Thursday, October 29, 2015

HOW TO FIND PEACE? / Swami Sivananda


HOW TO FIND PEACE? 
by Swami Sivananda  

If you wish to enter into the Great Peace of God, all the worldly desires must die, all the senses should be brought under your perfect control, and the mind should be stilled.

He who does not practise any meditation cannot possess peace of mind. How can there be happiness for the unpeaceful?

You can have peace of God without the help of money and outwardly favourable circumstances. You may have sorrows, and yet you may enjoy the inward harmony and peace, if you rest in God by withdrawing the senses, by stilling the mind and eradicating the impurities of the mind.

You find it very difficult to free yourself from the clutches of sensual objects; but, if you remain as a Sakshi  (silent witness), you will not be affected by them. Therefore, cultivate the Sakshi Bhava and remain as a witness of the Vrittis (waves of the mind). You will enjoy the Peace of the Eternal.

Develop universal love. This will help you to live peacefully with all men and all creatures.

Love and peace are inseparable. Where there is love, there is peace and wherever there is peace, there is love.

Mysterious is this peace; marvellous is this peace; realise this peace.

You will find this peace in the quietude of your inner being, through deep meditation. Have four sittings in winter and two in summer.

 Be regular in your practice. Regularity is of paramount importance. You can grow in peace and spirituality only if you are regular in your practice of meditation.

Attain that peace that passeth understanding by silencing the bubbling thoughts and eradicating all desires, cravings, or sense-hankerings.

Reach the kingdom of inner stillness or domain of infinite peace through spiritual meditation.

Rest in the ocean of peace. Root yourself in the Self within. Now you will be able to neutralise the dark forces of hatred, jealousy, disharmony, rupture and distraction within you and around you.

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the victory over your lower self, triumph over your senses and mind, desires and cravings.

 If you have no peace within yourself, it is fruitless to seek it in external objects and outward sources.

Peace comes from prayer, Japa, Kirtan, meditation, good and sublime thoughts and understanding.

Develop cosmic love, kindness, forgiveness. Understand the views of others.

Selflessness, desirelessness, non- attachment, freedom from I-ness, mine-ness and cravings, devotion to God or Atman, self-restraint, control of the mind and the senses, bring happiness and peace of mind.

World peace comes from goodwill, sympathy, tolerance and right understanding between nations, as well as from striving after a common good and common welfare.

Cultivate peace first in the garden of your heart by removing the weeds of lust, hatred, greed, selfishness and jealousy. Then only you can contribute peace to the world; then only those who come in contact with you, will be benefited by your vibrations of peace and harmony.

Peace, love, harmony