An extract from the book “Glimpses of the Divine Vision” by
Swami Ramdas – Section “Glory of Life”
·
Instead of allowing your
mind to externalize itself, do make it go inward and mingle and merge in the
depths of your being, where dwell ever-lasting life, peace and joy. To behold
the Truth within oneself, and then in all beings and creatures alike, is the
true vision of life. The purpose and goal of life is to realize your
immortality and the eternal union and identity with the supreme Beloved who is
the immanent and transcendent Lord of the Universe.
·
The object of your life
is to be happy yourself and give happiness to others. In fact, real delight
consists in so adjusting your life as to make it yield joy to others. If you
have faith in God, use this faith in cultivating patience and equanimity. Faith
always goes with cheerfulness, resignation and peace. Be childlike-not childish,
be blissful and a free child of God. Reveal your innate divine nature, and
diffuse around you always love and joy.
·
By struggle you conquer.
Struggle means development of will-power and a gradual awakening to the real
purpose of life, which is Self-realization. Make every influence on your life,
favourable or unfavourable, work for your spiritual advancement. Give up
controversy, discussion and justification, by subduing sensitiveness and
sentiment. God’s name is your help. Feel less and less the so-called heavy
responsibilities of life which you have imposed on yourself. The truth is, the
moment you are free from attachment and sense of possession, the whole world is
at your feet. Have no misgivings, throw overboard world’s opinion. Rise above
these petty things. Be tremendously earnest and determined in your spiritual
quest.
·
Surely life has a
beautiful meaning and purpose when it is understood to be of an universal
nature and significance. The utmost grandeur of it is revealed when it breaks
through every sense of division and diversity, and sheds all around soothing
light of pure, spontaneous love, the rapture of an inexplicable joy and peace.
·
Every power with which
you are gifted has to be cheerfully utilized for the service of God in the
world. It is also the experience of every great soul, who has dedicated his or
her life for relieving the distress of the world, that the path is one of acute
suffering. Hence self-sacrifice has been the badge of saints all over the
world. The lamp can give light only at the cost of its oil. “Give and give”, is
the law of the deathless spirit working in nature. The whole beauty of life
lies in its utter dedication.
·
This life is not worth
living if it is not consecrated to the devotion of Sri Ram (God), if it is not
offered up completely to His service. For attaining this you have to cry to Him
day and night for His grace. Yes, Ram (God) is very kind. He is ever ready to
fulfil the wishes of His humble devotees. You have only to pray to Him to
enable you to keep up His remembrance continuously, ceaselessly. Don’t ask for
anything else. “I pray to you, Oh! Love Infinite, for only this, Your
remembrance, which means Your darshan.
