Once we realise that we can’t really get peace and happiness from this world, then we begin the inner journey. Raam means ‘the true self’, that which shines within. This pure awareness, this true sense of self that doesn’t change, is who we truly are. The One awareness generates this world and hides itself within everything. This existence, according to Shaivism, is just a matter of play. The self experiences itself from different points of view. In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna was blessed with that divine vision of the cosmic form. Simultaneously, one is able to look through each person’s eyes in the universe and each form of creation. It is an immediate perception of being everything. To achieve that state is liberation.
The simplest way to reach that state is through gyaan yoga and bhakti yoga, the paths of wisdom and devotion, respectively. Essentially, both are the same. While they are different methods, they both result in having that divine experience. Surrender is the path to the Divine. Surrender means realising that you are not a limited little ego with material desires. It means realising that we are not in control; the world does not go the way we want. Surrender means letting go and relaxing into life.
Raam is not a form; it is in the deepest sense, your inner light. It is who we truly are. If we still feel we are this limited personality, running around, doing, trying to be happy, that is not who we are. The scriptures say this experience of the self is both very close and very far away. What makes the difference? Our own mind. That Supreme Lord asks for our surrender. He is compassionate and full of grace, which is always available everywhere. All we have to do is let it be and rest in the self.
Who is as generous as that Supreme Lord? Once we serve Him, why do we need to worry about anything? There is none like this Raam, the Supreme Self. Tulsidas says that yogis and gyaanis have many religious practices in order to realise that Supreme Light. Jatayu sacrificed himself, Shabari Maa served selflessly. The Supreme Lord gave them everything for their attitude. Even Ravan offered his heads in sacrifice to Lord Shiva. Vibheeshan became the friend of Shree Raam. After Ravan was defeated, he was crowned king, and more importantly, gained knowledge of himself.
Tulsidas says that a simple attitude of surrender and love is all that is required to reach the Divine. If we want that which we truly seek, then sing the praises of Raam. Go deep inside, find the light within, and there will be nothing else to be sought. All desires will be immediately extinguished, and we will become fulfilled.
If the problem is the mind, then how can it be controlled? It cannot. If we leave it alone and stop believing what it’s telling us, it will wither away by itself. It is just the dust covering who we truly are. It could be dull, distracted, disturbed or one-pointed, concentrated and restrained. The self, atman or soul, however, is the witness of this mind and its states. If the mind is turbulent, worried, the advice in one bhajan, is to chant the name of Krishna.
When you are worried or troubled, this mind swings everywhere and you get caught up in the eternal show. Be brave and realise that only you can overcome your own mind. It is through the mind that you can overcome the mind. Have the internal strength, courage and forbearance that you can do it. By your own self effort, surrender and change your own mind. If you adopt this attitude of surrender then the problems will go away. Engage the mind in repetition of the Lord, “Krishna, Krishna, Krishna” instead of the problems circling around in your head. Leave the fluctuations of your mind alone and whichever form you choose to worship as that Supreme, be attached to that to the exclusion of everything else. Slowly, you will go beyond the mind and what remains is that which was always present, the Supreme Self. Drop your attachment to the mind, don’t react, let it flow and see that everything takes care of itself without strain or struggle. Peace is always there through God’s grace and by our own efforts.
Pt. Dr. Umesh Persad, Spiritual Leader, Gyaan Deepak Kirtan Mandali
(from a Sunday morning service)
