||
Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||
||Aum
Namo Narayanaya||
There
have been many debates around the theory of Darwin which implied that the human
species evolved from lower life forms to its current highly intelligent state.
The word evolution as defined by the dictionary is: ‘the process by which
different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier
forms during the history of the earth’. At present I remain nonplussed on the
matter based on evidence gathered from daily life. Thus far, humans have failed
to exercise prudence in defending the core emotional and behavioural qualities
that form the basis of a highly civilised and developed species.
Pets
like dogs are found to easily befriend someone who has fed and showed love and
affection towards them. They are very loyal towards their masters and will
behave very antagonistically towards strangers and intruders. But on occasions
we have learnt that dogs have turned against their masters who have failed to
sustain their levels of affection and even reciprocated a wagging tail to
intruders who have offered them a juicy piece of meat. Dogs by nature seem to
display friendliness in return for food and affection. Many animals seem to
exhibit the same tendency. The choice of dogs as an example is justified by
them being the most common choice of pets.
Wounded
by the blunt non charitable attitude by the mainstream of many in society...
NGO’s and welfare organisations in those communities have retreated to other
ways and means to raise much needed funds to conduct their work. When
individuals are asked for R20 donations towards a welfare project, they would
make many excuses as to why they cannot afford it, yet would be willing to pay
the same amount to enter a charity fair or a fundraising show merely because
they are getting something in return. This in certain instances has translated
some organisations’ values into mere sanctimonious talk as they compromise
themselves by selling alcohol... preying on society’s’ weakness, to lure them
for their benefit.
It
seems that this system of barter has not remained within the external world but
has seeped into the spiritual realm as well. For as long as man cognized a
superior force or energy behind this creation, he has offered service and
prayer in some form other the other for his benefit. It may have been for food,
shelter, a better life, a partner, success in certain activities or even for
immortality... and even to this day we find that prayers are offered on a daily
basis along this line. However in this age... due to the shallow faith, lack of
sincerity and short span of patience practiced by the general masses who are
merely seeking instant gratification; results from prayers seem to repel them
like the same poles of a magnet.
Intent
of prayer, lacking in the intrinsic qualities... and backed by pure ignorance
of the workings of the universe has frustrated thousands of people into waning
belief in religion, conversions or disbelief in God. Over the past century till
now... the economic climate, suffering at the hands of oppressors, disease and
lack of empathy from fellow brethren has catalysed and fuelled the above
mentioned sentiments.
It
was Bhagwan Sri Ramakrishna -an incarnation in this age who in the simplest
language and in the most practical way even to be understood by illiterate
masses- demonstrated the technique of approaching God through prayer that will
guarantee positive inspiring results. Many pray for things out of their control
or reach and expect to attain results (eg. will a prayer for world peace or a
prayer to be the super rich happen in an instant?) But Master showed how if one
prayed for the love of God, all these fruitless desires and urges will vanish
and you will be situated in the abode of central joy. This method was utilised
and practiced by Swamiji (Vivekananda) and thousands of monks and millions of
ordinary people, showing tangible results.
Sri
Ramakrishna taught the devotees how to call on the Divine Mother.... “I used to
pray to Her in this way: ‘O Mother! O Blissful One! Reveal Thyself to me. Thou
must!’ Again, I would say to Her: ‘O Lord of the lowly! O Lord of the universe!
Surely I am not outside Thy universe. I am bereft of knowledge. I am without
discipline. I have no devotion. I know nothing. Thou must be gracious and
reveal thyself to me.’
Master
continued to say that prayer must be genuine and earnest. Do worldly people
weep for God as they do for wife and children? At Kamarpukur, the wife of a
certain man fell ill. The man thought she would not recover. He began to
tremble and was about to faint. Who feels that way for God? You can only feel restless
for God when your heart becomes pure and your mind is free from attachment to
things of the world. Then alone your prayer will reach God. A telegraph cannot
carry a message if it has a break in connection.
Master’s
technique allows us to get closer to God, which can be guaranteed... as
compared to achieving material wants. The benefit of getting closer to God is
that we then have the opportunity of having the blessing of having all our
needs fulfilled. If barter is still an intrinsic part of our lives... then we
should offer our sincere prayers, love and devotion to God to receive His love
and grace alone. This will never frustrate or disappoint anyone as it will
surely take place.
God
is the Kalpataru: the wish-fulfilling Tree. You will certainly get whatever you
ask of Him. But you must pray standing near the Kalpataru. Only then will your
prayer be fulfilled said Master. Let us use our prayer as a means to get closer
to God itself; the rest will happen by His grace automatically.
May
we evolve through sincere prayer and devotion by the grace of God alone.
Ugaadi Subakaanshalu & Naya Varsh ki Hardik Shubhkaamnaye to Telegu and Hindi readers
for tomorrow. May the start of the New Year -coinciding with the start of
Ramayan Week- be the year you get closer to God!
Affectionately
at your service
Yogan
Naidoowww.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com
www.google.com/+yogannaidoo
