"We are so caught up in the
perils of daily survival that we look for answers in the material
world. Having found material gain, does man ever feel content and
satisfied with his achievements? No, we are always craving for
more".
"Turn around and devote some
of that energy towards God, the giver of all and you realize that
material bliss is nectar in a sieve ... happiness that is passing
away, never remaining steady or constant and that service to God
is with you all the way through - rain or shine," he
explained.
Speaking in simple, easy to
understand language, Swami Ji told devotees that God is within
oneself and one has to realize this.
One way to achieve this realization
is through constant calling out of God.
"Chant His name wherever you
are. It may be difficult when you first begin with this idea but
as you set yourself a habit, this will become second nature and
without you realizing this. God will become an important first in
your every activity," he said.
Using an old legend to drive home
his point, Swami Ji narrated this story:
A beautiful princess owned a
rare and expensive diamond necklace. One day she went to the
river for a bath. She took out the necklace and left it among
her clothes on the bank of the river before taking a dive into
the crystal blue water.
When she came out of the
water, she realized her necklace was missing. She searched for
it and could not find it. She raised the alarm. Her father, the
king sent out his men to look for the necklace. They too failed
and as a result the king announced rewards of a $10,000 each for
those who had information on the where about of the necklace and
those who found it.
A woodcutter goes to the river
for a drink and sees the necklace in the water. He runs out to
relay this information to the kingdom. The king sends out the
best team of divers to collect the necklace from the bottom of
the river. They return unsuccessful. The woodcutter collects his
prize and walks away.
The king is outraged and
demands an explanation. In the meantime a Mahatma (saint) goes
past a tree near the bank where the divers had been and casually
alerts the king's men that the necklace is on a branch in the
tree. What they see in the water is a mere reflection, he tells
them.
Based on this anecdote, Swami Ji
said mankind chases after the mirror image of the real.
"You are better off getting to
the real in the first place and this reality is in you all.
Realize this. God is not outside. He is in you."
Drawing on real life examples,
Swami Ji said we go to the experts for specialist help such as
doctors for medical problems.
"Having the right connection
plays a vital role. Apply the same concepts when seeking God. You
need to know that all is possible with his blessing.
"And to reach out to Him, you
have to talk to Him. Like you talk to your friends and family,
talk to God. It is that simple.
"Once you develop this habit,
you will seek God in all that you do and will be able to realize
eternal bliss."
Swami Ji explained that God is
constant - always there. Man can take you around the globe and
back and when you return, you may be empty handed.
He said that as humans, we do not
have the capability to do everything.
We may be masters in certain areas.
We need to fully tap into this potential.
"Do whatever you do - be it
teaching or cleaning the streets, with your best ability and
involve God in all that you do. When there is service to God and
service to duties (work and the various roles we play in family
and society) there is a degree of fulfillment and a sense of
achievement, for you have realized God."
MUKH SE JAPIYE RAM
HATH SE KARIYE KAAM
Pujya Swami Ji
Maharaj JI's chanting.
Asha Chand (Sydney)