From New Year’s service with Pt. Umadutt Maharaj, Spiritual Leader, SWAHA Bhakti Jyot Mandali
The condition of our mind is very important to our success in life. Chapter 6, verse 5 of the Bhagavad Gita states, “One elevates oneself by the self, one degrades oneself by the self; one is one’s own friend and one is one’s own enemy.” Everything, good and bad, emanates from the mind. In order to elevate ourselves in this life, we can only depend upon our own minds. In order to thrive and be successful, the mind must be strong and focused on the right path. As we travel the pathways of this life, we must go within ourselves and worship the Divine on a daily basis.
The Patanjali Yoga Sutras tell us, kshiptam, mudham, vikshiptama, ekaagra and niruddha are the five states of mind: the raving mind, forgetful mind, oscillating mind, restrained mind, one-pointed mind. This year, let our resolution be to strengthen the mind through devotion. This year, we must focus on the power of the mind and develop the necessary mental strength so that we may advance through any hurdle. As human beings, we have been created to survive, but we must find the right remedy, which is the pathway of devotion. Shree Raam explained that the first form of devotion was association with good people, satsang, with whom we could worship and glorify the name of the Lord. This is the solution to gain all happiness in life.
As we begin 2022, let us make a promise to ourselves to raise the quality of our life spiritually by chanting the name of the Lord. We must open the mandir of the mind and invite the Lord to stay. At the same time, we must continue to do all our duties in all stages of life to the best of our ability. This will elevate us from any state of dejection or depression in the name of that Lord. As a bhajan by Brahmananda teaches us, we must stabilise the mind, seek the protective shelter of the Lord and allow the nectar of devotion to flow within. If we wish to have the presence of that Lord, we must open the temple of our mind and heart, and allow the Lord inside. This world that we live in is temporary, fleeting and transient. In the present context of pandemic restrictions, we are forced to go within, but it is there that we will realise that the Lord alone is the truth, that which is permanent. We must seek him immediately as though He were an invaluable gem.
The disciplined mind is recognised as the means by which the devotee can journey successfully through the world and advance spiritually to the highest state of Divine Consciousness. The mind principle is represented by Hanuman Baba, the disciplined mind, absorbed in the contemplation of Divinity, which earned Him success in all his endeavours in the divine cause of His Master, Shree Raam. By worshipping Him our minds will be strengthened and, like Hanumanji, we will be able to transcend all obstacles and perform all duties successfully in 2022 once we keep His name in our hearts and minds.
