Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji's discourse on 4th July 2003 Mahatma Gandhi Center, St. Louis
Vedanta and Meditation paths are some times confusing. We are in doubt who clears our doubts. We donÕt know who is knowledgable It is very difficult to find Gurus. There are many decorative Gurus in this country. They know how to trick people. But Vedanta is difficult to understand let alone teach others. The Guru and SHISHYA have to carefully follow the path. Otherwise it will be like a blind man leading other. Many times we are in wrong paths. Finally we suffer. Shankara himself says, ÒGo in the path of Bhajans. Bhaja Govindam he said. Divya Naama leads to knowledge. After the singing of Naama, Silence follows. In the begging there are three methods. First is uttering of the names loudly. The second method. Is silently chattering. The third method is silently sitting with closed eyes. Silently conversing with the lord. Or you may concentrate on a light or a soothing sound. It does not matter what name you chat. The silent method is good. But in the beginning, loud chanting is good. You get so tired that you slow down and silence dawns. It is an automatic process. Divya Naama also has rules and regulations like Puja or Yoga. Good grammatical English and delivery of very good English is not enough. New types of phrases, new words are not enough. After one hour, it gets boring. Your mind is after those beautiful words not grasping its meaning in its entirety. DNS gives good energy. One to three hour of chant is good. Not more that three hours. Start with once a month and slowly increase it to once a week. It will really help you. DNS is like your breath. Like you believe your breath, believe in DNS. Practice Kriya Yoga. SOHAM is a long breath. Long breath means, ÒI AM BRAHMAÓ. You should get the Brahma feeling when you close your eyes. Not the family troubles, credit troubles. Your mind gets so tired, that you feel sleepy. You must practice to be awake. It will help. DonÕt fall asleep when you close your eyes. Learn Bhajan meaning also. Then we automatically get Vedanta lessons also. Because SwamijiÕs many Bhajans have philosophical lessons. In early times, I used to talk a lot. But it later dawned that DNS is the best method. Practice patience. Then you wont be a patient. Life is rhythmic. Even your body has many rhythms. Heart beats rhythmically. Rhythm is the union of Shiva and Shakti. Prakruti and Purusha. The heart makes two sounds Ð LUB and DUB. LUB is Shiva and DUB is Shakti. When angry or upset, the lub dubs increase and you fall down. When air in your body stops, everything stops. Many of us are egoistic. You feel you live two thousand years. You develop too much attachment to what you have and what you get. This house is mine. This sofa is mine. When attachment develops and increases, you worry what happens to the house after your death. Everyone is afraid of oneÕs death. Everyone prays for long life. Many talk about miracles. You must check once a year how much advancement you made in spiritual life. Even after a life saving situation, you donÕt understand that you are in a extended life. You donÕt check about your spiritual progress. You use that extension time to accumulate more and more. Do Satsang. You must understand that the Lord has given you extension of life. You merely acknowledge that GOD saved you. But that is not enough. He wants you to be spiritual. Not acknowledge. Many times I think before praying Datta for someone. I must use my energy. I want to ensure that Blessing that person will be a fulfilling thing. Blessings should not go waste. I wonder how much use will he be if his life is extended. I donÕt want him to do something to the society. I want him at least to be spiritual. Those who had life-threatening disease of accidents, please remember. Study good books. Practice spiritual exercises. Ponder over the thought Ò who did I get this extension?Ó Think of a plan. Time is precious. Every minute is His (GodÕs) mercy. Listen to Bhajans. What do you do? Sit in front of TV seeing a soap opera and worrying about children and life. What is this? You must worry that you should help others. I meet hundreds of people daily. I went for a walk today. I met many people. Did I bless them all? No. You are here to listen to me now. I think of those who are really using my words and then bless them. Only few here understand what I am talking. Very rarely do people understand the brightness in SwamijiÕs eyes and use that energy. Did I come here to collect your dollar money? No. In India I can get more than what I can get here. My forefathers had thousands of acres of lands. I have the eagerness that you all become spiritual. I really worry about only few. Today is American Independence Day. I am happy and I bless USA. It is good that I am here today. I am happy. Swamiji stands and asks people to chant American Anthem. All stand and chant. Then Indian national anthem is chanted. I am annoyed that many of you here do not know American anthem. It is a shame. You come here, earn money, live good life and donÕt know the basics of this nation. I am really shocked. Sri Swamiji sings ÒPaahi Paahi GajananaÓ. This is a bhajan on Ganapathy. Ganapathy is the elephant faced God. The next Bhajan is on mother goddess. It is in the audio cassette ÒShaankariÓ. Sri Swamiji sings ÒMaanasa MandiraÓ. Jaya Guru Datta http://www.dattapeetham.com/india/tours/2003/nada_prasara_2003/usa_np/stlouis/ july4.html ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Dying to be thin? Anorexia. Narrated by Julianne Moore. http://us.click.yahoo.com/abEMxA/sbOLAA/d1hLAA/0NYolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! 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