Evergreen perspectives by Sachchidananda Parabrahman Gurudev

These are some of the evergreen perspectives shared by Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Athavale (Gurudev), that are useful for a serious seeker on the path to God-realisation. These perspectives will help the seekers improve their vyashti and samashti spiritual practice.

1. On sadhana

1 A. Intensity of a seeker’s yearning for sadhana

A fish out of water yearns to enter water again, likewise a seeker should yearn, not for, ‘when I will meet God, but for doing ideal sadhana.’

1 B. Perseverance without expectation

Persisting in the process of eradicating personality defects and ego without having any expectations, to put in efforts to enhance bhav and gratitude – that is our sadhana.

1 C. Increasing bhav and yearning

Spiritual level is of 2 kinds; one vyashti level and samashti level. Vyashti level is concerned with individual spiritual progress; whereas samashti level relates to making spiritual aspirants (Jidnyasu) progress spiritually. Each one of us should concentrate on enhancing seekership, reducing ego and increasing bhav.

1 D. Importance of seekership

Unless we have qualities of a seeker, we cannot produce seekers but can produce only workers.

1 E. True seeker

A true seeker is free from doubts.

1 F. On obedience

A seeker has to dissolve his mind and intellect through obedience. Only by doing so can he merge into universal mind and universal intellect (Vishwaman and Vishwabuddhi).

1 G. Spiritual friendship

Many seekers cannot ventilate their thoughts to others. Hence lot of thoughts get accumulated in their mind. Inability to ventilate to somebody is a sign of ego. Hence we need at least one spiritual friend in whom we can confide. This friend should tackle our problems spiritually not emotionally.

1 H. Physical distress

Seekers are expected to treat their physical injuries, disorders medically; they should not be neglected; because ‘शरीरमाद्यं खलु धर्मसाधनम् ।’, meaning body is the first means (sadhan) to abide by Dharma.

 

2. On vyashti sadhana

2 A. Significance of vyashti sadhana

Vyashti sadhana is the foundation of samashti sadhana, that is, the foundation of the mission of reestablishing Ram Rajya. Samashti sadhana (the mission) becomes more effective due to vyashti sadhana. Every seeker needs to devote at least 2-3 hours for vyashti sadhana per day.

2 B. Remember the goal

Seekers should never forget that our goal is Final Liberation. They should not be concerned with the mission. As per the significance of Time (kaalmahatmya), the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is bound to come. While participating in this mission every seeker should aim at progressing spiritually. It does not matter if seekers are unable to complete 2-3 tasks related to the mission; but it important to progress spiritually. Thinking, ‘I do not want to be reborn’, seekers should be selfish with regard to attaining ‘Final Liberation’. From Sanatan’s point of view, seekers should give priority to progress spiritually, rather than establishing Hindu Rashtra.

2 C. Spiritual progress and the mission

A seeker has limitations with regard to working for establishing Hindu Rashtra. Actually our physical contribution in establishing Hindu Rashtra is limited to 30%. That comprises hundreds of topics like Dharmajagruri Sabhas, court cases, participating in TV programmes, Sanatan Prabhat, production of Holy texts etc. seekers render seva in 1-2 topics among all and it has only 1-2 % importance. From the point of establishing Hindu Rashtra, 70% importance is for the work done by Saints at spiritual level. Without taking this into consideration, seekers try to work 100% at intellectual level without putting in enough efforts for doing vyashti sadhana. If seekers work as a medium of sadhana, then they will progress spiritually. After achieving spiritual progress they will be able to function effectively at the level of Chaitanya. There is a limit to how much can be done at the intellectual level; but Saints are doing a lot at spiritual level in subtle.

 

2. On eradicating Personality Defects

2 A. Comparison

Do not ever compare yourself to others in sadhana. Compare with yourself if you so desire. Contemplate on the state of your sadhana this year compared to what it was last year.

2 B. Despair

If it is mental despair, then rely on autosuggestions. If it is spiritual then increase your sadhana.

2 C. Preconceived notions

Many seekers keep in mind bygone incidents and get trapped in reliving them. Chanting will awaken their bhav and they will progress quickly in sadhana.

 

3. On eradicating ego

3 A. Increase in ego

We cannot see an increase in our ego, but we must trust those who tell us about our ego having been increased. Then by doing sadhana we can progress.

3 B. Doership

Thinking ‘I did so much’, has no value in Spirituality. We do everything for our own sake. If we cannot realise God, then we should think, ‘where did I fail?’

3 C. Conserving image

We do sadhana to destroy our image.

3 D. Stress

Many seekers feel tense while doing samashti sadhana.

1. The reason behind the stress is falling short in the efforts in sadhana. Spiritual progress nullifies tension.

2. Many times seekers work at mental or intellectual level. It should be at spiritual level. In fact while rendering any seva, we should think, ‘What more could I learn from this seva’, ‘how could I make it better’.

3. It is essential to eradicate PDs and ego in earnest to be free from stress.

4. Will you ever get tense if you are devoted to God?

3 E. Sacrifice of the mind

Seekers sacrifice their body and wealth; but they do not part with their mind to God. Eradication of PDs and ego and persistent chanting enables us to sacrifice the mind. The sacrifice of the body and wealth is gross in nature, but the sacrifice of the mind is subtle and of supreme importance.

 

4. On satseva

4 A. Selflessly convey any new idea

If any seeker has any new idea pertaining to the seva, he should pass it on further. If it is accepted, well and good; but when it is not accepted, seekers get dejected. The most important principle in sadhana is to have no expectations. Therefore do not insist about implementing your idea. If you are curious to learn, you may enquire as to why that idea was rejected. Seekers should always remember, ‘We are expected to move from swechha to parechha, and finally to Ishwarechha (Own, other’s and God’s wish respectively.)’.

4 B. Only paripurna seva reaches God

A seekers ‘works with dedication’ to do paripurna (immaculate) seva. There is an adage ‘योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् ।’ – Excellence in action is itself yoga (Union with the Divine). If the work is done with this in focus then only it can reach God as seva.

4 C. Dissolution of mind

He who acts as per his own whims and fancies, stays stagnant in sadhana. Dissolution of the mind is very essential. Once that is achieved, we can start progressing. There are swechha, parechha and Ishwarechha. No spiritual progress possible with swechha. Whichever may be the medium of seva, dissolution of the mind is important.

 

5. On prembhav

A seeker persistently contemplates – ‘what more is required to enhance prembhav’ (Spiritual love devoid of expectations) and tries to achieve it. That makes him think less about himself. That means his ego goes on decreasing.

 

6. On bhav

6 A. Importance

Bhav is the ‘A’ of Spirituality. Till bhav is awakened, a seeker’s sadhana is at the psychological level and once it is awakened it turns spiritual.

6 B. Bhav and seva

Although a disciple has attained self-realisation, he should continue rendering seva when he meets his Guru, like any disciple remaining a devotee even after self-realisation. That means, such a disciple should behave normally as people around are not aware of his achievement.

From Gurudev’s own experience – From the year 1992, Param Pujya Bhaktaraj Maharaj would tell everyone about me, “Doctor is a self-realised soul”. Even then, when I would go to Indore, I would engage myself in cleaning the whole ashram including toilets, bathroom etc. A Guru’s disciple should render more and more seva as a token of gratitude unto Him. When vyakta bhav is transformed into avyakta bhav, the seva is rendered with bhav.

 

7. On spiritual distress

Most people suffer some or the other pain at times in life. But seekers always have to bear attacks of distressing energies; hence if seekers suffer less or no distress on any day, that day is a happy day in their life. Despite suffering so much distress you are doing sadhana for bringing Ram Rajya; then will you not receive God’s grace?

 

8. On spiritual remedies

8 A. Spiritual remedies for distress

Creation, sustenance and dissolution is applicable to spiritual distress also. Any distress is bound to reduce after a time lapse. Upay helps in reducing the time of distress and it becomes bearable.

8 B. Importance of upay, resolve and kaal in reducing distress

Upay, resolve by Saints and kaal (Time) help in reducing distress in different proportion depending on the distress suffered. Upay reduces the intensity of distress. If upay are not done then distress might be intense.

 

9. On Samashti Sadhana

9 A. Find out whether you have developed closeness

It is very essential to have likemindedness while working. When all come together for a meeting, at that time all should give a thought to find out how many seekers have developed closeness. It is very essential to have conducive environment among seekers doing samashti seva.

9 B. Take each other’s review every day

Seekers rendering seva in a group, are expected to take review of sadhana of each another every day. Do not think of only work, spend at least 10 minutes in discussing about vyashti sadhana. While taking each other’s review, it is expected to know, ‘how much chanting was done, how many autosuggestions were taken for PDs and ego’; what were the efforts made for removing ego and PDs’.

9 C. Help the seeker in spiritual distress

Seekers have the responsibility to help their co-seeker suffering from spiritual distress. A seeker in distress loses his mental and intellectual capacity to a certain extent. There it is the responsibility of his co-seekers to see that the seeker completes all spiritual healing remedies. These seekers do not benefit by giving directions; but care should be taken that they regularly complete their spiritual healing sessions.

9 D. Speaking freely meaning helping one another in Sadhana

Seekers have the misconception while doing seva jointly, that speaking about planning of the seva, etc. means ‘communicating freely’. Actually helping each other while rendering seva jointly, means frankness. These seekers should not feel that they need to help each other only during that seva; but they should try to take the benefit for assisting each other in sadhana to be blissful.

9 E. What should be the perspective while dealing with samashti mistakes ?

9 E 1. Do not hesitate to point out others’ mistakes in the interest of samashti sadhana : Some seekers feel, ‘I am myself committing mistakes, what right do I have to point out mistakes of other seekers?’ Others might think, ‘He is telling others’ mistakes but committing the same mistakes himself’.

This is not the right perspective in samashti seva. To tell others their mistakes is our samashti sadhana; while ‘striving to correct one’s own mistake’ is vyashti sadhana. When we tell others their mistakes we help them progress spiritually. While telling others their mistake, they benefit 90% but we too get 10% benefit; because that thought enters our mind and we also experience change in ourselves.

9 E 2. Remember the importance of accepting mistakes : The table ahead charts the possibility of correcting the mistake depending on the seeker’s level of acceptance

Condition	Possibility of correcting the mistake (%)
1. Not realizing the mistake	0
2. After knowing the mistake from others	0
2 A. unaffected	0
2 B. Not accepting the mistake immediately	0
2 C. Accepting the mistake later	10
2 D. Justifying the mistake	10
2 E. Accepting the mistake immediately	30
2 F. Putting in efforts to correct the mistake	50

9 E 3. Importance of atonement : It is better to atone for the mistake to avoid the give-take account and sin-merit account and to avoid rebirth to pay that account created through mistakes. This will expedite their spiritual progress.

 

10. On effective prasar (spreading spirituality)

10 A. Utilising Subtle knowledge for samashti seva

For samashti prasar (spread of spirituality) to be effective, subtle knowledge should be used. Good sadhana is the criteria for comprehending the subtle dimension. Let us see some examples

Parampujya Anna Karandikar from Pune would visit Mumbai every Sunday to check on people suffering from various ailments. Seeing the patient coming to Him, He would note on a paper – What is the disorder and what should be the treatment – beforehand. He could perceive it before interacting with the patient. When He examined the patient, His findings would tally with His earlier note. Since Parampujya Anna Karandikar was spiritually evolved, He could comprehend the subtle.

A lady seeker had gone for prasar in a new colony in Vasco (Goa). The first house she went to, the residents appeared curious to learn about Spirituality. When she was discussing with them, their pet dog was listening quietly sitting next to the seeker. The residents said that the dog usually does not allow anyone to enter and keeps barking at strangers. When the seeker left that house, the dog followed her and stopped at a house 2 houses over. Interestingly, the seeker went to the two houses and no one showed any interest in spirituality. But every house that the dog went to, had someone who was curious about spirituality. That is the importance of the spiritual dimension.

While meeting devout Hindus, lawyers, industrialists etc. we must be able to perceive who has a real yearning for rendering service to the Nation & Dharma. For example, if seekers try to contact lawyers by seeing their name plates in every lane, then that would consume time and energy. Instead, if seekers after having known in the subtle how many among them are really contributing for the Nation and Dharma’s cause, and have real yearning for the mission, and then contact them, the output will increase in a short time.

10 B. Approaching others as a spiritual level

Seekers should interact patriots and devout Hindus on a spiritual basis rather than intellectual.