Without devotion Self-realization is quite impossible Atman Nityananda

Without devotion Self-realization is quite impossible

Atman Nityananda

Devotion is a complete dedication of body, prana. mind and heart to God or Truth. It is love for God. It is intense longing and aspiration to realize Truth or God consciousness.

 Devotion to God takes our interest and attention from the external world and the sensory objects and directs it in our inner world, in our heart, the center of our existence. 

By gathering our attention from the outer world we stop the creation of worldly samskaras (impressions and vasanas (tendencies) and we stop to empower the egoic tendencies that already are stored in our subconscious mind (chitta), which are mainly based on desire, pride, fear and anger.

The repetition of God’s names (japa nama ), kirtan and the prayer increase the sattva guna, eliminates the rajas and tamas and dissolves gradually all egoic tendencies. Meditation and Self-enquiry direct the mind towards the source of our mind and thus the mind abandons the objects and is permeated by peace and light divine.

Thus the egoism which is fed and grows by the sensory inputs and the impressions which are created by these inputs,  gradually is thinned out and our mind becomes purer and purer reflecting more and more with clarity the divine light, peace and love.

Devotion is not only for aspirants of Bhakti yoga but also for jnana yoga aspirants. Without devotion a real progress in spiritual path is not possible. The bhaktas are devoted to a form of God while the jnanis in the impersonal truth (Atman or Brahman). For some devotion to a form is easier and for others appears more natural to be devoted to the impersonal Truth. Both lead at the same destination. The dissolution of egoic self and the realization of our essence, God or Brahman and the unity of life.

Really there are only two methods, Enquiry and devotion. One leads to the other. A devotee concentrates on God.

A seeker, follower of the Jnana-marga seeks the Self. The practice is equally difficult for both.

Since God is verily the Self, love of the Self is love of the God and that is bhakti. Jnana and Bhakti are thus one and the same.

Service, like prayers, japa and even businesss done in God’s name, lead to the highest Goal; Self-realization.

Complete effacement of the ego is necessary to conquer destiny, whether you achieve this effacement through Self enquiry or through bhakti-marga.

Self-enquiry is possible for mature minds, not for immature ones.

For the immature ones, japa nama, worship of images, pranayama, visualizing a pillar of light and similar yogic and spiritual and religious practices have been prescribed.

~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

God realization through Bhakti and love ~ Swami Sivananda

God realization through Bhakti and love

by Swami Sivananda   

Since God is verily the Self, love of the Self is love of the God and that is bhakti. Jnana and Bhakti are thus one and the same.

Really there are only two methods, Self-Enquiry (Vichara) and devotion (Bhakti). One leads to the other. 

A devotee concentrates on God. A seeker, follower of the Jnana-marga seeks the Self. The practice is equally difficult for both.

Self-enquiry is possible for mature minds, not for immature ones.

For the immature ones, japa nama, worship of images, pranayama, visualizing a pillar of light and similar yogic and spiritual and religious practices have been prescribed.

Service, like prayers, japa and even businesss done in God’s name, lead to the highest Goal; Self-realization.

Complete effacement of the ego is necessary to conquer destiny, whether you achieve this effacement through Self enquiry or through bhakti-marga.

~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

  ~~~   ~~~   ~~~

God is Love

God is Truth. God is love. Speak the Truth. Love everyone. You will realise Him quickly. Have Satsanga with Sadhus, Sannyasins and Bhaktas. This alone can give you Viveka, Vairagya, spiritual strength and peace of mind. There is no other way. Hunt out for Sadhus. They are everywhere. Sincerity and earnestness are needed in you. They are ever ready to receive you lovingly with outstretched hands.

By Satsanga your mind will be saturated as sugar in water with thoughts of God, with Divine Glory, Divine Presence, with sublime soul-awakening spiritual thoughts. Then only will you be established in the Divine consciousness always. Then you can attain Self-realisation within the time taken for the squeezing of a flower.

God's name is verily Omnipotent

Name of the Lord is a potent unfailing antidote for those who are bitten by the serpent of Samsara. It is a nectar (Amrita) that can confer immortality and perennial Peace. Yama (god of death) is terribly afraid of those who repeat the names of the Lord. He cannot approach them. Repeat the name of the Lord always and attain the fearless state.

May the Lord guide you in all your activities. May He enlighten your path enabling you to achieve the goal of life, viz., Self-realisation, your birthright. May you live drowned in a life of joy, bliss and prosperity!

Do Kirtan Regularly

Sankirtan is food for the mind and the Soul. Sankirtan is a Divine tonic. Sankirtan is a potent healing balm for the shattered nerves. Sankirtan is a celestial nectar. Drink the nectar daily by doing Sankirtan in Brahmamuhurta and night. 

The strength and intensity of devotion depends upon the completeness of the self-surrender and sacrifice. 

As the vast majority of persons keep certain subtle desires for secret gratifications, they do not grow in devotion. The two obstacles to self-surrender are desire and egoism.

Sing the Lord’s Glory

Worship the Lord at all times with all your heart and with all your mind. Sing His glory. Remember His name always. All miseries will come to an end. Your heart will be purified. The Lord will soon reveal Himself to you. You will feel His Presence. 

Pray fervently to the Lord for the descent of the Divine Light. Crave for His Mercy. Weep for His separation on account of Viraha. Yearn for communion with Him. Melt the mind in the Agni of Divine Love. Burn the body in the fire of devotion. Drink the honey of Prem. Get yourself intoxicated with the wine of Divine Love. Attain immortality and eternal Bliss.

Develop Devotion

Control your mind, speech and actions. Speak the truth. Be calm. Discipline the senses. Hear, recite, sing and meditate on the deeds, qualities and Avataras of Hari. 

Have exclusive devotion to the Lord. Give your whole mind to Him. Do not allow any outside worldly impressions wherein there is an iota of selfish desire to enter into your subconscious mind. Learn how to sing, interchange devotion and love each other and speak to each other of the glory of the Lord, till your hairs stand on end and sing and dance till you lose yourself in devout contemplation.

Realise the Lord through Prem

Lord Shiva is the Supreme Soul, the Antaryamin, the protector of all beings. He is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent. He was never born. He never died. 

If you are a true seeker of God, you will meet Him within a moment. Remember Him always. Live by His name. Sing His praises. Search for Him in your heart of hearts. Learn from the devotees the way to love and serve Him, the support of your soul, the only sovereign of the whole world, the Indweller of your heart and the inner Ruler. 

May you remember the Holy names of the Lord at all times and live in an ocean of divine ecstasy and divine communion! May prosperity attend on you for ever.

Peace, Love, Harmony

MESSAGE OF PREM ~ Swami Sivananda

Snatam Kaur

MESSAGE OF PREM
by Swami Sivananda 

Prem is the flower of flowers. It is the rarest of all flowers. It is cultivated in the hearts of devotees.

Prem or Bhakti is intense love or highest form of devotion to God. It is supreme attachment to the Lotus-Feet of the Lord. It springs from the bottom of the devotee's heart.

There is not a bit of effort. There is a genuine, natural, spontaneous longing to meet God in the heart. Just as fish cannot live without water, just as the sun-flower cannot live without the sun, just as the chaste wife cannot live without her husband, so also a true Bhakta cannot live without God even for a moment.

Bhakti or Prem is of the nature of nectar. It gives freedom to the devotee and makes him perfect and fully satisfied. It takes him to the Lotus-Feet of the Lord.

THE PRACTICE and BENEFITS of JAPA NAMA by Swami Sivananda

 THE PRACTICE and BENEFITS of JAPA NAMA

(repetition of a mantra of  the name of God)

by Swami Sivananda 

·         Japa purifies the heart.

·         Japa makes the mind steady.

·      Japa destroys the six enemies. ((The gluttony, lust, anger, attachment, pride, jealousy).

·         Japa burns the sins.

·         Japa uproots all desires.

·         Japa burns mental forms

·         Japa removes the attachment.

·         Japa brings dispassion.

·         Japa removes problems.

·         Japa gives health, prosperity, strength and longevity.

·         Japa makes you fearless.

·         Japa beyond birth and death.

·         Japa removes ignorance.

·         Japa gives the highest peace.

·         Japa gives liberation,

·         Japa develops love.

·         Japa unites the devotee with God.

·         Japa brings God consciousness.

·         Japa brings eternal bliss.

WHAT IS JAPA ?

Repetition of any Mantra or Name of the Lord is known as Japa. Japa is an important Anga of Yoga. It is a spiritual food for the hungry soul. Japa is the rod in the hand of the blind Sadhakas (aspirants) to plod on the road to Realization. Japa is the philosopher's stone or divine elixir that makes one God-like. In this iron age, practice of Japa alone can give eternal Peace, Bliss and Immortality.

Japa is repetition of the Mantra. Dhyana is meditation on the form of the Lord with His attributes. There is meditation or Dhyana with Japa (Japa-Sahita-Dhyana); there is meditation or Dhyana without Japa (Japa-Rahita-Dhyana). In the beginning you should combine Dhyana with Japa. As you advance the Japa drops by itself; meditation only remains. It is an advanced stage. You can then practice concentration separately. You can do whatever you like best in this respect.

Name (Nama) and the object (Rupa) signified by the Name are inseparable. Thought and word are inseparable. Whenever you think of the name of your son, his figure stands before your mental eye, and vice versa. Even so when you do Japa of Rama, Krishna or Christ, the picture of Rama, Krishna or Christ will come before your mind. Therefore Japa and Dhyana go together. They are inseparable.

Do the Japa with feeling. Know the meaning of the Mantra. Feel God's presence in everything and everywhere. Draw closer and nearer to Him when you repeat the Japa. Think He is shining in the chambers of your heart. He is witnessing your repetition of the Mantra as He is the witness of your mind.

PRACTICAL AIDS TO JAPA 

1. Select any Mantra or Name of God, preferably that given to you by your Guru, and repeat it from 108 to 1,080 times daily (one to ten malas).

2. Always keep your Guru-Mantra a secret. Never disclose it to anyone.

3. It is better to stick to one Mantra only. See Lord Krishna in Rama, Shiva, Durga, Gayatri and in everyone.

4. Get up at 4a.m. and do Japa for two hours. The early morning period (Brahmamuhurta) and dusk is the most favourable time for Japa and meditation. This is when Sattva (purity or steadiness) is predominant.

5. Take a bath or wash your hands, feet, face and mouth before sitting for Japa in the morning. At other times this is not necessary. Do Japa whenever you have leisure, at the three junctions of the day - morning, noon and evening - and before going to bed.

6. Face east or north during the practice. This enhances the efficacy of the Japa. Spread a piece of cloth over it. This conserves body-electricity. Sit in a separate meditation room or in any suitable place, such as a temple, on a river bank or under a banyan or peepul tree.

7. Maintain a steady pose. Attain mastery of the posture. You must be able to sit in Padmasana, Siddhasana or Sukhasana for three hours at a strech.

8. Reslove to complete a certain minimum number of malas before leaving your seat.

9. Recite some prayers before starting the Japa.

10. A rosary is a whip to goad the mind towards God. Use a rudraksha or tulsi mala of 108 beads.

11. Do not allow the mala to hang below the navel.

12. The mala must not be visible to you or to others. Cover it with a towel or handkerchief, which must be clean and washed daily.

13. Use the middle finger and the thumb of the right to roll the beads. The use of the index finger is prohibited.

14. Do not cross the meru while rolling the beads. Turn back when you come to it.

15. Sometimes do the Japa without a mala. Use a watch.

16. Do mental Japa for a time. When the mind wanders, do the Japa aloud, or whisper the Mantra for some time and come back to mental Japa again as soon as possible.

17. When you repeat the Mantra, have the feeling or mental attitude that the Lord is seated in your heart, that purity or Sattva is flowing from the Lord into your mind, that the Mantra is purifying your heart, destroying desires, cravings and evil thoughts.

18. Do not do the Japa in a hurried manner, like a contractor who tries to finish his work in a short time. Do it slowly with feeling, one-pointedness of mind and single-minded devotion.

19. Pronounce the Mantra distinctly and without any mistakes. Repeat it neither too slowly nor too fast. Increase the speed only when the mind wanders.

20. Be vigilant and alert during Japa. Stand up when sleep tries to overpower you.

21. Try to associate the Japa with the rhythm of the breath and meditate in the form of your Deity. Keep a picture or idol of the Deity in front of you. Think of the meaning of the Mantra while repeating it.

22. Regularity in Japa Sadhana is most essential if success is to be achieved. Sit in the same place and at the same time every day.

23. Do not beg for any worldly objects from God while doing Japa. Feel that your heart is being purified and that the mind is becoming steady by the power of the Mantra and the Grace of the Lord.
24. Observe silence and avoid distractions, calls and engagements.

25. It is important not to leave the place at once after the Japa is over and mix with everyone or plunge into worldly activity. Sit very quietly for at least ten minutes, humming some prayer, remembering the Lord and reflecting upon His infinite love. Then, after devout prostration, leave the place and commence your routine duties and activities. In this way the spiritual vibrations will remain intact.

26. Continue the current of Japa mentally at all times, whatever be the activity in which you are engaged. Carry on your Sadhana with tenacity and perseverance, without a break. Realize the glorious goal of life and enjoy supreme bliss.

MANTRAS FOR JAPA

Lord Shiva:

Om Namah Shivaya (Panchakshara)

Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra:

Om tryambakam yajamahe
sugandhim pushtivardhanam
uurvarukamiva bandhanaan

mrityor mukshiya maamritaat.

Lord Krishna:

Maha-Mantra :
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

Sri Krishnaya Namah

Divine Mother

Sri Devi:
Om Sri Durgayai Namah

Sri Kalika:
Om Sri Kalikayai Namah
Sri Lakshmi:
Om Sri Maha-Lakshmyai Namah

Lord Hari:
Om Namo Narayanaya (Ashtakshara)

Hari Om

Hari Om Tat Sat

Lord Rama:
Om Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram
Om Sri Ramaya Namah

READ THE  ORIGINAL TEXT : http://www.dlshq.org/teachings/japayoga.htm

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Sankirtan or Kirtan - Atman Nityananda

Sankirtan or Kirtan - Atman Nityananda

 Sankirtan or Kirtan

Sankirtan is the singing of Lord’s names with faith and devotion.

In Kali Yuga by the singing of the Lord's Names are obtained all the fruits that were available to our forefathers who lived in the preceding Yugas by severe penance, austere mode of life, performance of sacrifices and such other unimaginably difficult ways of attainment.

I quote the words of four great masters about kirtan and the power of the name of God.

 ~ Haidakhan Babaji

‘Chant the name of the Lord always.’

By chanting the mantra, its vibrations spread all round you. You will then meditate for yourself and others. By holy chants alone, I will lead and win any war in this world. Whatever happens, all the devotees of God will be saved by Divine Will.

                                                                                                 ~ Haidakhan Babaji

---   ---   ---

‘Bhakti is the same as vichara (Self-enquiry).’

     

~ Sri  Ramana Maharshi

Really there are only two methods, Enquiry and devotion. One leads to the other. A devotee       concentrates on God.

 A seeker, follower of the Jnana-marga seeks the Self. The practice is equally difficult for both.

Since God is verily the Self, love of the Self is love of the God and that is bhakti. Jnana and Bhakti are thus one and the same.

Service, like prayers, japa and even businesss done in God’s name, lead to the highest Goal; Self-realization.

Complete effacement of the ego is necessary to conquer destiny, whether you achieve this effacement through Self enquiry or through bhakti-marga (Bhakti yoga path).

Self-enquiry is possible for mature minds, not for immature ones. For the immature ones, japa nama, worship of images, pranayama, visualizing a pillar of light and similar yogic and spiritual and religious practices have been prescribed.

        ~ Sri  Ramana Maharshi

--- --- ---

‘By calling God by His name you make Him come to you.’

~ Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

       Q: The repetition of the name of God is very common in India. Is there any virtue in it?

       M: When you know the name of a thing, or a person, you can find it easily. By calling God by His name you make Him come to you.

      Q: This constant repetition of a few words, is it not a kind of madness?

  M: It is madness, but it is a deliberate madness. All repetitiveness is tamas*, but repeating the name of God is sattva-tamas* due to its high purpose. Because of the presence of sattva*, the tamas will wear out and will take the shape of complete dispassion, detachment, relinquishment, aloofness, immutability.

~ Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Note:

      *  GUNAS:  Gunas are the three qualities of nature and mind.

     Sattva (light, purity, balance, harmony).

           Rajas (activity, passion, distraction).

           Tamas (inertia, dullness, stagnation).

         GUNAS & MIND: The gunas are the main substance of the mind.

             Sattva makes the mind calm, pure, one-pointed, introverted, luminous and joyful.

     Rajas makes the mind extroverted, passionate, distractive, agitated, gives pleasure and pain.

                    Tamas makes the mind dull, obscured, cloudy, perversed, inert, inattentive and self destructive.

--- --- --- 

‘Japa ultimately results in Samadhi or communion with the Lord.’

 

~Swami Sivananda

      Japa Nama is an important limb of Yoga or divine life. A mantra is divinity. Japa is the repetition of the mantra or the names of the Lord.

In Kali Yuga, practice of Japa alone can give eternal peace, bliss and immortality. Japa ultimately results in Samadhi or communion with the Lord.

     

 Sankirtan is the singing of Lord’s names with faith and devotion. 

When you sing His names, feel that Lord Hari (God) or Ishta Devata* is seated in your heart, that every name of the Lord is filled with divine potencies, that the old vicious impressions in the subconscious mind (Samskaras) and desires (Vasanas) are burnt by the power of the name and that the mind is filled with Sattva or purity, that Rajas and Tamas are completely destroyed, and that the veil of ignorance is torn down. This kind of mental attitude brings the maximum benefit of Sankirtan.

     It is not the number of Japa or the length of time of Kirtan that counts for spiritual growth but it is the intensity of Bhava with which the Lord’s names are sung.

*  Ishta Devata : The form you love to adore God.  viz. Krishna, Jesus Christ  etc.)

~Swami Sivananda“

 Peace  love  harmony