BLESSING OF THE SAINT

Some people have the understanding that if they have prayed with certain sincerity of purpose to a saint and if that thing comes to a fruition then they assume that they have received the blessing of a saint. Lots of people run after these saints, sadhus and sanyasis (people who have renounced worldly things and affairs) for the fulfillment of their desires and expectations. We should be free from such delusional trap and never support this kind ignorance of the society. Some believe that the contact of a saint even once never fails. We are like blind people who cannot see the light of the sun.
It is very difficult to find a true saint in our society and even if you find one it even harder to appreciate him. Even if you appreciate him, it is even harder to understand him. Even if you understand him, it is extremely hard to study, follow and pursue his instructions for the advancement of our lives with wisdom, love and devotion. So instead of wasting time after these activities, it is best to try to understand and experience ourselves by ourselves.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Sanshodhan
Edition 6; pages 252 - 253.

My two cents -- Pujya Shree Mota also explains in the next few pages about the exception to the above statements. He mentions that as a general rule saints do no interfere with the results of the karmas of the person. Some saints may help in the worldly life because of past associations (nimitt, નિમિત્ત). There is a possibility of this kind of help but it is an exception. He further states that we should not give importance to the exception to this rule.

PRACTICE OF NAAM--SMARAN WILL FUNDAMENTALLY TRANSFORM US.

Naam-smaran is the best, easy and natural tool to keep our mind in the bhava of Bhagwan and maintain the awareness (mindfulness) for that purpose all the time. The influence of naam-smaran is limitless. If we use most of the time of the day and use most of our energy for that purpose, it is possible to achieve continuity in the bhavna of naam-smaran. When the bhavna of naam-smaran expresses in the life, it results in the sense of discretion between right and wrong. Effect of this goodness towards all always expresses itself in our lives. Just as when medicine is taken to cure the disease but it can end up helping rest of the body, this goodness towards all when exercised with wisdom and devotion affects the rest of the life also. When this goodness is put in action in life, it also produces other good qualities and energy. There is definite possibility to turn towards the path of spirituality when one develops the bhavna of naam-smaran with sincerity, love and devotion and tries to develop constant awareness of the purpose. The flood of the bhavna of naam.smaran can remove any and all obstacles either going through or around it (prakruti). But there is some problem with this logic. Just because there is bhava of Bhagwan, we should not ignore the prakruti. Prakruti is the sum total of our insistences, beliefs, habits, nature, mind, intelligence, prana, chitta, body etc, If we cannot transform the prakruti, sadhana in our lives is not much useful and not needed. If somebody says that we can realize divine consciousness without sublimating the prakruti, it is falsehood and illusion. It is very important to keep our constant attention to see that our prakruti is transformed and our attitude towards it is molded in that regard while we pursue our sadhana.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sanshodhan

Edition 6; pages 245 - 246.

PRACTICE TO BE AWARE (MINDFUL) -- ALWAYS

We will find many examples of help from Bhagwan when we are open to Him with even half open eyes. The real problem and defect is that our eyes close repeatedly. We get the spark and the effect lasts only for a while. We stay the same as a result. So we have to be aware (mindful) repeatedly and start the process again and again. When this is practiced repeatedly awareness starts staying continuously and with same intensity.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan sanshodhan

Edition 6; page 244.

My two cents -- The next blog will explore naam-smaran and how it helps to keep this kind of awareness and change our prakruti as a result. 

START WITH A SMALL AIM

Start with small aim after considering your own level. Evaluate the kind of thoughts, desires and wishes spring up in your mind. Understand it and keep an aim commensurate with those. Try to achieve it first. As you do this your aim will get higher also. This bhavna of achieving your aim lights up your path and gives you thorough understanding of the direction. If you want to do the activity it needs to be done with a definite aim. Try to generate determination, persistence, care and unbridled enthusiasm to achieve the aim. You should be ready to sacrifice your life with eagerness. Without this eagerness you will not be able to reach even a small aim. You can even develop good qualities ( gunas, ગુણ) along the way if you have immense patience and great enthusiasm to achieve even a small aim. You should try to achieve the aim with exuberant joy of heart.

Pujya Shree Mota
Maun Mandirnu Haridwar
Edition 6; page 103.