QUESTION: What are the steps to be followed in day-to-day works to enhance
the longing for God?
ANSWER: We should go on redirecting all our little worldly
yearnings, for whatever object or person, towards God. Whenever there is disappointment,
let us turn for help towards God. Whenever we need something, let us pray to God.
Whenever we get success, let us offer to Him. In this way, we can turn all our little
yearnings towards God. It is a simple method which can be practiced on a day-to-day
basis. Anyone and anywhere can thus transform one's life.
QUESTION: I try to remember God constantly, by reading of the holy books, meditating
on God and so on, I don't waste a single moment. Yet, I don't get peace. Why?
ANSWER: You are doing what is called abhyasa i.e. positive
practice of means and methods for remembrance of God. But along with this, vairagya
or renunciation is also necessary. Abhyasa and Vairagya are
the two means of attaining peace and bliss. If you do not have vairagya, you
will not be successful
merely by abhyasa.
There might also be some
lingering cause of mental restlessness in one's conscious or sub-conscious mind
which might be preventing you from attaining peace. Hence one should introspect,
examine one's intentions and actions and try to remove the unwanted thoughts
and impression.
Or, one's lack of peace
might be of a higher type and may be a type of yearning and restlessness for
God. In that case, one is indeed blessed that one is restless! That kind of
restlessness leads to ultimate peace.
QUESTION: In spite of realizing that this world is a mere child's play, and there is no joy in it, I am not
able to give it up. World appears to bind me strongly. VVhat is the
way out?
ANSWER: This means that you have not fully realized that
the world is a child's play. It seems that you get some joy in it. Or you don't
have strength enough to break the worldly bonds. Try to intensify your spirit
of dispassion and discrimination. Seek holy company. Visit spiritual centres
like Ramakrishna Ashrams more frequently. Read the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
and the Complete
Works of Swami Vivekananda and other spiritual texts
as much as you can. You will then be able to detach yourself from the world at
least mentally. Physically detaching ourselves at least for some time from our
family and society etc., also helps in loosening the worldly bandages. One can
go away to some Ashrama or a holy and solitary place for a few days for spiritual
practices.
QUESTION: Is love for God and intense yearning for God the same? If not, which is more important?
ANSWER: Love for God is far more important. Without love for God,
one cannot
have yearning for God.
