Dedicated to Swamiji Ajay Jain ji

Swami ji said…

It cannot be denied that, occasionally, our mind does tend to wander to the final, ultimate reality of life- ‘something’ that, much as we would like to avoid, none of us can escape-‘ मृत्यु’, ‘death’. Our immediate reaction is one of resistance- on hearing or thinking about it. Yet, death will come to each one of us- on the day it is destined to as- ‘मृत्यु ही सत्य है…’

Man sees death all around him. He reads about it, hears about it in the news, and witnesses it among those he knows and loves. Friends, relatives, parents— all must one day leave this world. Yet, despite knowing its certainty, he rarely pauses to acknowledge the mortal nature of his own body. He continues to live as though his time here will never end.

Why is it that something so natural, so inevitable, remains so difficult for us to accept? We make elaborate plans for the future. We accumulate wealth, acquire possessions, build relationships and become deeply attached to the people and things around us. We begin to believe that everything we hold dear will remain with us forever. And, when death suddenly takes away someone we love, we find ourselves devastated, questioning the very nature of life.

But was it not always meant to be this way? Did we ever have a promise that those who entered our lives would remain with us indefinitely?
Perhaps our greatest difficulty lies not in understanding the certainty of death, but, in accepting the temporary nature of everything that we consider our own.

We readily say- “I am the soul, not the body.” But have we allowed this understanding to enter our lives? Yes, our true self— the ‘Atman’ – the ‘soul’— is eternal. But, our time in this life, in this world, and in this particular body is limited. The immortality of the soul does not mean that our present life can be taken for granted.

To many, this thought may seem frightening. To one awakening spiritually, however, it can be deeply liberating. The remembrance of death can become a doorway to self-realisation, for it brings us face to face with a question we have long avoided: “If this body will one day perish, who am I beyond it?”

Gradually, the awareness of death can loosen our hold on the things we once considered everything. An insult need not occupy our mind for days. Another person’s success need not make us feel smaller. Every desire need not be fulfilled before we allow ourselves to be at peace.
Instead, it can serve us as a reminder of the short time for which we have come in this world and make us more loving, more forgiving and more grateful for the time we have.

This is where the liberating power of that awareness begins— in the way we live.
It does not ask us to neglect the body or abandon our duties. Let us care for the body as the means through which we can serve, learn and practise devotion. Let us fulfil our responsibilities sincerely, while remembering that neither our possessions nor our roles are the whole of who we are.

Nor must we become cold towards those we love. Knowing that our time together is limited can make our love more attentive and less demanding. And when separation brings tears, we can place our sorrow before God. Grief need not be treated as a failure of faith.

The spiritual purpose of remembering death is not to wait for life to end. It is to awaken while we are living. We need not wait for our final moment to begin seeking our true nature. Let us ask ourselves: “Am I using this precious time only to strengthen my worldly identity, or also to discover the soul within?”

We need to remember that- “ ‘मृत्यु’ हमें जीवन से डरना नहीं, बल्कि जीवन का मूल्य समझना सिखाती है… जो समय हमारे पास है, उसमें हम कितना प्रेम बाँटते हैं, कितनों को क्षमा करते हैं और कितनों के जीवन में सुख पहुँचाते हैं—शायद यही हमारे जीवन की सच्ची उपलब्धि है…”

Swami ji said…

The varied experiences of life, the endless emotional upheavals, the ups and downs of our personal journey – they are akin to the endless waves in an ocean. Waves that are sometimes gentle and a joy to swim in, and, at other times so huge and terrifyingly stormy – that on being filled with dread – one promises never to set his foot in water again.

One cannot change the tide of the ocean, and, similarly one cannot change the typical ‘nature’ of life – which cannot be understood by anyone. So the question that remains is – “Do we let the waves drown us, carry us as they please? Or, do we strive to put our foot down and stand firm like a rocky headland in a bay – undisturbed by the waves crashing against it, withstand their fury and tame them by our resolve?”

We are, mostly, in our every day lives, surrounded by such waves. Sometimes it is some issue at work; sometimes it is a concern related with family or friends, at other times it is purely our thoughts – that continuously rise and fall in our mind. There is always some matter or another that can cause us to panic, to feel agitated and anxious. That is the way life is.

These upheavals, these changes – all cause us to react. That is the nature of the mind. Whether it is fear, exuberance, excitement, nervousness – all these do elicit a reaction from us in a certain manner. Ultimately, the untamed mind, becomes a slave to these emotions, attached to them completely – and thereby to the tidings of life.

That is what the spiritual seeker must resist. The mind is very powerful, and reining it in is even tougher. The only way out is to seek ‘spiritual wisdom’. And, to use and exercise that spiritual knowledge to its fullest. The best way to begin is to develop a process of restraint. With meditation and reflection, one can begin to identify and understand the triggers of the mind.
For example, when we receive startling news, or, have an idea that alarms us – we are immediately possessed by fear. That is natural. And it is also natural that we have an urge to find an immediate release from this fear. Sometimes this comes out in the form of panicked actions, and other times in the form of anger.

Those engaged in spiritual practice, are able to detach themselves mentally from these turbulent moments – observe their emotions and maintain a cool, calm head. They have mastered the art of resisting
the fleeting urge to react immediately and instead keep a balanced view of the situation at hand – which helps them travel through life – sensibly and rationally. They let logic and reason prevail over emotional distress.

This is also the key to maintaining good ‘karma’. Good ‘karma’ can only be borne of good thoughts and good intentions.
It is also important to keep in mind that these experiences of life – and how we react to them – shape our character. All our experiences in life – good and bad – are temporary, but, how we react to them, how we bear them – is what develops our attitude, our mental fortitude and thereby the likelihood of success in our spiritual endeavours.

In praise or in blame, in suffering or in enjoyment, in success or in failure, in abundance or scarcity – strive to maintain stillness of the mind. True joy is experienced in observing how life unfolds before us, and participating in it in a detached manner. Such a way of living life – brings untold peace of mind and happiness – as absolute surrender to ‘God’s will’- will make us understand that we have to witness and go through every moment of life – the way it is supposed to unravel before us – whether it is to our liking or not – as we have risen above ‘like’ and ‘dislike’ – and doubting God’s plans for us is the last thing that we should ever think of doing.

Swami ji said …

“ Fear is perhaps the oldest emotion known to mankind. Before the development of intellect, reasoning and culture- fear was probably the greatest driving force behind a person’s actions. And, despite the great advance of civilisation in safety, technology and other areas- ‘fear’ continues to be one of the greatest forces that makes us act.
But, isn’t it also true that we act so that we can escape this fear? Don’t we crave peace in our hearts? Don’t we pray to be free of fear— the fear of failure, the fear of lacking something, the fear of change?

In fact, whenever we feel any sort of peace, we begin reminding ourselves of our fears. Or rather, our fears return to haunt us, telling us not to relax, but, to remain alert to the numerous untoward things that could happen to us. Feeling relaxed and living in the moment- almost seems too reckless to the mind. It tells us to immediately return to worrying, analysing and thinking about everything that could possibly go wrong. But living this way is nothing short of living in hell.

Today, too, we have numerous reasons to worry. The news tells us about everything that could go wrong. Our co-workers and friends tell us how difficult things are.
In such a state, the mind is in overdrive. Worry and the fear of uncertainty begin to define us. If we see someone who appears to be free of worry, or, speaks little of their worries- we assume that person to be better, and also better off, than us.
So what is the solution?

Are we supposed to live carefree and careless lives?
No.
Are we supposed to disregard the consequences of our actions?
Definitely not.
The real solution is very simple, yet , also extremely difficult to practise.

The best way to begin is to recognise yourself as distinct from the ‘person’ experiencing this fear. This, of course, is much easier said than done. Those who meditate, who take the time and make the effort to observe themselves and reflect on their thoughts and emotions, begin to become aware that ‘they’ are distinct from the body and the mind. They realise that even their emotions arise in the body and mind, while ‘they’ are the ones aware of these experiences.
Acknowledging and internalising this distinction is key to breaking away from thought and action driven by fear.

The body’s experiences, the mind’s perceptions and emotions— whether we are awake or asleep and dreaming—are not the ultimate reality. This is a truth we must strive to realise. The more we do so, the more we recognise that ‘we’— the ‘soul’— are not defined by the conditions of the illusory world we live in. Rather, these experiences are temporary expressions of the ‘soul’s’ journey through this world, shaped by past ‘karma’.

The more we reflect on this and remind ourselves of it- the more clearly we recognise ourselves as the ‘soul’, and the more we begin to observe our actions and reactions.
And thus, when we ‘see’ ourselves experiencing fear- we begin to loosen its hold over us. We learn to acknowledge it, examine its cause and distinguish an actual difficulty- from the many possibilities- that the mind imagines. We can then apply our intellect to decide what needs to be done. Our morals and principles have greater room to guide our actions.

But ‘fear’ may still arise. Its presence need not mean that we have failed in our spiritual practice. Each time we become aware of it, we have another opportunity to understand it and respond thoughtfully.
It is in this way that we can begin to give the present our fullest attention- while living more peacefully with the uncertainty of tomorrow. We prepare where preparation is needed. We act where action is possible. And we gradually learn to live with what we cannot yet know, or, control.

The ‘self-realised- are truly fearless- because they are no longer bound by the wants and anxieties of this physical world. They may continue to act, care for others and fulfil their responsibilities, but, their sense of completeness no longer depends upon securing a particular worldly outcome. Success adds nothing to the fullness of the ‘self’, and failure takes nothing away from it. With that realisation, the uncertainty of tomorrow loses its power to govern the peace of today… “और जब तुम्हारे गुरु हर पल तुम्हारे साथ हैं, तो फिर डर किस बात का?”

Swami ji said…

When one reads the newspapers, watches the news, or, simply scrolls through one’s phone, there seems to be nothing but conflict, unrest, and suffering all around. The world appears increasingly troubled, and the future uncertain. And so, one begins to plan. One decides upon a course of action that one believes will lead to a better, more secure, and happier future.

If we are unhappy with where we live today, we plan to move tomorrow to a place we believe will be better. If we are dissatisfied with the people around us, we seek the company of others whom we consider more agreeable, more understanding or simply better. There is almost always a seemingly foolproof plan in our minds, one that we believe will serve us well in the years to come.

But who has seen the future? Who can say with certainty what circumstances await us tomorrow? How can we be so sure that the changes we seek will bring us the happiness and peace we desire?

Yet, despite this uncertainty, people devote enormous time, effort, and resources to devising elaborate plans for a future they cannot foresee. And yes, planning is often necessary. One must sometimes chart a course, make difficult decisions, and take steps towards a better destination.

But in our eagerness to secure a better tomorrow, have we forgotten the importance of living a better today? How are we conducting ourselves today? How do we make those around us feel? Do they feel loved in our presence? Do they feel cared for, respected, and understood? Are these not the very feelings that we ourselves seek from others? How good a citizen are we? Do we genuinely contribute to the welfare of society? Do our actions reflect concern for the people with whom we share our surroundings and resources? And what of the society we so readily criticise? What are we doing, in any way, to make it better?

In reality, we seem to have become people who are more concerned with counting the other person’s mistakes- instead of correcting our own. We are quick to recognise the faults of others, to question their conduct, and to condemn their shortcomings. Yet, how seldom do we subject our own thoughts, intentions, and actions to the same scrutiny!

We take comfort in believing that we are better than someone else, simply, because we have not committed the same wrongs. But another person’s dishonesty does not make us honest. Their arrogance does not make us humble. Their cruelty does not make us compassionate. The absence of another person’s faults in us- is not, by itself, proof of our own goodness.

Perhaps, then, the secret to a better life – lies not so much in changing the world around us as in changing what lies within us — our perspective, our attitude, our thoughts, and our behaviour.

Those who are steadfast in their spiritual practices — in meditation, prayer, and ‘jap’ – gradually come to recognise this profound truth.

They begin to understand that it is the mind, and, the thoughts that arise within it, that must undergo a transformation if one is to experience life differently.

Through meditation and prayer, they discover that a change in external circumstances does not necessarily bring about a change within. Our wealth may increase or diminish. Our health may improve or deteriorate. Our material possessions, our homes, our surroundings, and even the people in our lives may change. Yet, through all these changes, the mind may continue to remain just as it was — burdened by the same fears, desires, anxieties, and expectations.

A person who is perpetually dissatisfied may remain dissatisfied even after acquiring everything he once desired. One who constantly finds fault with others may continue to do so, regardless of how often his surroundings change. For it is the mind that shapes so much of our experience of happiness and sorrow.

And so, it is the mind that must first be trained. Its impulses must be restrained, its restless desires brought under control, and its thoughts gradually purified. It is this inner transformation that changes our attitude, refines our behaviour, and ultimately improves the quality of our lives.

Man seems to have forgotten that the true purpose of life is not merely to live well, but, to live in a manner that makes him better — spiritually, morally, and inwardly.

Our material possessions, our lifestyle, the places we inhabit, and the comforts we enjoy – should serve as aids to our spiritual development. They should help us grow in wisdom, kindness, humility, and devotion to God.

Our spiritual growth must not become secondary to the pursuit of these worldly comforts. Rather, these comforts must remain subordinate to the higher purpose of our existence.

When we begin to approach life in this manner, our choices naturally change. We no longer ask merely what will bring us the greatest comfort, wealth, or, personal advantage. We begin to ask what will help us become better human beings, what is morally right, and what will bring us closer to God.

Such an outlook becomes our guiding principle, helping us choose paths that are not merely convenient or rewarding, but righteous.

The world outside may appear overwhelming, uncertain, and at times almost devoid of hope. But one must neither be overcome by fear nor be deceived by the illusions of this ever-changing world. Instead, one must find the courage to move forward, guided not merely by worldly calculations, but, by a sincere and unwavering quest for God.

When we seek His guidance with faith and humility, when we allow our decisions to be shaped by that higher purpose, we may begin to discover paths that once seemed impossible and opportunities that we could never have imagined. For the future is not entirely within our control, nor can we ever be certain of what tomorrow will bring. But what we can change is – who we are today.

And perhaps that is where the journey towards a truly better tomorrow must begin — not with a change of place, possessions, or circumstances, but, with a change of heart, a purification of the mind, and a life lived in ever-closer communion with God.

Swami ji said …

“आपने मेरे लिए किया ही क्या है?” “What have you ever done for me?”
These are words that pierce parents’ hearts and hurt them beyond measure when uttered by their own children. These are words that, in an instant, can dismiss the love that drove parents to make sacrifices for their children’s well-being. And these days, such words are often spoken by the younger generation to their parents with absolute indifference.

Some children are audacious and shameless enough to place the blame for their own inadequacies, failures and shortcomings squarely on their parents, putting them in the dock. Nothing should shock us anymore, particularly in today’s world, where some youngsters feel that it is their birthright to treat their parents disrespectfully. Their discourteous attitude towards their parents speaks volumes – about how their parents’ have failed them – maybe, by not supporting them when they needed parental support the most; by not standing by their decision- as they were convinced it would have been the best for them. Parental dissent is nearly unacceptable these days.

Besieged by a materialistic world where one’s worth is measured solely by money and possessions, people nowadays, place little value on ‘values’, ‘knowledge’ and ‘wisdom’— the essentials needed to lead a morally upright life. These are ‘riches’ that only parents can give to their children. And, yet, children today are utterly ungrateful for having been taught these ‘gems’ by their parents.

Only a handful ever feel grateful to their parents for teaching them kindness and respect; the importance of speaking the truth at all times; to not be dishonest. Even fewer thank their stars for having parents who showed them the importance of worshipping God; praying to Him regularly and to have faith in Him and His plans for them.

Today, it is all about money, property and inheritance. Peoples’ relationship with their parents and elders is, more often than not, based solely on these considerations. ‘Seva’ of ageing parents could be considered a fruitful transaction in the hope of a financial reward later on. Doors and hearts are shut for old parents- as they are considered ‘added’ responsibility- which is to be shirked at all cost.

Respect and love is shown only to gain access to family wealth later on. And, all this charade is carried out with great confidence by the younger lot- to fool their very life source- their parents. Do they really think that their parents cannot see through the game that is being played in front of them? And, if, the elderly have no precious ‘carrots’ to dangle as incentives- little time is, unfortunately, devoted to them and their well-being.

Let us remember Lord Ram. He did not let his behaviour or his attitude towards King Dashrath or Queen Kaikeyi change even a little- when he was unfairly denied the crown and asked to leave the kingdom for fourteen years. He did not rage at them for putting him in such a difficult position. He did not blame them for the misery he was about to suffer in the forests. He simply accepted it all as his lot in life and faced it unflinchingly.

Children must be taught that nothing in this world, including an inheritance- can be taken for granted. They must understand, in a spiritual sense, that ‘nothing’ is guaranteed in life. Even when a parent says, “This will be yours…”, “You will inherit this…” or “We have this…” – these words are in no way a real guarantee. For the only one who can ever guarantee us anything is God.

If children can be made to understand this and to realise that good ‘karma’— loving and respecting their elders, attending to their needs and helping them when they are in difficulty— is what will truly count in the end- perhaps then there will be genuine kindness and respect for the elderly.

Our culture, traditions and values tell us to honour our ancestors, remember them and seek their blessings. We feed crows in their honour, offer prayers and perform ‘pooja’ in their name- in the hope that they find peace.
But of what use is such peace to our ancestors now- if, we could not give them real peace while they were still with us? Disregarding them; deliberately making them feel unwanted when they were alive – when they needed us and our love the most – stays in our conscience – and no matter how much we try to erase it from our memory – it stays with us. Too late to make amends now.

No prayers or offerings today can make up for the love we failed to give them while they were with us. Let us remind ourselves that it would be the best if we could ‘serve’ them ‘now’ – with the simple things that they would desire- peace and happiness at home; seek their advice because we value their words; make them feel welcome and an integral part of the ‘home’- of which they were the central figures ones. It is said that God loves to reside in a home where the elders are happy and feel ‘needed’ by the next generation.