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SERVICE – BETTER, HIGHER THAN MEDITATION

11/3/2013

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Param Guru Swami Shivanand has given a lot of importance to service. Service of mankind without any selfish motive is the sure short way of attaining God’s grace in abundance. Many of us think that serving our own family members is a service sufficient to please god. But gurudev is clearly explained that the service to the poor, sick and needy with a ‘seva bhao’, ‘Atma bhao’ speeds up the spiritual progress that it amazes even the sadhak him self.

In 1993, when I joined Yoga ashram in Bhilai, Swami Devshankaranandji gave me ‘yogvidya’ to read. Many of its articles interested me and I read them regularly. By the persuasion of  Swamiji I became a life time member of Yog Vidya. As it contains many articles of Swami Shivananda, I became aware of the importance of service. And he has written so simply that I liked all his articles. Gradually as his teaching took hold in my mind, I started finding ways to serve in what ever little way it was possible along with my household responsibilities. And to my own surprise! I discovered that I derived a lot of happiness and satisfaction even from little act of charity or service to others. Though it was not easy to instill selflessness but with the passage of time I must admit that I am improving. And to serve in little ways is so simple! Since long time I had a desire to do good to others but many times I could not find a way out. So I did not try Harder. But after satsang with Swami Shivananda I was inspired greatly.

He has clearly written that Service purifies mind, heart and is very powerful to erase the deeply buried evil Sanskaras. During spiritual progress, a sadhak is dragged again and again by these very karmas and Samaskaras which are collected birth after birth.

It is not possible to progress in the path of spirituality without through cleaning of subconscious and unconscious mind. Service when done without any selfish motive easily and effectively purifies the inner recesses of being. Many people want to do meditation. They want to live divine life and achieve happiness and bliss. But these very sanakaras make it impossible for them to concentrate their mind even for a few minutes. e.g.  If a room is full of dirt, dust and clutter one cannot sit in that room. The room has been cleaned thoroughly, aired nicely. Similarly many karmas and samaskaras of many births are accumulated in us, which we carry from one birth to another. These samaskaras have covered the divine sun by veils of ignorance. e.g. A lamp can shine only brightly if its paper wrapping are removed, its glass properly cleaned. As one proceeds on the divine path of spirituality with the help of service, the path becomes easy and smooth. Thorns and obstacles are removed by god himself. “See god in every one.” – Swami Sivananda. If service is done by instilling this attitude then the progress is much faster. Gradually with the practice of seeing god in every one has enabled me to remain humble and selfless. And so my ego is not flamed. No ahankar, I feel when serving with an attitude of looking at the other person as God. How can you not be honest and sincere to god? He is almighty. He has bestowed us with His great love, compassion, kindness not to mention all materialistic comforts in our life.

By sharing our wealth with others especially weak, poor and needy, it gets purified. his great is limitless, his treasures infinite. When pleased He shows his grace on his own children without being asked. When our child pleases us by obeying, following our advice, we are very much pleased. The weak, poor and needy are god’s own children. If we help them he will immensely pleased. “Give more, Get more.” It is not necessary to donate large sums of money. Even a small act of smile which can brighten the life of another individual is a service to god. Everyone, even the poor people can do Seva by helping the people around them. E.g. my

servant’s daughter who is studying in polytechnique college helps the new comers I n her college by guidance, her old books or notes. She also tries to help the poor students in their studies younger than her. A teacher can teach 2-3 poor children free of cost, A doctor can treat poor patients, housewives can collect rice or flour daily in a container and after 1 week feed it to the poor. Lot of youngsters keeps on whiling away their time, should take up Seva as zeal and help the needy in whatever little ways possible. According to Sri Sri Ravishankar, “Seva, Sadhana and Satsang must be adopted by one and all.” This is his 3 ‘S’ formula.

When ‘Seva’ is done with an attitude of serving God, all your actions become Sadhana, a yogic activity. If this practice is done daily with sincerety, the vices like anger, jealousy, greed and moha have to go. On whom can I get angry? God! Oh No! How can I ever think of that, but alone do it! As with practice, this thought goes deeper the veil of ignorance is gradually lifted up and the Sun of his grace shines brightly! Have faith in God and serve His children selflessly and discover eternal happiness and bliss which lies hidden in your own being!

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How to write Spiritual Diary

7/27/2012

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“Spiritual Dairy is your Guru by your side”.

                                         - Swami Shivananda

 The great guru Swami Shivananda has greatly emphasized the importance of writing spiritual dairy by each and every spiritual aspirant. Spirituality is a rajoer sharp path. This path is full of obstacles. Every aspirants fails many times, then gets up again and starts his spiritual journey. The presence of a guru who himself has scaled this path smoothens the path to a great extent. But how many of us are lucky enough to have a Sadguru? A lot of precious time and energy is being wasted and many times precious life is wasted. No amount of books can replace the physical presence of a guru. Many new doubts keep on assailing an aspirant’s mind every day leaving him totally confused. At such time, many beginners are enveloped in the negative emotions like remorse, anger, helplessness and even depression. And how can Sadhna he done in such a negative state? At other times ambitions of a Sadhak are too high to achieve. And patience leaves him when the progress is very very slow. In today’s world where money is the most important factor on each and every one’s mind including many so called gurus, a Sadhak keeps on shuttling between preachers.

 

 

Swami Shivananda has given a very simple solution for every spiritual aspirant by guiding him to write spiritual dairy daily after introspection. He has clearly explained that there are two types of minds in every individual 1. Higher mind , 2. Lower mind.

During the process of introspection higher mind finds faults of lower mind and tries to rectify it.

 

Every one needs a guru. Your guru is life”

                            -Swami Satyananda

 

 

And when daily faults are written, good points in the form of strengths themselves come out and the process gradually removes the evils out of one’s personality. It is a very very slow process Patience and sincerity go a long way in acting as guru. In this process aspirant is very comfortable because no one else he has to reveal his weakness virtues take a long time to establish themselves, the very process of their onset relieves a lot of Sadhak’s anxiety. A lot depends on Sadhak’s Samaskaras also. If a Sadhak has inherited good Samaskaras from his previous births, then the progress is quite fast. Mind when comes to paper in the form of thoughts receives the messages effectively and strongly. A few guidelines I am quoting here which I gathered from the teachings of both Swami Shivananda and Swami Satyananda. I must admit that they are my interpretations, so any pitfalls must be excused by Gurudev as well as readers –

 

1.                At what time did I get up today? The main objective is to realize whether or not I could make use of Brahma – Muhuratam?

2.                How much Sattwa did I acquire today? The acquisition of Sattwa shows in the form of cheerfulness. The greater the cheerfulness higher the Sattoguna.

3.                Which Indriya is troubling me?

4.                How much Japa have I done today? It is very important, so make a firm resolve that you will do a certain number of malas daily according to convenience and time available. Japa should be done on Guru Mantra. The mind is a devil, it deceives; it is just hypocrisy. Therefore one has to resolve positively and stick to those resolves. Spend your birthday, anniversary and other important days like Ram Navami, Janamashtami doing more japa instead of wasting your time and money.

5.                How long did you do Karma yoga? Write total number of working hours in a day. If you are acting mind fully and consciously. It becomes Karma Yoga, it is Karma when you act mechanically. The attitude of detachment can be easily developed by Karma yoga. Success, failure, pain and victory will leave no trace in mind.

6.                How many times did you get angry? What was the self punishment? If you get angry, you must punish yourself. As a token of punishment dearest thing must be given up. Anger is a waste of time and energy. You must beg the pardon of the offended person and assure them that you are definitely going to correct yourself. Decide the punishment yourself.

7.                Which good quality are you trying to cultivate?

8.                Which bad quality are you trying to eradicate?

 

         Example-Do not takes up a difficult one. ‘I shall not speak harsh words’.

9.                How many hours of selfless service? Selfless service purifies the soul and life grows in happiness and mind becomes powerful and strong.

10.           How long in Satsang is a powerful tool which moulds the life and personality of a Sadhak. Satsang with sacred books, life stories of great men, devotional songs and divine stories are very effective. Dwelling on the thoughts of atman and saints is also very powerful.

 

Satsang is the surest cure for the dire disease of loneliness. Even in the midst of thousands, there are those who feel lonely. To relive loneliness you may play a game, mix in society or watch television. But this is not the ultimate remedy. This is self deception. In order to remove loneliness, sit alone and think of God, make him your best friend and talk to him mentally. This is also a form of Satsang. So by grace of God you will be able to give up your bad habits, acquire a lot of virtues and finally experience peace and happiness which you deserve.

“You get what you deserve, not what you desire.”

So by the slow process of hard work, patience, perserverance, your thoughts, moods, sentiments and actions change. And when that happens, happiness contentment bliss follows on its own.

“If I believe I have strength to hold back seas, to move mountains, and the determination to live life, it is because I have felt and seen an image of inspiration visible to my unseeing eyes.”

                      -Swami Satyananda.

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