Samadhan Prakash – Part 1

These questions and their solutions are derived from the emails between Sri Guru and some disciples. Sri Guru has given brief and clear answers to the questions that often arise in seekers’ mind while traversing the spiritual path. The lamp of clarity and solution is illuminated only where there’s a spark of surrendership. This illumination boosts the preparedness (Paatrata) of the disciple. It is at this point that every question serves as a stepping stone in the journey. Read and contemplate so that it becomes a part of your nature.

— Sri Guru

1. Sri Guru, on this path guided by you, we feel inner transformation as well as goodness towards everyone. But we have often observed that when we share these feelings, joy & experiences with others, they tend to disappear. Does this mean the feelings are untrue?

Solution: Such feelings of goodness never fade upon sharing, rather they most certainly enhance. But yes, it can definitely happen if some underlying desire or ego is present while expressing. Therefore, a seeker must always be mindful and introspective. Secondly, it is important to understand that even if those feelings begin to fade, they are replaced by an abundance of spiritual virtues like peace, stability, and silence – gladly accept them as a gift from God. On the journey of Sadhana, there are several such instances that cannot be understood with a limited intellect. But the law remains eternal, that righteous feelings always translate into a righteous outcome.

2. At times, feelings of Vairagya (detachment) are very strong. While other times, the mind is intensely drawn to worldly pleasures. Therefore, how do we decide that we are on the right path?

Solution: There is only one path. It is one’s vision that is conflicted; the mistake lies in the way you perceive things. Sometimes this vision makes you seek happiness in the external world, while other times it makes you turn within. There isn’t much need to be upset if your mind is sometimes drawn to worldly pleasures. Such is the nature of this life where everything is constantly changing, where ups & downs, loss & gain keeps happening with every emotion. If you have truly connected to an Enlightened Master, then such worldly affinities will not prevail for long. To restrain the mind from sprinting towards such tendencies, the enlightened beings have propounded the path of Sainyam (Discipline). When we devotedly adhere to even a small instruction of Sainyam, it builds the energy to halt the futile wavering of our minds. For instance, if your mind is continuously drawn towards a particular food, then it is best to undertake Anna Tyag (voluntary abstaining from food) for a few hours. Doing so will conserve enough energy to slow down your tendencies. And the same can be practiced for other senses too.

3. Can a human being experience God?

Solution: This question is something like, Can a blind person witness a beautiful garden! You’d say that is highly unlikely as long as one remains blind. But if somehow you were to treat the blindness and restore the vision, then enjoying the garden’s beauty is definitely possible. In the same way, we are all blinded with ignorance and for this reason, we lack the understanding of our true nature. As we attend a Guru’s Samagam (congregation) and begin introspecting upon their teachings, our sense of understanding evolves.  This evolution in our understanding is what is meant by treating the eyes. The more we gain clarity in our vision, the better is our ability to witness and perceive things, both outside and within. This is why instead of discussing the subject of God with a Sadguru, you should first strive towards refining your perspective.

4. During meditation, sometimes we feel our experiences have reached an elevated level, while other times it is difficult even to maintain physical stability and the constant wavering of the mind. What should we do?

Solution: Change is inevitable in this worldly life. Whether it is the matter of meditation or a business profession, until you gain a certain level of mastery, you are likely to witness change on a frequent basis in everything you do. The fundamental difference between a spiritual seeker and a worldly businessperson is that the seeker will embrace and accept the change, while the latter will struggle with it. The struggle is Sansar (worldly), and acceptance is Sadhana. During meditation, if there is instability in your body & mind, then firstly introspect whether your expectations are too high at this stage. If yes, then accept the futility of such expectations and rise above them. If not, then give yourself a little more time. Seekers often wrongfully presume they will attain peace after practicing meditation. But in truth, when you enter into meditation with a sense of reverence, you witness peace in its actual form. This frees you from the unnecessary expectations in life.

5. Does every being in a Guru’s surrendership attain Moksha (salvation)?

Solution: A Guru shows the path of Moksha, but the interpretation of Moksha and the intensity of its desire varies from person to person. An ordinary being seeks a Guru’s guidance to be free from worldly sufferings, an intellectual being does it to be free from the doubts within, while a seeker seeks a Guru to be free from his vices and flaws. What you seek is what you will receive. Therefore, it is more important to introspect the purpose of coming to a Guru, for this very purpose will translate into your actions. Guru is only a means, a medium.

6. Sri Guru when we listen to you, there is an intense desire to walk upon this path guided by you, but our household responsibilities often hold us back from doing so. What should we do? 

Solution: Those who truly yearn to walk on the Guru’s path, for them such responsibilities aren’t an obstacle, rather they become the door. Yes, it is necessary to set a benchmark as to how much time you should devote to watching Satsangs, apart from the household responsibilities. Also, efforts like thinking, contemplation, and reflection after Satsang can always be done while doing household work. Usually, people start comparing themselves with others. They feel they must also watch Satsang for 2-3 hrs, attend live Samagam and offer Seva like others. But, when they are unable to have such opportunities, they give up on their efforts at a very early stage. Then they presume Karma is an obstacle in their way. I believe that if you dedicate even 30 minutes a day to watching Satsang, it will gradually align the Karmic forces in your favor. It is important to avoid comparing with others and learn to allocate time out of your personal responsibilities. You will see, the entire existence will support your honest efforts.

7. To be on your path, do we need to renounce the rituals, customs, worship of our religious sect?

Solution: Not at all. Rather, when you understand their true essence, you will enjoy those rituals & practices with even greater enthusiasm. You will experience genuine feelings and devotion while doing them. Every religious practice intends to purify the Bhaav (emotions), and Satsang teaches you the ‘true nature’ so that you seek that purity in every ritual you perform. Nothing is to be renounced, rather done with the spiritual perspective, so as to avoid deceiving ourselves in the name of religion. If someone is counting rosary beads, but their mind is occupied in the past or future, then such a ritual is neither auspicious nor religious. This is how a Guru shows you how to refine the quality of your actions.

8. Scriptures say that Kaamna (desire) is the root of all worldly transmigration, does this mean seeking Moksha (salvation) is also a Kaamna?

Solution: Wishing for something that has never truly belonged to you is Kaamna (desire) while pursuing that which has always belonged to you is Bhavana. All that is before your eyes – be it people, things, or situations – none of them are permanently yours, nor are they going to be with you till eternity. They are here only for a short time and are ever-changing. Therefore, aiming to derive happiness from them is nothing but Kaamna, which is the root of all transmigration. When you arrive in a Guru’s Samagam (congregation), your perspective transforms and now you aim to discover the true wealth that resides within. This is known as Bhavana, and it is what destroys the vicious cycle of transmigration.

It is possible that the above answers give rise to more questions in the seeker’s mind. Thus, we encourage you submit them in the comments section below. Sri Guru gives clarity upon many doubts associated with your spiritual journey. Answers to some of these questions will be published in the upcoming edition of Samadhan Prakash series.

Get in-depth answers to more such questions, in Samadhan book: Click Here»

Bliss of Wisdom is a blog for seekers who are in search of their true Self. It is published by Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Delhi – a spiritual revolutionary movement founded by Sri Guru. She is a spiritual Master who has transformed innumerable lives through her logical explanations and effective meditation techniques. To know more, visit www.srmdelhi.org.