There is something called
shakti-pata
that a
teacher gives. It is not the mass hypnosis that people use for a
gimmick. A
guru can give shakti-pata to his prepared disciples. The ascending
force comes when they have prepared themselves, utilizing all human
potentials. Finally he touches them. What is his touch? The
descending force or grace. It is possible, but you have to prepare
yourself.
The
guru is he who has dispelled the darkness from his mind and heart.
Guru knows about the mysteries of life here and hereafter, and what
world means. Guru knows the difference between the little I
and the real I, the nonself and the true
Self, the mere self and the real Self. Such a teacher has the power
to lead those students who are prepared, who have the desire, and
whose lamp is ready. He has simply to light the lamp with the touch.
That touch is important. Such people are rare who can do it.
Where is there place for
grace when there is a law of
equality? When you have done your efforts with mind, action, and
speech, even then you may not be successful. Then you cry like Kanva,
a great rishi of the
Vedas. He is called Kanva because he used to cry bitterly, “I have
made all efforts and I have not attained anything, my Lord.”
Suddenly the field of mind expanded and he went beyond the
unconscious to the domain of peace and happiness within.
Most of you believe in
God
according to your convenience. When you want something and that
something is not being attained or achieved by any other way, you
call, “Oh, God. Help me!” Once you receive help, you forget God
again. Grace through human effort is called the ascending force.
When the ascending force meets the descending force that is called
kripa—blessings
or grace. Grace plays a great part in our lives. Grace is of four
types: the grace of God is of course great; the grace of teacher is
also important; the grace of the scriptures that you study; and
finally, the grace of self. If you do not have grace of self, these
other three graces will not work.
My master told me, “I have been repeatedly teaching
you, but you do not assimilate it. You have my grace, you have the
grace of God, you have the grace of the other swamis, and you have
the grace of the scriptures. You lack your own grace.”
Any human being who gives all responsibility to the
Lord, gives away his own
responsibility, and cripples his human potentials. If you don’t want
to perform your duties and then say,
God
will do everything for me,” this is not good. You are not utilizing
the gifts given to you by Providence. When you do not use human
effort yet you believe in God, God says, “No. Human effort is a gift
given by Me. Use it.” When a human being does not use the gifts
given by God he is depriving himself. If He has given you eyes but
you close your eyes and start walking, God says, “No. This is not
right. Pay full attention
when you walk. Do not blindfold yourself and stumble and get hurt.”
Reprinted from Samadhi the Highest State of
Wisdom, an HIHT publication
Swami Rama