Cultivate the Seeds of Contentment

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There is intrinsic goodness within everyone. We do not have to think how to be good. It just happens. When someone asks, what is your name, you do not have to think. It spills out. Does it require effort or imagination to speak the truth? Only lies require effort. Goodness…comes naturally.Some perform their daily rituals, whether spiritual or religious, out of fear. They think that if they skip their rituals, they may be condemned to hell. Some others perform their rituals out of temptation for the heavenly abode, offering prayers to God to allow for their safe passage into the Brighter World.But to seek a return on an investment of love is a sacrilege. This is the reason that “love for the sake of love” has been highly praised. When our input is tainted with desire or ego, the bond between the Lord and the devotee suffers. Bribing the Lord with prasad, coconut or incense sticks, in order to receive crores (not to mention a happy, healthy, wise and eternal life): can this be just? You do not have to be a sage to figure this! When a person has a transactional relationship with the Lord, they will naturally learn to behave the same with other people—to take advantage.Suppose that a milkman wants to boost his profit and decides to dilute the milk with water. But then rethinks. It occurs to him that he might get caught and lose him customers. So he decides against it. Does that decision make him virtuous? Although he did not cheat his customers, it was for the wrong reason he decided not to: his reputation. However, in so doing, he has compromised the intrinsic goodness and morality of his own heart.If we refrain from doing wrong—but only because we are afraid of being discovered—it proves that we still require rules and policies to avoid straying from the path of dharma, the path of righteousness. But if we allow our intrinsic goodness, decency, to manifest and prevail, automatically and justly, in the natural outcome rules and policies become redundant. The more the rules and policies, the further we stray from our intrinsic goodness.If our acts are righteous—but only in so far as to look good in front of others—we still compromise our intrinsic goodness. Our community may reward us for our virtue, but though our acts may be just, they are not pure. We still are not expressing our true goodness. We are only wearing masks of goodness and morality. It is an imitation—a counterfeit of virtue. To burnish our reputation by doing good work only because others are watching, increases our burden of ego, which then disturbs us at the subconscious level.Allowing our innate goodness to manifest is not complicated or difficult. It is in the heart’s nature to do so. When the mind is at rest, the heart automatically responds to the universe. For example, it is our duty to support our family, and it is the heart that responds to that call of duty. When the mind interferes in the process, it only creates layers of complexity. But an evolved, or meditative mind, naturally and effortlessly aligns with the heart. When the mind is but a witness to the receptive heart, the two attain perfect synchronicity and the conscience remains clear.In life, we have many duties. Whether our duty is towards an organization, our society, the nation, or the universe, our heart should innately respond to each one of them as appropriate.We must also be responsive to our own need—to prepare, refine, and sensitize our heart, which is accomplished through the sincere practice of meditation. This allows us to easily capture the waves of inspired creativity that arise from the heart. We take advantage of those inspirations to change ourselves and, ultimately, to transform ourselves.Thus, the process of meditation fosters our transformation into better individuals. It is then that we are more and more responsive in our duties, to ourselves and towards others, and discharge them with pointed and charged effectiveness.We should not compare our effectiveness or skill with that of others. That is not a useful utilization of ego. Competition is only healthy when it is against oneself, where we attempt to continuously improve by being better than we were the last time.When we look upon others, it should be for the sake of inspiration. This is the correct utilization of ego. Then, we are able to set higher and higher goals for ourselves. Like peaceful warriors, we battle our own imperfections, performing each act with greater skill each time. This enables us to take on greater and greater responsibility. By manifesting the heart’s intrinsic values, we thus awaken to the call of duty.The whole process of transformation takes on a different meaning when we advance from the understanding that, “I belong to this world,” to the idea that, “the world is mine!” This may perhaps sound egotistic, but without the feeling of ownership, of belongingness, without apanapan, we’ll always shortchange ourselves in an enormous way. It is one thing to say, “God is for all and hence He is for me as well”; entirely different when we can proudly say: “He is mine.” When He is mine, so is everything in the universe.When there exists a sense of belonging, we build relationships; and where there ceases a sense of belonging, we break relationships. But when we are able to say that the entire universe belongs to us, we automatically accept everything and everyone inside it.This heartfelt acceptance now allows us to surpass the need to tolerate or surrender to anything.It is the intrinsic goodness of the heart that can make me accept all that is, as mine. By the same token, it also makes me become Theirs. Henceforth, all that can happen will always be for all of us. Thus, together, we build our united destiny.&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:center;">General hints for Preceptors and Abhyasis</h3>&nbsp;Pertaining to sadhana:<ul><li>One should aspire for the highest. Peace and other things should be secondary. The abhyasi aspiring for the Highest can be said to be the true member of Shri Ram Chandra Mission.</li><li>One must be regular in the abhyas. If interest in meditation is created, half the work is done.</li><li>After finishing Puja one must look to or brood over his condition. This helps him develop sensitivity.</li><li>One should not worry about the thoughts that rise during meditation or at other times. They rise for the sake of fall. It is not possible to become completely thoughtless.</li><li>It is generally seen that I go on cleaning the abhyasis and they go on spoiling their condition.How, then, can they progress? They will get maximum benefit if they cooperate with me.</li><li>One should develop craving for realization.</li><li>Abhyasi should follow Master with wisdom.</li><li>It is not possible to eradicate anger completely, as it is a thing bestowed by God. One should make right use of it. But greed is our own creation. It should be eradicated completely. One should not have greed even for spirituality. It is seen that some abhyasis are very greedy for taking sittings from Preceptors.</li><li>Transformation can be brought about in two ways – firstly by desiring for it and secondly through force. But in the latter case there is no lasting effect. So, every abhyasi should intensely desire for his transformation.</li><li>One should control one’s freedom of action. The Ten Maxims are meant for this purpose only.</li><li>Abhyasi should have control over little things of the daily routine. If not, how can they expect to have control/command over big things?</li><li>Chaste life should be preferred at all cost. There should be moderation in all matters.Chastity and moderation bespeak the character of a person.</li><li>One should be able to discern between good and bad. Having no discernment is the characteristic of an inferior man.</li><li>Abhyasi should not entertain the idea of becoming a Preceptor. If anybody has the idea of rendering service for the Mission, there are other ways by which he can serve the Mission.</li><li>It is not possible to attain a perfect balanced state, because perfect balance brings about death. But one can reach nearer to it, when one becomes almost balanced.</li><li>Liking something means egoism. So one should rise above likes and dislikes.</li></ul>Pertaining to moral discipline:<ul><li>One should see that no curvature sets in.</li><li>Every abhyasi should develop morality and discipline.</li><li>One should avoid laziness. Great empires in the past saw their decline due to the laziness of the rulers.</li><li>Some respectable distance should be maintained between male and female abhyasis. They should not mix very freely as they mix with the members of their own sex.</li><li>One should avoid drinks. In intoxication there is the effect of matter which obscures the brain and spirituality suffers.</li><li>Abhyasi should try to maintain economy in all matters. Whether one spends five rupees or five thousand, it matters little; but it should not be spent unnecessarily.</li><li>Simplicity is the life of Nature. Everyone should imitate it. The charm in this Mission is that there is no charm. This is the main distinguishing feature of our Mission. It is pure and simple.</li><li>Abhyasi should not engage himself in false propaganda.</li><li>Greatness lies in humility and meekness. So every abhyasi should develop these qualities.</li></ul>

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The Hearts Intrinsic Nature.webp

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The Hearts Intrinsic Nature

Spread the Message of LoveKamlesh D. PatelMessage on the Occasion of the 90th Birth Anniversary of Pujya Shri Chariji Maharaj, 24 July 2017, Kanha ShantivanamWe regularly witness how flocks of birds feed, move and journey together, and how those of the same kind assemble together. Our assembly is likewise. We aspire to soar majestically towards the Unknown with wings outstretched. In the language of Yoga, the cycle of samsara culminates in the hansa or the transcendent swan state: the swan that separates milk from water! Yet this discrimination or viveka, highly praised as the first step in Sadhana Chatusthaya, still eludes us.A common bond unites us here. May this bond foster mutual trust and respect, and hasten the future forward into this very moment, so that we see our united enterprise achieved in utter harmony and in the service of one another in simple anonymity.Some of us are nonetheless tormented by a continuous preoccupation with the feeling of ‘lack’ in life. This preoccupation, or constant craving to fulfil that lack, results in a chronic predicament of enough-lessness or incompleteness. We are fixated on that lack until it is fulfilled, and when it is we dig up another lack.Our habitual awareness of an unfulfilled state within us stirs an activity within the mind that affects the brain’s neural network. It is well known that neurons that fire together wire together. Per contra, those neurons that do not work together risk losing their links within the neural network; they must be retrained to connect to the network.Ceaseless brooding over any lack or any excess in our lives creates a pattern in our minds, and subsequently a neural network that supports the brooding mind. If the pattern triggers fear and worry, surely the neural network will adapt to boost the fear and worry. The mind impacts the brain, and thereafter the brain impacts the mind. Meanwhile, life seems to speedily move on when we are preoccupied with detecting what we lack and finding ways to fulfil it!How to overcome this pattern that hurts us?Cultivate and steadfastly implement a routine of daily meditations, weekly group satsanghs, and weekly individual sittings. Establish a biological rhythm that trains the mind and the brain to establish specific neural pathways that support our noble effort in evolving. Allow the spiritual condition to percolate deeply to firm up those pathways. Dedicating such effort to the Divine will only intensify the pathways.A gentle nudge that deflects the habit of brooding helps us to avoid the valleys of fear and worry. During any ideal meditation are we not successfully deflecting unwanted thoughts, by reminding ourselves of what truly matters? This awareness at any given moment of what truly matters – can save us from deep troubles, including the ceaseless brooding that may make us bitter towards life.Here’s what you can do. Cultivate and steadfastly implement a routine of daily meditations, weekly group satsanghs, and weekly individual sittings. Establish a biological rhythm that trains the mind and the brain to establish specific neural pathways that support our noble effort in evolving. Allow the spiritual condition to percolate deeply to firm up those pathways. Dedicating such effort to the Divine will only intensify the pathways.By now we know well the significance of meditation before sunrise, cleaning before sunset and prayer at bedtime. We do have a choice to tap into our limitless inner resource where stillness, peace and contentment flourish – a treasure of unparalleled riches and supreme strength.Focusing on this treasure will only fortify our resolve; but staying away from it can weaken our resolve to continuously improve. Often when it is ideal and most necessary to reconnect with our Beloved Master we deviate from that awareness. Such deviation, even for a few seconds, can drastically change our inner environment.How to prevent this deviation?By micromanaging with micro-meditations. Meditating even for a few seconds during our daily rush can prepare us to regain our meditative state at a moment’s notice. In no time we can cultivate the meditative state if we remain even a bit vigilant.&nbsp;Is it mental gymnastics we are learning? No! In fact, we progress naturally and joyously towards the Source within us. By cultivating the attitude of relying on the supreme strength inside us, we create superior neural networking that surpasses the networking of a mind focused on what we lack.&nbsp;What then is needed from our side to facilitate this joyful journey? A heartfelt desire that, “I must go on continuously improving myself,” and to recognise that a simple practice such as ours cannot be ignored. Once we sense the inner stillness, the next evolutionary step will unfold naturally.&nbsp;Constant remembrance, the art of building a bridge between my Maker and myself, is a result of well-finished meditation. Pushing oneself to ‘think’ of the bestower of spiritual conditions is not the same as ‘remembrance’. Remembering the Beloved is never a torture, while thinking can become a torture. In fact, it may give us a headache. Instead let the remembrance of the Beloved be a natural outcome of our passionate practice of Sahaj Marg.&nbsp;Our way is very simple, its naturalness extraordinary, and to become natural ourselves is a sure outcome. Gently, steadfastly, in utmost care, and in loving remembrance, let us tread on this sacred path that the Great Hierarchy treads ahead of us.&nbsp;Like birds of a feather, as seekers of Reality, let us make this way of life our primary focus. Let us carry this message out to the world and allow it to permeate our lives. Let us keep flocking together as swans and, soaring high, spread the message of love in a majestic way. On this most divine of days, let us catch up with our Beloved Master.&nbsp;

Spreading the message of love

Cultivate the Seeds of Contentment

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