God is so much bigger than the human
dimension that correct definition by humans must
be a combination of definitions that only truly
fit together as one in the realm of the infinite.
All concise human definitions for God are incomplete
because God is infinite, and infinitude is almost
the opposite of the human dimension.
We can consider aspects of God, during meditations
on God's infinite nature, that can lead to revelations
of His marvelous and extraordinary oneness. A glimpse
of God's true nature leads us towards comfort and
healing, because that is the natural and inevitable
effect of the true idea of God touching consciousness.
Why did so many different religions come
into existence in this world ?
Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity
and Islam are the six great religions of the world.
There is no founder for Hinduism. All the other
religions have their founders. They are named after
the name of the founder (except Islam). Jainism
is only another form of Buddhism. Sikhism is based
chiefly on Hinduism and partly on Islam. Brahmoism
is born of Hinduism and Christianity and so on with
other minor religions.
Whenever any important truth of religion was suppressed
by the arrogance and selfishness of the priestly
class or forgotten through the ignorance of the
people, there appeared a great Saint or Prophet
or Religious Teacher. He emphasized that truth,
removed the dross which had concealed or obscured
it and made it shine in its original brilliance,
purity, splendour and glory.
In this way every new religion was only an endeavour
to reform the older religion as it then existed
and a protest against its abuses.
Why should we believe in God ?
Belief in God is an indispensable requisite for
every human being. The world is full of miseries,
troubles, difficulties and tribulations. The world
is a ball of fire. The Antahkarana (mind, intellect,
ego and the subconscious mind) charged with Raga
(attachment), Dvesha (hatred), anger and jealousy
is a blazing furnace. We have to free ourselves
from birth, death, old age, disease and grief. This
can be done only by faith in God. There is no other
way. Money and power cannot give us real happiness.
Even if we exercise suzerainty over the whole world,
we cannot be free from care, worry, anxiety, fear,
disappointment, etc. It is only faith in God and
the consequent God-realization through meditation
that can give us real, eternal happiness and free
us from all kinds of fear and worries which torment
us at every moment. Faith in God will force us to
think of Him constantly and to meditate on Him and
will eventually lead us on to God-realization.
Give me a very simple, but very impressive
proof for the existence of the soul.
You say in daily life, "My body", "My
Prana (energy)", "My mind", "My
Indriya (senses)". This clearly denotes that
the Self or Atman is entirely different from the
body, the mind, the Prana and the Indriyas. The
mind and the body are your servants or instruments.
They are as much outside of you as these towels,
chairs, cups are. You are holding the body just
as you are holding a long walking stick in your
hand. You are the possessor or proprietor of this
body. The body is your property or possession. The
body, the senses, the mind, the, etc., are not the
soul, but belong to it.
What is the need to attain Moksha (liberation)?
To understand this, you should resort to Satsang
and study of scriptures. An intellect that is clouded
by all sorts of desires and evil Samskaras (impressions)
will not be able to grasp even the need for Moksha.
Such an intellect is Asuric (devilish). Read the
Gita. Attend Satsang. Listen to the discourses of
saints and Sannyasins. Then Viveka (discrimination)
will arise in you. You will understand that this
world is full of pain and sorrow. The bungalow,
the motor-car, the little position and the small
salary that you are having now will not then satisfy
you. Your aspirations will grow. You will want to
liberate yourself. Similarly, after a lot of study
and Satsang only will your intellect even think
of the Beyond.
What is Karma ?
Karma is a Sanskrit term. It means action or deed.
Any physical or mental action is Karma. Thinking
is mental Karma. Karma is the sum total of our acts,
both in the present life and in the preceding births.
Karma means not only action, but also the result
of an action. There is a hidden power in Karma or
action termed 'Adrishta' which brings in fruits
of Karmas for the individual. The consequence of
an action is really not a separate thing. It is
a part of the action and cannot be divided from
it.
What is Yoga ?
To live in God, to commune with God is 'Yoga'. Life
in God brings eternal bliss. Yoga shows you the
way, unites you with God and makes you perfect and
immortal.
Yoga is a system of integral education, education
not only of the body and the mind or the intellect,
but also of the inner spirit. Yoga shows you the
right method of rising from evil to good, and from
goodness to holiness and then to eternal divine
splendour. Yoga is the art of right living. The
Yogi who has learned the art of right living is
happy, harmonious, peaceful and free from tension.
Yoga is for all and is universal. It is not a sectarian
affair, but a way to God and not a creed. The practice
of Yoga is not opposed to any religion or any sacred
church. It is purely spiritual and does not contradict
anyone's sincere faith.
Life today is full of stress and strain, of tension
and nervous irritability, of passion and hurry.
If man puts in few of the elementary principles
of Yoga, he would be far better equipped to cope
with his complex existence.
Yoga brings perfection, peace and lasting happiness.
You can have calmness of mind at all times by practice
of Yoga. You can have restful sleep and increased
energy, vigour, vitality, longevity and high standard
of health. You can turn out efficient work within
a short space of time and have success in every
walk of life. Yoga will infuse new strength, confidence
and self-reliance in you. The body and mind will
be at your beck and call.
It is within the power of everybody to attain success
in Yoga. What is wanted is sincere devotion, constant
and steady practice. Spiritual growth is gradual.
There is progressive evolution. You should not be
in feverish hurry to accomplish great Yogic feats
or enter into superconscious state in two or three
months.
Do not stop the practice when you get a few glimpses
and experiences. Continue the practice until you
get perfection.
