Guru Is the Greatest Giver. {243.}

Guru Is the Greatest Giver. {243.}
****

“My mind, my mind the True Guru
has blessed it with love ...
The Name of the Lord,
dwells within my mind;
it is the Destroyer of all pain.
By great good fortune, I have obtained
the Blessed Vision of the Guru’s Darshan;
blessed, blessed is my True Guru.
While standing up and sitting down,
I serve the True Guru; serving Him,
I have found peace and tranquility.
My mind, my mind the True Guru
has blessed it with love.
I live, I live, and I blossom forth,
beholding the True Guru....
He has implanted the Name of the Lord within me;
chanting the Name of the Lord, ...
the heart-lotus blossoms forth,
and through the Name of the Lord,
I have obtained the nine treasures.
The disease of egotism has been eradicated,
suffering has been eliminated, and I have
entered the Lord’s state of celestial Samadhi.
I have obtained the glorious greatness of
the Name of the Lord from the True Guru;
beholding the Divine True Guru,
my mind is at peace....
Cutting my mind and body apart,
cutting them into pieces,
I offer these to the one,
who recites to me
the Words of the True Guru.
My mind has become disillusioned
and renounced the world;
obtaining the Blessed Vision of the Guru’s Darshan,
it has found peace....
If only someone would come,...
and lead me to meet my Perfect True Guru.
A Giver as great as the Guru,...
I cannot see any other.
He blesses me with the gift of the Lord’s Name,...
those very fortunate ones meet Him;
their minds are attached to the Guru’s Feet.
Says Nanak, the Lord Himself causes us to meet the Guru;
meeting the Almighty True Guru, peace is obtained.”

---- Guru Nanak Dev; The Guru Granth Sahib.
****

Perception Lends Reality to Objects. {219.}

Perception Lends Reality to Objects. {219.}
****

“Objects have no reality in themselves
but are only seen of the mind and, therefore,
are of the nature of Maya and a dream.”

---- Gautama Buddha.
****

Keep Mind Open & Clear. {212.}

Keep Mind Open & Clear. {212.}
****

“If you cling to an idea as the inalterable truth,
then when the truth does come in person and knock at your door,
you will not be able to open the door and accept it.”

---- Udana Sutta.
****

The Freedom of the Sage. {209.}

The Freedom of the Sage. {209.}
****

“Governing sense, mind and intellect,
intent on liberation,
free from desire, fear and anger,
the sage is forever free.”

---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****

Self-mastery, Renunciation, Freedom from Karmas. {202.}

Self-mastery, Renunciation, Freedom from Karmas. {202.}
****

“The person whose mind is always free from attachment,
who has subdued the mind and senses,
and who is free from desires,
attains the supreme perfection
of freedom from karma through renunciation.”

---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****

An Ounce of Practice Matters. {197.}

An Ounce of Practice Matters. {197.}
****

Several Guru Bachans have repeatedly
exhorted Satsangis to continue performing Seva,
with one's “tan, man, dhan & surat,”
or the whole of one’s body, mind, purse and soul.

The emphasis on Seva is understandable.
The many might idly praise an ideal,
but the few actually strive to realize it.
An ounce of practice remains far better
than tons of precept.

Let us, therefore, not be idle,
afraid, lazy, indifferent or lax,
in the performance of Seva.

Umpteen fortunate opportunities for Seva exist,
in Dayalbagh {both fields & otherwise},
our respective Satsang Branches,
among other Satsangi acquaintances,
or even one’s Satsangi
relatives or family members.

Anything done for a Satsangi is Seva
if it is done with the right motive
& in the right spirit,
because Radhasoami Dayal Wants that
Satsangis should care for one another.

We have to care to think,
to look around us,
and to actively seek more
avenues & chances of Seva.

It is true,
“Seva hee mewa hai,” or
“Service itself is its own reward.”
****

Note: This is drawn from & inspired by the scriptures, practices & teachings pertaining to the Radhasoami religion of Dayalbagh.

Practice Makes Perfect in Meditation. {160.}

Practice Makes Perfect in Meditation. {160.}
****

“The mind is restless and difficult to restrain,
but it is subdued by practice.”

---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****

Benefits of Meditating on God. {159.}

Benefits of Meditating on God. {159.}
****

“When the Lord God shows His Kindness, O Nanak,
one is no longer engrossed in Maya.
The burning fire has been put out;
God Himself has saved me.
Meditate on that God, O Nanak,
who created the universe.
When God becomes merciful,
Maya does not cling.
Millions of sins are eliminated,
by meditating on the Naam,
the Name of the One Lord.
The body is made immaculate and pure,
bathing in the dust of the feet of the Lord’s humble servants.
The mind and body become contented,
finding the Perfect Lord God.
One is saved, along with his family,
and all his ancestors.”

---- The Guru Granth Sahib.
****

Greatness in Various Contexts Defined. {156.}

Greatness in Various Contexts Defined. {156.}
****

“The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming to the world’s ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."

---- Gautama Buddha; The Dhammapada.
****

Cut the Noose of Death. {152.}

Cut the Noose of Death. {152.}
****

“The noose of Death is cut, and one’s wanderings cease;
victory is obtained, when one conquers his own mind.
O Nanak, eternal stability is obtained from the Guru,
and one’s day-to-day wanderings cease.
After wandering and wandering for so long, you have come;
in this Dark Age of Kali Yuga,
you have obtained this human body,
so very difficult to obtain.
This opportunity shall not come into your hands again.
So chant the Naam, the Name of the Lord,
and the noose of Death shall be cut away.
You shall not have to come and go
in reincarnation over and over again,
if you chant and meditate on the One and Only Lord.
Shower Your Mercy, O God, Creator Lord,
and unite poor Nanak with Yourself.”

---- The Guru Granth Sahib; Raag Gauree, 108:38.
****

Flow and Overflow with Love. {142.}

Flow and Overflow with Love. {142.}
****

“Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
Then as you stand or walk,
Sit or lie down,
As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
Your life will bring heaven to earth.”

---- Gautama Buddha; The Sutta Nipata.
****

Grace Works Umpteen Wonders Spontaneously. {138.}

Grace Works Umpteen Wonders Spontaneously. {138.}
****

“Millions of silent sages dwell in silence.
Our Eternal, Imperishable, Incomprehensible Lord and Master,
the Inner-knower, the Searcher of hearts, is permeating all hearts.
Wherever I look, I see Your Dwelling, O Lord.
The Guru has blessed Nanak with enlightenment.
The True Guru has blessed me with this gift.
He has given me the Priceless Jewel of the Lord’s Name.
Now, I intuitively enjoy endless pleasures and wondrous play.
God has spontaneously met with Nanak.
Says Nanak, True is the Kirtan of the Lord’s Praise.
Again and again, my mind remains immersed in it.
Spontaneously, I feed on the Love of God.
Spontaneously, I take God’s Name.
Spontaneously, I am saved by the Word of the Shabad.
Spontaneously, my treasures are filled to overflowing.
Spontaneously, my works are perfectly accomplished.
Spontaneously, I am rid of sorrow.
Spontaneously, my enemies have become friends.
Spontaneously, I have brought my mind under control.
Spontaneously, God has comforted me.
Spontaneously, my hopes have been fulfilled.
Spontaneously, I have totally realized the essence of reality.
Spontaneously, I have been blessed with the Guru’s Mantra.
Spontaneously, I am rid of hatred.
Spontaneously, my darkness has been dispelled.
Spontaneously, the Kirtan of the Lord’s Praise
seems so sweet to my mind.
Spontaneously, I behold God in each and every heart.”

---- The Guru Granth Sahib; Raag Bhairao, Part 033, 1538-1563.
****

Service of Guru is All. {131.}

Service of Guru is All. {131.}
****

“Serve your True Lord and Master,
and you shall be blessed with true greatness.
By Guru’s Grace, He abides in the mind,
and egotism is driven out.
This wandering mind comes to rest,
when the Lord casts His Glance of Grace.”

---- The Guru Granth Sahib.
****

Service of Guru is Greatness. {103.}

Service of Guru is Greatness. {103.}
****

“Serve your True Lord and Master,
and you shall be blessed with true greatness.
By Guru’s Grace, He abides in the mind,
and egotism is driven out.
This wandering mind comes to rest,
when the Lord casts His Glance of Grace.”
---- The Guru Granth Sahib.
****

Still Yourself for Divine Union. {90.}

Still Yourself for Divine Union. {90.}
****

“Still your mind in me,
still yourself in me,
and without a doubt
you shall be united with me,
Lord of Love,
dwelling in your heart.”
---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****

Gain Control over Your Mind. {76.}

Gain Control over Your Mind. {76.}
****

“One who has control over the mind
is tranquil in heat and cold,
in pleasure and pain,
and in honor and dishonor;
and is ever steadfast with the Supreme Self.”

---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****

You Are God’s Powerful Tool. {69.}

You Are God’s Powerful Tool. {69.}
****

“The power of God is with you at all times;
through the activities of the mind,
senses, breathing, and emotions;
and is constantly doing all the work
using you as a mere instrument.”
---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****

Way to Attain Spiritual Tranquility. {55.}

Way to Attain Spiritual Tranquility. {55.}
****

“One gradually attains tranquility of mind
as a result of keeping the mind
fully absorbed in the Self
by means of a well-trained intellect,
and by thinking of nothing else.”

---- The Bhagavad Gita.
****