Better Get to Know What You Want
How many of us fritter away the gift of the present moment by wondering when our lives will finally take off? What do you think will do it for you? A five-bedroom house, the latest model of Mercedes Benz or BMW, a world tour, a diamond ring, winning the lottery or becoming rich and famous beyond your wildest dreams? "Man is engaged in an eternal quest for that 'something else' he hopes will bring him happiness, complete and unending. For those individual souls who have sought and found God, the search is over: He is that Something Else." said Paramahansa Yogananda. Worldly possessions and accomplishments cater to the ever-multiplying de mands of the ego, leaving the soul malnourished. True happiness, according to the Hindu scriptures, can be found in Spirit alone. In fact, the universal desire of mankind for eternal happiness is a sublime reflection of the soul's innate longing to return to Spirit of which it is a divine spark, but the material plane is the wrong place to look for it. That happiness has very little to do with our circumstances is obvious from the following story: Moved by the devotion of a poor woman, Lord Vishnu manifested before her in all his splendour, and granted her a boon. Unable to figure out the best thing to ask for, she requested the Lord for some time. In the days that followed, her confusion was perpetuated by the diverse advice of her husband and friends, and the poor woman forgot to worship the Lord, losing the peace, joy and contentment of leading a God-centred life. She begged the Lord to end her misery and tell her what the greatest wish of all is. Lord Vishnu told her to ask for the ability to be happy, irrespective of what life offers, and compassionately fulfilled that boon. Many people lead a life of inertia till the suffering caused by the loss of some thing that is held dear (а close relative or friend. health, wealth or power) shakes one up and makes one ponder on the meaning of life. Is there more to life than riding the waves of duality of birth and death, happiness and sorrow. health and sickness? Whether one seeks God after graduating from the school of 'hard knocks', or as a result of spiritual inclination, our spiritual journey begins when we turn our attention from matter to Spirit and make efforts to shift the centre of our consciousness from the body and ego to the soul Sincere seekers of Truth find that answers to their burning questions about the mystery of life begin to reveal themselves through the medium of books or passages therein, and encounters with wise or evolved souls. And when a devotee is truly ready to seek Him, the Lord sends a guru, who eventually leads the disciple to God through his wisdom, teachings and discipline. Self-realisation comes from a direct and personal experience of God, attained by definite scientific techniques of meditation. It is the knowing - in body, mind and soul-of our oneness with the omnipresence of God. Paramahansa Yogananda, who instituted the Self Realisation Fellowship, has inspired millions to lead a realistic yet spiritual life. His teachings emphasise seeking God in both activity and meditation to realise him in our daily lives. His was a life of Divine Romance as is evident in his urgent message to humanity, "No matter what you do, God should be constantly in your mind. There cannot be any excuse for not thinking of God... Everything can wait but our search for God cannot wait.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Sheenu Batra Dhiman views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Sheenu Batra Dhiman and Speaking Tree,Times of India
Better Get to Know What You Want
How many of us fritter away the gift of the present moment by wondering when our lives will finally take off? What do you think will do it for you? A five-bedroom house, the latest model of Mercedes Benz or BMW, a world tour, a diamond ring, winning the lottery or becoming rich and famous beyond your wildest dreams? "Man is engaged in an eternal quest for that 'something else' he hopes will bring him happiness, complete and unending. For those individual souls who have sought and found God, the search is over: He is that Something Else." said Paramahansa Yogananda. Worldly possessions and accomplishments cater to the ever-multiplying de mands of the ego, leaving the soul malnourished. True happiness, according to the Hindu scriptures, can be found in Spirit alone. In fact, the universal desire of mankind for eternal happiness is a sublime reflection of the soul's innate longing to return to Spirit of which it is a divine spark, but the material plane is the wrong place to look for it. That happiness has very little to do with our circumstances is obvious from the following story: Moved by the devotion of a poor woman, Lord Vishnu manifested before her in all his splendour, and granted her a boon. Unable to figure out the best thing to ask for, she requested the Lord for some time. In the days that followed, her confusion was perpetuated by the diverse advice of her husband and friends, and the poor woman forgot to worship the Lord, losing the peace, joy and contentment of leading a God-centred life. She begged the Lord to end her misery and tell her what the greatest wish of all is. Lord Vishnu told her to ask for the ability to be happy, irrespective of what life offers, and compassionately fulfilled that boon. Many people lead a life of inertia till the suffering caused by the loss of some thing that is held dear (а close relative or friend. health, wealth or power) shakes one up and makes one ponder on the meaning of life. Is there more to life than riding the waves of duality of birth and death, happiness and sorrow. health and sickness? Whether one seeks God after graduating from the school of 'hard knocks', or as a result of spiritual inclination, our spiritual journey begins when we turn our attention from matter to Spirit and make efforts to shift the centre of our consciousness from the body and ego to the soul Sincere seekers of Truth find that answers to their burning questions about the mystery of life begin to reveal themselves through the medium of books or passages therein, and encounters with wise or evolved souls. And when a devotee is truly ready to seek Him, the Lord sends a guru, who eventually leads the disciple to God through his wisdom, teachings and discipline. Self-realisation comes from a direct and personal experience of God, attained by definite scientific techniques of meditation. It is the knowing - in body, mind and soul-of our oneness with the omnipresence of God. Paramahansa Yogananda, who instituted the Self Realisation Fellowship, has inspired millions to lead a realistic yet spiritual life. His teachings emphasise seeking God in both activity and meditation to realise him in our daily lives. His was a life of Divine Romance as is evident in his urgent message to humanity, "No matter what you do, God should be constantly in your mind. There cannot be any excuse for not thinking of God... Everything can wait but our search for God cannot wait.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Sheenu Batra Dhiman views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Sheenu Batra Dhiman and Speaking Tree,Times of India