“Whatever act you do, do it in the thought “It is
the Divine’s command and therefore it is my duty to
do so”
- Sri.
K.C. Srihari
Dear Brothers and Sisters on the Natural Path
The above statement is taken from the message “WAY
TO PERFECTION” delivered by Pujya SriRamChandraji
Maharaj at Tinsukia on 25-11-1977
The reason Master says the above statement is that
”the state of remembrance should continue steadfast
and one special benefit that accrues is that the
creation of samskars (Impression) ceases” (pg 107
SDG).
In the beginning of this message Master says that
along with adhering to the practices taught to them,
practicants must also develop Love and Devotion. He
also gives the means of developing both these
qualities by saying that it lies in remembering the
Principle i.e. God at all times. So, doing our acts
in the thought that It is the Divine's command helps
us in developing Love and Devotion. Master says that
this is our responsibility to develop these
qualities.
Before going to the aspect of developing Love and
Devotion, let us consider whether we follow the
practices as advised. My experience with fellow
practicants of the system has brought me in contact
with some who follow the practices now and then and
also some who follow the practices to the letter
(forgetting the spirit). In addition to these, we
have some more practicants who take liberties in
suggesting practices on their own to others in the
name of “Bodhayanti Parasparam”. It has been
mentioned quite a few times that the concept of
Bodhayanti Parasparam is true when the previous
sentence of “Mat chitta madgata pranah” is present.
Ignoring the presence or even the awareness that the
system is that of the Master, we suggest practices
that are not given in the system in the name of
orientation. Let us ask ourselves, what right we
have to tinker with the system of the Master. If one
so desires, he/she can always start XYZ system of
Rajayoga. So, one has to follow the system in true
spirit and letter.
Coming to the point that we should remember the
Principle always as a means of developing love and
devotion, if we ponder over why we cannot think of
this Principle at all times, we come to the
conclusion that we feel a seperateness between us
and all that exists. Many a times, patience is tried
while dealing with people. If we remember Master's
saying “A poor workman quarrels with his tools”, we
will be able to understand our limitations in this
respect. It is because we feel ourselves seperate
from others that we quarrel with others. We can give
any number of justifications for it, but the fact
remains that we feel so because of the seperation
that exists. If the Principle or God can be
understood to be perfection, and if each one
introspects himself, they would be aware of their
own limitations and stop finding fault with others.
The fault in another is a fault in us. It is here
that one can grow out of his individualised
consciousness. Understanding, knowing and feeling
that all this creation is HIS, helps us in
remembering the Master more. Our role is to act as a
trustee and do our duty remembering the Master and
acting accordingly. This is the way that we develop
due attachment. If we act as the Master in all our
dealings, there would not be any question of feeling
the seperation. It is because we cling to our ego
that we are not able to come out of these feelings.
Putting the question “How would a master handle this
situation?”, has solved a lot of issues for me. The
most significant quality of Master is the capacity
to forgive. If we are trying to be one with that
consciousness that we call SriRamchandra's
consciousness, we should try to develop this
capacity. It is then that we can avoid the formation
of impressions and be in His company always.
The more we remember Master in our daily lives, the
more the Love increases towards Him. Love cannot be
towards only a certain person, a certain section or
a certain country. It needs to be towards everyone.
As my trainer once said “If you love, you love
everybody, otherwise, you love nobody at all”.
Seperation causes us not to see this. We are
prejudiced, partial towards our fellow beings
according to our convenience in the name of “not
hurting”. If we are true to our True nature, we will
not shy away from speaking the Truth. Yes, in the
process we may become alienated from people, but the
only company that we seek is that of the Master. If
we want his company, we will speak the Truth.
Love requires tremendous sacrifice. It requires
giving up our superfluities and superficialities
that govern us for most part. It is here that
Pranahuti helps us. It makes us aware of how much
Divinity loves us and that there is something more
than just an individual existence. The love of the
Divine towards us needs to be reciprocated. This can
only be done when we are aware that all this is
Divine's.
Love cannot have any barriers or inhibitions. It is
here that we can see the openness of Rev. Dr. KCV in
his letters to the Master and such an openness is
what we need to have.
When such love develops in oneself, the
reciprocation expresses itself in the form of doing
service to the Master. It is here that true devotion
starts. What started as a flicker now burns steadily
as a flame, constantly with the awareness that
everything is His and we should remember Him in all
the acts that we do. Devotion can be only to one
person and that is the Master. There can be many
acquaintances in life. But the only friend that we
have is the Master, who is there always as a
beloved, friend, philosopher and guide.
Understanding and knowing that everything is His, we
remember the Master more. Devotion helps us in
stabilizing this feeling of remembrance and whatever
act we do, we do as a service to the Master.
Consequently, the rewards for the action are also
His. When the rewards are His, naturally, the
formation of impressions also cease.
Thus the statement “Whatever act you do, do it in
the thought “It is the Divine's command and
therefore it is my duty to do so” helps us in
developing the twin attitudes of Love and Devotion
which are essential to reaching our goal.
I thank you all for giving me a patient listening
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