Swami ji’s Sandesh… “ ‘मार्गदर्शक’ तो जीवन में बहुत होते हैं, परन्तु सही ‘मार्ग’ चुनना और उस पर चलना हमें ही पड़ेगा… यह हम पर ही निर्भर करता है…”

Swami ji said…

Don’t we often hear people around us – asking in a worried voice, “हमें उस जगह जाना है… हमें वहाँ का रास्ता ठीक से पता नहीं है… आप रास्ता बता सकते हैं क्या?”
And once the directions are made clear to us, we usually do not face much difficulty in finding the destination we had intended to reach. On finally locating the place, we are filled with relief and silently thank the good samaritan who had helped us in our time of need.

On a serious note- “Would it really be possible for any one of us to grow, evolve, and develop into a mature, sensible, and balanced person- without the wisdom, experience, and knowledge of a guide, a mentor, or someone who shows us the right direction and the correct way – with the selfless intent of drawing out the best in us, making us aware of our potential and capabilities; the options that lie before us, and the need for us to make the right choice?”

The choice is ours to make. The best mentor in the world- with all his precious, valuable advice- could find himself being stone-walled by us, and, see us shrivel like a rotten apple- due to our lack of will, our disinterest- at the thought of venturing into the field- which ‘he’ knew was apt for us. But, our attitude- speaks volumes about our unwillingness to act on his suggestions and guidance.

The question then is: ” How many of us are actually willing to walk the path that we, too, deep within our hearts, know to be the right ‘way’ for us? ” But again, the challenges and obstacles- that we are certain await us on our path- often appear to be humongous- because of our habit of overthinking. They, mostly, make us take a U-turn or veer away from the path meant for us, without even pausing to reconsider whether our decision to do so is right or wrong; childish or mature.

Why are adolescents drawn towards all the vices in the world at such an impressionable age, in spite of all the motivational talks and counselling sessions they attend? Do they, even for the shortest span of time, replay in their minds the values and principles that their parents tried to inculcate in them? Can they even recall the number of times their parents had told them- ” बेटा, सही मार्ग पर चलना…”
“अच्छे संस्कारों के रास्ते पर आगे बढ़ना…”

And, if, once in a while, we were to quietly reflect upon our own past, we might be left astounded at the number of individuals who, knowingly or unknowingly, tried to guide us in the right direction as- “कोशिश तो बहुतों ने की थी हमारा मार्गदर्शन करने की, परन्तु उस मार्ग पर चलना हमें ठीक लगा या नहीं, उसकी ज़िम्मेदारी हम पर थी – और आज भी, हम पर ही है…” But, how does one really hope to know what the right course of action is ? ‘Paralysis by analysis’- often leads to indecision and missed opportunities.

The spiritual seeker can only hope to do this by training his heart and mind. Regular meditation and prayer create an instinct – a subtle understanding of the world around him – that guides him ‘correctly’. What might initially seem to be an ‘irregular’, ‘illogical’, or , ‘hard’ choice may, at times, appear to be the correct path to take.
This may be for moral reasons, or, even for more practical ones – such as knowing that, whilst there may be difficulties in the beginning, he will be far better off in the long run.
What this means is that he is no longer driven by impulse, instant gratification, or greed. He must choose his actions wisely, weigh them morally and principally, and commit to them with the understanding that they are for the best and for his good.

An earnest devotee understands at a point in time – that the pauses, the many things that are left ‘unsaid’ by His ‘guru’ – while He imparts ‘gyaan’ to Him – hold a wealth of meaning in them.The devotee then has a choice- to either use his mind- and fill in the words that were not said aloud by his ‘guru’ – which would benefit him greatly in everyday life- or, maintain a careless attitude and not read too much between the unsaid lines- and go about his spiritual life in a casual manner- depriving himself of further spiritual growth.

We will always be shown the correct path – by the Guru, by parents, by teachers. But, taking that path and continuing to walk upon it can only be done by us. This commitment can only take root within us when we truly imbibe God in our hearts, minds and way of life. Those who develop faith in Him find it increasingly difficult to follow an immoral path. Their awareness that they are doing something wrong, and, the guilt that follows, compels them to self-correct.

In other words, their spirituality becomes their guiding light. And, the more one surrenders to God, and, the more one keeps Him in one’s thoughts and prayers, the brighter that light shines- within and without, further reconfirming that- ” आध्यात्मिक मार्ग सबसे सुंदर मार्ग है…”