Friday, May 11, 2018

Anandamayi Ma


Which exactly is that great Moment depends for each one upon his particular line of approach. Does not the moment at which you are born determine and rule the course of your whole life? 

Similarly, what is important for you is the Moment at which you will enter the current that is the movement of your true being, the Going Forth, in other words, the Great Pilgrimage. 

Unless this happens, perfection cannot be attained. This is why, for some disciples, the Guru fixes special times for sadhana, such as dawn, dusk, midday, and midnight; these are the four periods usually prescribed;

It is the duty of the disciple to carry out conscientiously the Guru’s orders, which vary according to the temperament and predisposition of the aspirant. The same method does not suit everyone. 

The average person can have no knowledge of the particular combination of factors that are necessary to bring to completion the hitherto neglected facets of his being; for this reason it is essential to obey the Guru’s instructions. 

Within the twenty-four hours of the day, some time must be definitely dedicated to God. Resolve, if possible, to engage regularly in japa of a particular Name or mantra while sitting in a special posture, and gradually add to the time or the number of repetitions. 

There is no need for a daily augmentation. Fix the rate and the interval at which you will increase, say fortnightly or weekly. In this way try to bind yourself to the Quest of God; wherever you may be, take refuge in Him, let Him be your Goal.

When by virtue of this endeavour you become deeply immersed in that current and devote ever more time to it, you will be transformed and your appetite for sense enjoyment will grow feeble; thus you will reap the fruit of your accumulated efforts. You may also come to feel that the body is liable to depart at any time, that death may arrive at any moment.

Gradually you will get more and more deeply absorbed in Him - He and He alone will preoccupy your thoughts and feelings. 

For the mind ever seeks that which gives it proper sustenance, and this cannot be provided by anything save the Supreme Being Himself. Then you will be carried away by the current that leads to your Self. You will discover that the more you delight in the inner life, the less you feel drawn to external things.

In consequence the mind becomes so well nourished with the right kind of food, that at any moment the realization of its identity with the Self may occur.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Paramhansa Yogananda


There cannot be any excuse for not thinking of God. 
Day and night, rolling in the background of your mind, 

God! God! God!

Whether you are washing dishes or digging a ditch or working in an office or a garden —whatever you may be doing—inwardly say, 

"Lord, manifest to me!
You are right here.
You are in the sun.
You are in the grass.
You are in the water.
You are in this room.
You are in my heart."

And when great love for God comes in your heart, you do not miss anything; no matter what you have or do not have in this world, you nevertheless feel fulfilled. Divine love transmutes all material desires — even the longing for human love, that mortal passion which so often brings pain either from its fickle nature or because it is snatched away by death. Loving the Lord, you can never turn back to being satisfied by lesser loves. In Him you will find all the love of all hearts. You will find completeness. Everything that the world gives you and then takes away, leaving you in pain or disillusionment, you will find in God in a much greater way, and with no aftermath of sorrow. 

From Realizing God In Your Daily Life 
(Journey to Self-Realization by Paramhansa Yogananda)


Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Sri Ramana Maharshi
Ramana Maharshi said: ‘When various notes are played or sung by the musician, if you keep your attention fixed on the sruti, i.e., the accompanying tanpura or harmonium with its monotone alone, it will not be distracted by the diverse notes or tunes; similarly in the world which is nothing but sense-perceptions, keep attuned to the sruti, the one Reality alone, and your inner awareness will remain undisturbed.’