Day: February 28, 2026

Swami ji said…

If we go down memory lane, it would not take us very long to recall – how we would take no longer than a few seconds—or perhaps a couple of minutes— to make a decision —” एक फ़ैसला लेने में, निर्णय लेने में…” — as children, adolescents, and even, today, as adults, in the present moment. And, we would end up saying with a tone of finality in our voice -“ That’s it! I start with this from tomorrow…” or “Next week onwards—you’ll see me do that!”

A decision, once taken—whether impulsively or after long deliberation—for our betterment, benefit, growth, and progress, has the unique quality of making us start from a point – that arises from a thought or an idea – which may have struck our mind – even randomly.

It is possible that even today we are able to remember how we had forgotten about that very decision which we were supposed to follow up on and put into practice—because it had been made in the spur of the moment, in a frivolous manner, with no specific purpose and had been said carelessly. Since the decision was not meant to serve a definite purpose, it died a natural death.

A decision, once taken, can reach fruition and take a definite, complete shape only when it is pursued with a regimented and disciplined mind. Our senses and our entire being need to develop the ability to ignore the outward attractions that will undoubtedly call out to them and tempt them to seek enjoyment, instead of staying committed to the decision that has yet to receive its finishing touches from us. It also requires dedication—a quiet, consistent resolve—to ensure that the decision taken by us is carried through to completion and we see it take the anticipated final shape before us.

The spiritual seeker must be disciplined. No matter how noble his thoughts and intentions may be – if, he is not disciplined, there will be no progress realised on the spiritual path. To praise God and to think profoundly of Him are all very good. But if one is not disciplined in one’s daily spiritual practice—however simple or small it may be—then that person is not making any progress at all.

The spiritual path, like all other paths in life, requires tremendous effort. And like all other endeavours, it can be trying and lonely, and at times unbearable—causing the mind to question: “Is this really worth the effort? Do we really need to exert ourselves so hard?” “What have we gained after all this?”

Such questions can make one lose focus. It is only through grit and discipline—the firm belief that meditating and praying again and again, routinely, will surely bear fruit for the soul—that the spiritual seeker can maintain his course towards God.

In fact, in most other endeavours of life, there can always be an element of luck. A student might get only those questions in an examination that he had studied for. A gambler might win a fortune in a game of roulette. Someone may get a job not because they are qualified, but because they have a good referral. In all such cases, luck—and not discipline—can occasionally reward a person.

But this is not so on the spiritual path. Without one’s own efforts—sustained and relentless—there will be no rewards. God is never found by luck, but, rather through disciplined and unwavering effort in the form of self-control, moderation, self-reflection, meditation, and other spiritual practices.

The mind loves indiscipline – and, thus, it must be restrained and reined in to maintain focus. For many of us, things such as sticking to a routine, even doing something good that will be beneficial for us—over and over again, every day, or, fulfilling a commitment when the excitement and vigour surrounding it have faded – are often the most dreary activities. Our mind seems to collapse under the burden of boredom and finds ways to avoid doing what we once promised ourselves – we would, unfailingly, do every day.

But to fight the mind, to wrestle with it and force it to adhere to discipline—this painstaking effort itself becomes our greatest offering to God. God is not counting how many hours we meditate, nor is He counting the number of times we pray; rather, He observes our commitment to what we have promised Him.

Perhaps we have proclaimed an intention that in reality – is difficult or even impossible to sustain. God is not concerned with the perfection of that claim, but, with the sincerity of our effort. We may have declared that we will meditate for two hours every day, and yet find ourselves unable to manage this consistently. While we may fall short, God is not troubled by the shortfall. What He sees—and values—is whether we are making a genuine effort to meditate every day.

For Him, it is the effort and discipline that count. It is this sincerity and perseverance that make us worthy of His Grace.