Guidance in Daily Life 3—August 2008

Sri Swami Sivananda

Guidance in Daily Life is a book written mainly for devotees of Divine Life Society. It addresses some of the problems that arose from time to time over the years.

The path of "faith and self-surrender" is one of the many paths to spiritual transformation and realisation of God. Like all other paths, it is not as easy as it appears to be be. But it has one great advantage: it is a safe path, because here the Guru or the Lord Himself guides and leads the devotee.

The mysterious workings of Gurudev Swami Sivananda's Grace have to be experienced to be believed. Many anecdotes have been recorded, some of them quite spectacular. The devotees of other God-realised Gurus must be having similar experiences of their Master's Grace.

The Guru's Grace manifests in diverse ways—to satisfy our material needs, to protect us in times of danger, to solve our daily problems, to protect us from ill-health, etc. But the most potent manifestation of his Grace comes to us in the form of spiritual transformation and strength to face the problems and trials of life.

The most delightful converstions between Gurudev, Sri Swami Sivananda, and Swamiji, Sri Swami Sahajananda, and are full of practical instructions for success in spiritual life. Extracts from the book are given below.

The Real Gun

Swamiji: Gurudev, these days people are all living in a state of much fear and insecurity. There is fear of bomb explosions, fear of being robbed, fear of being assaulted, fear of political situations, and fear of so many other things. A few also carry guns with them.

Gurudev: These days many are carrying guns on their persons, not just some.

Swamiji: Gurudev, I do not understand.

Gurudev: Yes, all those who are disobedient and self-willed, who are obstinate, who wish to have their own ways, who always assert themselves vehemently, who break rules, who are full of self--justification, who do not wish to bend, who do not forgive and forget easily, who cannot see the viewpoint of others, who are intolerant, who are unyielding—all these people are carrying guns on their persons. They wish that others should obey them, and utilise the gun—the Rajasic ego—to have their own ways and dominate over others. In the end the weapon they wield harms them only and not others. Their final result is misery, suffering, worry, heart attacks, nervous breakdown and strokes.

Swamiji: Gurudev, perhaps I also use a gun sometimes since I get impatient and unbridle the organ of speech. I admonish the devotees even for minor lapses.

Gurudev: Yes, it may be so. This attitude is un-Sadhu like. A Sadhu's speech must be mild, soft and soothing. Try to develop these qualities given in the Gospel.

Swamiji: Gurudev, as you are the refuge of the weak and the redeemer of the fallen, you will give me strength to get over this weakness, will you not?

Gurudev: Well, what else can I do?

Swamiji: Gurudev, you are indeed my real mother, father, protector and refuge. Now I know why spiritual aspirants, and especially those who have fallen, look upon the Guru as an ocean of mercy. Let all my aspirations, ambitions and desires, whether good or bad, be centered in you alone. Let my gaze never ever stray from your Lotus Feet.

Gurudev: Since I hold you firmly in my grasp, you shall not stray away from me.

Importance of Obedience

Swamiji: Gurudev, you have always stressed the great importance of obedience on the spiritual path. You have even stated that "obedience is better than reverence". Why is obedience so important, Gurudev?

Gurudev: Practice of obedience is vitally important not only in spiritual life but in other areas as well.

Its importance in spiritual life is simple to understand. If the disciple is always obedient in carrying out the Guru's commands and wishes, he gets in tune with the Guru's inner being. With such a receptive attitude he readily draws power and strength from the Guru and thus makes rapid progress on the spiritual path.

Just as worldly parents pass on all their material wealth to their children, in a similar manner the Guru can transmit his spiritual wealth to his disciples. But the disciples must be worthy to receive such spiritual wealth; and this can only be achieved through practice of obedience.

Swamiji: I also faltered in my obedience to you when I entered the spiritual path, Gurudev. I was longing for a Guru to guide me. When I came across your book, Practice of Karma Yoga, I at once knew that I had found my Guru. Sports and games which I loved so much, as also my academic career in which I was highly ambitious, were given up overnight.

Like many spiritual aspirants I thought that realising your eternal Being was easy, and after reading the book I wrote to you that I would like to come to live with you at Rishikesh.

Gurudev: That is what I call "bubbling enthusiasm".

Swamiji: It is perfectly correct, Gurudev. Knowing that it was only "bubbling enthusiasm", you replied that I should remain where I was and carry on my practices. But I did not heed your advice, Gurudev, and insisted on coming. Your reply was, "Cordial greetings, you may come!"

Gurudev: Quite often experience is the best teacher.

Swamiji: How true it is, Gurudev. Kindly let me recount the consequence of my hasty action. I could not last more than two weeks at the Ashram with you, Gurudev. Everything was strange—the food was different, the climate was different, and I was shedding tears for the friends I had left behind!

In spite of all this Gurudev, you showered your boundless love and affection on me. During my short stay at the Ashram the only instruction you gave me was "learn to type and to make tea."

Gurudev, as I was like your little child—even though a disobedient one—I passively accepted your instruction. I did not think it strange that after travelling over 12 000 kilometres to meet my Guru, I should be asked to learn typing and how to make a cup of tea, instead of getting instructions on Pranayama, meditation and study of the scriptures.

Gurudev, I realised many years later that your casual instructions were pregnant with deep meaning, for they formed the foundation of my future spiritual life—namely, dissemination of spiritual knowledge through your writings, and service of the underprivileged in our country.

I did get hold of an old typewriter, Gurudev—one that was possibly fit more for an antique shop than an office—and tried my hand at it. But I soon got bored and, giving it up, spent the time in the nearby Ramashram reading the newspaper!

I admitted to you, Gurudev, that I had no qualifications for residing at the Ashram and that I should go back to South Africa. You agreed to my proposal, adding that the qualifications will come.

Gurudev: But you had Darshan of Mother Ganga and the Himalayas and was enchanted with their beauty, is it not?

Swamiji: Gurudev, the moment I set my eyes on Mother Ganga, I was captivated. After leaving the Ashram, all along my trip in South India the image of Mother Ganga kept coming in my mind. I would even dream of the divine river. I forgot you, Gurudev, but I could not forget Mother Ganga.

Gurudev: Perhaps some previous life of yours was spent on her banks. In any case, you did not return empty-handed. You had the Grace of Mother Ganga to nourish you. So your trip was not fruitless after all.

Swamiji: Gurudev, when I returned to South Africa after having Darshan of Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi, Papa Swami Ramdas and Mother Krishnabai, you wrote to me to open a branch of the Divine Life Society.

Gurudev, I was quite perturbed, as I was very nervous and shy to undertake any such task. So I did not respond to your letter.

Then you wrote a second one, in which you said: "Kindly start a branch of the Divine Life Society there. I recognise you as the secretary".

Gurudev, very reluctantly I sent you the affiliation fee to register the branch. It was done more through fear than through the spirit of obedience. I feared that if I did not obey my Guru, God-realisation will be out of the question for me.

But before the affiliation fee could reach you, Gurudev, you sent a third letter, in which you commanded me: "Kindly open the branch of the Divine Life Society at once. Do some silent work".

Gurudev, you knew full well that I did not possess any qualifications for running a branch, or for that matter, even for practising Yoga. I was quite ignorant of the scriptures also.

Furthermore, the unruly nature of my mind at that time could hardly be described. Yet you were so insistent on the branch being opened by me. I am puzzled, Gurudev.

Gurudev: I wanted to demonstrate the majesty and glory of the Guru's Grace, and the choice fell on you, that is all.

Swamiji: Gurudev, it was indeed a peculiar situation—with the founder of the Divine Life Society branch residing at Rishikesh, in India, and his secretary—the only member of the branch—in South Africa. Soon two other devotees joined the branch, and the three of us used to go to the local Umgeni Road Temple to have our weekly Satsang. Gurudev, often when my two friends failed to turn up, I used to go to the temple all alone and conduct the Satsang, going through the whole procedure of singing Kirtan, reading the Gita and performing arati, even though no other soul was present except myself. When informed of this, you commented that if one is sincere many would join. Today through your Grace, thousands are following the Divine Life Society.

Gurudev: Sincerity can achieve wonders. It is indeed a very rare virtue.

Swamiji: Gurudev, the story did not end at that point. As the months went by my rebellious and ignorant nature kept compelling me to write to you that I would like to come again and stay with you at the Ashram.

Gurudev: If I had complied with your request once more, you might have ended up in disaster like your first visit!

Swamiji: Gurudev, I had the fear that handling money, running an institution, trying to stablish an Ashram, and associating with all sorts of people, will be detrimental to my spiritual progress.

Gurudev: Such thoughts were plaguing you because you were being swayed by Raga-Dwesha (likes and dislikes). To attain serenity of mind and progress spiritually, one must go beyond likes and dislikes. Your attitude was also a kind of escapism.

Swamiji: Will you be gracious enough to explain more clearly what you have said, Gurudev?

Gurudev: It means that you must not long for something that you do not have, and must not reject what legitimately and freely comes to you for your spiritual progress and for the progress of the branch. Money by itself is not a hindrance to spiritual progress. You must not long for it, but if it comes, you should not reject it but utilise it for the furtherance of the Lord's work. Also, you should fulfil your responsibilities in life as ordained by God, and not try to shirk them.

Swamiji: Gurudev, I also feared that associating with members of the opposite sex will lead me to danger.

Gurudev: If you see the Divine Mother in all women, then they will no longer be a hindrance to your spiritual progress.

Swamiji: Gurudev, your kindness, love and compassion are limitless. How patiently you put up with my agitation for almost five years! When all your methods of persuasion had failed to subdue my rebellious nature, you admonished me. Your loving admonition was itself a manifestation of your boundless Grace, for it contained within itself the seeds of spiritual transformation.

You said: "God knows what is best for each individual. He has placed you in environments and conditions suitable for your evolution. Do not revolt. Do not rebel. Overcome the difficulties one by one, through surrender to the Lord. All will disappear through His Grace. The mind tempts through imagination. Beware! Be cautious! You may encounter more difficulties when you come here. You are doing very great service to humanity and to the Divine Life Society. If you come here, the Durban branch will collapse".

Gurudev: Yes, the mind deceives. Distance often makes the grass look greener.

Swamiji: Gurudev, together with your written words of divine wisdom, you also revealed to me deeper truths from within. I always wanted to seek God in a quiet place, away from people and activities. You revealed to me the great truth that only when one enjoys God's deep abiding peace amidst the worst of turmoils, difficulties and temptations, can one be said to have gained something substantial in spiritual life. I also came to realise that without perfect obedience to the Guru, one cannot hope to realise God.

Gurudev: Yes, the remarks you have made are perfectly true!