Bhakti

[Guest guest]

Swami, what is the difference between Bhakti [devotion] and

Surrender?

 

Bhakti is a state of dualism. In this state, there are two entities -

God and the devotee. The two are so close that they cannot ever be

torn apart or separated. Bhakti binds the devotee to God. Surrender,

on the other hand, is a state of monism or Advaitam. Once the devotee

says there is only God and nothing else, he ceases to have an

independent existence - he does not exist as a separate entity. The

devotee never ever considers anything as " his " . He moves completely

away from the " I " feeling.

 

An example: Water and sugar differ both in form and properties. This

is dualism, or the path of Bhakti. Suppose sugar is added to water

and the water is stirred. The sugar will dissolve and spread

throughout the water. In this condition, there is neither pure water

nor sugar; instead, there is syrup. This is surrender or Advaitam -

the devotee offers everything to God and keeps nothing for himself,

including his mind.

 

Swami, does Love come after faith or does faith come after Love?

 

There can be no question that faith must come first. It is faith that

takes one to Love. One loves one's mother or friend because of the

faith one has in those persons. If there is no faith, can there be

love for those people? Therefore, if the question is " which comes

first " , then the answer is that faith comes first.

 

Swami, some say that experience is the basis for faith while others

say that faith comes before experience. Which is correct?

 

It is only when there is faith that one can have experience. Faith is

the basis of everything. An example: If someone who wants to learn

swimming says, 'I will first learn swimming and then enter water', it

would be absolutely ridiculous! Can you learn swimming on sand or on

a road? You necessarily have to learn it in water. Swimming is like

experience and faith is like water. Know for sure that faith always

comes first.

 

Swami, detachment seems so difficult! It is not at all easy to give

up one's attachment to one's family, relatives, etc.

 

Actually, detachment is quite easy. In Swami's view, holding on is

more difficult. See here. I am holding on tightly to this

handkerchief. Now I let go. The kerchief falls. Which is more

difficult? To hold on tightly, or to let go? To hold tight, I must

exert pressure with all the five fingers. This calls for effort. But

to release the hold, it is so much easier! Hence, attachment is more

difficult than detachment!

 

Swami, why is it that we do not immediately get the rewards of

Sadhana [spiritual practice]?

 

Your approach to spiritual practice is not correct, and you must

understand some essentials. Let Me give an example. Children commence

their studies in the Kindergarten, then go through school, pass the

10th Standard, then the 12th Standard, then enter College, and study

for the B.A., B.Com., degrees etc. How many years all this takes! And

how much effort is required to earn a University degree! If one must

struggle so hard for a mere worldly degree, then is it correct to

expect instant results and rewards when one is going in quest of the

Infinite and the Eternal? It is wrong to expect immediate rewards.

 

Sharing with Sai Love,

 

Ram Chugani

Kobe, Japan

rgcjp