An extract from the book “Glimpses
of the Divine Vision” by Swami Ramdas – Section “Faith”
·
“Faith in God means faith in your own
higher Self who is your real being. The main qualities of this faith are
absolute fearlessness, and freedom from worry and anxiety of every kind, through
a complete surrender in all things to the Almighty will of this supreme Self.
To attain to this surrender you have to keep your mind dwelling constantly in
God, not permitting it to come down to harassing thoughts about your body and
other matters. This highest Truth that resides in you is all compassionate and
merciful. What you have to do is to trust this great Truth and give up all
cares. ‘Faith can move mountains’ is a trite saying.
·
Keep to a life of strict discipline by
adjusting your food and rest according to a set system. Above all, maintain
strictly a life of Brahmacharya. Merely praying to God without the
corresponding effort on your part cannot avail you anything. Life is granted
for the achievement of a great ideal which is freedom and cheerfulness in
selfless service and sacrifice. The mere dedication of life to this exalted
purpose will liberate it from all distempers.
·
When you have once taken complete refuge in
God, you ought to give up all doubts and worries. You have to consider that,
whatever way He decides the course of events in your life, it is always for
good. Worldly honour and disgrace have no bearing on His decisions. You must
freely and unreservedly put yourself in His hands. He can never come to your
rescue if you do not cease from worrying and restlessness. Self-surrender means
a state of perfect peace and calmness, attained through complete submission to the
Divine Will.
·
Fears and anxieties cannot affect you in
all your undertakings, provided you are sure and firm in your faith. God is the
great provider and he who trusts Him is never lost. Only you have to tune your
will with His will, mingle your consciousness with His divine light and wisdom,
merge your life in His eternal existence; then you are perfectly safe in all
situations of life.
·
The divine power manifest and working in
great Mahatmas is capable of performing wondrous miracles. By faith alone you
could attain high and ambitious ideals. If you are earnestly after spiritual
illumination, you must strenuously work for it by concentrating all your
thoughts on the supreme goal of life, the immortal Reality that dwells within
you. Merely running after Gurus, without faith and a sincere aspiration for
being benefited by their contact, will be of no use.
Swami Ramdas Web Site - anandashram.org
