To every human being I say, “Regenerate yourself.” Strive to be an ideal human being and soon a new civilization will come to prevail upon earth. The divine within you is stronger than anything that is without you. Therefore, do not be afraid of anything. Rely on your own inner self, the divinity within you. Tap the source through looking within.
Assert and realize, “I am a child of God and I inherit all His divine wealth and unlimited material wealth.” “I am a spiritual being. I am pure, perfect, wise, immortal and free.” “I am illumined with the light of Truth and I express perfection in everything.” “I am free from false belief, superstition and ignorance.” “I am full of courage, strength and vigour.” “I can do anything in this world.” “I am a perfect master.” “I am eternal, all-blissful atman. Nothing can disturb me. I am firm like the Himalayas.”
Improve yourself. Purify the heart. Develop the divine virtues. Eradicate negative traits. Conquer all that is base in you. Endeavour to attain all that is worthy and noble. Make the lower nature the servant of the higher through discipline, tapas, self-restraint, and meditation. This is the beginning of your freedom.
Build your spiritual life on a sure foundation, on the rock of divine grace and strength of character. There is no power in heaven or earth that can bar your path now. Failure exists not for you. There is light on your path. All is brilliant.
Follow the truth always. Strive for it ever in thought, word and deed. Stick tenaciously to your principles and ideals. Be firm in your vows and true in speech. Be slow to make a promise, but be quick to carry it out. Never neglect your promises. The value of your words is more precious than your life itself. Do your duty without looking for the fruits or consequences of your actions and God will be with you. Become dispassionate. Learn to discriminate. Know yourself and be free from attachment. You will go beyond time and death.
Fearlessness is the greatest qualification for the spiritual aspirant. All fears are imaginary. They have no real basis. When you think seriously they will melt away like snow before the sun. Draw courage now. Just as darkness cannot exist in the presence of light, so also fear cannot exist in the presence of courage. Fearlessness is one important sign of a liberated being.
Timidity is a weakness which manifests due to faintheartedness. It is a form of fear, akin to shyness. A timid person cannot become successful in life. So eradicate it by developing courage. Have confidence in yourself. Do not condemn yourself. You are divine. Shut your door on the traitors of fear, disease and worry, and in their stead invite confidence, courage, peace and health. You can succeed in every undertaking if you know the unlimited power that is in you.
Be sincere to the very core. This is the most essential thing. The purer you are, the nearer to God you will be. A pure heart is the most essential thing required for the good health of body and mind, and for attaining God-realization.
Aspire fervently and constantly. You will have a pure mind. Never hurt another in thought, word or deed. Merge in calmness and silence. You will attain supreme peace and eternal happiness.
Spiritual life is based on the complete conquest of the lower nature. Upon this pedestal of self-mastery and right conduct, the edifice of godliness and divine life may be built.
Do not hastily conclude your opinion about others. In fact, the person who gives the worst impression on first acquaintance may later turn out to be your best friend, and vice versa.
No one is eternally bad. No one should be condemned for ever. Do not be adamant about sticking to your impression. Everyone has the potential to improve. It is a wrong maxim that nature dies hard. In many cases it has a quick death. Within three months you will find the confirmed hypocrite changed into an apostle of sincerity. In such cases, give the other a chance to believe that he is really improving. You are so kind to yourself. Be kind to others also.
Be compassionate. Replace doubt, despair and hate with faith, hope and love. May you lead a contented and happy life singing the Lord’s name at all times by doing selfless service and sharing what you have with others.
Regularity in sadhana is of paramount importance. Always remember this point. Once you commence sadhana, the next important thing to bear in mind is that you should not give it up. Perseverance is necessary. All processes in this universe are gradual. They have their own stages. If you want to go through all the stages of sadhana and attain the goal, you must have patience and perseverance. You must exert and plod on till the goal is reached.
Another important point in spiritual sadhana is that you should not be merely contented with the positive forces. There are active forces that oppose the sadhaka, that actually assail him and pull him down. Herein comes the necessity of fortitude. While persevering, one must have a little courage so that one is not shaken by difficulties. The aspirant will have to brave the storms and proceed in spite of the adverse conditions which are trying to overpower him and push him off the path. With the help of fortitude one can refuse to be discouraged, and ultimately attain the ideal for which one has taken birth on earth.
On the spiritual path the aspirant must keep in mind the necessity of paying attention to all the small details, because in every process it is the smallest details that need maximum attention. If any minute detail is left out, thinking that it is superfluous, the aspirant risks losing valuable time and effort, which delays progress. It is the conglomeration of small things that go to achieve high ideals.
Change is painful, but ever needful. The illusions of life must be torn away before divine life can be attained. The whole nature must be disciplined. Each element requires specific training. You must discipline not only the intellect, but also the will and the emotions. Discipline harmonizes the opposing elements. Self-control enables the aspirant to know the truth, to desire the good and to win that which is right.
Faith is an important qualification for an aspirant. No faith, no devotion. No faith, no jnana. Life is faith and illumination. Therefore, cultivate a very strong faith in the divine principle.
Faith is the gateway to God. So remember the saints and sages. Have contact with your guru. Read spiritual books like the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana and Srimad Bhagavatam. These will sow the seed of faith and increase it till your faith becomes quite firm and unshakeable.
Within you is the hidden God. Within you is the immortal soul. Within you is the inexhaustible spiritual treasure. Within you is the ocean of bliss.
God is in your heart. He is in you and you are in Him. Search for Him inside your heart. If you do not find Him there, you will not find Him anywhere else.
Look within for the happiness which you have sought in vain in perishable sensual objects. Rest peacefully in your own atman.
Surrender everything to Him. Place your ego at His feet and be at ease. He will take complete charge of you. He will do everything for you. Practice Feel. Assert. Enjoy the Supreme.