Messages from Shivratri, 2014

The annual Shivratri Sadhana Shivir was held from 24^th-26^th Feb, 2014 at Shabad Surat Sangam Ashram. Kriya yoga practices took place throughout the day. In the afternoons, discussions were held in which Maharaj Ji clarified the what’s and how’s of the inner path. Below we have presented the more pertinent points coming out from the discussions which should be beneficial to the aspiring reader.

1) Maharaj Ji introduced the seekers to three universal sutras, which form the foundation of spiritual aspiration. They are as follows:
Even with the death of the body, “I” do not cease to be. Contemplation upon this sutra leads to the simple conclusion that then “I” must be different from the physical body. Once this gets properly established in the intellect, the next question arises: If I am not the physical body, which I thought myself to be all this while, then who am I? The next two sutras provide an answer to this query.
At the base of all existence there is some power. Some may call it God, some Nature etc. Names are immaterial. That there is something at the base of all of this can be understood using a basic principle of mathematics. If you multiply zero by anything you end up with zero. So for creation to happen there has to be a basis. It is that Base which is the Source of all Creation. This is the second sutra.

With the third sutra we reach the grand climax. It says, You are That. That, which is the Source of all Creation or God, You are Inseparable from the Source.

2) The more one imbibes the three sutras into one’s being the more one progresses on the inner path. As a starting point to apply these sutras in daily life, atleast cease to judge anyone by their bodily age, appearance etc.

3) The mind goes after the sensory objects. Who knows from how many births its search has been on. In many births it might have tasted the splendor of palaces, in others the hardships of poverty. But despite all of it, its search is still on. Why? Pondering over this leads to the understanding that even one honest sincere step taken on the inner path is much more significant, valuable than the grandest achievement in the material world. This does not imply that you cease to work in the material realm. Instead, if you earn 20,000 Rs. Today, you should earn 50,000, by working in much better way than before. However, the focus should be clear. Our external works should be to help the mind go within and not remain engrossed outside if we are to give meaningful direction to this eternal search.

4) This is real religion: to advance further and further on this path. All other actions, even tapas etc. will end after bearing fruit. But even one honest step taken on this path will go on bearing fruit until the aspirant comes to rest in his infinite nature.

5) Do not be troubled by the fickleness of the mind in practice. Making the mind one-pointed is a grand achievement and happens only when the gurumantra begins to reverberate from head to toe. Until then keep practicing. Furthermore, if you just practice for one hour and for remaining 23 hours fill the mind with all kinds of thoughts your complaint that mind is too wayward while practicing is not justified. The basic thought that helps the mind to become one-pointed is “I am not this body”. And take heart because it is not possible that the mind does not stabilizes even a little bit while practicing. Just go on increasing its percentage through practice. The uniqueness of this path is that you need only score one goal against Ignorance to win the match of life, no matter how many goals that opponent might have scored against you in the past.

6) There are some specific rules that initiated people, desirous of taking strong leaps on this path can follow.  One such rule is to sever all contact from the external world for three continuous days, once every three months, lock yourself up in a room, taking no external support from books, clock etc. and just delve deep into practice. And go on carrying this out so that no one except the Guru and the close devotees come to know of it. Then when you feel like so, increase the duration to seven days, 21 days, 40 days, 6 months at a stretch and so on. There is significance to 40 days retreat because if one can practice with total involvement for this period, the body-essence can begin to rise up through the sushumna. Once that begins to happen one can only advance further on the path.

7) When you serve in your family do not think that a particular work will not happen without me. Work, not because the family and people need you, but you need to work to cleanse your mind and heart. This is selfless work which purifies the mind and prepares the consciousness to go within.

8) Do not delay. Make the leap. The more you delay to practice the more delusory imaginations of the mind and ego bind you. So jump, stretch your arms and the Divine would catch you!