Date Sent: May 10, 2014
QUOTE: A bird whose wings are tied down with ropes cannot fly! Worldly person that is bound by Maya (grand illusion of Mind) cannot experience Bliss!
Everything that Swami Sivananda says below sounds Utopian or imaginary and from the world of unicorns (world of dreams but never practical). But that is not true. What he says in the message below is absolutely and completely achievable - 100%. It just needs persistent efforts in that direction. Persistent efforts that appear impossible in the primary stages of spirituality. The fact is - Joy "WILL" come a bit at a time.
For wordily people like us the mind is absolutely anchored in the material world that we live in and that we think as real. Our attachment to worldly things and people (love and hate both) makes it impossible for our "true self" to be able to fly in the sky. The bird (Soul) is so much tied down to the ground and anchored with ropes of ego, jealousy and desires that it cannot fly with the wind of liberation. The mind cannot be released to the height of 20,000 feet where there is nothing but supreme consciousness.
Keep doing efforts and you will experience the bliss one drop at a time. After consistent efforts of years, (as inner heart gets purified and detached from the bondage of the world) there will be few fountains of joy initially, then there will be hundred, and then they become millions of fountains of joy...then its the ocean of bliss. ....that is the liberation...that is the freedom....that is the Divine...that is the God....You are the God.....Everything is God.
Now, the bird is flying at 20,000 feet above the ground with its eyes still on the ground below but there is nothing that can bind it. It is floating over the wind of liberation....the joy...the bliss that is unbound...infinite.
Prema Yoga or Yoga or Cosmic Love - By Swami Sivananda
To define God is to deny God. You can give definition of a finite object only. How can you define the limitless or infinite being who is the source and ultimate cause for everything? If you define God you are limiting the limitless one, you are confining him within the concept of the mind. God is beyond the gross mind, but he can be realised through meditation with a pure, subtle and one pointed mind.
Purity of food leads to purity of mind. This implies that all the objects which are grasped by the senses must be pure. The ears should hear the sublime utterances of Gita, Ramayana and the Bhagavatam, and the kirtans (hymns) of Lord Hari. Let your clothing be satvic (or pure). Let your speech be pure. Let your companions be satvic persons. Let the books you study be pure. Let the place you live in be satvic. Let the meditation room be decorated with satvic pictures of the Lord. Then only you will soon attain God-consciousness. You will find in the Peace Chant these words: "O Gods! May we with our ears hear what is auspicious. O ye, fit to be worshipped, may we with our eyes see what is auspicious."
Without love a man's life is empty. Without love man lives in vain. Love is vital. Love is a great power. Give love and it shall be given unto you. Cultivate this love through service, japa (repetition of God's name), satsanga (holy company) and meditation. Strive ceaselessly to live in God, then only will you be able to conquer time or death.
God is always with you. He will protect and deliver you. Take refuge in him. His blessings will overflow in your life and will transform your mind and body. Develop your consciousness of spiritual things. Make a special effort daily to exercise control over your thoughts, words and actions. Feel his presence in your room. Pray daily. Meditate daily.
Friend! For a little while concentrate thy mind on the indweller of your heart. Abandon all worldly pleasure. Take to the path which is trodden by the righteous. Live on milk and fruits for a week. Endure cold and heat, hunger and thirst. Do not injure any creature to the slightest degree. Live a contented life. Regard applause and censure equally. Derive happiness from thy soul.
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