THE WAY OF DIVINE UNITY:

[Guest guest]

prof laxmi narain (prof_narain)

 

Source and courtesy: Sri Ramana Kendram, Hyderabad

This article was published in Sri Ramana Jyothi,

monthly magazine of the Kendram.

 

THE WAY OF DIVINE UNITY: There are some temperaments which will find

it difficult to take up the path of introspective self-analysis. One

way out to help the student is to select a paragraph or fragment

from any ancient or modern book which make most appeal to the

student and ruminate mentally over it, reverently trying to suck out

its meanings. Let him do this with the utmost slowness, with the

utmost absorption which he can muster, holding the heart and the mind

to the chosen passage, while the words vibrate in his soul. Don't

read the words alone; read the thoughts behind them.

Concentrate as you read. Read slowly by letting each word to sink

into your consciousness. And as it sinks let its meaning pass into

your mind also. The basic thing is to concentrate on some phrase or

verse, that the student is able to experience within his mind in a

powerful way, that echoes deeply within the chambers of his soul. He

must choose such passages as have this effect upon him, even though

other persons might find only words in them. He must feel the

presence of an element of inspiration quite apart from the literary

value of the piece or poem.

[The choice of the inspiring words to be pondered over is likely to

differ widely. A small piece from the writings of Mahatma Gandhi

which appears to be useful is given here as an example. " The best of

us at his very best is a tiny little thing and utterly helpless. And

yet we are not so helpless the moment we know that we are sparks

from the Divine which is within us. God is above us all to guide and

protect us. If we make ourselves instruments of His will, we should

never have anxious moments. Life is a perpetual struggle against

strife, whether within or without. Hence the necessity of realizing

peace in the midst of strife. It is wrong to expect certainties in

this world, where all else but God is an uncertainty. Fullest life is

impossible without an immovable faith in a living law, in obedience

to which the whole universe moves. Without that faith we are like a

drop thrown out of the ocean bound to perish. Every drop in the ocean

shares its majesty. It is for God to take our broken barge across the

stream, but it is for us to put in our best efforts. It is for us to

plug the hole in its bottom, or if the water gets into the boat, to

throw it out. In that case, the boat will keep floating despite the

hole. But it will float only when there is God's hand behind it. The

man must make an endeavour; the result will depend upon the Grace of

God.]

The student might get equal results by listening to music composed by

great masters. The essential thing is to profit by the exalted mood.