How to start reciting Lalitha Sahasranama ( Step Four)

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Step Four: Improve the quality of observance and Maintain the power

of inner Silence

 

The definite sign of a spiritually minded person is his silent,

tolerant attitude. Bees, until they have found the flower and tasted

the honey, make a loud, buzzing noise; but the moment they taste the

honey, they become absorbed and cease to make a sound. So it is with

us. Before we find the truth, we argue and dispute and challenge

others who differ from us; but when we come in contact with

something deeper, we grow silent and do not try to force it on other

minds. We try to live it in our own life inevitably it reaches other

lives.

 

Spiritual qualities are infectious just as evil qualities are. One

bad person can drag down many others by his evil propensities; while

those who have noble ideals and loving characters uplift others

merely by their silent influence. When we study external conditions,

it is sometimes very discouraging to see how slowly this influence

works; but it can never fail absolutely. And if we wish to produce a

lasting effect on any character, it is better not to have it work

too quickly. When we set fire to hay, it makes a tremendous blaze,

then in a moment it is all over; while a log fire, which takes a

long time to kindle, burns steadily and is dependable. Similarly in

spiritual awakening, if the person is over- enthusiastic and

emotionally excited, he exhausts his forces and the effect wears

off. If, on the contrary, his deeper nature is touched, it may not

show outwardly, but the result endures.

 

Limit yourself to observing. Take in everything that comes to your

awareness whether big, small, trite or ordinary. Content of

awareness is less important than the quality of awareness. As

quality improves, so silence deepens, you will experience. You will

discover, to your delight that revelation is not knowledge. It is

power: a mysterious power

 

Speech needs company, Silence needs solitude.

Speech wants to conquer others, Silence helps conquer oneself.

Speech makes friends or foes, Silence befriends all.

Speech demands respect, Silence commands it.

Speech is earth-bound, Silence is heaven-bound.

Speech educates, Silence exalts.

Speech is subjective, Silence is objective.

Speech has regrets, Silence has none.

Speech has limitations, Silence is boundless.

Speech needs effort, Silence a lot more.

Speech is human, Silence is Divine.

While speaking you are heard

by creatures, In silence you hear the creator.

Silence leads to stillness of the

mind,

Then to introspection,

Then to self-cleansing,

Finally to liberation.

 

Are you aware of inner silence even now? You can spend this moment

in the temple of silence, acquainting yourself with Devi and

becoming peaceful. The power comes from intensifying concentration

to visualize the form, hear the sound, feel the touch, taste, and

smell of the divine perfume of the goddess manifesting that part of

the ever-youthful goddess. She is in deep love with you.

 

Practice creative silence.

 

R Ravi Sankar