Imitation

[Guest guest]

Swami, these days, imitation has become very common. This is also

responsible for young people to go in search of new fashions. What

are Bhagavan's views on this?

 

It is not good to imitate. Swami often tells the boys: IMITATION IS

HUMAN WHEREAS CREATION IS DIVINE!

 

Imitation diminishes one's intrinsic abilities and masks one's

intrinsic nature. An example: Once, a crow tried to walk like a swan.

It kept on trying for a long time but could not succeed. In the end

it got fed up and gave up the imitation. But in the meanwhile, it had

also forgotten how to walk like a crow! This is the ultimate fate of

those who try cheap imitation. Always be your own true self.

 

Swami, some people say that there is no happiness in their lives, and

that they can never be happy. Why is that?

 

The mind is the reason for such a feeling. Happiness can be attained

only if the mind is turned towards God. If the mind is turned towards

the world, then life would become painful.

 

An example: Take a hand-fan and move it towards you; then the breeze

will come towards you. If, however, you move the fan away from you,

how can you get breeze? In the same way, only if the mind is diverted

towards God, can you get happiness.

 

Swami, what is it that humans should give up?

 

People think that giving up means that one must renounce life. What

one must give up is attachment - this is the true meaning of

renunciation. Swami Ramanand Tirth had a wife and son [before he

became a renunciate]. After he became a renunciate, his wife once

came to see him. The Swamiji turned his face and said that he was a

renunciate and that therefore the lady should not come to see him.

Hearing this, the lady replied that she had not come there to see her

husband but a holy sannyasi. Ramanand Tirth was humbled by the reply

and felt regret that he has spoken proudly to the woman. You do not

have to give up PROPERTIES. Instead, what is important is to develop

PROPER TIES WITH God!

 

Swami, why don't we receive God's Grace?

 

This is a totally wrong notion. God treats everyone alike. The fault

lies with individuals. For example, if it rains and you want to catch

the rainwater, you must place a vessel in the rain with the mouth of

the vessel facing the sky. Only then will the rainwater collect in

the vessel. If on the other hand you place the vessel upside down,

how can you expect rainwater to collect in the vessel? Your mind is

the vessel and God is the sky. Turn the mind towards God; then the

water of Grace can surely be collected.

 

Volume : PDS / 01 Date : AUG 31 2003

 

Ram Chugani

Kobe, Japan

rgcjp