Question: Until objects of enjoyment do not appear before us, our mind remains firm, that we shall not succumb to them. However we become weak when enjoyments confront us! What should we do?
Swamiji: It is a very good question. The intention to avoid succumbing to sense-enjoyments (Bhoga) is certainly a rare quality, indeed! It is a treasured aspiration. It is true human spirit (manushyata), to turn down the ties of the world and awaken our relation with God, which in reality is the only solid relation.
Till objects do not come in front of us, our mind remains firm that we will not be entangled in the enjoyments (bhogas). Even having the intention and resolution itself, is a matter of great milestone. It is truly an immense quality to not desire sense enjoyments. It is definitely not an ordinary thing. If there be even a little inclination to give up the world and turn towards God, its fruit will not be fleeting, rather it will be everlasting.
“Svalpamapyasaya dharma traayate mahato bhayaat.” (Gita 2:40).
Even ten fold gains of millions, billions, trillions in wealth or “the kingdom of the Three Worlds” is like a tiny spec, (nothing) in comparison to this firm resolve, for every bit of the worldly gains is perishable.
When objects appear before us, we become weak and are easily enticed, so why such is our state? It is because we think of our frailty and easily succumb, out of accumulated bad habits. Having heard in “Satsang” (through good company) and through reading books, we think of improving, but soon thereafter forget, give up and fall back into our old ways. This habit of reverting to our old ways weakens us. If you have developed good habits such as giving up a bad thing once and for all, or holding fast to a thing that you truly believe and accept, then certainly you would not have been in this miserable plight! Pardon me, do not take it personally in the wrong way; but this is dilemma indeed! We do not remain stable on the ideas we initially think about. There is not so much vice in the objects or in their acquisitions, as it is in our evil habits. Till there is no firm resolution or determination in you, you will not progress in any field in your life. A very big loss is due to spoiling your habits.
You will be blessed if you cultivate the habit of remaining firm on – “God is mine”. Under whatever condition or circumstance, only God is mine. The world can never be mine, and will not be mine even now or forever.
‘Truth is to be spoken’ make this idea firm that from today onwards only truth is to be spoken, not a lie. Even in this matter without budging and remaining unshakably firm on ‘I will not tell a lie’; and not on ‘I will speak the truth.’ Renunciation is of great glory and importance. Whatever may happen, ‘I shall not tell a lie’ ! Prestige might dwindle, honor in society may sink low, riches may flee, enormous losses may befall on us, but ‘we shall not utter any falsehood.’ If you become weak at the moment, when there is an opportunity to speak the truth, and you lose all boldness and courage to speak the truth, then you may relax only this much that you may not tell a lie, and even keep mum. you may tell the person before you that all things are not supposed to be told to all, hence we won’t tell. We do not have guts to utter truthful things, do not have even the thought of bringing out the truth. do not have the mind to divulge the complete truth. Get up then in such cases, leave the place and go away telling” ‘ We have some work to do’. The only work is that we do not want to divulge. ‘ We shall not be telling a lie thereby and your solemn resolution or pledge will be fulfilled. The method thus shown to you is such that it can be practised.
Do not kill the intention which you once harbored in your resolve. Slaying an idea again and again brings about birth and death. Therefore remain firm in your resolve and let the objects of enjoyment come before your sight, but you will not be tempted, nor will you be shaken from your resolve. You will not sip your own spit. By remaining firm on an idea, a force will be generated within, a power will descend. Then you will not suffer from such a plight. People may call you a coward, abuse or condemn you, but remain firm and unaffected.
I will certainly show to you the easy means as per your nature or ability, but you alone will have to adopt it and stick fast to it. When I show you a very easy and simple way, I will gain your consensus to this fact also that this means is practicable and within your reach and that complete fulfilment of your life is really possible thereby. On your part, you have to just prepare yourself for this, and your work will be over in that. For, at the root, human birth is meant only for God Realization, What else can be achieved if He is not realized. The world can never be achieved. It is an illusion that we have obtained rupees or family. Everything will perish, what is really gained? World cannot be achieved, and from God we cannot be separated, this is the perfect truth
We will not harm anyone, we will not cause pain to anyone – be determined and firm on this point. This seems to be an ordinary thing, but it is of great value and importance. It is in no way less valuable than singing of God’s glory (bhajan), meditation (dhyaana) and repetition of God’s name (Japa). It is a very valuable thing, but people pay no attention to it and lightly ignore it. As hunger begins to grow at the end of disease and strength begins to develop after the intake of food, as vitality or vigour tends to grow even by eating dry food without butter. if digestion is all right; so also if you remain well-determined and firm, then too a special, subtle power begins to grow in you. Thus you be of resolute will that come what may, you shall not tell a lie. You shall not act cleverly. Fear not that you will have to suffer insults thereby. If you conceal the truth by a facade of falsity, it will bring ever more insults. Without concealment (of truth), you will attract more honor, earn larger respect. Being devious will make you fall in the eyes and hearts of good people. You will be worthless for them. You will also fall in the eyes of Thakurji i.e. the Lord of all. Thus avoid being cunning, tell things with frank uprightness. No one can put on the scaffold for that. Uprightness is not difficult to attain. This will become an extremely easy thing in view of one’s decision to work for the spiritual welfare. There is a little fear in the beginning, but evaporates steadily thereafter.
In case somebody asks me anything, I will immediately explain things. Otherwise I will tell in midst of thousands of people that I do not know. Where is the hitch or hurdle in telling things straight? What else can people think other than this that I am ignorant, foolish, unintelligent ? How can they make me realize God by regarding me intelligent ? How can they create hurdle in my path of God-realization by regarding me illiterate or a buffoon ? We shall tell what we know; we will not show what we do not know. And there are many things which I know, but will not divulge ! I had such occasions to tell this, that you may enquire this from them, but I will not give any answer as it will do you no good.
Fear not of this that your hollowness will be out. If hollowness quits you, solidity will shine through. What will you do by keeping hollowness ? Wonder it is that Sage Ved Vyas has recorded the fact of his birth, time and again in a verse ! What a heart he has ! For this reason, he is respect-worthy. No harm occurs by expressing the truth. It is only illusion to deem so.
Narayan ! Narayan ! Narayan !
From book ‘Be Good’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji
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