Universal Love

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The only Sara Vastu in this world is Prema or love. It is eternal,

infinite and undecaying. Physical love is passion or Moha or

infatuation. Universal love is divine love. Cosmic love, Visva Prema,

universal love are synonymous terms. God is Love. Love is God.

Selfishness, greed, egoism, vanity, pride and hatred contract the

heart and stand in the way of developing universal love.

 

Develop universal love gradually through selfless service, Satsanga

(association with Mahatmas), prayer, recitation of Guru Mantra, etc.

When the heart is contracted through selfishness, man loves his wife,

children, a few friends and relations only, in the beginning. As he

evolves, he loves the people of his own district, then the people of

his own province. Later on, he develops love for men of his own

country. Eventually he begins to love people of different countries.

In the long run, he begins to love all. He develops universal love.

All the barriers are broken now. Heart expands infinitely.

 

It is very easy to talk of universal love. But when you want to put

it in actual practice, it becomes extremely difficult. Petty-

mindedness of all sorts comes in the way. Old, wrong Samskaras

(impressions) which you have created by your wrong mode of life in

past, act as stumbling blocks. Through iron determination, strong

will-power, patience, perseverance and Vichara (right enquiry), you

can conquer all obstacles quite easily. The grace of the Lord will

descend on you if you are sincere, my dear friends!

 

Universal love terminates in Advaitic unity or oneness or Upanishadic

consciousness of Seers and Sages. Pure love is a great leveller. It

brings equality. Hafiz, Kabir, Mira, Gouranga, Tukaram, Ramdas, all

have tasted this universal love. What others have achieved, you can

also attain.

 

Feel that the whole world is your body, your own home. Melt or

destroy all barriers that separate man from man. Idea of superiority

is ignorance or delusion. Develop Visvaprema, all-embracing love.

Unite with all. Separation is death. Unite in eternal life. Feel that

the whole world is Visvabrindavan. Feel that this body is a moving

temple of God. Wherever you are, whether at home, office, railway

station or market, feel that you are in the temple. Consecrate every

act as an offering unto the Lord. Transmute every work into Yoga by

offering its fruits to God. Have Akartri-Sakshi Bhava, if you are a

student of Vedanta. Have Nimitta Bhava, if you are a student of

Bhakti Marga. Feel that all beings are images of God. Isa-Vasyamidam

Sarvam-this world is indwelt by the Lord. Feel that one power or God

works through all hands, sees through all eyes, hears through all

ears. You will become a changed being. You will enjoy the highest

peace and bliss.

 

May Lord Hari take you all to His bosom and bathe you with the waters

of sweet love!

 

May your heart be filled with cosmic love!

 

(Source: Essence of Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda)