Investigation and analysis is the key to success
– Pujya Bapuji
A person will shine in any field proportionate to his concentration in it. The fundamental difference between the young of an animal and a human child is that, what the former will learn or imitate in six months by cruel methods of training is learnt and performed by a human child in six minutes. This is why humans are considered superior. Among human beings, the one who takes 4 minutes to learn something is superior to the one who takes 6 minutes for the same task. The one who takes 2 minutes instead of 4, and 1 minute instead of 2 and even the one who learns by only signaling, is considered intellectually superior and achieves a higher position. Therefore, the more one concentrates his mind, the more one makes his mind subtle; the more one progresses in the material or spiritual world.
A Guru of a Gurukul called for a student and said to him, “This is an aquarium; there is a fish in it. Observe and analyse the activities done by the fish, ponder over it and tell me in an hour.”
After an hour, the student described its movements: “The fish was so and so in the beginning and so and so after some time and became so and so in the end…”
Guruji said: “Just that! …Investigate further. Many more things are happening. I give you another hour to find more movements of the fish.”
He investigated deeply, and he became more focused. And even other movements of the fish were revealed to him.
Guruji said again: “I give you another hour; there is more to find.”
So, the more he investigated, the more his mind became subtle. He developed concentration of mind.
Guruji then said: “Son! This fish was just an instrument. Your mind has now gained the ability to investigate anything. You will now be able to succeed well in your actions. You have developed the ability to analyse.”
Similarly, analyse sorrow when it comes in your life; analyse happiness when it comes in your life; analyse the object of pleasure when you get it. When the object of pleasure is destroyed, analyse what has lasted forever with anybody? Analyse whenever you get happiness or sorrow, ‘why did you get it?’ See, how long it lasts. If you witness sorrow carefully, then that sorrow will not make you the experiencer of it (you will not suffer from sorrow). Similarly witness happiness, carefully. How long will the happiness last? You were attracted to something, and got it, but what is there in the end?
Vital Verses
– Pujya Bapuji
Even on being defeated, whose heart does not pain, even on becoming victorious who becomes not jubilant. Falling again and again, see, he balances himself. The sky may be shaken but that man is not shaken.
Gird up your loins, be engaged
– Pujya Bapuji
Be adamant like the Himalayas and overcome your obstacles. Believe that I will become that which I think. Sat-sankalpa Atman is with you, nay, you are Sat-sankalpa Atman. Whatever Sat-sankalpa Atman desires, there and then it materialises. Arise! Recognise your power. All powers are with you. Do not think that all things should be gathered first, then I shall start my work; but rather be determined to achieve your ultimate goal (Self-realization), all things that you require for work will then lay themselves at your feet.
(Excerpts from a holy book ‘Nirbhaya Nada’, (The Vedantic message of fearlessness) published by the ashram)
By doing this, you will be blessed
* By the grace of God, the people whose fortune has taken such a favourable turn that they have met a Self-realised Shri Guru, or have developed faith in any Self-realised saint, should take refuge in Shri Guru with complete mind and intellect and become his child and serve him with unswerving devotion. They will be blessed; they will be successful and content.
* Three tasks are very important: (1) To be kind to creatures and remove their pain. (2) To help the weak and helpless. (3) To save even the enemy from misery and slander.
Then you will have the best of both worlds
– Pujya Bapuji
Have proper industry in your life. When you awaken in the morning, sit silently for a while. Then say mentally: “I reflect on that God with whose power my mind and intellect are nourished (in sleep). Aum… Aum….” Visualize your SatGuru or the image of OM in the space between your eyebrows and do manasika japa (mental repetition) of Omkar. In the beginning, do this practice for 5 minutes; then slowly increase it. Then you will observe your constant progress in any field - be it Bhakti (devotion), sadhana, studies.
And before sleeping at night, pray to God: ‘Lord! Give industriousness, courage, fortitude, intelligence, strength, and bravery to me. I shall succeed in the world and attain you also, O Lord! Hari Om… Hari Om...’
Recognise who they were…?
(1) Who used to say to God lovingly, “Make me your horse, dog or cow. The overflowing grace of God turned that lustful person into a devotee.”
(2) Made his life fragrant with the Yoga of Karma (Selfless service), Bhakti (Devotion) and Jnana (Self-knowledge) and spread the fragrance in the world; a tree walked, a train stopped by His will; who was that Baba who was nonchalant?
(3) She would surreptitiously go through the streets, to get the address of the Beloved from the Guru. People called her a destroyer of the clan, but she was a great devotee.
(Answers are given in this issue)
The student who practices Mauna (silence) everyday, develops will-power.
An empty mind is the devil’s workshop. So always keep yourself busy.
- Pujya BapuJi