Realization - a fruit of grace and effort By Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji

[Guest guest]

Radhe Krishna To all,Bold Vedantic truths such as ‘That Thou Art’ and the like, are indeed Eternal, timeless precepts which hold good today, as they did during the days of yore – right from age of the Sage Vyasa, Sage Vasishta, etc.. In the same token, several scholars who were well-versed in the Vedas, Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and other scriptures, imagined all along, that they ‘knew’ the Truth, which can only be ‘known’ only by direct experience and not by mere book-learning or intellectual understanding. Philosophy has always expressed the truth in the form of catchy statements such as ‘Mind the Mind’ or ‘Seek the Seeker’ which are absolutely valid in their own right. But how such statements could really be helpful to an earnest seeker of the truth? Let us give

this some serious thought... Primarily, it has to be remembered that exceptions can never form the rule. Great Saints such as Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi or Ramakrishna Paramahamsa are few in a million who reached the highest peak of existence and are living examples of the highest Truth, or in other words, Divine Incarnations. They experienced the Truth in a flash effortlessly and intuitively. However, this does not mean that we all can become like them without taking any effort! Only personal effort can yield the desired results in this aspect of existence. Great Realized souls like Sri Ramalinga Vallalar Swami had sung about the truth as ‘Jyothi’ or ‘Divine Light’ in his ultimate experience of the truth. But, we should also understand that he sung the glories of so many deities like Lord Muruga, Lord Siva, Lord Rama and also the greatness of chanting Rama Nama. As a culmination of his divine love for the lord and intense

Sadhana (spiritual efforts) did he sing of the ‘experience’ of that divine oneness, that light of divine grace. Since the Supreme Reality is not apparent to most of us, there arises the need for a ‘medium’ called Guru to lead us to Truth. The Guru is normally a person who has experienced the Truth himself and who guides us to experience the Truth. However, seekers in their immaturity tend to imitate the Guru's outward mannerisms or take pride in being in the company of such an evolved person. Some even idly imagine that they are also self realized because they have found a self-realized Guru, rather than following the Guru's teachings. Little do they realize or take into account the severe austerities, which the Guru had undergone to achieve the highest state. Further, one goes on to compare and criticize Gurus, without giving a moment to reflect back on the deficiencies of their own individual selves.

Consider this interesting fact— Despite being born in a pious family, with a religious upbringing like consuming only duly consecrated food (prasadam), regularly attending Satsangs, many still struggle hard with lust, greed and other negative qualities. Even, such a person does not get to see God with his enchanting form, even in his dreams! How can such a person then actually see God in his formless aspect? If this be the case of such persons who come from a strong spiritual background, what would be the plight of the others? It is very common to find people being judged by their external appearances. Unfortunately, little importance is given to an individual’s intelligence, mental conditioning and will power, all of which are not very perceptible by mere external appearances. Unless these aspects of one's individuality are critically and carefully dealt with, one cannot become ‘eligible’ enough to comprehend the Supreme

Truth. This ultimately requires tremendous mental effort. An important pre-requisite that is commonly ignored in the pursuit of the Truth is Divine Grace. It is ultimately due to the working of the divine grace that all efforts commence and finally leads one to the Truth. The Final Reality or Truth is that which needs to be experienced and not imagined or merely understood intellectually. Without the Grace, all book-learning will only lead one to confusion, pride and possibly even hallucinations. In any process of evolution, the standard approach has always been to start from the first principles or ‘from the very beginning’. For example, a strong, shady, fruit yielding tree had evolved but from a small seed, which slowly became a sapling, then a plant and then the mighty tree. Similarly, a seeker of the Ultimate Truth should start by invoking the Divine Grace to guide one safely through the spiritual journey. This is best

done by chanting the God’s Name with love, humility, faith and patience. Even chanting the name of saints will serve the same purpose. Indeed this will adequately prepare the seeker to become mentally fit enough to experience the Supreme Reality. The Divine Name itself shall take the seeker to the Supreme Truth! --------------------- The discourse in english by our swamiji covers about Meditation. Enjoy the You tube..."Goodness to Godliness"

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Regards---------------------If you have any questions or doubts concerning Spirituality, Mental peace or problems in life or about

dharma, please write to us by clicking here:http://www.namadwaar.org/answers/askquestion.php His Holiness Sri Sri Swamiji personally answers these questions for you and suggests prayers. ---------------------

[Guest guest]

Dear Ravishnakar,

Truth cannot be so easily perceived. Even some of the spiritual persons get the truth as an indication or perception. It is not directly told by Gods. If one has self-realization (for which lot of spiritual ascendency is required) one can get signals of truth but capacity to perceive these and translate them requires higher dimensions of spiritual powers. That is the reason why different spiritual leaders tell different versions basing on their capacity to perceive the Truth. Purity of mind is the vital thing necessary. Sometimes in Bliss we can perceive the truth but once you are out of this state the retention of perception may be lost. There are other things which influence the perception of truth, like destiny and the purpose for which you employ this Truth.

D.M.M.RAO--- On Tue, 9/6/09, Ravishankar Gopal <ravishankar_g wrote:

Ravishankar Gopal <ravishankar_g Realization - a fruit of grace and effort By Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji Date: Tuesday, 9 June, 2009, 6:20 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radhe Krishna To all,Bold Vedantic truths such as ‘That Thou Art’ and the like, are indeed Eternal, timeless precepts which hold good today, as they did during the days of yore – right from age of the Sage Vyasa, Sage Vasishta, etc.. In the same token, several scholars who were well-versed in the Vedas, Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and other scriptures, imagined all along, that they ‘knew’ the Truth, which can only be ‘known’ only by direct experience and not by mere book-learning or intellectual understanding. Philosophy has always expressed the truth in the form of catchy statements such as ‘Mind the Mind’ or ‘Seek the Seeker’ which are absolutely valid in their own right. But how such statements could really be helpful to an earnest seeker of the truth? Let us give this some serious thought... Primarily, it has to be remembered that

exceptions can never form the rule. Great Saints such as Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi or Ramakrishna Paramahamsa are few in a million who reached the highest peak of existence and are living examples of the highest Truth, or in other words, Divine Incarnations. They experienced the Truth in a flash effortlessly and intuitively. However, this does not mean that we all can become like them without taking any effort! Only personal effort can yield the desired results in this aspect of existence. Great Realized souls like Sri Ramalinga Vallalar Swami had sung about the truth as ‘Jyothi’ or ‘Divine Light’ in his ultimate experience of the truth. But, we should also understand that he sung the glories of so many deities like Lord Muruga, Lord Siva, Lord Rama and also the greatness of chanting Rama Nama. As a culmination of his divine love for the lord and intense Sadhana (spiritual efforts) did he sing of the ‘experience’ of that divine

oneness, that light of divine grace. Since the Supreme Reality is not apparent to most of us, there arises the need for a ‘medium’ called Guru to lead us to Truth. The Guru is normally a person who has experienced the Truth himself and who guides us to experience the Truth. However, seekers in their immaturity tend to imitate the Guru's outward mannerisms or take pride in being in the company of such an evolved person. Some even idly imagine that they are also self realized because they have found a self-realized Guru, rather than following the Guru's teachings. Little do they realize or take into account the severe austerities, which the Guru had undergone to achieve the highest state. Further, one goes on to compare and criticize Gurus, without giving a moment to reflect back on the deficiencies of their own individual selves. Consider this interesting fact— Despite being born in a pious family,

with a religious upbringing like consuming only duly consecrated food (prasadam), regularly attending Satsangs, many still struggle hard with lust, greed and other negative qualities. Even, such a person does not get to see God with his enchanting form, even in his dreams! How can such a person then actually see God in his formless aspect? If this be the case of such persons who come from a strong spiritual background, what would be the plight of the others? It is very common to find people being judged by their external appearances. Unfortunately, little importance is given to an individual’s intelligence, mental conditioning and will power, all of which are not very perceptible by mere external appearances. Unless these aspects of one's individuality are critically and carefully dealt with, one cannot become ‘eligible’ enough to comprehend the Supreme Truth. This ultimately requires tremendous mental effort. An important

pre-requisite that is commonly ignored in the pursuit of the Truth is Divine Grace. It is ultimately due to the working of the divine grace that all efforts commence and finally leads one to the Truth. The Final Reality or Truth is that which needs to be experienced and not imagined or merely understood intellectually. Without the Grace, all book-learning will only lead one to confusion, pride and possibly even hallucinations. In any process of evolution, the standard approach has always been to start from the first principles or ‘from the very beginning’. For example, a strong, shady, fruit yielding tree had evolved but from a small seed, which slowly became a sapling, then a plant and then the mighty tree. Similarly, a seeker of the Ultimate Truth should start by invoking the Divine Grace to guide one safely through the spiritual journey. This is best done by chanting the God’s Name with love, humility, faith and patience. Even

chanting the name of saints will serve the same purpose. Indeed this will adequately prepare the seeker to become mentally fit enough to experience the Supreme Reality. The Divine Name itself shall take the seeker to the Supreme Truth! ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ The discourse in english by our swamiji covers about Meditation. Enjoy the You tube..."Goodness to Godliness"http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=dFJp0qUo94A Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Regards------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------If you have any questions or doubts concerning Spirituality, Mental peace or problems in life or about dharma, please write to us by clicking

here:http://www.namadwaa r.org/answers/ askquestion. php His Holiness Sri Sri Swamiji personally answers these questions for you and suggests prayers. ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------

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