Satsangam

Perhaps this is the best part of knowledge— the doing part of knowledge— bringing knowledge into actual manifestation in a creative pattern of human relationship, behaving with others so that every act that you do becomes a source of benefit to others, every act is, as it were, a seed for the well-being of others, the good of others, bringing into their lives something positive, something helpful, something for which they feel grateful. That is the third part of knowledge, the best part of knowledge. Knowing is good; it is a wonderful part of knowledge. Being is better. It is really a very praiseworthy part of knowledge, a very, very valuable part of knowledge. But doing is best because it affects in a positive, creative and beneficial way all other lives whom you touch as you move about in this world and live your life. It becomes a benediction, a boon, a blessing, a great desirable value in your life with others—all others, all of God’s creation. Therefore the...

So, knowledge is knowing, and when this knowing brings about a change for the better in us, it also becomes being. Knowledge first becomes knowing when previous to that we did not know. But then, if we are satisfied with keeping it at that level, and it does not bring about any change, then there is only one part of knowledge that is present—not a better part of knowledge. The second part of knowledge is becoming someone different in a positive and creative way because of the knowledge. The second part of knowledge is being. And there is still a better part of knowledge. This change must become a social asset. It must become a value that has an effect in terms of other people’s well-being. It is here that the third part of knowledge comes into our consideration. Out of becoming a knowing person and then a changed person, we turn this knowledge and its knowing and being into a social asset, a value in human relationship—a value not only to our own self-culture, s...

The first part of knowledge is that we now know something that we did not know before we acquired this knowledge, before we were blessed or graced with this knowledge. The guru gives blessings in the form of the knowledge that has the power to gradually liberate us. Thus, you did not know, and when you got the knowledge, you knew. So knowing is a quintessential part of knowledge—enabling us to know things that we did not know until it came into our experience. Knowing, therefore, is the essence of the matter. However, what is the difference between a person who does not know and a person who knows? Is there any difference at all? That is the next part of knowledge—when the knowing of the knowledge makes a difference in the person. The person is more perceptive, more understanding, more tolerant, more sympathetic. They act with a greater spirit of give and take. Knowledge can do all these things, but there is a big IF. That big IF is that knowledge can do all...

The whole of the spiritual life is an acquiring of spiritual knowledge. The guru is a source of spiritual knowledge :- Scriptures are the source of spiritual knowledge. Special books on specific topics or aspects of the spiritual life and sadhana are also a source of spiritual knowledge. The function of knowledge is to remove ignorance. We replace ignorance by knowledge. It is knowledge itself that does this function of getting rid of ignorance and taking its place. It removes darkness and brings light. But, apart from its function of getting rid of ignorance, let us ask a different question about knowledge itself. What is the best part of knowledge? Have you ever considered this? We have knowledge, but what is the best part of this knowledge that we have acquired? We may say that knowledge by itself is undivided—it is one integrated thing—but there are parts of knowledge in relation to us. When we consider knowledge and ourselves, when we consider know...

Satan’s presence is unseen, so subtle you cannot detect it. He vies with God for equal position. God’s presence may be subtle and unseen. Satan says, "I can also make myself like you—unseen, subtle." There is a word in Sanskrit that means  :-  What you can do, I can also do. I am equal to you in every way. Therefore, we must go within and earnestly and sincerely pray to God to show us the way with clarity. If one is persisting in a certain way of action, if one is justifying one’s action, saying that it is quite right, quite okay, then one must introspect and question oneself :- "Why am I saying this? What is the hidden purpose in striking this attitude? In what way do I gain? Will the absence of this in any way be inimical to my spiritual progress?" That is why Gurudev always use to say, "Scrutinise your inner motives," because they are inner and subtle; they are not very easy to see. Thus, God must help one to help oneself. ...

You need to take an impartial, objective attitude from a central point where you are neither self-justifying or self-condemning. You are neither this nor that. You put yourself upon neutral ground and take an impartial, objective look at yourself. Then you can come to a correct conclusion. Lucifer was an angel. He came to certain conclusions. He refused to budge from his position when he was told that they were wrong. So Gabriel had to hurl him down to Hades, and he is now man’s greatest enemy. He is called Satan. Why? Because he refused to change. Therefore, refusing to change ground when it becomes necessary in the interest of higher ideals is a satanic tendency. It means that unknowing to yourself you are in the grip of Satan. You are not under the influence of God. SRI SWAMI CHIDANANDA To be continued ....

Now, herein is a strange assertion which is deceptive in a very subtle way, because while it is one hundred per cent true that times have changed, one cannot say that human nature has changed. Human nature persists. What it was in the times of the Vedas and Upanishads, what it was in the times of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, human nature is even now. The outer way of living may have changed, but whatever we see in the Puranas we see the same thing unfolding before us today both on the individual subjective human level and in the collective human domestic, social and international levels. These things need to be observed and understood. A wise being seeing this, observing this, understanding this, becomes awake, becomes careful. You must learn the art and science of being impartial and objective towards yourself, to be able to stand aside, see yourself as a witness. You must be able to objectively assess yourself and come to a definite conclusion. You must be able...

In the same way, there is a very dire and demoniacal tradition called vendetta in a part of Italy called Sicily. If one member of a family has been injured or killed by a member of another family, the first family will not rest until they have taken revenge. Then the other family retaliates; it can carry on from one generation to the next—an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. This is also continuing perseverance, but it is dire, destructive in nature, tamasic. It is the same principle—never give up—but its results are destructive in nature. Again, in the same way, the human too can also be persevering—in the pursuit of one’s desires, the circumstances one wishes to create for oneself. And they may say, "Whatever the gurus may say, whatever our ancestors said, whatever illumined sages and seers may have said, that may apply to some antiquated age, but now it no longer holds good. At that time it might have been very wise, but times have changed. Things are d...

But this not giving up has its own nuances. It does not always manifest in one way; it manifests in subtly varying ways—divine, demoniacal and human.  For example, when after repeated efforts, Siddhartha, who became an ascetic and a muni and strove for Self-realisation through yoga was not able to do it after the most extreme austerities, he said this is not the way, there is a middle path. He took the middle path, but still nothing seemed to be of any avail. Then a terrible determination comes in His mind. He goes to Bodhgaya, sits under the Bodhi tree, and takes a terrible resolution :- "Now, here I seat myself. I shall not leave this seat until I attain illumination, no matter what the cost. Even if the body dries up, even if the flesh and skin wither, even if the bones become brittle and are reduced to powder, Siddhartha will not leave this seat until he attains what he has set his mind to attain." Terrible resolve! Even the gods and celestials ...

A commentator upon this Upanishadic episode says, "Even though it was given to three types of beings, all three of these can equally apply to one human individual, because within the human individual all three propensities inhere. They are already there—celestial, demoniacal and human. So one should understand all these three aspects of one’s being and how to interpret and apply this knowledge for one’s own benefit. Mark you, one’s own benefit. Spiritual truths should be applied only for one’s own benefit." It is here that clarity is necessary, discrimination is necessary. We all know the adage that the devil can quote scriptures to his own purpose. The best scriptural quotations can be made use of in the worst way also. They can be made use of in ways that are divine, that are demoniacal and in human ways as well. For example, in my bathroom I have a little plastic picture of Mickey Mouse sitting in a one-man rowboat which is rapidly heading for a waterf...

Worshipful homage to the supreme, eternal, primal Being, the universal Spirit Divine, who is auspicious, beautiful, good, elevating, illuminating and liberating! To that Being, worshipful homage! Loving adorations to revered and beloved Holy Master Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, whose central mission in his life of the Spirit was to bring sincere seeking souls nearer to this great Divine Reality by various means suited to people of different tastes and temperaments, abilities and capacities. Knowing that there are diversities in human nature and abilities, knowing that not all are ready for the same highest teachings, accordingly the teacher gives. Let the Supreme Being bless us to have the right and proper understanding of the teachings of Guru Bhagavan Swami Sivanandaji. There is a story in the Upanishads of the three da. Da is a letter in the Sanskrit alphabet. A human individual, a celestial and a demon all approached Brahma, the Creator, seeking knowledge...

But then, why have the scriptures painted the contrary. They call it maya, a trap, bondage. They call it a jungle in which you will become lost, a net in which you will be caught. There is a purpose. It is all to make us move cautiously and carefully. That is all. Because if you are not intelligent and perceptive, then due to your non-perception and lack of discrimination, you may make them into binding factors. Not that they are there as binding factors. They are just there to tell us : - "Here are things of value, but if you don’t deal with them properly they may become liabilities. Therefore, open your eyes, move forward cautiously and carefully." When humanity was in a much lower scale of evolution and human intelligence had not evolved, perhaps it was necessary to paint that negative picture, but it is no longer necessary. So if we allow remnants of that to still continue in our life, it is because it is good to be cautious while we boldly move ...

When seen as such, a whole new vision dawns upon you.  Your approach to them is an intelligent one. All reactions to them become positive; your entire life, in addition to your spiritual life and sadhana, takes on a new attitude and nature. It no longer reacts in a negative way. It reacts in a positive way : - "God has sent these things; they are necessary. I must try to understand in what manner I can gain, in what manner I can utilise them." The whole approach, therefore, is not one of diffidence or trepidation or insecurity and doubt. The whole approach is very positive and understanding. It is creative and constructive, and the very approach itself is constituted as a forward movement. This is the light in which we should view the world in which we have to live and to carry on our spiritual sadhana. Then the world is seen with a different meaning; it is not a foe or an enemy. SRI SWAMI CHIDANANDA To be continued ....

Thus, all things have been provided because they are necessary. They test us, try us: How far are we really sincere? How far as we determined? What is the quality of our aspiration—how authentic, genuine and true? Therefore, they are necessary. They offer challenges. They also offer us a way of estimating our spiritual life. They thus become contributors to our meaningful progress. If we thus begin to understand them and view them, our reaction to them will also change. We will not be so frequently overcome by despondence or be taken aback and doubt the possibility of moving forward when these negative things come and bother us. We will not lose confidence and be disheartened when we begin to see that all these things are necessary. They come to test and train us, to arouse from within us dormant faculties. They are challenges. SRI SWAMI CHIDANANDA To be continued ....

Without a pair of oars, the boat cannot move. Without the boat, the oars are useless; they serve no purpose. When both are together, they help us to cross the river. The upper and lower teeth are not at war against each other. Both are necessary if we wish to chew our food properly. Perhaps this is how we should view our life and things and factors, both outer and inner. God is all-intelligence. He would not have committed an error, a blunder. All other forms of life, no matter how strong, how dynamic, how well endowed they are, when they are moving forward and come across a formidable obstruction, change their direction. Man alone asks how he can scale it, how he can overcome it. He does not think of changing his direction. He thinks of continuing his onward movement. If a river comes, build a bridge to cross it! If a mountain obstructs a railroad, bore a tunnel through it! Perhaps this has something to teach us. Man alone does this—no other creature...

Sometimes seemingly opposing factors serve a purpose. The arouse from within us certain faculties, certain determinations, certain plus factors like strong resolution—"I must overcome this!" They offer a challenge, and you are meant to exercise your intelligence—how to meet the challenge and overcome it. They are factors that make many positive things happen within our psyche. We take it as a challenge; we use our intelligence to ponder, "How can we deal with this?" They bring about the power of resolution and determination :- "I must deal with it!" So they are stimulators of many things from within, which otherwise would not be stimulated. We would be dull and drab. Thus, because they stimulate the inner aspect of our being, antahkarana, they don’t seem to be entirely negative. They do serve a positive purpose, a constructive purpose, that goes beyond mere mutuality or interaction. They seem to have a positive purpose. SRI SW...

And if we observe nature, we see a tree able to exist on a piece of ground because its roots go deep into the soil. At the same time the roots tend to make the ground hold firm and strong. The roots provide, as it were, a framework, while it is the ground that enables the tree to stand firmly and strongly. There is a duality, yet it seems to be to the advantage of both. The ground is necessary for the tree; the tree also gives something to the ground. We are surrounded by a world of many things. Are they necessary? Are they unnecessary? Are they so many obstacles to our spiritual evolution? What exactly are they? If they are unnecessary, God would not have put them there. If they are necessary, they must have a purpose. ' 'What is their purpose? To hamper our spiritual progress? To become so many obstacles, so many troubling factors? We must think deeply over this and benefit out of this reflection. SRI SWAMI CHIDANANDA To be continued ......

Our goal is the one non-dual Supreme Being. However, we live our spiritual life in the midst of this outer world. We are obliged, therefore, to function not only in the inner spiritual world, but in the outer spiritual dimension—which is manifest as something gross, material, physical, with varied multiplicity. Placed amidst these two seemingly different factors, we are required to consider the mutuality and interaction between the two. Are they to be tolerated and suffered as a negative, minus factor in our life, or are they to be understood in a different light? Are they meant to be understood, utilised and profited from in a way that, in spite of duality, there is no contradictory dichotomy between the two? In this connection, is there something that nature has to offer us, some insight, some guidance? Where there are dual factors, is opposition inevitable, or do dual factors provide two halves that ultimately go to make a whole—they complement and complete each o...

So our secular heads of state, with their bodybound consciousness, who are slaves of their senses and passions, who don’t know themselves and the real destiny of man, what can they provide for this inner process of evolution? It is only the wisdom teaching of the sages and seers, of the great mystics of the ancient times, the medieval times and the modern times who can give you solid directions and light upon the path of man’s great destiny to divine perfection. Place and time, background and culture do not matter—their ultimate absolute experiences were all identical. Therefore my beloved brethren, the destiny of man is not what the limited vision of social or political theoreticians may give. They can only talk about the terrestrial level. It is the mystics who can tell you : - "You are more than man. And therefore your destiny is more than a human destiny—it is a divine destiny!" This human status is a wonderful opportunity and chance given to you to be ut...

It is a folly of our ignorant leaders, ignorant heads of state, who have no knowledge of the real man and his destiny. They think all their subjects in their countries are just earth creatures who have to be given some little education in colleges and universities and have to be fed and clothed. Therefore various social and political philosophies have sprung up in order to keep man well clothed, well fed, with medical aid, housing, schooling and all these things. They have but touched the outermost edge of the real human being. They do not know man. Man is still the unknown quantity for these secular rulers who are themselves blind and in deep darkness of their ignorance. They have no knowledge, no wisdom, no real perception. They have crammed their brains only with book-knowledge and are no better than computers. For a computer can also be given a lot of knowledge if you feed enough data into its computer-brain. And immediately it will tell you everything you w...

As regards the prophets of doom who say : - "Will humanity survive in the 21st century? Will the earth through an atomic explosion of a third holocaust be blown into a nuclear cloud? Maybe the earth and all life will cease to be because of radiation and the planet will become a frozen ball through the nuclear winter which is feared by scientists ..."  those who say that about the destiny of man, whatever their predictions and fears—I have come here to give you the vision of the ancients regarding the ultimate destiny of man, not the immediate destiny. If this planet earth is completely destroyed due to a nuclear war and all life ceases here, nothing will happen to you! You will not be touched. You will not be affected. Your destiny will not be altered. You’ll migrate and take rebirth on some other planet that will be fashioned for you. And there you’ll start where you left off here and continue this relentless irresistible process of evolution until you shi...

And He inter-penetrates, permeates and fills everything He has created. Therefore He is without and within.  And you—whether you know it or not—live, move and have your being in this divine perfection, in this divine bliss, in this divine sanctity and holiness and sacredness. This is your element, like a fish in the vast Pacific Ocean has its origin in the waters of the immeasurable, limitless Pacific Ocean, it dwells in the Pacific Ocean and ultimately it ends its existence in the Pacific Ocean. Even so your life is in that supreme divine principle. Therefore within the inner dimension of spiritual consciousness the destiny of man is total divinity. Upon the outer plane the destiny of man is to try his/her best to shine as an ideal unit of the human species in human society in this human world. That is the human destiny. SRI SWAMI CHIDANANDA To be continued ....

And therefore I must strive. Even if I strive all my life and do not completely rise up to the level of my ideal, it does not matter. I have not failed, I have succeeded in my life because I never gave up this idealism. That is success in life. And therefore man’s destiny is to become an ideal human individual, in humaneness, in feeling and consideration for others. As you wish others to behave towards yourself, so behave always towards them. Shine as an ideal human individual, as an asset and a blessing to your contemporary society, be a center of good and benefit to all others and a character with ethical principles and moral standard. You become a jewel, a priceless diamond and you enrich the society for living and acting in it. This is the destiny of man for which he has to intelligently work. And upon the inner realm of the spirit your destiny is to regain the lost divine perfection which is your eternal state, for you have your origin from that supreme ...

As a human being your destiny here is to make use of all the factors that surround you and utilize them wisely and try to make yourself a perfect unit of the human species. What does that mean? Observe the laws of health. Control the senses, master your passions, be moderate in eating, drinking, sex, pleasures and everything. Develop for yourself a perfect physique, high standard of health, strength and energy. But then you are endowed with a mind and an intellect. They must also evolve. They want some knowledge. Guide your powers of reasoning into the right channels. Let your mind be purified of the dross of mere greed, desire, ambition, craving. Make it pure and think nobly. Have sublime sentiments. Rise above yourself and ask yourself, "While I am here on this earth what can I do for others? In what way can I make myself a source of benefit, happiness and help to others?" You alone of all created living beings are capable of thinking on th...

Each species of the plants and animals has this evolutionary process upon one level only. Whereas you, you are a citizen of two worlds simultaneously. Having been born into this universe, man sits on the threshold of two universes. The outer universe is this gross material world. But he knows "I have not been here some time ago, and after some time I will not be here. I do not belong here." And all the sages, mystics, the men of broad vision confirm :- "Oh man, you are but a pilgrim on this earth, move along to the divine realm of perfection and fullness, where death cannot reach you, where there is no time, no decay. There is the Kingdom of God." Every religion has this concept of a great realm transcending the mundane plane of gross materialistic existence, where everything is perfect. They give it different names, but the sages of the Upanishadic religion went further and brought specific data based upon the authority of their own deepest ex...