sharpness, the mind itself does not necessarily change. Outwardly, a person may appear improved, but, inwardly, he may remain the same.

For a spiritual seeker, this is an important lesson. A person may become so attached to the means that he forgets the end. One does not seek good health merely for the sake of good health. One does not seek knowledge merely for the sake of knowledge. One seeks these things because they are considered means to joy and happiness. But true joy and true happiness can be experienced only when one becomes one with God. This must be the focus of life.

The quality of our life, our thoughts, and our actions truly improve when we make God our real aim. It is better to meditate for five minutes with sincere focus on God than to meditate for an hour while the mind contemplates on the benefits of meditation itself and the reward that we expect from Him for focussing on Him. When we exercise the body- it should not be only with the intent of receiving admiration from others on our ‘physical’ appearance- but we exercise- so that the body remains healthy and does not become an obstacle in our spiritual journey of knowing Him, seeing Him and merging with Him one day.

Could there be a better habit than reading, learning, and reflecting? But, we should not allow knowledge to become a cause of pride. Rather, we should let the knowledge that we have been fortunate enough to assimilate- help us move closer to God. We need to be aware of the significance of
pausing and contemplating on God. We must unfailingly reflect on the teachings of our Guru. We must remember to make God a part of whatever we do.

One is often distracted by the ‘small’ successes these ‘practices’ bring us. And, more often than not, one is more devoted to one’s practice- than to God, Himself. This is self-sabotage for those seeking the path of enlightenment. When God becomes the centre of our actions, even ordinary actions become sacred. When God becomes the focus of our life, peace is no longer something to be searched for. It becomes something that we breathe and live.

Swami ji said…

We wake up every morning. After that comes a routine. We clean up, we exercise, we get ready. It is something we have been doing every morning of our lives—one day after another—ever since we were born, and something we will continue to do till the moment God allows us to do so.

But, are we truly mindful of the thoughts, the emotions, and the energy that our mind creates within us the very moment we wake up? Do we have a routine to regulate that? Do we try in any way to fix the state of our mind when the day starts, just as we fix our appearance for the world?

It is essential that we are watchful of the messages that our mind transmits to us – as throughout the day – we behave, react, speak, and radiate the exact vibe that our ‘मन’ dictates to us. Do we ever give a second thought to what is playing on our mind ? Do we pause to observe the mental state in which we begin our day?

When the mind is beautiful, pure, peaceful, and calm, everything around us also begins to appear beautiful and wondrous—be it the people around us, the circumstances in which we live, or the world that surrounds us.

When the mind is like a placid sea, untouched by the turbulence of chaotic thoughts and unruffled by the stress and anxiety that may await it, it begins to understand that challenges are unavoidable. They have to be faced. And it is always better to face them with a level-headed, practical, and peaceful mindset. It is then that we feel happy, content, and calm. It is then that we are able to find beauty even in the simple fact that we are alive – irrespective of whatever is happening in our lives.

True peace lies in complete acceptance—not helpless surrender, but, a mature acceptance of life as it comes – with faith in God, steadiness in the mind and purity in the heart.

But how does one even achieve such a state of mind? The mind, as we all will agree, is not one to be tamed so easily. The moment it catches us napping, it takes over, leaving us at its mercy and subjecting us to a multitude of emotions through the varying thoughts that arise within it.

It is this battle with the mind that is our greatest battle in life. And just as we look after our body’s health and our material wealth, we also need to look after our mind.

The mind is the most important of all. A mind in control – in simple words would mean – a life in control. And the mind can only be controlled when one exercises control over it regularly—through meditation, reflection, ‘जप’, prayer, and other such disciplines.

For the spiritual seeker, there is no other recourse than this. All the knowledge in the world, all the books on religion and spirituality – are of no use if there is no effort made to rein in the mind.

In fact, the mind that is subdued is the one that reveals all that we need to know about this world. For a mind that is under one’s control is no longer distracted by the illusions of ‘माया’. It is a mind that sees the world as it is and for what it is. There is no confusion in such a mind, and hence there is no fear of the unknown. Such a mind sees the world unfiltered, with truth revealed to it.

Life’s beauty, life’s cruelty, the good in it, the bad in it—one is able to make peace with and accept all of it in a calm state of mind. We need to remember that –
” मन को ‘दूषित’ भी मन ही करता है – और मन को ‘पवित्र’ भी मन ही करता है…”

Swami ji said…

Individuals with exceptional talent, outstanding skills in a particular field, brilliance in their chosen sport or art, and great accomplishments at a very young age – are all God-gifted. Those who are intelligent enough to ignite this dormant spark into a burning fire through their passion, determination, and single-minded devotion, at the right moment and at the opportune time- are indeed blessed and extremely fortunate.

‘ They’ are very few in number— perhaps only a handful among billions— whose pictures are splashed across newspapers and displayed on billboards. Worshipped by many and looked upon with awe by millions of fans, they have the ability to make us shout, cheer, or tear up unabashedly.

But why is it that a few extremely talented individuals — “अपने कौशल से, अपनी विशेष योग्यता के कारण, जिन से वे अपना नाम और अपनी पहचान बनाते हैं— कुछ समय बाद अहंकार, घमंड और अभिमान से भर जाते हैं? उनमें अपने हुनर का गुरूर क्यों आ जाता है? “

Why do they begin to develop an “attitude,” an arrogant demeanour, and behave in a superior, condescending manner- with those whom they consider “insignificant”? After earning accolades, name, and fame, is it their ego that makes them feel incomparable, unparalleled, and unique? Do they begin to believe that what has been achieved by them cannot be achieved by anyone else?

Do the lights of the cameras that follow them everywhere blind them to the reality that all the adulation coming their way today is only because of God’s Grace and His Will? One cannot deny that their perseverance and hard work have played a significant role in their success; but, again, if, He so wishes, He can take away everything in an instant.

Does our vanity make us erase the age-old proverb, “Pride comes before a fall,” from our memory? Do we forget that excessive pride has caused the downfall of many- many times over?

The spiritual seeker must always ask himself, “What do I possess that was not given to me?” We must ask ourselves this question again and again. Everything we have- has been given to us by God, and that includes any special gifts and abilities that we may possess. Talent is not self-created. It is only discovered. It is only harnessed. But ultimately, it is God’s gift to us.

The more one reflects on this, and the more one begins to believe it, the looser the grip of pride becomes. One realises that humility is not about denying the fact that one has special abilities, but, about being aware that those abilities are gifts bestowed by God and that one is truly fortunate to have received them.

The ancient stories are filled with such examples of great men who were led to their doom by pride. रावण— the most knowledgeable, the most devout, the most intelligent— was blinded by his ego to such an extent that he could not see that- ‘The राम’ against whom he was waging war- was Lord Vishnu Himself on Earth. He, who was Lord Shiva’s greatest ‘भक्त’, forgot to close his eyes to ‘माया’ and look into his heart- to see whether what he was doing was right or wrong. With the many boons that God had given him, he began to mistake himself for God.

Such is the folly in which many, even today, ultimately find themselves.

The answer to this lies in being the exact opposite of रावण— in being more like Lord Hanuman.

We must remember God in every action. When we succeed, we must praise Him with gratitude. When we fail, we must seek His guidance in setting us on the right path. We must detach ourselves from the results in all forms— good or bad— and pray only that God gives us the wisdom to act correctly. This will wash away all our ideas of “my greatness” and “my ability,” and make us focus on, and, realise the grandeur of God in the smallest of things that happen – with us and to us.

Swami ji said…

Life is nothing but a series of circumstances; of instances that we face, from birth to death. There is not one moment which is ever in our control. Everything that we go through and experience in this life, in this world, is pre-destined. It is all a result of our past actions. The good, the bad, the ugly—and everything in between.

And, while most of us seem to know this, how many of us truly believe this? How many of us are acutely aware of this in our thoughts? Wouldn’t our reaction to any situation or circumstance be very different- if we had truly embedded this belief within ourselves?

If something good happens, we rejoice; if something bad happens, we become sad. Our mind during such moments is akin to a log of wood tossed in the seas—simply at the mercy of the crests and troughs of the sea, which seem much like the ups and downs of life.

When the going gets tough, we forget everything and look for someone to blame. And when the times are good, we look for ways to attribute that to ourselves. But, that is not the characteristic of one who is in control of himself. That is not the hallmark of one whose action is measured and thought out.

All our actions, whether planned or not, are ultimately a reaction to life around us. From the grand gestures to the smallest of acts. Be it our everyday routine or some special activity we do—everything is a response to life itself. And that is all that is in our control.

Some of us go through trials and tribulations in life- which are harsh, unforgettable. And many times, we believe that they, in turn, have made us harsh in our behaviour. Yet, there are others who go through worse and still come across as the kindest souls one could come across.

One student fails an exam and gives up on academics forever. Another digs deeper and decides to retake his exams, emerging as a much better student. Then there are some among us on whom fortune smiles, making us wealthy beyond measure. But what does that wealth do to us? Some become proud and arrogant, displaying the worst within them. Yet others become even more humble, more sacrificing, and ever more grateful. Same circumstances, yet different reactions. None of these examples are new to us. Yet, what do we learn from them?

The spiritual practitioner must strive to control his actions- unaffected and untouched by all that is happening around him. Irrespective of the circumstance- what truly matters- is the way he behaves and reacts to them.

Shri Ram’s temperament and nature did not change- while he was in exile- in the forest. His thoughts and actions were just as noble and grounded- as they had been while he was a prince. As a king, he maintained the simplicity and humility of a sage. The forests, the crowns, and the wars did not make Him deviate from His ‘principles’. He maintained His composure, His pursuit of truth and fairness, and His practice of “dharma”- throughout his life – indifferent to the contrasting circumstances that were faced by Him.

Similarly, the spiritual seeker must strive to be measured, composed, and strong in thought and action- always- no matter what life presents him with. He must be observant of his emotions, his thoughts and actions- and not let the challenges that will most certainly be faced by him while on the spiritual path- doubt himself, waver and move away from the Right path.

Swami ji said …

All of us have a common dream: to have a dream house of our own one day. It is not uncommon to hear people around us express this wish with longing and, at the same time, with a nervous hope that God will hear their appeal: “बस, एक अपना घर चाहिए…” “I will be the happiest- the day I have a house of my own…” “I am saving every penny to buy a house…”And, once the house is finally bought— after much financial planning, loans, and, at times, even after parting with precious assets to which deep emotions are attached— a ‘ गृह-प्रवेश पूजा’; a house-warming get-together is held to celebrate this milestone- in the life of an individual, a family, or a couple. During those auspicious moments, a prayer is on everyone’s lips, requesting God to bring peace, positivity, prosperity, good health, and harmony into the newly acquired house-“घर में, परिवार में प्रेम और एकता बनी रहे…” is what everyone asks for. This prayer beautifully sums up the sanctity and emotion of that cherished moment.

But, unfortunately, why is it that, as time passes- the genuine love, affection, and unity- very often begin to erode? Why do these emotions lose their significance and give way to friction, fractured relationships, and a lack of unity among family members?
How much time do we, at times, waste in allowing the devious mind to dance to discordant notes that are aimed at creating disunity within the family?

All of us know that a great deal of labour goes into constructing a house. It begins with clay, soil, and other materials being moulded into bricks. These bricks are then arranged, joined, and plastered to form walls. It is these solid and strengthened walls that enable a house to take proper shape.

All these inanimate, “lifeless” objects work in harmony, silently supporting one another — a shining example of the truth that “united we stand.”

And this is the lesson that should remain in our minds forever- once we move into the house: Come what may, “we” — each one of us— will stand by every member of our family through thick and thin. We will remain ever ready to support one another and will not allow any external factor to disunite us.

Brick by brick, our life is made. We must always remember that the solid foundation of sound principles and good character on which we stand today- is due, in no small measure, to the immense contribution of our family. And that- discord, disunity, constant verbal conflicts, and unending differences of opinion with our loved ones- can create cracks which, if, allowed to develop- may never be repaired.

The ‘ego’ often does not allow us to accept defeat in the verbal duels that we constantly wage with others – creating a negative environment in the house. It is, therefore, important to think of ways to bridge the gaps- that begin to emerge faster – than our attempts to seal them.

As spiritual seekers, we must understand that familial disharmony is a sign- that the mind has already created foes out of one’s own people. A spiritual seeker must remember that one’s family is just as human as anyone else, and, is therefore, bound to err and make mistakes.
Their mistakes, their words, and their actions are not to be held on to forever. The same principles of forgiveness, understanding, and unconditional love that we seek to apply to the world- must also be applied to them. Yes, angry words and regretful actions by family members can hurt more deeply, but, they are just as deserving of forgiveness and love as anyone else.

It is important, therefore, that we should always try to maintain an environment in which we use loving words and kind gestures, centred around honesty, while interacting with family members. Such an environment is conducive to developing mutual respect, fostering genuine interest in one another’s well-being, and making the family a tight-knit unit which, instead of challenging itself from within, faces all difficulties together- with strength and unity.

The epic- ‘महाभारत’ – is a profound teaching on this very truth — how nurturing feelings of hatred, injustice, and revenge can turn even brothers into enemies. And, even though God, in the form of Lord Krishna, was present among them, the Kauravas and the Pandavas were unable to reconcile and overcome their differences. Instead, they spilled each other’s blood.

This is a powerful lesson on how allowing ‘ego’ and ‘pride’ to go unchecked in family matters can lead to utter destruction and chaos. We may not have God ‘physically’ present among us, today, in the way Lord Krishna was present ‘then’, and, thus, it is incumbent upon us- to preserve the pillars on which the family stands.