One step at a time

As we look at our lives, we find that we are constantly experiencing ups and downs. Some days, we are happy, while others bring us sorrow and pain. This feeling has only grown over the past two years as we’ve adapted our lives to the pandemic. No matter who we are or where we come from, this pandemic has impacted everyone in the world. In today’s web broadcast, spoke of the nature of life and how we have within us all we need to remain happy and peaceful despite the difficulties and turmoil around us. Since we do not seem to have much control over the ups and downs of life, we need to learn to live a life of peace and relaxation. We can stay at an even keel through the storms of life by finding a calm centre. We can reach this still point through meditation and prayer.

From the moment a soul enters this world within a mother’s womb, through the process of birth and all the phases of growth that it will experience throughout its lifetime, there will be pain and difficulties. The nature of the pain and difficulties may change, but they occur through life. When we realise this truth, we begin to search for answers. This search brings us to the spiritual path and to the words of saints and mystics who have come to this world to show us the way to happiness. The saints offer us a blueprint to unravel life’s great mystery so that we can attain life’s purpose: to reunite our soul with God. While the road Godward may not be easy, we can accomplish it one step at a time.

First, we need to learn to withdraw our attention from the outer world and focus on the inner spiritual worlds. This process of withdrawing our attention is called meditation, and we can learn it under the guidance of a spiritual Master. Meditation is the means by which we experience the love, peace, and stillness that is within ourselves. It is the process of experiencing God’s love for ourselves by taking our attention away from the world outside and focusing it within.

Doing so, allows us to defocus from the turmoil of our surroundings and connect with the Source of all love, all joy, which is God. Meditation is the highest form of prayer and unlocks the gates to the reservoir of untapped love that we carry with us. If we spend some time daily within the silence of our soul, we will be connected with a place of bliss. Then the outer circumstances of our life will not affect us.

With daily practice and sincere effort, we can embark on the spiritual journey and have our soul connect with the love and light of God, nourishing and strengthening our soul. The real reason to meditate is in fact, a spiritual reason—it is to reap the spiritual benefits of the practice. Meditation helps us become aware of our spiritual nature, which is our true essence. Once we become aware of our spiritual nature, we also gain knowledge of God, and then everything else in life falls into place

Next, the saints teach us to lead ethical lives, wherein we learn to be truthful, nonviolent, compassionate, kind, and selfless. In doing so, we will gradually find that our lives are transformed. We will realise the oneness of God’s creation and strive to work not just for ourselves but also for the greater good. As we introduce meditation and ethical living into our lives, one step at a time, we find that our attention remains focused on God and the bliss and joy of the inner regions. We will uncover the inner strength to overcome our difficulties and stay happy and peaceful despite the turmoil surrounding us.

The author is the head of the Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission.

With daily practice and sincere effort, we can embark on the spiritual journey and have our soul connect with the love and light of God, nourishing and strengthening our soul.