India Reflections

Change

In Sahaj Marg, life is about change, self-determined change, towards a predetermined goal, to create a future for ourselves by self-effort with the assistance of the higher power we call Master.

Taken from the book "The Spider's Web, Vol. 3", Chapter "The Essential Relationship", pg. 229, by Revered Chariji

Karma

Why is action (karma) necessary? Action is the law of manifestation of life. Without action, it is not possible to infer the existence of a being. That is why every being having a body is required to perform action. It was so required before, and will be required in the future. Life cannot exist without manifestation, for this is the specialty of the nature of all existence and beings. No life can be without manifestation.

Taken from the book "Truth Eternal (1973; 5th edn., 2010)",...

Intellect and Will 2

God is not responsible for right conduct, we are. Why? Because God has given us the intelligence and the will. One to decide what we should do and the other to permit us to do it.

Taken from the book "The Spider's Web, Vol. 3", Chapter "In His Footsteps", pg. 234, by Revered Chariji

Dharma

The remedy to save oneself from this [the idea of freedom and bondage] is to convert evil intention into good intention and then act. Serving the fellow beings of the world in the light of this experience, without any selfish motive, is the best kind of sacrifice and worship. One who acts in such a way will be free from the bondage of karma (action). Such action is the nature (dharma) of this gross body.

Taken from the book "Truth Eternal (1973; 5th edn., 2010)", Chapter "Karma", pg....

Happiness

Happiness is not anywhere outside. It is in our fixing the attention, in the steadiness of disposition, and in the withdrawal of our mind. Those who know this secret need not search for happiness outside.

Taken from the book "Truth Eternal (1973; 5th edn., 2010)", Chapter "Knowledge, Upasana, Happiness", pg. 90, by Lalaji Maharaj

Clean Fear

As for the fear, please make a strong will and remove it during cleaning. Make a firm determination that it is leaving you forever and that you are being filled with His Grace.

Taken from the book "The Spider's Web, Vol. 3", Chapter "Cleaning", pg. 128, by Revered Chariji

Dedication

Surrender does not mean that you do not plan or make any effort at improving yourself. You must do everything in a state of remembrance of the Divine, putting your best efforts in everything that you do, and leave the results in His hands.

Taken from the book "The Spider's Web, Vol. 3", Chapter "Cleaning", pg. 126, by Revered Chariji

Yoga

Yoga means union. Two things cannot unite when they are not fitted for each other. If one is imperfect to start with, it has to be corrected and remoulded and made perfect before it can have union with the perfect one. Therefore yoga, as union, is the culmination of spiritual practice, and not merely a practice itself, as commonly represented. The perfection of the imperfect is what has to be achieved before union is possible. This is achieved by the cleaning process under Sahaj Marg. Now the...

Ignore II

Sometimes problems keep recurring, but have lesser and lesser intensity, and you should not magnify these problems by giving them attention, then they become bigger. During our life, whether temporal or spiritual, many things will happen and must happen, and we have to learn to bear them with strength, courage and fortitude, all of which reflect faith in the Master.

Taken from the book "The Spider's Web, Vol. 3", Chapter "In His Footsteps", pg. 237, by Revered Chariji

Life

Life is always full of problems, and I too have my share of it. These are meant to strengthen us - our faith and character. The soul in its wisdom chooses the life in which it can best evolve spiritually. So instead of bemoaning the past karmas, fate, et cetera, it would be better to be grateful for the situations that aid in our spiritual growth.

Taken from the book "The Spider's Web, Vol. 3", Chapter "In His Footsteps", pg. 236, by Revered Chariji