Depression and Devotion

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DEPRESSION AND DEVOTION

 

by Swami Sivananda

 

Every aspirant in the spiritual path becomes a victim to the mood of

depression in the beginning. You have to overcome this mood through

discrimination, reflection, singing God's name, prayer, etc. This

mood is like a passing cloud. It will pass off if you are vigilant.

Do not mistake emotion for devotion.

 

Whenever you get into a mood of depression, sing God's name

vigorously; sitting alone in your room, sing with a melting heart.

You may sing silently if you wish. This is an easy way to drive away

this undesirable mood.

 

Try to control all wild outbursts of weeping. This is a weakness, a

negative state. But do allow the pearl drops of divine love or

ecstasy to trickle down your face occasionally, when you are in a

profoundly prayerful or meditative mood.

 

Shed the tears of pure, divine love when you are alone, when you are

in communion with the Lord. Do not weep in the presence of others.

The rare pearl-drops of divine love are the outcome of the melting of

the heart by the fire of devotion and the fire of painful separation

from the Lord.

 

Sometimes a man feigns to be a devotee. He sheds false tears to make

his neighbours think he is a great devotee. On account of sympathetic

action, his neighbours also begin to weep - but there will not be one

iota of devotion in their hearts.

 

Devotion is a very rare gift from God. Weeping itself is not a

criterion by which to judge the devotional nature of a man or a

woman. Do not mistake the crocodile tears of a hypocrite bhakta

(devotee) for the genuine pearl drops of divine love which inspire

and elevate bystanders. One may not weep outwardly and yet he may be

a genuine, silent devotee.

 

Identify yourself with the emotionless state or Brahman, and rest

peacefully for ever.

 

Satvic (peaceful) emotion is quiet. Rajasic (passionate) emotion is

terrible. Tamasic (dull) emotion is confused. Rajasic and tamasic

emotions are of a turbid nature and therefore cannot receive a

reflection of the blissful nature of atman. Rajasic and tamasic

emotions present a reflection of intelligence but not of bliss.

Satvic emotions present a reflection of both blissfulness and

intelligence.

 

(Source: http://sivanandaonline.org/html/ )