Introduction

Prayer to Lord Ganesh, Saraswati and our Guru is very important for peace. 

Opening Reflection

We search for three kinds of happiness:

1. Prem is objective pleasure that comes from seeing an object (e.g. seeing a picture of carrot cake)
2. Moda is happiness that is closer (e.g. seeing real carrot cake in front of you)
3. Pramoda is joy that comes from sensory experience (e.g.eating a bite of carrot cake)

Final happiness is bliss (Ananda) which is the happiness of the Atma. 

Q&A 

Question 1

For the past couple of months, devis such as Saraswati, Parvati are trying to get my attention. Why is this? How should I think about this?  

Vijayji’s Response

Swami Tejomayananda said you have to live with thoughts of Bhagavan for a long time for your thoughts to be replaced by thoughts of Bhagavan. When there is constant talk of devis in the media/in your life due to Navratri etc. it is natural to have constant thoughts of devis. Even though there are three different forms of devis, there is only one source manifesting in these forms.

We should internalize the meaning of this by understanding that while we may have many forms / names /roles we play (daughter, wife, mother), we are always taken care of by Bhagavan. 

Question 2

How do I explain the concept of attachment to children? 

Vijayji’s Response

A child likes chocolate and doesn’t want to share it with anyone, but if asked to eat twenty pieces of chocolate that attachment becomes dangerous. 

We should have attachment to do our duties. But when it is time to move on, we have to do it. Anything you like should have limits, limits are good. You cannot ask children to not have attachment. Everything has a beginning and everything has an end. This is what we should teach children. 

Question 3

In the Ramayana, despite having Joy (Bhagavan Rama) with her, why is Sita devi still enamoured by the deer? 

Vijayji’s Response

Lord Shiva and Sati return to Mount Kailash after listening to the Ramayan in an ashram. On the way, Lord Shiva sees Rama crying and looking for his wife and refers to him as Paramatma. But despite being Lord Shiva’s wife, Sati does not believe that Rama is the Paramatma. Since Sita and Sati are acting as humans, that is the role they are playing;  they forget about Bhagavan for a few moments. 

Therefore in scripture, context and role of the characters is very important to understanding their actions. 

Question 4

What should I picture in my mind during contemplation? Should I think of a specific Bhagavan that I feel connected to?

Vijayji’s Response 

Initially, you should picture your ishta devata in your mind or have their name in mind. Silent japa should replace other thoughts. 

Question 5

Many people have experienced / seen God in their lives. Why doesn’t God show up in a human form more often so that this can increase people’s spirituality and faith in God? 

Vijayji’s Response

People have siddhis (visions of God) which comes after penance and from past life actions. This is good if used for self-development. 

We are not able to see God because we haven’t built that relationship with God. If we build a relationship with God as great sadhakas, then God will make Himself known.  This will take many lives of sadhana like Prahalad, Dhruv, Buddha. 

Question 6 

As a father/grandfather, are there things you wish you had known earlier? 

Vijayji’s Response 

All knowledge has a time and place; if I was given this knowledge when I was not ready, I would have abused it. There was a lady who liked to garden. She watched an insect that tried to climb a tree every morning. It kept falling. The lady felt bad and wanted to help the insect, so she pushed it up with a stick. Once it got to the top of the tree, the insect fell, because its legs were not strong enough to hold on. 

We need to hasten, slowly. Sadhana should be enjoyed slowly. God has placed us at the right spot and we should focus on doing our duties by doing our best. Plan your work and work out your plan. Keep God in the center of your life, always. Knowledge will clear all doubts we have. 

Question 7 

I have tried practicing meditation to quieten my mind but I am struggling with it. Can you help me with this? 

Sumanji’s Response 

We should approach meditation as quietening the mind 24 hours/day 7 days a week. The only thing we do on the same frequency is breathing, without any effort from us. Meditation is a state of being; there is nothing to “do” to meditate. Being fully absorbed in whatever we are doing is meditation. 

The steps towards meditation begin with:

1. Integrating the mind with the lifestyle. Live a lifestyle that helps integrate this personality – body, mind, intellect and spirit. All four are usually combating each other. We need to bring them to a space where they are aligned. 
2. Direct the B-M-I towards the truth of our nature, Sat. When the B-M-I equipment is aligned with purpose, the chatter in the mind decreases. If the mind is not directed towards purpose, then it goes back to chatter. Directing thoughts meaningfully towards Sat, that the B-M-I is Om, this is contemplation. 
3. In contemplation, we break down all identifications and just focus on presence not tied to a thought or object. One should spend the entire day preparing for a moment of contemplation and meditation. 

Upavasa is the practice of fasting to bring the body close to divinity – where we are not constantly thinking of the next meal. When attaching this to Deepavali, we can align the body, mind, intellect and spirit towards this goal. Throughout our day, we should only have one-third of our day on worldly tasks, the other two-thirds should hold on to the feet of God. This will guide us to presence. 

Question 8

Why do we forget so easily? How do I remember more?

Sumanji’s response

Accept that this is how the mind and sense organs work. Acceptance gives way to awareness. As sadhakas, we want things quickly. This gives us instant gratification, but also instant sorrow. Acceptance will give us care and love when we don’t remember. 

When we first met our partners, our thoughts revolved only around building a future with them. We have regular remembrance for things we become attached to. As thoughts continue, we associate happiness with those thoughts and have a desire to manifest them. 

Similarly, when we spend time thinking of Bhagavan, we will begin to remember. If you want to remember, you will remember. Whatever you love, you make time for. Surround yourself with divinity inside and out. Regular association will change regular thoughts and regular way of life. 

Reflection Assignment (RAW)

Anchor yourself each day by reading one of Gurudev’s quotes.