Narayanashramam

[Guest guest]

Introspection and Emotional Refinement

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Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

 

Ananya bhakti is the ultimate ideal of human mind. Bhakti may relate

to God, but bhakti itself belongs to the devotee. The devotee can

develop bhakti in such an exclusive manner that he does not depend

any more upon God but upon his own exclusiveness of devotion.

 

While hanging a mirror on the wall, keeping it straight, standing in

front of it and looking at the reflection, the role of the mirror is

only nominal. Even this nominal role is given by us. We alone make

the glass, cut it, coat it with mercury, frame it, hang it. We also

look at it to see the reflection. Thus, the mirror's capacity to

reflect our face is truly bestowed upon by us.

 

In the same manner, if you make God the supreme source of reliance,

your making Him the supreme is what makes Him so. The same God was

available earlier, is available now, as an omnipresent being. Your

making is important here. So, " Why is it that He does not become for

me a source of supreme reliance? Why am I not able to give Him the

supreme pedestal? " – this kind of enquiry you must have repeatedly.

 

Whether you pursue the path of bhakti or jnaana, you must keep two

factors in mind. One is the emotional enrichment, refinement and

sublimation which your devotion brings in you while reciting the

different shlokas, while chanting the name of the Lord or listening

to His glories. The other is a constant note of introspection

whereby you are always watchful of the defects and slips,

inadequacies and impurities in your personality. Just as you inspect

an article while buying, in the spiritual pursuit also you should be

attentive to inspect your own personality. When these two factors

are blended properly, the progress becomes smooth. Normally we find

that the emotional bhakti continues to be emotional alone. The

devotee refuses to believe in any refinement, correction or

sublimation.

 

In all walks of life there is equal scope and need for emotional

sublimation and enlightenmental reformation. Examining your own self

for the defects, trying to know of further improvements and

incorporating them by a process of watchfullness, reflection,

assimilation and restraint, and also pursuing the emotional

enrichment at the same time, bring all-fold progress.

 

Whatever you do, wherever you are, you can pursue constant

introspectional saadhana of refinement and purification. In fact it

should be so. On the other hand, for emotional refinement through

chanting and devotional singing, you need specific time and leisure.

Whatever verses you have learnt must be recited with fullness of

your heart, listening to every syllable and word that comes out of

your mouth. Listen attentively to your own voice, the words and the

pronunciation when you chant. Keep your mind sensitively fixed to

the word meaning and the bhaava. People generally miss this aspect

of listening and consequently do not gain the full benefit of their

chanting.

 

The emotional sublimation and enrichment on one side, the knowledge-

based enlightenmental correction and elimination of inadequacies on

the other, should blend beautifully well. This will result in the

best of purification.