Pages 11-15
Param Pujya Guru Maharaj
The Almighty is a source of light and energy even more powerful than innumerable suns put together. With practice or by the benevolence of one’s Guru, the day someone gets connected to this source, they start receiving a stream of positive energy that thoroughly illuminates the seeker, inside and out. All the negative attributes and influences, ignorance and mental distractions stand no chance and vanish into thin air when pitted against this powerful powerful positive energy, which leaves the practitioners glowing brightly in the Almighty’s light.
As we work towards this state through our practice, there are numerous ups and downs that we encounter. Sometimes the Almighty’s light is easily perceived, resulting in happiness and joy. On other days, it is nowhere to be found, and we find ourselves surrounded by darkness, unhappiness, and unrest. But that day will undoubtedly come when our effort and the Guru’s blessings will permanently light us up, and the peace and joy will be there to stay. When we get to that state, not only will we get illuminated ourselves, but we will also light up the lives of everyone around us. We will be at peace ourselves, and also become a source of peace for others. This should be everyone’s aim when they choose practices like this. If that is not what one wishes to do, and they have no interest in elevating themselves to this state of permanent peace, then practices like this are not for them.
One can receive the uplifting, positive energy and light directly from the source, the Almighty, or through a Guru, who is an intermediary between the source and us. The effectiveness of the transformative positive energy gets amplified manifold with the Guru as an intermediary. This amplified energy is many times more potent in eliminating the negative attributes (mal) that weigh us down and substantially cuts down the time it takes for us to get to our desired state in our practice. If you put a black fabric out in the sun, it might get a little hot at the end of the day but will look the same as it looked before we put it out. On the other hand, if you put a lens between the cloth and the sun, in a short time, the concentrated light will burn a hole through the fabric. In a practice, the Guru works much like a lens. When the Guru concentrates the Almighty’s energy and light and sends it our way, it gets rid of our darkness in no time and expeditiously brings about the desired change. In this way, the Guru achieves with ease, what the source itself cannot, by effectively harnessing the power and ability, that stems from none other than the source, the Almighty himself.
That is why seers and Sufis consider this a practice of the highest order, one that is simple and highly efficient. People who do not realize its uniqueness and value, and keep looking for other methods and ways, are delaying things for themselves. The ones who get themselves to believe and make a sincere effort, accomplish in months and days, what would otherwise take many years.
The deeper the belief and stronger the resolve, the faster one’s ascent in practice. If one is fortunate enough, one can practice in the physical presence of one’s Guru; if not, one can practice with the thought they are there. One should practice every morning and evening for about 30 minutes regularly. In addition, one should invest whatever additional time one can during the remaining day and night, irrespective of what state or place they are in. One should try to get to a state where one’s connection with the Guru remains uninterrupted for the entire 24 hours- all day and all night. We must practice getting to a state where we can carry out our work and other activities of life effectively while keeping our Guru in our thoughts (Chintan) all the time. Till the practitioner can do this, they will not advance to the uppermost states of existence where limitless joy abounds. They will still experience joy, but only what they can find in the relatively lower states.
Contemplation (Chintan), which is keeping someone or something in our thoughts, is all-important. We become what we contemplate on. Therefore, if we contemplate on God, in time, we will manifest desirable traits which help us advance. To contemplate and always keep God in our thoughts does not turn out to be easy; therefore, experienced people who have had success in spiritual endeavors have devised an easier way and advised us to find and see God in the ones who have merged themselves with God. Contemplating on, keeping such a person, our Guru, in our thoughts is easier and effectively connects us to the Almighty and bestows us with all the benefits of contemplating on God.
This practice results in opening the chakras without extraordinary effort and hard work. The streaming of the life force transitions from rajogun and tamogun to satogun, and now flows through the Sushumna pathway. The kundalini energy awakens and ascends in this practice without any additional pranayama (breathing techniques) or the practice of yoga postures.