SELF NARRATION, RIGHT AND WRONG WAY

December 3, 1962.

Swajan : Mota, I do self narration when there is conflict, clashes and dukkah in my worldly affairs but it does not result in peace and happiness and I feel the same way as before. Is there a right way of doing self narration?

Pujya Shree Mota : The soul that gets entangled in difficulties, incidents and problems of the society will never be able to find the way out of it. If there is no proper understanding of self narration of the conflicts then doing so can cause harm also.  The reason being our agitated state (for being involved in conflicts) with which we do self narration can leave even deeper impressions on our psyche. We should have inclination to give importance to the vigorous fight that we undertake, prayers and the help we ask with smaran-bhava (સ્મરણ-ભાવ). There should be narration of only the facts of the incident. The way most people do self narration is by stating the same fights and incidents over and over again. By doing so you come in the same condition that encourages more attacks of the same kind. The whole method of self narration seems faulty and as I understand, it is harmful and not beneficial.

Self narration is best when it results in increased faith, courage, patience and strength for sacrifice. Only such self narration has some meaning, otherwise in my mind it is just a tale of one's woes and it is a sign of downfall. I am telling this so that there can be better understanding of self narration. I have not said such things about self narration in past. My explanation of self narration is worth putting in practice by the sadhaks interested in development of their lives.

Pujya Shree Mota
Sant- Hradaya,
Edition 3; Excerpts from pages 65 - 67.

DECISION -- REAL MEANING

When a decision is made there is nothing to think about it anymore. Once the door is properly locked there is no chance for the door to open. If we decide about something then our thoughts, vision, tendencies and attitude should be supplementing that decision. Then only it is called the decision. There can be different or definite meanings for the spoken words. Some people use the term loosely and declare that decision is made. What does it really mean when the decision is made? It means the expansion of BHAVA for that particular decision. This is absent when the term is used lightly. If we decide to follow this path then it needs to be followed till death. If you want to decide that way then only you associate with us, otherwise we will be troubled unnecessarily.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Mandan
Edition 3: page 118.

My two cents -- Expansion of Bhava in this context means all related issues for the decision are seen in a positive manner helping to fulfill the aim of that decision. 

IMPROVE THE THOUGHTS WITH DETERMINATION.

If we have true understanding, we should replace the contra wise thoughts with the thoughts compatible with that understanding. This needs to be done with determination. Then only the force of other thoughts will decrease. When a thought is observed we need to evaluate it with equanimity and decide whether it is constructive or negative. If negative according to our appropriate understanding then we should fight to remove that thought. We must prove the impropriety of that thought and prepare a response with a proper thought that would quieten the mind. These thoughts need to be developed from our proper understanding and aim of our lives. If we feel like a capsized vessel being thrown around in the ocean, then know and believe that we have not developed that kind of determination to improve our thoughts. The direction and the state of the determined person is extraordinary. There is one Bhajan " My beloved God lives in the palace of determination". It is not possible to do any concrete work in ordinary life or divine life without firm and urgent determination in life.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Mandan
Edition 3: pages 196 - 197.

DIVINE INTERVENTION OR JUST A COINCIDENCE

This particular incident is recorded in the editorial and published in the book "Jivan Mandan (જીવન મંડાણ)". Jivan Mandan is a collection of letters written by Pujya Shree Mota to a lady devotee. Editors asked the question to this lady devotee.
                                                    ------------------------------

Editors : How did you come in the contact with the writer (Pujya Shree Mota) of this book? You did not know the writer at all and had no prior contact with him.

Lady devotee : Let me tell you the story in detail. My older daughter had brought a book of poems from her friend to read and this book stayed in my room for several days. One day when I was laying in my bed this book fell on me when sudden gust of the wind pushed the book from the window seal to my bed. The book laid open and it had prayers and poems on the open page. I read these poems at the time and factually experienced my mental condition at the time described in these prayers and poems. I started reading the prayers written in this book Hradaya Pokar (હ્દય પોકાર) since then. I did have the wish to know more about the author of the book but some time did pass by. Some of my relatives were going on the pilgrimage in south India and I joined them. Even though we were not supposed to go to Kumbhkonam, by mistake we took that road. There we were invited by the owner of the jewelry shop to dine with them. When I was sitting in the room of the wife of the partner of the jewelry shop (whom I knew earlier) I saw the book Hradaya Pokar (હ્દય પોકાર) laying there. I was surprised by seeing this book. I asked her " How do you have this book with you?". She answered "Why should not I have this book? The writer of this book is staying with us". "If that is the case, then I would like to meet him" I said. Afterwards she called the writer of the book to meet me and since then I am in touch with him. I then started correspondence with him. The collection of these letters is being published in this book Jivan Mandan (જીવન મંડાણ).

Editorial, First Edition
Jivan Mandan
Edition 3; page 5.

LIGHT THE FLAME OF HARMONY.

Kumbhakonam
21st July, 1952.

It is very good if we can reduce the opposition and hostility amongst the people who stay with us. Our tendency should be to facilitate the harmony amongst the people who are staying with us with love, good intention and vigor. It is even better if we can see and feel the need for harmony and put it in practice right at that moment without thinking too much about it or making plans in advance to achieve it. All the souls have the ego and the egos clash because of the tendencies and behavior of the souls resulting in friction and opposition. There is no opposition for the soul that has sublimated the ego. Your understanding and comprehension is very good but it is even better if you behave in daily interactions with others according to the flame of bhavna (harmony) that lights up in your heart at that very moment.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Pravesh
Edition 2; page 68.