Guidance from the Guru

(Letter 8)

Swami Tapovan Maharaj

Om Narayana Smriti

Sri Gangotri,
24-7-1952

Writing with affectionate regards.

The letter was received long ago. The parcel arrived a few days back. Usually the parcels are stored up below and are sent up once in a month or even once in two months. Hence parcel delivery is very much delayed.

The sandalwood paste that reminds one of Sri Guruvayurappan filled me with joy.

Even as satisfaction of hunger is the perceptible result of eating, cheerfulness of the mind and sense of peace are the tangible results of devout worship. With regular uninterrupted practice of worship and godly life, cleanliness of mind and feeling of peace will grow from more to more. That miserable state in which common, paltry things upset the mind will cease. The bright cheerfulness of mind is covetable in life as beatitude is after death

As a result of the unbroken contemplation of Self, sparks of Self-realization begin to flit about in the mind like flashes of lightning. Along with it a great feeling of joy pervades the mind. Objects of the senses and sensuous persons can no longer tempt or attract the mind now. In the early stages of sadhana however, aspirants must be careful about sensuous objects and those who are after them since they agitate the mind.

“Grace of Self, grace of God, grace of the guru, and grace of the scriptures – those who have gained these four realise truth and rejoice beyond the shadow of fear” – this is a common saying of old mahatmas. Of these, grace of self means self effort. God helps those who help themselves. By the grace of God an aspirant comes into contact with a guru who is established in Brahman. And through the grace of the guru he learns the secrets and puts them in practice.

Thus he reaches the state of God realisation. So at the root of all gain is self effort. Devote your days and nights to spiritual exercises. You will be, in the end, crowned with success.

I do not propose to write much. There is no need to. Writing and reading are not very helpful towards Self-realisation. They are merely diversions of the mind. Briefly know what you ought to know. Then put into practice what you have come to know, all with devout attention. That is what spiritual aspirants ought to do. Meditate more than you read. Follow up resolution with action. Those who meditate more upon a subject get more courage and strength in carrying out their intention.

With good wishes,

Swami Tapovanam