Samadhan Prakash – Part 4

A seeker’s mind is naturally filled with some questions as they progress on the spiritual path and contemplate on new learnings. Sri Guru has answered some of those questions in a concise and clear manner. The light of clarity and solution shines brightly when lit with a spark of surrendership. This illumination enhances the preparedness (Patrataa) 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.

1. Should we silence our mind through indiscipline?

Question: Sometimes, while following a discipline, we feel a craving to break it. In such a scenario, should we suppress the mind’s craving, or should we give in to the temptation to silence the mind? Please enlighten us.

Solution: While following any discipline, it is natural to experience an urge to break it. Fulfilling this craving may silence the mind for a brief amount of time, but it further strengthens the mind’s tendency of giving in to such cravings. When such a craving arises, one must use clarity (from a Guru) and devotion (for a Guru) to stay firm on the path of discipline. Every craving has a brief shelf life, and as that time passes it starts getting weaker if we do not yield to it. This gives the mind a feeling of victory and bolsters self-confidence. For instance, say you have taken a Niyam to avoid sweets, but suddenly feel a craving to have one. It is common for the mind to become restless whenever any craving arises. But in such a situation, eating the sweet will not only damage your self-confidence, it will also harden the mind’s tendency to lead you astray from your discipline. On the other hand, if you don’t eat the sweet and instead focus your mind on clarity obtained from your Guru or immerse yourself in Bhakti for your Guru, it fills your mind with a unique sense of self-confidence and boosts your capability of walking on the right path.

2. How do we stop ourselves from reacting?

Question: Through introspection, we come to know about our many shortcomings that need to be addressed. When someone speaks against us, our first reaction is to defend ourselves. At such times, why are we not able to remain calm by accepting the situation? How should we reduce our tendency to react instantly?

Solution: With time, the entire path of inner purification becomes clear. First and foremost, it takes a few years to build the maturity and wisdom that makes you realise the problem lies within. I am happy that you have reached this state. Now you must learn to go further. When someone speaks against you, first take a pause to think over these four questions:

• Does their personality inspire me?
• Is their opinion useful for me?
• Does the person have the right authority over the matter?
• Is this the right time to respond back?

Keep in mind that a seeker will have to cultivate a habit of asking these questions to themselves. Because when you’re suddenly faced with a difficult situation, you can’t rush your mind to think in such a manner. Rather, you need to feed these thoughts to your mind during the time of introspection. That will surely have a positive impact on your reaction when the situation arises.

3. Why does God’s Will conflict with our plans?

Question: You tell us that everything in this divine play is happening according to God’s Will. Then why is it that God’s Will often conflicts with our plans and expectations?

Solution: A small circle can exist inside a bigger circle, but it’s futile to even attempt to place the bigger circle inside the smaller one. We all have to be those tiny circles encompassed in the giant circle that is God. Individual Consciousness needs to exist within the Universal Consciousness – vice versa is impossible. Whenever anything in life does not go according to your plan, the only wise thing to do is to quickly accept the futility of your desires and acknowledge it as God’s plan for you. This acceptance shouldn’t be out of any expectation that God will fulfill your desires in the future – that’s just another desire wrapped in a different form! It is necessary that the seeker abandons the desire itself. Yes, if the desire pertains to the spiritual path, then you should continue it as a prayer and with complete faith. Keep in mind that God’s Will is not against your own. Rather, it’s there to show you the right path, preventing your mind from constantly running towards false beliefs, unnecessary desires and materialistic ambitions. Only a heart that’s filled with unfathomable love for the Divine Power can see its own good in God’s plan. A seeker should also remember, there’s nothing to gain by fighting the Divine Will.

4. Should we commit to any discipline in an over-emotional state?

Question: Sri Guru, sometimes we are so mentally and emotionally elevated that we commit to a lot of disciplines on our own – like waking up in the Amrit Vela, regularly watching Satsang, practicing SwaRaj Kriya etc. But that elevated mental state doesn’t last for long, and we are unable to follow these self-established disciplines without wavering. This breaks our self-confidence. What should we do?

Solution: This is the inevitable fate of disciplines that we commit to through Swachhand (wayward self-desire). Neither are the disciplines maintained, nor is there any growth of your inner virtues. Before committing to disciplines, you should always be cautious regarding a few things, such as:

• Do not commit to any discipline in an over-emotional state.

• If one is indeed experiencing an elevated state of mind, they should commit to a discipline for just one day. Presently, the seeker’s inner strength is such that they can only follow a discipline for a single day.

• For a Niyam of longer duration, seek the Agya (permission) of a Sadguru. When you resolve to do something before a Sadguru, the courage to fulfill it increases by multiple times.

• After committing to a discipline, if you are unable to follow it, then you must sincerely write the Kshamapana Paath once, to express your repentance and seek forgiveness.

These guidelines help maintain the enthusiasm for discipline, and also ensure that you enter into repentance for any mistakes committed during the same. Consequently, it will uphold your self-confidence.

5. How do we know that our own decision is the right one?

Question: You resolve some of our questions through emails. But for some of our dilemmas, we don’t get a solution from you and so we have to take decisions ourselves. In such cases, how do we know if our chosen decision is right or not?

Solution: A Sadguru endeavors to guide you on the spiritual path, not serve as your personal advisor. Advisors always intend to keep a person dependent on them, whereas a Sadguru devises processes that make the seeker self-dependent. Being a seeker, you should listen to Satsangs and contemplate how to apply that knowledge in your life. This helps develop Vivek (discerning power) and prepares you to take the right decision given any situation. You may still err on many occasions by taking the wrong decision, but your Vivek will allow you to quickly recover from the mistake. Furthermore, regular practice of SwaRaj Kriya for a few years activates the seeker’s Anahat Kendra. As a result, taking any inappropriate decision fills the seeker’s heart with pain and guilt, which in turn makes them aware of the inaptness of their decision or choice. In this way, even a highly evolved seeker may take wrong decisions sometimes, but they are able to correct themselves quickly on the basis of inner perception.

6. How to remain blissful despite witnessing the current widespread suffering?

Question: You say that the nature of the Soul is boundless bliss, and it is that blissful nature that we need to manifest. But how do we remain blissful in the current times when so many people are dying, children are becoming orphans, unemployment is on the rise, and life has become so chaotic?

Solution: It is definitely true that boundless bliss is the nature of the Soul. However, one needs a strong & steady foundation of Sadhana to reach that deeper state of existence. It’s quite clear from history that such calamities occur at least once in a century, and disrupt normal life for around five years. Know for certain that this is not the first time that these troubled times are upon us. Such national, social, and familial crises recur in every era. During such times, it is essential that seekers intensify their Vairagya (detachment), understand the transience of life, recognize the supreme value being a human, and seek a Sadguru’s guidance to break free from this Paribhraman (transmigration). When a seeker attains this basic level of evolution, only then are able to savor the boundless bliss through the medium of Sadhana.

7. How can we become Nirvichaar (thought-free)?

Question: You say that the harmony of Satsang and Meditation helps us progress on the path. Listening to Satsangs gives a new direction to our thoughts as well as resolves our dilemmas. However, the flow of thoughts rises multiple times while doing meditation. In such a case, how can we become thought-free?

Solution: Practically applying the wisdom gained from Satsang creates a harmony in your life that is coherent with your higher energy field. It is in this energy field that we rise above the realm of thoughts. Rising above thoughts happens on three levels – first, the worldly thoughts transform into spiritual thoughts. Second, feelings of joy and euphoria arise from the spiritual thoughts (like remembering Sadguru’s reposeful state). And third, as these transcendental feelings persist longer, you enter into a thought-free state. It takes time to reach the third stage. When the seeker proceeds with absolute love, faith, and devotion towards their Sadguru, they can reach this thought-free state within a maximum of six months. This is  unanimous among all enlightened beings.

8. Are post-death rituals worthwhile?

Question: When a Soul leaves the body, the family of the deceased conduct various rituals, Pooja, chants, charity etc. Do such rituals benefit the Soul of the departed?

Solution: These rituals entail many beliefs. As per Atheist philosophies, the being is reborn within a few seconds, and a veil drops over all the relations of previous life. But according to scriptures of Theist philosophies, the being can remain in the form of a spirit till 49 days after the body’s demise. In spirituality, we believe that the being certainly remains in the realm of spirits until the womb for its next birth is ready. In modern terminology, this period can range from 3 seconds to 21 days. During this period, the being remains connected to its previous relations. Hence, the being becomes a beneficiary of the auspicious Karma resulting from the rituals, Pooja, chants, charity, etc. organized during this time, and also experiences the ensuing peace. But one should remember that these auspicious rituals are beneficial for the being, only if the deceased is remembered by those performing these auspicious rituals, not otherwise.

While reading these answers, it is natural that some new questions might arise in the seeker’s mind. We invite you to post those questions in the comments section below. Answers to questions related to your spiritual growth can be obtained from Sri Guru. Some of those answers will be published in the next issue of Samadhan Prakash.

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.