Key to Spiritual Realisation
A sadhu asked Swamishri, 'Science explains things logically and its processes step by step, whereas spirituality is a matter of faith. No logical process is shown; one is merely told to do it. Hence, it is difficult to believe.'
Swamishri replied by pointing to a lampshade nearby, and questioned, 'Who invented the light-bulb?'
'Edison'.
'How long did it take to invent the light-bulb?' Swamishri asked.
'Ten thousand experiments,' the sadhu replied.
Swamishri explained, 'So the light-bulb was invented after 10,000 experiments. And today, when we press the switch there is light. But just think how much effort had gone behind inventing it. And when you say show me divine light now, how can it be possible!
'Our great rishis engaged themselves in spiritual endeavours for thousands of years and then attained God-realisation. And it was in the realised state that they wrote the scriptures. If you faithfully strive in what they have prescribed, then you will attain realisation.'
Swamishri pointed out that striving with faith is the essence of spiritual realisation.
20-1-2002, Singapore
A sadhu asked Swamishri, 'Science explains things logically and its processes step by step, whereas spirituality is a matter of faith. No logical process is shown; one is merely told to do it. Hence, it is difficult to believe.'
Swamishri replied by pointing to a lampshade nearby, and questioned, 'Who invented the light-bulb?'
'Edison'.
'How long did it take to invent the light-bulb?' Swamishri asked.
'Ten thousand experiments,' the sadhu replied.
Swamishri explained, 'So the light-bulb was invented after 10,000 experiments. And today, when we press the switch there is light. But just think how much effort had gone behind inventing it. And when you say show me divine light now, how can it be possible!
'Our great rishis engaged themselves in spiritual endeavours for thousands of years and then attained God-realisation. And it was in the realised state that they wrote the scriptures. If you faithfully strive in what they have prescribed, then you will attain realisation.'
Swamishri pointed out that striving with faith is the essence of spiritual realisation.
20-1-2002, Singapore
God's Wish
The General Manager of Atofina, a local company that manufactures plastic, Mr. Serge Lorek, and his Deputy General Manager, Mr. Freddie Kwek, came to see Swamishri.
Mr. Lorek asked Swamishri, 'You provide guidance to parents about their problems with children, but how is that possible when you have no experience of family problems?'
Swamishri: It is God who gives guidance. After listening to their problems, I remember Him, pray to Him and then reply. It is understandable that I do not have any experience in these matters because I became a sadhu at a young age, but God has experience of the whole world and of all souls. So, I remember God and reply, and people are satisfied.
Freddie Kwek: How can someone who believes in God maintain his faith and devotion to Him in the face of financial and other problems?
Swamishri: Life is full of problems, therefore one experiences happiness and misery in an alternating cycle. But one should believe that happiness and misery is due to God's wish. Whenever you face difficulties remember God. Whatever He does is for your own benefit. God never does wrong to anyone. But because one's desires are wrong, He doesn't fulfil them or puts one through difficulties. But believe it to be God's wish, and that whatever misery one experiences is for one's own good. Whatever He gives and does not give is all for one's benefit. So, by believing God to be the doer, one's faith in Him will remain intact.'
21-1-2002, Singapore
The General Manager of Atofina, a local company that manufactures plastic, Mr. Serge Lorek, and his Deputy General Manager, Mr. Freddie Kwek, came to see Swamishri.
Mr. Lorek asked Swamishri, 'You provide guidance to parents about their problems with children, but how is that possible when you have no experience of family problems?'
Swamishri: It is God who gives guidance. After listening to their problems, I remember Him, pray to Him and then reply. It is understandable that I do not have any experience in these matters because I became a sadhu at a young age, but God has experience of the whole world and of all souls. So, I remember God and reply, and people are satisfied.
Freddie Kwek: How can someone who believes in God maintain his faith and devotion to Him in the face of financial and other problems?
Swamishri: Life is full of problems, therefore one experiences happiness and misery in an alternating cycle. But one should believe that happiness and misery is due to God's wish. Whenever you face difficulties remember God. Whatever He does is for your own benefit. God never does wrong to anyone. But because one's desires are wrong, He doesn't fulfil them or puts one through difficulties. But believe it to be God's wish, and that whatever misery one experiences is for one's own good. Whatever He gives and does not give is all for one's benefit. So, by believing God to be the doer, one's faith in Him will remain intact.'
21-1-2002, Singapore
Honest Actions
Mr. Liam Mallon, Operations Manager of Exxon-Mobil for Western Australia, came to meet Swamishri. During his conversation with Swamishri, Liam Mallon asked, 'There are so many problems in our world today, is there any hope of a better future?'
Swamishri: There is a lot of tumult in our world, but God will save it. The future is good. It is the cycle of life where happiness and misery follow one after the other. A good person will come and things will change for the better.
Liam: Ours is an international company. Wherever we go, we strive for the benefit of people. We set up health centres and schools, but still people criticise us that we influence others to get our work done. How do we face this?
Swamishri: Since you are doing your work with honesty and sincerity, then your company will progress. Your honest actions will speak. People may have a critical view for your company, but through your honest efforts you have the grace of God upon you. By working with ethics, everyone gains. So don't bear in mind what others say about your company. Your goals and motives are for the good of the country, for its employees and for people, and that is why your company has progressed and been blessed by God. Where there are good objectives and morals, God helps.'
24-1-2002, Perth
Mr. Liam Mallon, Operations Manager of Exxon-Mobil for Western Australia, came to meet Swamishri. During his conversation with Swamishri, Liam Mallon asked, 'There are so many problems in our world today, is there any hope of a better future?'
Swamishri: There is a lot of tumult in our world, but God will save it. The future is good. It is the cycle of life where happiness and misery follow one after the other. A good person will come and things will change for the better.
Liam: Ours is an international company. Wherever we go, we strive for the benefit of people. We set up health centres and schools, but still people criticise us that we influence others to get our work done. How do we face this?
Swamishri: Since you are doing your work with honesty and sincerity, then your company will progress. Your honest actions will speak. People may have a critical view for your company, but through your honest efforts you have the grace of God upon you. By working with ethics, everyone gains. So don't bear in mind what others say about your company. Your goals and motives are for the good of the country, for its employees and for people, and that is why your company has progressed and been blessed by God. Where there are good objectives and morals, God helps.'
24-1-2002, Perth
Solution to Hatred
John Williams, an Immigration Officer in Perth, Australia, came to meet Swamishri. Impressed with the BAPS socio-spiritual activities he said, 'Your work is spread in multifarious fields. And in spite of all your responsibilities, how is it possible for you to take personal interest in people and guide them?'
Swamishri: It is due to the grace of God and blessings of my guru. In all the works we do, God provides the inspiration and makes things conducive through such volunteers.
John: What should we do to solve hatred between individuals?
Swamishri: By having absolute faith in God and obedience to His commands any individual is inspired with feelings of doing good to all and to hate no one. When he realises that God resides in everyone, then he will have no hatred.
24-1-2002, Perth
John Williams, an Immigration Officer in Perth, Australia, came to meet Swamishri. Impressed with the BAPS socio-spiritual activities he said, 'Your work is spread in multifarious fields. And in spite of all your responsibilities, how is it possible for you to take personal interest in people and guide them?'
Swamishri: It is due to the grace of God and blessings of my guru. In all the works we do, God provides the inspiration and makes things conducive through such volunteers.
John: What should we do to solve hatred between individuals?
Swamishri: By having absolute faith in God and obedience to His commands any individual is inspired with feelings of doing good to all and to hate no one. When he realises that God resides in everyone, then he will have no hatred.
24-1-2002, Perth
True Colour of Spirituality
At 10.15 p.m., many children, teenagers and youths at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sydney were by Swamishri's room door engaged in darshan. A sadhu told a child to sing the bhajan, 'Tu rangai jane rangma.' But he couldn't sing it properly due to his difficulty in speaking Gujarati. Then the teenagers sang the verse properly.
Swamishri then pointed out, 'Now sing 'Hu rangai javu rangma.' Because by singing 'Tu…' it is telling others to get spiritually coloured. So you must sing 'I will get coloured…' It does not matter if you do not wear the saffron clothes of a sadhu, but by imbibing dharma, gnan, vairagya and bhakti you will become coloured by the colour of Satsang and attain moksha. One must be coloured by the divine colour of God. Getting coloured means consolidating agna, upasana, dharma, gnan, vairagya and bhakti in one's self; and believing there is no happiness other than God and having supreme faith in God. No matter what type of happiness or misery comes your way, believe that whatever God does is for your good. If this colour is imbibed then will you get coloured by any (worldly) colour? No. Even if someone shows you God in the palm of his hand, still Swaminarayan is God and Yogiji Maharaj is a true guru.'
The true colour of spirituality lies in integrating spiritual virtues and having a resolute faith in God and guru.
1-2-2002, Sydney
At 10.15 p.m., many children, teenagers and youths at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sydney were by Swamishri's room door engaged in darshan. A sadhu told a child to sing the bhajan, 'Tu rangai jane rangma.' But he couldn't sing it properly due to his difficulty in speaking Gujarati. Then the teenagers sang the verse properly.
Swamishri then pointed out, 'Now sing 'Hu rangai javu rangma.' Because by singing 'Tu…' it is telling others to get spiritually coloured. So you must sing 'I will get coloured…' It does not matter if you do not wear the saffron clothes of a sadhu, but by imbibing dharma, gnan, vairagya and bhakti you will become coloured by the colour of Satsang and attain moksha. One must be coloured by the divine colour of God. Getting coloured means consolidating agna, upasana, dharma, gnan, vairagya and bhakti in one's self; and believing there is no happiness other than God and having supreme faith in God. No matter what type of happiness or misery comes your way, believe that whatever God does is for your good. If this colour is imbibed then will you get coloured by any (worldly) colour? No. Even if someone shows you God in the palm of his hand, still Swaminarayan is God and Yogiji Maharaj is a true guru.'
The true colour of spirituality lies in integrating spiritual virtues and having a resolute faith in God and guru.
1-2-2002, Sydney
Glory of God
During Swamishri's breakfast, Kirtan, a young satsangi boy, recited the verse, 'Tvameva mata cha pita tvameva…' Then, a sadhu asked Kirtan as to who his father was. Kirtan pointed to his father who was sitting nearby. Swamishri then explained to Kirtan, saying, 'Our true Mother and Father is God. In the worldly sense, you were born of your parents, but God gave you this body. Your father was not there to mould your body. God moulded your hands, feet, nose, ears, etc. Everyone is born after God moulds them. You can't find such a master sculptor anywhere! Look how He has made our beautiful eyes, nose, mouth, hands, feet and teeth. And since God created us, He is our Mother and Father. God is the Mother and Father of your atma whereas your parents are the mother and father of your body. God is also your Brother and your Friend. Don't you all kids sing, 'Ghanshyam, Ghanshyam come and play with me.' Then the verse says 'Tvameva sarvam', meaning, 'God is everything for us.''
Swamishri explained the glory of God as Mother, Father, Brother, Friend and everything for everyone.
2-2-2002, Sydney
During Swamishri's breakfast, Kirtan, a young satsangi boy, recited the verse, 'Tvameva mata cha pita tvameva…' Then, a sadhu asked Kirtan as to who his father was. Kirtan pointed to his father who was sitting nearby. Swamishri then explained to Kirtan, saying, 'Our true Mother and Father is God. In the worldly sense, you were born of your parents, but God gave you this body. Your father was not there to mould your body. God moulded your hands, feet, nose, ears, etc. Everyone is born after God moulds them. You can't find such a master sculptor anywhere! Look how He has made our beautiful eyes, nose, mouth, hands, feet and teeth. And since God created us, He is our Mother and Father. God is the Mother and Father of your atma whereas your parents are the mother and father of your body. God is also your Brother and your Friend. Don't you all kids sing, 'Ghanshyam, Ghanshyam come and play with me.' Then the verse says 'Tvameva sarvam', meaning, 'God is everything for us.''
Swamishri explained the glory of God as Mother, Father, Brother, Friend and everything for everyone.
2-2-2002, Sydney
Faith in God's Divinity
Harshadbhai Rana, a dedicated devotee from Nairobi, asked a few questions to Swamishri.
Harshadbhai Rana: Why does God show human traits (manushyabhav)?
Swamishri: A devotee perceives divinity in that, whereas others who doubt His divinity become discontented. The latter will say, 'God blesses, but nothing happens,' whereas devotees like you feel that whatever has happened is for the good of all. A devotee will not doubt or become unhappy, whereas a non-devotee will.
Rana: What understanding should one have so that one does not perceive human traits in God and the God-realised Sadhu?
Swamishri: How did you become rich? Was it without any effort at all?
Rana: Through your grace.
Swamishri: The grace comes afterwards, but first you have to endeavour. Similarly, you have to make efforts in cultivating faith that whatever God does is good and proper. When you attain full-fledged faith, then you will not perceive human traits in God, no matter what action He performs. Shriji Maharaj stayed for 28 years in the home of Dada Khachar, who never doubted Him. He had problems, but still he never doubted Him. This was because Dada Khachar had absolute faith in Him.
K.C. Patel: Maharaj put him to the test on many occasions.
Swamishri: Yes, He tested him in all ways. God tests His devotees through His actions.
Rana: But Shriji Maharaj looked after all that belonged to Dada Khachar.
Viveksagar Swami: He looked after Dada's requirements of food and clothes. Otherwise, not a single tile of his roof turned into gold!
Swamishri: Firstly, if God starves you, will you have faith in Him? No! Instead, you will feel that even after meeting God, He starves me. Secondly, He will provide you with no shelter but the bare ground to sleep, that is, no bungalow, but only the bare ground. This means that your physical situation is very bad. Thirdly, God will remove your 'skin', meaning, you go through lots of miseries. And despite all this, if your faith and glory for Him does not change even one bit, then He will bless you profusely.
In the lives of all great devotees, one finds that they have gone through fiery trials, and yet they have not given up their faith in God.
2-2-2002, Sydney
Harshadbhai Rana, a dedicated devotee from Nairobi, asked a few questions to Swamishri.
Harshadbhai Rana: Why does God show human traits (manushyabhav)?
Swamishri: A devotee perceives divinity in that, whereas others who doubt His divinity become discontented. The latter will say, 'God blesses, but nothing happens,' whereas devotees like you feel that whatever has happened is for the good of all. A devotee will not doubt or become unhappy, whereas a non-devotee will.
Rana: What understanding should one have so that one does not perceive human traits in God and the God-realised Sadhu?
Swamishri: How did you become rich? Was it without any effort at all?
Rana: Through your grace.
Swamishri: The grace comes afterwards, but first you have to endeavour. Similarly, you have to make efforts in cultivating faith that whatever God does is good and proper. When you attain full-fledged faith, then you will not perceive human traits in God, no matter what action He performs. Shriji Maharaj stayed for 28 years in the home of Dada Khachar, who never doubted Him. He had problems, but still he never doubted Him. This was because Dada Khachar had absolute faith in Him.
K.C. Patel: Maharaj put him to the test on many occasions.
Swamishri: Yes, He tested him in all ways. God tests His devotees through His actions.
Rana: But Shriji Maharaj looked after all that belonged to Dada Khachar.
Viveksagar Swami: He looked after Dada's requirements of food and clothes. Otherwise, not a single tile of his roof turned into gold!
Swamishri: Firstly, if God starves you, will you have faith in Him? No! Instead, you will feel that even after meeting God, He starves me. Secondly, He will provide you with no shelter but the bare ground to sleep, that is, no bungalow, but only the bare ground. This means that your physical situation is very bad. Thirdly, God will remove your 'skin', meaning, you go through lots of miseries. And despite all this, if your faith and glory for Him does not change even one bit, then He will bless you profusely.
In the lives of all great devotees, one finds that they have gone through fiery trials, and yet they have not given up their faith in God.
2-2-2002, Sydney
If God Forgives, Why Is There a Hell?
A ten-year-old boy, Jay Pandya, asked Swamishri, 'When God forgives the crimes of everyone, then why is there a hell?'
Swamishri: Hell is not meant for those who have been forgiven for their crimes.
Jay: Then why is there a hell?
Swamishri: Hell is for those who do not believe in God, who do evil things and subject others to pain and harassment. However, those who become devotees of God, who pray to Him and take His refuge, are forgiven for their wrong actions. And a devotee of God is blessed with the bliss of God's abode, whereas hell is for those who do not abide by righteousness.
10-2-2002, Sydney
A ten-year-old boy, Jay Pandya, asked Swamishri, 'When God forgives the crimes of everyone, then why is there a hell?'
Swamishri: Hell is not meant for those who have been forgiven for their crimes.
Jay: Then why is there a hell?
Swamishri: Hell is for those who do not believe in God, who do evil things and subject others to pain and harassment. However, those who become devotees of God, who pray to Him and take His refuge, are forgiven for their wrong actions. And a devotee of God is blessed with the bliss of God's abode, whereas hell is for those who do not abide by righteousness.
10-2-2002, Sydney
Eternal Blessings
Ankit Parmar, a youth, recited a couple of verses, 'Balto jhalto atma Sant sarovar jaay…' and then prayed, 'Swami, do always shower your blessings upon us.'
Swamishri replied, 'You have all been blessed, but to always have that blessing you have to cultivate a good nature (swabhav) and offer devotion (bhakti) to God. If you give up your bad nature (swabhav) then the blessings will remain, but if you manifest your bad nature then you cannot be blessed. Hence, you should give up bad nature and offer devotion so that you are blessed forever.'
To retain the blessings of God, it is necessary to give up one's bad nature.
10-2-2002, Sydney
Ankit Parmar, a youth, recited a couple of verses, 'Balto jhalto atma Sant sarovar jaay…' and then prayed, 'Swami, do always shower your blessings upon us.'
Swamishri replied, 'You have all been blessed, but to always have that blessing you have to cultivate a good nature (swabhav) and offer devotion (bhakti) to God. If you give up your bad nature (swabhav) then the blessings will remain, but if you manifest your bad nature then you cannot be blessed. Hence, you should give up bad nature and offer devotion so that you are blessed forever.'
To retain the blessings of God, it is necessary to give up one's bad nature.
10-2-2002, Sydney
Principles of Education
On meeting Swamishri, Mr. Mark Broadwith, Headmaster of Ficino School in Auckland, welcomed him and offered his respects. The Ficino School teaches Sanskrit, serves vegetarian food for lunch and emphasises value-based education. Mr. Broadwith explained, 'We have three principles, namely: to inspire students to remember God, to encourage them to live by the fine laws of creation and to find their way back to God. But it is a challenge for us to impart these principles to children who come from different family backgrounds.'
To this Swamishri responded, 'The challenge is there, but the principles you have adopted are good. Therefore, keep making efforts and the children will gradually imbibe them.'
Mr. Broadwith asked, 'What do you think are the principles of education?'
Swamishri replied, 'Moral and spiritual values.'
14-2-2002, Auckland
On meeting Swamishri, Mr. Mark Broadwith, Headmaster of Ficino School in Auckland, welcomed him and offered his respects. The Ficino School teaches Sanskrit, serves vegetarian food for lunch and emphasises value-based education. Mr. Broadwith explained, 'We have three principles, namely: to inspire students to remember God, to encourage them to live by the fine laws of creation and to find their way back to God. But it is a challenge for us to impart these principles to children who come from different family backgrounds.'
To this Swamishri responded, 'The challenge is there, but the principles you have adopted are good. Therefore, keep making efforts and the children will gradually imbibe them.'
Mr. Broadwith asked, 'What do you think are the principles of education?'
Swamishri replied, 'Moral and spiritual values.'
14-2-2002, Auckland