In the depths of our being lies an undying stream of awareness, untouched by the passage of time
There is a stream (Awareness) within us that is undying, it cannot be destroyed. To acknowledge and observe this stream is Spirituality. Such courage, such strength, such solidity comes in life that nothing can shake you, no one can shake you. It’s like a subtle stream; I haven’t changed, I haven’t aged, I’m still the same.
Observing Life as Spirituality
When you examine your life, that observing of life is Spirituality; it is Satsang. Satsang is not just singing bhajans, but pondering over the Truths of Life. What is the most important Truth of Life? - There’s something inside us that never goes away, that never dies. There is something within us that does not diminish, that is non erasable, which is unchanging and undying. If even the slightest attention is directed to it, life becomes easy and uncomplicated. When someone dies we declare that the person is immortal, but the Truth is, we ourselves are immortal. That is why we do not feel that we have grown old. No matter how old a person is, he feels he is never going to die. This feeling is always there. If someone else dies, we say, “That poor fellow died! — This is the feeling which goes on. The second truth: Everything changes — body changes, mind changes, intellect changes, thoughts change; everything is changing. If we change ourselves, we can also change our surroundings, our society, and the whole world.
First and foremost, it will have to start within us. Such a smile should blossom from within us that can never fade, that cannot be robbed. This is Knowledge. To sit in an effort to gain this knowledge is Satsang. How many lifetimes will it take for us to gain this Awareness’?” Do not harbor these thoughts. Now that you have come to the Satsang, believe that you have already gained it. Once you are on the train, know that you will get to your destination. That is for sure!
The Path to Inner Strength and Fulfillment
Being human, has certain responsibilities & needs. Sit down and make a list of all your responsibilities& needs. If your needs are more than your responsibilities, you will have unhappiness in life. That is guaranteed! If our responsibilities are more than your needs, life will be peaceful. What we need to do is reduce our desires and take on more responsibilities. When we no longer have our own needs and wishes, we gain a special ability to help and bless others. When we do not want anything for ourselves, we develop the strength to fulfill the desires of others. This is the next thing you need to do. First, become aware of your desires and reduce them and whatever is left, have the confidence that, by God’s grace they will be fulfilled. The next step is, ‘I need nothing!’ When you need nothing, you will become so strong that whatever you say to anyone will become a boon to them. If you bless anyone, it will manifest.
Truth and Maya
There are five aspects to ourselves: Asti (is-ness); Bhaati (Knowledge, expression); Preeti (love); Nama (name); and Rupa (form). Matter has two aspects: name and form. Consciousness has three aspects: 1. the ‘Is-ness’ that it is; 2. Knowingness and Expression - it knows and expresses; and 3. Love - it is loving. This life is very mysterious, that is why it is called maya (illusion). In one way or another, it traps you in situations that lead to frustration and fill your mind with negativity. That is why it is said, ‘This world is maya (an illusion), don’t get caught up in it’; because it will unnecessarily fill your mind with all kinds of negativity. Maya is not aware of the three aspects of consciousness. Ignorance is - when one gets caught up in the name and form. If you live in society, then it is only natural that sometimes you will be praised and sometimes blamed. Suppose you have a taunting boss who has taunted you three to four times; you then label him as ‘Hopeless’, and you start behaving like that with him or her. Your perception puts you in a reactive mode. You need to correct your perception, and understand that there is imperfection in the world. And people have the right to be imperfect, and you have no business correcting them.
They didn’t ask for your help or advice, so you should understand that this is just how things are; that’s the way the world works! Life is a movement from imperfection to perfection. A seed contains the tree but the seed has to cease to be a seed to become a tree. The seed is not perfect. The sapling is not perfect. It has to cease to be a sapling to become a tree. In life, you can choose to focus on imperfections all the time, or you can see it as a journey from one perfection to another perfection.
