SSSBCQ Presentation 2017 - saicentrequeenstown.org is the importance of Nishkama Karma? By serving...

Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre, QueenstownSri Sathya Sai Baba Centre, Queenstown

STUDY CIRCLE Bhakthi Yoga, The Path of Devotion

DATE: SATURDAY, 11TH November 2017


•Recap

•What is Devotion

•Devotion is not a Part Time Job

•Single Pointedness

•Discussion

CONTENT


RECAP


The Path of Karma Yoga

1. How is Service the highest form of worship?In serving others, we are serving the God within them and in ourselves. It is a way of worshipping God by expression of Love from the heart.

2. What do you think is the reason/reasons that one may not like to engage in service? Common reason would be the lack of time, laziness, indulging in one own’s issues and also due to stigma.

3. Why is service considered the way to overcome one’s karmic debts? By setting good seeds, it will bring down and push the bad seeds of karma from fructification.

RECAP


The Path of Karma Yoga

4. What is Nishkama Karma?It is service done without the aim of any benefits.

5. What is the importance of Nishkama Karma?By serving selflessly, it helps to reduce and eradicate one’s ego due to attachment and ownership.

6. How can we practice Nishkama Karma and how is it linked to Bhakti Yoga? By carrying out our service without thinking of the results and needing reciprocation and dedicating all the results to God.

RECAP


WHAT IS DEVOTION


Devotion to God is the loving attitude that we develop when we come into conscious contact with the Divine Being.

As we begin to see and appreciate His qualities of universal love, mercy, and joyful countenance, we cannot refrain from dedicating our minds and hearts to contemplation on Him.

Most people who follow a spiritual path start to develop that relationship through early contact with their religious tradition.

Others may cultivate that feeling from reading a book, seeing a film, or perhaps hearing songs or stories about divine beings.

Devotion may manifest as worship of a formless God, such as Allah or Jehovah.

Or that relationship may progress through dedication to a chosen deity in form, such as Jesus, Sathya Sai Baba, Krishna, or Rama.

WHAT IS DEVOTION


The particular form of God that one worships is less important than one's sincere devotion to the divine.

God responds to us by whatever name we call on Him, if we call on Him with heartfelt yearning.

Various religions have developed over countless centuries to suit the needs and requirements of different cultures and times, but God is One.

As water is poured from a pitcher into a glass, it assumes the form of the receiving container.

So also, God responds to us by whatever name and form we call on Him, if we seek Him with sincere devotion.

WHAT IS DEVOTION


Water assumes the/arm of the container. Likewise, whatever cthe form in which the devotee worships the divine, God appears in that form. What is the reason for this? The feelings of the devotee endow the form for the divine. This is called “bhavaroopam " (the form caused by the feeling). Meditation is the means by which the form is experienced. Whatever the feeling (about the form), which the devotee cherishes, God assumes that form (for him). The Lord appears in the form you envisage.

- Sathya Sai Speaks 28, pp.143-144

WHAT IS DEVOTION


The same man may be called brother, father, or son depending on our relationship to him.

God also responds to love and prayer offered with sincerity and perseverance by whatever name we call on Him.

It could not be possible, during the countless centuries of man's history, that all men would cherish the same name for God.

Not only do languages differ, but also the way in which God manifests to people is dependent on their understanding and cultural attitudes.

Just as each individual holds their own special relationship with the divine, each culture and religion envisages Him according to their own preferences.

Such conceptions of the divine are also often highly influenced by the vision of the religious founder.

WHAT IS DEVOTION


He who is worshipped as Allah by Muslims,

As Jehovah by Christian aspirants,

As the Lotus-eyed Lord by the worshipers of Vishnu,

As Sambhu by those who revere Shiva,

In whatever way He is worshipped,

He gladly responds.

Grants the Grace of fame and fortune,

And showers happiness and joy.

He is the One, the Supreme Self

Know him as Paramatma.

Sanathana Sarathi. Jan. 2003, p.3,

WHAT IS DEVOTION


Indian tradition has long acknowledged the common divine for all of the world's religions.

We are best served if we recognise honor the great wealth of diversity that is evidenced by the world's religions and philosophies.

Although we cannot practice each one, we can honor each as a pathway for man's divinisation.

Just as Ramakrishna sought to experience the truth of each major religion, Sri Aurobindoalso held out the hand of brotherhood to men of all paths.

WHAT IS DEVOTION


Philosophies and religions dispute about the priority of different aspects of God, and different yogins, rishis, and saints have preferred this or that philosophy or religion. Our business is not to dispute about any of them, but to realise and become all of them, not to follow after any aspect to the exclusion of the rest, but to embrace God in all His aspects and beyond aspect.

- Sri Aurobindo, The Adventure of Conciousness

WHAT IS DEVOTION


In Indian tradition, nine stages of devotion are described.

These stages are progressive and lead one to a closer relationship with God over a period of time.

Initially, we may hear stories of the glory of God and contemplate on those glories.

That leads us to adoration and worship of God in one of His many forms or as a formless being.

We may adore God in song, prayer, or the performance of rituals.

Then, as we truly worship God, we put our faith into action to serve others.

That service is the concrete recognition that others are manifestations of God before us.

As we continue service to man, we become a friend and coworker with God in His mission for the uplift of humanity.

Ultimately that friendship with God leads us to realise our identity with Him.

The recognition of identity naturally causes us to surrender to divine will.

WHAT IS DEVOTION


There are nine paths of devotion. They are: Sravanam (listening}, kirtanam (singing),' Vishnusmaranam (contemplating on God), Padasevanam (serving the lotus feet of the Lord), Vandanam (salutation), Archanam (ritual worship}; Dasyam (service), Sneham (friendship with the Lord), and Atmanivedanam (self surrender).

- Sanathana Sarathi, April 2002, p.125

WHAT IS DEVOTION


God does not require us to master all nine forms of devotion.

Some devotees are content to worship God as His servant.

Others feel that they hold the relationship of a son or daughter to God.

Yet other devotees may hold the attitude that they are a friend or even a parent of a divine form.

It is enough if the devotee chooses one relationship and practices it faithfully.

The path that devotees take need suit only their own temperament and attitude.

If aspirants faithfully follow one path, they accrue the benefits of the other paths also.

When we win the love and grace of God, He shoulders our burdens and ensures our progress on the spiritual path.

WHAT IS DEVOTION


Therefore, if you want to get realisation, then it is not necessary for you to follow all the various types of bhakthi (devotional practices) that have been described. If you attach yourself to the Lord through one chosen path, like prema (spiritual love), it will be possible to realise Him.

- Summer Roses on the Blue Mountains, p. 109

WHAT IS DEVOTION


Life in the world constantly changes.

Only God remains as friend and well-wisher through all of our many lifetimes.

God continues eternally permanent and unchanging.

Husbands, wives, children are forgotten after each lifetime, or certainly by the time next life begins.

God alone endures as our constant companion and friend.

Only God wields power over events in our lives, and only He can protect us from the results of our actions.

If we befriend the Cause of all events in our lives, then why should we worry about the results?

In Him we should discover our strength and comfort, not in the transient objects of the senses.

That search achieves fruition when we discover God in our own hearts and as the resident witness in all beings.

WHAT IS DEVOTION


Bhakthi (devotion to God) is defined as the means of discovering the divine reality within each being. Four steps are laid down in the, scriptures to help man succeed in this effort: discrimination between the permanent and the impermanent; withdrawal from the process of catering to the senses; positive control of the feelings, thoughts, and pursuits; and incessant yearning for liberation from all bonds.

- Sathya Sai Speaks 9, p.1 06

WHAT IS DEVOTION


But what is the measure of pure devotion to God?

It is not attending devotional meetings or going through the motions of worship.

It is not just singing God's names or meditating on His attributes.

Devotion denotes an intense unselfish love for God that originates of a direct heart-felt relationship.

That relationship is seasoned and deepened over time as we experience God's love and mercy toward and ourselves.

True devotion manifests as selfless love for God desire for reward.

WHAT IS DEVOTION


The true mark of devotion is pure love of God. Without this pure love, bhajans, worship, and the like are artificial exercises and are valueless. They may appear to be devotional acts, but they do not contain the essential sweetness of devotion. They resemble plastic flowers and fruits.

- Sanathana Sarathi, September 1994, p.228

WHAT IS DEVOTION


Just as one's devotion must be sincere and heartfelt, we must also hold true to the Lord's commands.

One cannot consider oneself a if one ignores divine commands.

Devotion requires sincere practice; it is not a show for the benefit of others.

We cannot progress along the path if we pay no heed to God's instructions.

We may receive those commands through the dictates of conscience or from other sources.

The heart is the source of that inner command.

So devotion must be combined with intelligence and eagerness to act on spiritual principals.

WHAT IS DEVOTION


Observing the divine injunctions without love for God will not be efficacious. Equally, devotion without observance of the Lord's commands will be useless. Love is the medicine and God's injunctions are the diet restrictions. It is by the presence of both that divinity in man can be made to manifest itself.

- Sathya Sai Speaks 27, pp.168-169

WHAT IS DEVOTION


Love for God also enables us to overcome attraction to worldly objects.

The bliss of selfless love causes lesser objectives to pale by comparison.

Devotion armours the mind against temptations of physical attraction and attachment.

When we experience God's love, we seek to remain always in His favour.

The path of devotion is a smoother and more pleasant road to travel than those of asceticism or rigorous reasoning.

Anyone may embark on that journey by practicing small acts kindness to others, devotion, and self-sacrifice.

WHAT IS DEVOTION


Many seekers have undoubtedly achieved an awareness of God by years of asceticism in jungle caves. But, starting early with formal worship and continuing with scrupulous care the rites of offering flowers while repeating God's name, singing His glory, and adoring Him as a living presence are more fruitful and satisfying.

- Sathya Sai Speaks 10, p.301

WHAT IS DEVOTION


Walking the first steps on the path of devotion is not difficult.

If we call on the Lord, He will show us the path.

He holds our hand and guides each step of the way.

We need only to remember His name and act with love and sincerity.

With patience and perseverance, we can overcome all obstacles.

If we call on His name with sincerity and persistence, we can overcome all obstacles on the road to God-realisation

WHAT IS DEVOTION


If you constantly chant the name of God, God-realisation will come in due course.

- Sanathana Sarathi; March 1998, p.65

WHAT IS DEVOTION


DEVOTION IS NOT A PART TIME JOB


The attainment of one-pointed devotion is not quickly or easily accomplished. One engaging in part-time worship cannot claim that goal. Nor is devotion a means to collect wages, bargaining with God in an effort to obtain either material or spiritual gains. True devotion in a dedicated path of action in which one remembers the Lord always and consistently observes His commands. Complete devotion that we consistently focus our attention on God.

Devotion cannot come upon you during stated hours and fall off when you relapse into normalcy. It is a continuous, constant condition of the mind, a confirmed attitude, a way chosen and adhered to with avid attention .... Bhakthi (devotion) is a constant, continuous bent of mind, a habit of thought, a way of life. It must be loyally adhered to whatever may happen – dishonour, distress, despair, deprivation, pleasure, prosperity, power and pomp. '




Of course, constant devotion is difficult to attain while we engaged in the world as householders.

The daily demands of caring a family and holding a job often require our undivided attention.

The Lord understands when we put forth our best efforts in the face these obstacles.

Even during our busy schedule, we make some time to repeat God’s name, that is also very valuable.



Ultimately devotion to God opens our inner vision enabling us to see the divine basis in all things.

For all of creation constitutes the body of God.

He is the source and designer of all things, creatures, and events - the seen as well as the unseen.

When we act with devotion, we purify our hearts so that we see Him everywhere at all times.

The ardent devotee of God experiences little joy without constant remembrance of the Lord



Bhakthi (devotion) is the state of mind in which one has no separate existence apart from God. His very breath is God. His every act is God, for God. His thoughts are of God; his words are uttered by God, about God. Forlike the fish, which can live only in water: man can live only in God - in peace and happiness.




SINGLE POINTEDNESS


Attachment to the Lord and repetition of His name does not require the strenuous activity of karma yoga or the intellectual capacity of jnana yoga (the path of wisdom).

The devotee behaves like a kitten that cries for the mother cat to rescue it.

The kitten cries for milk, and its mother carries the kitten to where it may drink.

It does not depend on its strength or skill.

If the devotee surrenders to the will of God with devotion and dedication, then the Lord bears the burden of the devotee’s protection and progress, but such surrender requires single pointed pointed focus.

The devotee must engage in full-time dedication to a single Name form.

If aspirants maintain clear and intense focus, they travel quickly on the road to liberation.

SINGLE POINTEDNESS


Single-minded devotion is the easiest path to salvation. In fact, the ananyabhakta (devotee concentrated on God alone) becomes a jivanmukta(one liberated during life).

- Summer Showers 1979, p.151

SINGLE POINTEDNESS


One-pointed devotion to God, whether by chanting His name or adoring Him in a particular form, is the royal road to liberation during the Kali Yuga.

That path of spiritual effort is the simplest path of discipline in this age.

When we depend wholly on God, He takes on the burden ofour needs.

Still, true devotion requires virtue and mindfulness.

The seeker should avoid attaching themselves to many gurus and many paths.

When one digs a well to reach sweet water, one must concentrate and dig deeply in one spot.

Digging shallow holes in many locations, only ruins the field.

Although most true spiritual teachers represent complementary paths to the divine, one should not wander about indiscriminately seeking out holy personalities.

SINGLE POINTEDNESS


There are a host of so-called spiritual guides known as Mathajis, Swamijis, and Bahajis. Because of this man’s mind gets confused .... There is only one divinity. Stick to anyone deity of your choice and hold firm to it.


SINGLE POINTEDNESS


Sticking to one name and: one form for worship does not mean that the devotee should slight other names and forms of God.

God in all beings and all forms are His.

There is no need to criticise teachers or forms of the divine other than your own chosen form.

For spiritual discipline to be effective, it must be one-pointed and single-minded.

It should be like a diamond drill that alone can cut through the hard shell of ego.

But one may still respect and appreciate other forms of the divine that appeal to other people and other cultures.

SINGLE POINTEDNESS


Adoration of God has to be through one name and one form; but that should not limit your loyalty to that particular form only.

- Sathya Sai Speaks 26, p. 175

SINGLE POINTEDNESS


The Lord appears to the earnest seeker in the form that is dear to that devotee.

But to charge that name and form with spiritual power, one cannot casually change the form to suit one's whims.

When one seeks to start a fire with two sticks, the sticks must be rubbed vigorously together until sufficient heat is generated to ignite a spark.

If the sticks are changed halfway through the process, all of the work previously accomplished is lost.

The heat remains with the old sticks and slowly dissipates.

So also, it is important to maintain focus on one Name and one form if one seeks the benefits of the devotional path.

SINGLE POINTEDNESS


One should not be changing the Name that one has loved and cherished and selected for smarana(remembrance). Concentration is impossible if the Name is changed once every few days. The mind will not attain one-pointedness. All sadhana has this one-pointedness as its ultimate aim, so avoid constant adoption and rejection of Names and forms of the Lord. One single Name must be used throughout for japam (repetition of the name) and dhyanam (meditation).

- Prema Vahini, p.84

SINGLE POINTEDNESS


One-pointed devotion wins God's grace.

Intense devotion can overcome our limitations in other areas of spiritual practice.

Even if we lack understanding of God's formless divinity, or if we are unable to skillfully serve others, we may still achieve moksha by the grace of God.

Arjuna, the Pandava companion of Krishna, learned this lesson of the Lord’s grace during his discussion with Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Krishna promised Arjuna success in spiritual endeavour, despite Arjuna's other shortcomings, if he maintained one-pointed devotion to the Lord.

SINGLE POINTEDNESS


Krishna to Arjuna:

"The contemplation of the Godhead as 'above and beyond all attributes' is necessary for the attainment of jivan mukthi(attainment of liberation while in the body). If that is difficult and beyond your capacity, you can do another thing. Dedicate all worship, all adoration, all Vedic rituals and vows and vigils with all the fruits that may accrue, to me. Take me as the ultimate goal, as the final aim which transforms all acts into worship; fix your mind on me, meditate on me; I shall then shower my grace and take you across the ocean of change, of samsara; I shall favor you with the goal you seek."

- Gita Vahini, pp.196-197

SINGLE POINTEDNESS


DISCUSSION


DISCUSSION1. Is prayer important or sincerity to the Lord important? Why?

2. Why is it important respect God in the various names in different religions and culture?

3. What is the definition of Bhakthi according to Swami?

4. What is the most important element in practices of Bhakthi?

5. Why is single pointedness important?

6. How can we set aside time in a day in remembrance of God?


END OF PRESENTATION

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