HOW TO MAINTAIN INNER HAPPINESS (પ્રસન્નચિત્ત)

We have to think whether our understanding of the situation is proper or not whenever there is some effect on our mind from the thoughts, behavior and speech of someone in social relationships. If we find that there is ignorance regarding the situation and feel the pain from the situation, it is sheer narrow-mindedness and miserable situation on our part. When we see and experience such reaction and attitude of the mind we must reject such attitude. We have no reason to get upset if we see such ignorance and lack of real understanding in others. Just as our ignorance is not removed immediately, their ignorance can not be removed immediately also. At such times we need to show compassion with love and humility to others. If we act in such manner there will be much less possibility of developing any irritation, weariness, harassment, jealousy, hatred and disgust in our mind regarding behavior of others.

Moreover it is not proper to understand that others are ignorant and so are inferior. Things do no stay the same for ever. There is a distinct possibility for the inferior person to be superior and vice a versa. So it is proper and best not to judge others in any regards.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Mandan
Edition 3; Pages 66 - 67.

LOVE -- STAGES

Swajan : It is hard to interact with others while keeping the spirit of love. Everybody behaves with their own nature. How can we maintain the spirit of love when they are not cooperative?

Pujya Shree Mota : By the grace of God one who is aware of the purpose of life does not need to go anywhere to learn about it. Whenever there is specific awareness, instant comprehension springs up on its own. We do not understand these things. We want to be affectionate to our swajans (close friends and aquaitances) for our own progress. In love there is a deep desire to be cooperative and at the same time there is also great energy for fierce protest. The real use of this opposing energy is manifested when the love is expressed in all its aspects. It is very important to be affectionate to others with the idea that we want to get rid of many kinds of understandings, beliefs and insistences within us with real understanding. It is only possible when we are aware of the purpose (what kind of spirit-bhava we want to develop in our hearts). This happens when we do it without hesitation, wariness and with cooperation and love. This kind of action and behavior leads to real progress in life.

We always express ourselves according to our nature. There is a need to change such expression. By the grace of God if we remain aware of such expression at the time, it is apparent that we have to let go a lot if we want to love and be agreeable to others. If we can not let go at the time, it is not possible to be agreeable. If we love and be agreeable truly, such actions result in strength and penance. When there is real joy and enthusiasm in the heart while carrying out such actions of letting go, believe that the actions were true to its purpose. This leads to flourishing of peace and happiness.


Pujya Shree Mota
Sant Hradaya
Edition 3; Excerpts from Pages 76 - 77

DO NOT LOOK FOR SUPPORT OF OTHERS IN THE FIELD OF SADHANA

Swajan : It is a popular belief that in the field of spiritual development it is not possible to move forward without the support of others. What does it mean?

Pujya Shree Mota : There is a verse in the holy book of Gitaji.
 "યો  યથા  મામ પ્રપદ્યંતે ,  તાન  તથૈવ  ભજામ્યહમ".
"I reciprocate to anyone in the same way as anyone remembers (worships) me".
This is the fundamental basis of the sadhana. God is always ready to help us and that is proven by this verse from Gita. We ourselves can achieve salvation and destroy ourselves too. As per another verse from Gita we are our own friends and enemies.

It is not as authoritative belief to rely on others in the field of sadhana. It s a mere elusive consolation founded by lame people. We have to struggle by ourselves. It is possible to achieve success in our work by developing true friendship with heartfelt sincerity. So we should continue to remember God and continue to develop true spirit of friendship with Him. There is nothing to be disappointed for. If we continue to do whatever we want to do, there will always be progress. We continue to practice tools like remembering God, prayers, singing holy songs, keep company of good people, read holy books and continue to act with goodness towards all, while always taking the support of true spirit behind such tools. To believe in such effort is a way for our good.

Pujya Shree Mota
Sant Hradaya
Edition 3; Pages 48 - 49. 

HOW TO BE FREE FROM A HABIT.

Swajan : Mota, I have developed a bad habit and I can not be free from this habit. What kind of remedies should I try to get rid of this habit?

Pujya Shree Mota : You are asking me to tell you about the ways to get rid of your bad habit. It is important for you to think about this yourself first. If you want to find the solution then you must try to investigate the ways to solve the problem. If you can not find the solution after great effort then you should ask for advice from the appropriate expert in the field.

We can never continue with the bad habit that is bothering us deeply just as we can never rest if there is a thorn in the foot or something stuck in between the teeth. The soul gets used to the habit and after a while gets habituated. To get rid of this kind of habit the soul needs and must have most intense desire and eagerness. Jesus Christ has said "One who looks for and struggles finds it".

We think with the intellect and try to understand it, but we never understand it in its true sense. That is the major defect. At the same time the grief is also not from the bottom of the heart. You tell me that this habit is not such that it can not be removed. You are asking me for the ways to increase the determination to get rid of the habit. You must have heartfelt desire to be aware and be ready to fight off the habit with all your might. Human being wakes up at once when there is heart in the effort and this heartfelt effort gets the results. If there is heart in the effort, it is possible to make the most difficult and arduous effort with enthusiasm.

Pujya Shree Mota
Sant Hradaya
Edition 3; Pages 40 - 41.

USING EQUANIMITY

When we try to go above the mind and senses, our intellect tries to act perversely with full force. All our perceived opinions, insistences and other misleading arguments come in forefront and sometimes it leads to unbelievable confusion. We need to approach this with equanimity (evenhandedness, Samataa, સમતા) at all the times. We need to use the equanimity to go within. Many things need to be evaluated at these times using our equanimity. We need to figure out the real purpose and meaning of the arguments of intellect and where it is leading us, whether it is useful to us for our works or not; are we leading it or it is leading us, without being influenced by anything. We can never go within without equanimity.

Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Pagaran
Edition 3; Page 237.