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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Service purifies the mind

 

CHENNAI, MAY 13. A Guru (spiritual preceptor) is one who having

realised God enables others also to achieve the goal. He does not

remain satisfied with his lot, but out of compassion for the

multitude suffering from bondage, works for their salvation also

by guiding them on the spiritual path. The spiritual tradition

also emphasises that liberation cannot be achieved without the

grace of the Guru.

 

The spiritual aspirant is like a student who has to consciously

and sincerely keep the goal in mind and take all appropriate

steps to progress. Scriptural study is necessary and this must be

pursued under a Guru. His grace purifies the mind of the disciple

and enables him to grasp spiritual knowledge.

 

Swami Sivananda was one such Guru whose teachings and ideals have

touched the lives of countless people. Born on September 8, 1887

in the lineage of Sage Appaya Deekshitar, his passion to serve

others made him naturally take to the field of medicine.

 

His career took him abroad but before long divine dispensation

being different, the doctor of the body and mind was chosen by

Him to doctor to the suffering souls in bondage. He retired to

Rishikesh in 1924 and lived a life of total renunciation

undertaking intense meditation for 12 years and attained

Jivanmukti (liberation while alive).

 

In his lecture, Swami Vimalananda said that though Swami

Sivananda did not intend to start an Ashram, he had to do so as

many spiritual aspirants were drawn to him and willingly sought

his guidance on spiritual matters. After setting up an Ashram in

Rishikesh he started various activities centred round this

institution to serve people. He wrote extensively in simple

language texts on spirituality. All his teachings were based on

his firm belief of service which he considered as the foundation

of spiritual life.

 

Service according to him will eventually take root in the heart

as love for God because of the understanding that God is

omnipresent. Service to others purifies the mind of its impure

tendencies and selfishness. Peace results in the process as the

mind gets over its agitations naturally. Thus service when

practised as a spiritual Sadhana (exercise) results in a

meditative mind effortlessly, which is the goal of other

spiritual practices. Then this intuitive mind can realise the

bliss of the limitless expanse of the Self.

 

Another significant milestone in his spiritual career was the

establishment of the Divine Life Society and the Yoga Vedanta

Forest University with the aim of disseminating spiritual

knowledge and training people.

 

 

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