Wednesday, August 25, 2010

What sadhana is good for me?

People everywhere discuss which method is better for one - amongst Bhagavan's devotees this question is most of the times asked by those who do not follow enquiry as they find it difficult, but want to do it 'coz that what Maharshi prescribed to everyone and also because he openly declared that it was the shortest cut to salvation. Now, what do we do if our mind refuses to do enquiry at any point? I think the best course is to pursue enquiry, however dry it turns out or it might seem. For, once we stick to your Guru's teaching, Grace will flow naturally, by sheer power in His words. We just need to have firm faith in this (that His mere words will make it easy for us). In such cases, one is trusting more in Guru's power than one's own. So, this would work in two ways to bring the ego down.
Or, if still not convinced, if somehow we are not able to trust that the dry query would do us any good, we should, I fell, simply pick any method that suites our temperament at that point of time. We should not be wasting any time or thought in weighing the merits of the method or in that you are not following the "best" path.
Or the only other choice left is to pray to Him that we be bestowed with His Grace to be able to stick to the path He showed to us.
Any of these is good. The only thing bad is when we dont do either and get caught in the mind's game of cribbing on not being able to do the sadhana. If we do that, we are only strengthening our negative vasanas and only get pulled down. We should not waste time in such thoughts. They do not help us in progressing in the spiritual path in any way. If we are firm in our goal, none of these would come in our way - nothing is an obstacle. We would simply pick any sadhana - or stick to the sadhana trusting His power and the power of His words and take next step - however small it might be. For the one who desperately wants to escape from the horrible samsara never waits for the right moment - he only looks to move forward, towards the goal, every moment, irrespective of how small or big a step it is. That is always better than getting stuck and making excuses to not do sadhana.

1 comment:

Srik said...

I liked this post, especially when you say "once we stick to your Guru's teaching, Grace will flow naturally".

The below quote was posted in a public forum:
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The visitor further asked whether in his meditation he could use forms and images of God and mantras.

Bhagavan: Yes, of course. All these things can help, or why should they be recommended in the books? Various things are prescribed to suit various natures. Each person must choose
what seems easiest and appeals to him most.

source: Day by Day (5-May-1946)
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