IMMORTAL LIGHT - VANAPRASTHA (retired life)

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OM AMRITESWARYAI NAMAH

 

IMMORTAL LIGHT - Vanaprastha (retired life)

 

Withdraw the mind from worldly subjects

 

Once the children are grown up and are able to take care of

themselves, husband and wife should go to an ashram and lead a

spiricual life, working for their spiritual improvement by engaging

in meditation, japa and selfless service. It is necessary to

cultivate from the beginning of one's spiritual life an attitude of

strong attachment only to the Lord in order to make this transition

possible. Without such a spiritual bond, the mind will cling to its

ties, first to the children, then to the grandchildren and so on.

This kind of clinging is of no use to us or our children. Our lives

will be a waste if we allow our clingings to persist! If, on the

other hand, we spend our lives in sadhana, our spiritual power will

help both us and the world. Therefore, cultivae the habit of

withdrawing the mind from countless worldly subjects and turn it

totally towards God.

 

When we pour oil from vessel to vessel in succession we lose some at

each step; in just the same manner, by attaching the mind to many

things, we lose whatever little spiritual power we have.

 

By collecting water in a storage tank, it can reach all the faucets

equally. Likewise, by keeping our mind on God constantly, while

engaged in any work, the benefit will reach all members of the

family. The ultimate aim in life should not be to amass wealth for

children and relatives; it should be to focus on our own spiritual

development.

 

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>From the book of Immortal Light - Advice to Householders

(english translation of the original Malayalam "Amrita Jyoti")

Amma Sharanam