Dialogue with Guru

Atma-jnana

If we wish for peace, competence and power, then, we have to take recourse of our inner supreme self. We can deceive the world, but not our own selves. If we seek the approval of our inner consciousness before every action, then our sense of right discrimination will not be destroyed. No one can stop us from achieving success if we continue to work according to the motivation of our souls, regardless of the criticism of the world. Criticism by others should be deemed as useless as the water in a mirage and shunned. True progress is achieved only on the basis of clear self analysis. Trust God, not a human. The Almighty alone is our true guide and chaperone, and it is He who can lead us onto the correct path. We should practice forbearance. We must understand our own responsibilities. We must identify our own shortcomings before we point out the mistakes in others and pass comments. If we are unable to control our tongue, then, we must utilise it to preach to ourselves. We must never forget the fact that words are under our control only until they are uttered. Once spoken, man comes under the sway of the words.

First and foremost, we must earnestly try to build a strong and noble character, for; without practice, man can never attain self-realisation. The prime components of self-realisation includes politeness, simplicity, soberness and tolerance.

We must strive to improve ourselves without bothering about the behaviour of others towards us. If this fact is understood, then it is as good as a big mystery being unraveled.

People often complaint saying: “We are tired of repeating and telling people, but rib one listens or cares." conveying the fact that their words make no impact on others. In my opinion, this suggests more a failure on the part of the speaker than the listener. Selfanalysis will definitely point out the lack of action as the root cause of this problem. The effectiveness of your speech depends on the efficacy of your actions. We may not utter a single word or may talk less, but if we dedicate ourselves to the given task, we will find within a couple of days, that people are getting attracted to us. Therefore, speak less and do more, as the impact of your utterances will only last for a while, but the effect of your actions will last forever. Our Rsis have stated: “It is prudence to know others, but to know one's own self is called true wisdom. You have the potential and you can definitely achieve whatever you wish to accomplish from the whole existence.”

Atma-dharma and Atma-prerana

Diseases, cold-heat, hunger-thirst etc. are the dharmas (true nature) of the body, likewise respect-disrespect, joy-sorrow and profit-loss etc. are the dharmas of the mind, similarly the true nature of an atma (soul) is love, compassion, affection, devotion, dedication, sacrifice, peace, bliss etc.. By remaining fixed on one's own atmadharma and worshiping the Supreme personality through righteous actions, one can attain siddhi and samadhi:

Svakarmana tamabhyacarya siddhim vindati manavah (S.B.G-18.46)

Courage has called us. We are called upon by the time, epoch, duty, responsibility, intellect and hardwork. This call cannot be overlooked. We will welcome the path filled with prongs and march ahead for the sake of self-development and a new beginning. Do not bother about what people say, and what they do. Your soul is capable enough to guide you. We can march ahead by following the path illuminated by our viveka (intelligence). Do not take into consideration as to who opposes or who supports us? Our inner-soul and courage are with us and we will perform the most appropriate and suitable of the actions that can be performed by any patient, thoughtful and attentive person.

We may encounter many a travellers on the path, but not everybody carries the same thought or spirit. We should not sit idle and worry about those who are not supporting us or not accompanying us in our endeavours. History has been a witness to the great persons who have achieved success by walking alone in their choosen path. There are persons who have accomplished the maximum work for the society only on their own with the support they have always received through self-motivation They have always been cheerful wth their internal happiness. They never expected any support from other persons to surmount their hardships and troubles. They achieve success, who do not stop even when alone. A successful person is joined by all those who were left behind or had once left him midway. The world favours a successful person and success.

Caraiveti caraiveti; Uttisthata jagrata prapya varannibodhata. (kathopanisad-1.3.14)

A person who grasps the vibrations arising in each and everyone's heart and makes them his own and gives words to the expressions of the voice of his inner experiences touches the hearts of everyone, is a true poet. The following lines of kavivara Ravindranatha thakura transcends time:

If they answer not to your call

walk alone

If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,

O thou unlucky one, open your

mind and speak out alone. If they turn away, and desert you

when crossing the wilderness, O thou unlucky one, trample the thorns under thy tread, and along the blood-lined track travel alone.

If they shut doors and do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm,

O thou unlucky one,with the thunder flame of pain ignite your own heart, and let it burn alone. (English translation of original Bengali)

(Excerpted from the book Divine Transformation: Building Blocks for Englightened Life, Ideal Nation & Peaceful World by Acharya Balakrishna)