Importance of Spiritual Practices
I salute you, who are all pervading, victorious, bearer of conch and discus, beloved of Rukmini, consort of Janaki (Sita), the very life of the gopis, supremely adorable, my own self, destroyer of Kamsa, and the bearer of the flute.
Om Namo Narayanaya Respected Pravrajika Ishtaprana Mataji, dear elders, loving brothers and sisters. My talk for this evening is based on the importance of spiritual practices.
I recall in the June holidays, Sapna and I stayed over at ashram for a week, rejuvenating and doing karma yoga all in the service of mother, master and swamiji. It’s 9 pm on a Wednesday night. We are getting our things ready so we don't get late for the early morning aarthi. Sapna receiving a bbm from a friend. Too busy to chat - she says she is staying over at ashram and really can't talk right now. Her friend is shocked at the idea and to our surprise she reply’s back - ‘oh shame I feel so sorry for you!’
That was it. We laughed ourselves to sleep; she probably thought that our parents abandoned us for the holidays. The only escape and survival is to stay at the nearest ashram. That night was spent awake talking about how fortunate we are to stay at the ashram, being in the holy presence and guidance of Mataji, able to do service all through the grace of master. Acknowledging that if only our friends would understand how lucky we are, measuring the importance of spiritual practices to live a balanced lifestyle.
Prayer is a mighty spiritual force. It is spiritual food for the soul. Spiritual practices must be done regularly, as our life will be gradually changed and moulded. Prayer lights the heart and fills the mind with peace, strength and purity. When the mind becomes pure through the power of prayer, the intellect becomes sharp and keen. Holy Mother says spiritual practices are meant to keep the mind steady at the feet of God; to keep it immersed in His thought. Repeat His name.
Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, “Remember me and Fight.” So, to make our
Om Namo Narayanaya Respected Pravrajika Ishtaprana Mataji, dear elders, loving brothers and sisters. My talk for this evening is based on the importance of spiritual practices.
I recall in the June holidays, Sapna and I stayed over at ashram for a week, rejuvenating and doing karma yoga all in the service of mother, master and swamiji. It’s 9 pm on a Wednesday night. We are getting our things ready so we don't get late for the early morning aarthi. Sapna receiving a bbm from a friend. Too busy to chat - she says she is staying over at ashram and really can't talk right now. Her friend is shocked at the idea and to our surprise she reply’s back - ‘oh shame I feel so sorry for you!’
That was it. We laughed ourselves to sleep; she probably thought that our parents abandoned us for the holidays. The only escape and survival is to stay at the nearest ashram. That night was spent awake talking about how fortunate we are to stay at the ashram, being in the holy presence and guidance of Mataji, able to do service all through the grace of master. Acknowledging that if only our friends would understand how lucky we are, measuring the importance of spiritual practices to live a balanced lifestyle.
Prayer is a mighty spiritual force. It is spiritual food for the soul. Spiritual practices must be done regularly, as our life will be gradually changed and moulded. Prayer lights the heart and fills the mind with peace, strength and purity. When the mind becomes pure through the power of prayer, the intellect becomes sharp and keen. Holy Mother says spiritual practices are meant to keep the mind steady at the feet of God; to keep it immersed in His thought. Repeat His name.
Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, “Remember me and Fight.” So, to make our