The Purpose of Human Life

VI

Mind is a tremendous hurdle on the Spiritual Path. The world at large has always been its victim. Even mahatmas and rishis – great souls – in the past who tried various methods to control the mind often succumbed at some stage to its powerful impact. So, we have to control the mind.

How can it be done?

The mind cannot be controlled by outer pursuits like learning or studying the scriptures. Even if it is under check for a while, it again goes out of control, for it is always after sensual pleasures.

There are mainly two types of attractions for the mind – beautiful things to look at and sweet melodies to hear. Just now, if you happen to hear melodious music, your attention will be diverted to it.

The only way to keep it under control is to link it with Naam that has both these attractions. At various Spiritual Planes within, you have wonderful visions to see and also enchanting melodies to hear. When the mind has more fascinating experience within than it has outside, it is automatically subdued. Thus, only by establishing a contact with Naam one becomes desireless.

According to a parable, once Lord Krishna plunged into the river Yamuna where a thousand headed cobra used to live.

Lord Krishna performed a dance on the cobra’s head to the tune of His favourite flute and subdued the deadly snake. What does the parable signify? The thousand-headed cobra is the mind itself. The mind poisons us in innumerable ways. By attuning to the Celestial Sound Current within, mind can be subdued. There is no other remedy.

A Muslim mystic has said that if you have firmly resolved to reach God, put one step on your mind and your second step will be in God’s court.

Swami Ji now advises us to give up procrastination and to start meditation without delay. Sehaj Yoga, the Path shown by Saints, has three aspects:

Simran, meditation, and catching the Celestial Sound Current.

Simran lifts the soul above body consciousness. Once this is done, meditation or contemplation with rapt attention provides a resting place for its stay there until it catches and listens to the Celestial Sound Current.

Shamas-i-Tabrez says:

Every moment a Divine Sound is calling my soul to come to the Lord.

Tulsi Sahib also says:

Listen with rapt attention at the archway of the Real Kaaba (body) and you will hear a call from the beyond.

This body is the temple of God and the forehead is the archway of the temple as described by Tulsi Sahib. Procrastination is the thief of time. We tend to postpone meditation on one pretext or the other. Start meditation forthwith so that we may come out of the mortal body which is the domain of negative power.

After all, this body has to be left behind. If we learn to leave it while alive, death will not perturb us. You will then be carefree.

Swami Ji says that only the Satguru is capable of pulling the soul above body consciousness. Therefore, pray with every breath for the Grace of a True Master. I have already discussed the functions of Simran; i.e., it brings the soul above body consciousness. Another equally important point is that the soul is attached to the body; and unless a Competent Master helps with His thought transference through personal attention, the soul cannot be separated and lifted above body consciousness. Here lies the greatness and importance of the Satguru. As a matter of fact, the real test of a Guru is that He is capable of pulling the soul to its own seat. We must, therefore, pray for His Grace and help. All great souls have prayed likewise.

Maulana Rumi testifies it by asking:

Who is capable of saving the humanity from this mysterious box (world)? Only either a prophet or a Master commissioned to do that.

We have thus to seek the help of a Realised Soul, but He must really be a Realised Soul.

When a so-called master cannot lift his own soul above body consciousness, how can he help others?

The responsibility of a Competent Master is great indeed. Not only He guides and helps us in this world, but He is also a torch bearer on our journey within.

Swami Ji, therefore, emphasises that the only way out is to pray to a Competent Master. Out of compassion, He will give you an experience of super-consciousness. Thereafter, follow His commandments, remember Him constantly with all your heart, and ever remain eager to serve Him.

Tulsi Sahib also asks us to look through the veil of darkness behind the pupil of the eyes. How to do it? He tells us to go to a God-realised Soul.

Such a Master will give you some Inner Experience, pull you above body consciousness, and tell you how to see through the darkness within.

Your Inner Eye will thus be opened. All Saints agree on this point.

Swami Ji has advised us to seek the company of a True Master with Love. Go there with devotion, leaving behind all worldly ideas. You should then have only one thought – the thought of your Master. Sit there with solitude and listen with full attention to what the Master has to say.