Last two days – the practice and disappointment in self

Over the last two days the practice of Satsangati by listening to discourses and feeling the presence of Gurujans is going fairly well. The disappointment is in my not exercising self-control in eating habits … not eating on time, and eating in between meals, and also watching TV a little too much (although it is much less than before).

Pujya Maharaj Ji says in his Pravachan not to loose hope. I not only trust that Satsangati along with Jap is going to help with sanyam or self-control, I am already seeing signs of Guru Kripa and Ram Kripa in that matter. In my understanding the seeds of Satsangati and Jap are sown and fruit will be in the form of sanyam or self-control, simran, and whatever else Shree Ram wishes. Together they can help any sadhak’s practice. I pray that all of us have love for Naam and the Naami.

Jai Jai Ram.

This may be of help to Sadhaks – Lessons and inspirations

As Pujya Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj (Pujya Maharaj JI) says that Sab Ram Karta Hai – Lord is the sole doer, keeping that in mind Shree Ram made it clear this morning to this child that Satsangati and Sankirtan are very important for every Sadhak. As mentioned by Pujya Maharaj JI in one of his discourses of Naarad Bhakti that to have Sanyam, Sadaachar, Seva, and Simran in our lives we must have Satsangati – or association of Sant Mahatma, Satpurush, Sadguru, etc.

Sadhaks must have faith that the Satsangati and Sankirtan will definitely help us lead a life of self-discipline and self-control over our negative habits and behaviors, in addition to that we will have the opportunity to serve others with nishkam bhav or desiring no fruit of our actions, and last but not least the Simran …. Ram Naam Jap with love, devotion, and feeling of connectedness to Paramatma Shree Ram.

In Bhakti Prakash reading yesterday, a message from Swami Ji Maharaj was crystal clear – that is to simply surrender to Shree Ram and even forget about Sakaam or Nishkam Karma. That is the same thing mentioned in his Gita Saar and also Pujya Maharaj Ji mentions that in one of his discourse … Lord Krishna telling Arjuna that Chhor sab ye Karmyog, Gyanyog, Bhaktiyog, aur sab yog, meri sharan mein aa ja, Arjun tera aur mera ghar ek hai. (Lord Krishna,”Arjun, leave all the paths of yoga such as Karma Yoga, Gyan Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, simply surrender to me and know that your home/abode and my home/abode is one and the same”)

For those of us who can’t be with our Sant Mahatmas in person for any reason, distance or lack of physical health, we can simply remember what Pujya Maharaj Ji told us at the time of diksha that our Gurujans are always protecting us and helping us in our sadhana. So we can simply choose to do Sankirtan and Simran while feeling that our Gurujans are with us, I believe this will help us become better human beings and our sadhana will progress with Ram Kripa and with Guru Kripa.

Please let others Sadahaks know of your understanding, experiences, and thoughts about same or similar subjects. It will also help me if you add a comment below.

Jai Jai Ram.

Listening to Pujya Dr. Viswa Mitter Ji Maharaj’s discourse

The following is my humble understanding only. Please feel free to correct and comment below in the box.

In his discourse Pujya Maharaj Ji says that four things are essential in our sadhana.

1. Simran
2. Sanyam
3. Sadachar
4. Seva

Then he tells us that all of these four we can’t get unless we have Satsangati.

It is clear that the association of Sant is very important in our sadhana and bhakti. If we can’t be there with the Sant physically we should try to feel that the Sadguru or Sant is with us always while we do simran (loving Jap while remembering the meaning of mantra), have sanyam (self-control) in our lives, sadachar (Right behaviors for sadhaks), and seva (selfless service). With Sant’s presence we are bound to not only get all of the four required for our sadhana but also with Sant’s grace we are going to get a stronger connection with Shreeram and our sadhana will become mangalmayi. This is what Sant-Mahatmas tell us again and again. Let us listen to them and make our practice of Ram Naam consistent, loving, and blissful.

Visit Shreeramsharnam’s site http://www.shreeramsharnam.org/

Please add a comment below if you have something to share with other sadhaks.

Sab Ram mein hai – All is in Ram

An inspiring thought! Remember all day long that “Sab Ram mein hai” – All is in Ram. No matter what we think about, no matter who we think about, it’s all in Ram. When all is in Ram, then why does the question of us wanting something other than Ram arises in our mind. When we have received Ram Naam from Sadguru then we should only think about Ram.

Pujya Shree Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj in his discourse says that Ram Kripa descends upon the one who realizes that there is no separate existence without God. We have a body but the consciousness is of God. When the consciousness is there, body has existence. We should lose our ego or aham and exist only in Ram. All is in Ram. Swami Satyanand Ji Maharaj says “Sanoo milaya naam pyara, assi hor ki mangana” (We have receive the most beloved Naam, what else can we ask for). Jai Shree Ram.

Jai Jai Ram.

How to do self-study of Srimadbhagavadgita

In his translation of Shreemadbhagavadgeeta , Shree Swami Satyanand Ji Maharaj tells us how to study it to get most benefit out of it – study with one-pointed mind and spend more time understanding it’s meaning. Every student should have the attitude and feeling that I am Arjuna and all my negative qualities of sins, mistakes, not wanting to my duty, my weaknesses can be eradicated by Shree Krishna’s teachings.

…… Lord Krishna is waking the eternal aspect of my pure soul and He is reminding me of my pure consciousness. Lord Krishna is inspiring, encouraging, and motivating me to be free of laziness and do my natural duties with even-mindedness.

…. I am the beloved student and devotee of Lord Krishna. With these higher and noble thoughts every student of Gita becomes recipient of Lord’s grace and the essence of Gita’s teaching gets imbibed in the student.

Lord himself says, ” To study Gita, listening to it, and reading it to others is Gyan-Yagya and I am worshiped by that.”

Shree Swami JI Maharaj tells that every student of Gita should be faithful, full of devotion, and with a serious attitude read Gita and worship Lord in this way. With this attitude, devotion, and feeling, knowledge of Gita will come as light in the heart of the student.

We are so lucky and blessed with Swami Ji Maharaj’s translation of Gita and his love for Hindi language.

In Meditation – Seeking help from guru

Pujya Maharaj Ji told us at the time of initiation that Swami Ji Maharaj and Prem Ji Maharaj are always with us helping us in our spiritual practice and protecting us.

The other day in meditation I asked for their help and Pujya Maharaj JI’s voice was heard saying “Galat kaam karna band kar do – kitna dukh hota hoga Swami Ji Maharaj ko” (Stop doing things that are not conducive to spiritual life – Swami Ji Maharaj must be feeling the pain seeing me do that). Every day I pray that I only do righteous actions and when I am not able to do so I ask for forgiveness.

The lesson here is that we must make an effort to control our actions, speech, and thoughts.

Pujya Maharaj Ji says in one of his discourse: we may not succeed in our efforts to do that but we must not lose hope.

Guru Purnima – Connecting several readings

Reading this morning from Pujya Dr. Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj’s message of July 11, 2006, he mentions that there a strong connection between our Adi Guru Maharshi Vyasdev’s teachings (of four vedas, Puranas, and Adhyatmic Ramayan), and Shree Swami Satyanand Ji Maharaj’s teachings.

Pujya Maharaj Ji encourages us to:

1. Implement what we have heard or read so that we can serve others and live a life of a true devotee.
2. To devote our every moment to the teachings of Shree Swami Ji Maharaj while giving up our ego, need for praise, fame, etc.
3. We should live a life of peace and bliss with the help of Ram Naam which acts like spiritual fire that cleanses our mind, purifies our heart, and gets rid of ignorance.
4. To keep our promise to Shree Swami Ji Maharaj to do Jaap, Simran, and dhyan as our guru-dakshina.
5. To lead a pure life and become a good sadhak who wil make Shree Swami Ji Maharaj proud.

He asks to join each other and promise to lead a pure, truthful, and spiritual life once again on this day of Guru Purnima.

Reading about Satsangati in Bhakti Prakash about the signs of Sant and the benefits of associating with Sants/Mahatmas it convinces me once again about how lucky and blessed we are having our gurujans in our lives. I am taking a vow once again to be true to our gurujans at Shreeramsharnam, Maharashi Vyasdev JI, and Param Guru Shree Ram.

We may not succeed at living the life (at first or every day) they ask us to lead but we can be like a little child who fails to walk at first attempt and falls many times but never gives up. Shree Swami Ji Maharaj Ji in Pravachan Piyush reminds us that spiritual practice is a long journey but we need to do our practice until our last breath – even at that time if we have realization of Supreme Truth or we get a glimpse of spiritual bliss, etc. – I think our journey will be worth much more than the effort put in because it will be due to Ram Kripa and Guru Kripa we will be blessed to have any spiritual experiences or transformations.

Don’t use force with loved ones – Valmiki Ramayan Saar

This message was loud and clear about not using force with loved ones while reading this morning in Valmiki Ramayan Saar by Shree Swami Satyanand Ji Maharaj.

Kaushalya (Ram’s mother) and Laxman are upset about Prince Ram having to go to live like an ascetic in a jungle instead of being crowned as a king. Laxman suggests using force and giving Ram his right to the kingdom. Ram replies it is not the fault of my mother Kakeyi or my father Dashrath (he is simply keeping his promise given to Kakeyi) and we should not use force with family members. Family members are our loved ones and they should be loved and respected. Ram happily accepts Kakeyi’s wish and as always treats her like his mother Kaushalaya.

There is so much we can learn from the life of Ram. Applying what we learn at least one thing a day and then extending it for a week, for a month, and then for the rest of our life is suggested in their discourses and advice given by our loving gurus and teachers – Swami Ji Maharaj, Shree Prem JI Maharaj, and Pujya Dr. Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj.

How lucky and blessed are we for having such a heritage, culture, and most of all having loving Sant and Mahatmas (Saints and Great souls) in our lives who have blessed us with Ram Naam.

Mere Pyare Ram tu bahut Sundar hai – My Loving Ram is supremely beautiful

Mere Pyare Ram tu bahut Sundar hai, teri sundarta sab ke andar hai !

Mere Pyare Ram tu bahut chatur hai, parantu tu bahut madhur ha !!

My loving Ram you are supremely beautiful, your beauty lies in everyone’s interior !

My loving Ram you are very clever and smart,  but you are also divinely sweet like nectar !!

Reading from Bhakti Prakash yesterday about Satya Bhavana

Satya Bhavana (my limited understanding and translation’s only purpose is to act as a reminder to sadhaks who know Hindi and have read Bhakti Prakash. For those who do not read Hindi learning the language is encouraged to truly understand the spiritual knowledge Shree Swami Ji Maharaj is blessing us with)

In the 12 atmik bhavnayain Shree Swami Ji Maharaj encourages us to wake up our true self, our atman by chanting and remembering meaning of Ram-Naam with love …… we should focus on thinking of benevolent qualities and attributes of God.

He continues, “You, my atman! are indestructible and in all three worlds and at all times your true nature is this truth …. you’re pure soul – immutable and immortal”

A great deal of valuable spiritual knowledge and information is available through Shreeramsharnam.org and at their centers with the blessings of our Pujya Premji Maharaj and Pujya Dr. Vishwa Mitter Ji Maharaj.