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
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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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
Peace, Love, Harmony