True Yagna of offering to God

 It is a very necessary part of sadhana that all kinds of offering is done with Bhava. Every offering physical or subtle need not be done in the same way. It is essential that the offering is done with awareness, devotion and understanding that it is for the love of God and needs to be done with complete detachment, ego, infatuation (MOHA), etc. It is my belief that there is some fault in believing that by giving up large sum of money one can get rid of attachment and ego. It is true Yagna of offering if it is not used for promoting attachment, ego and infatuation; instead used for the purpose of increasing the Bhavna of the sadhana and progress in life with knowledge and awareness. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Manthan

Edition 3; Page 142.

ATTITUDE OF THE SADHAK TOWARDS CONFLICTS

 Our peace and easiness should not be disturbed by the conflict with someone. We should not create the conflict knowingly and not be the cause of the conflict. We need to be more peaceful and have happy mind with awareness if such conflict happen from some incident without any particular reason. Know that equanimity (SAMATA—સમતા), is not attained without the presence of peace and happiness. We can understand the real reasons of the conflict much better if there is peace, happiness and SAMATA - even to some extent - in us. It will not work to ignore the conflict. Take part in it with enthusiasm and accept it with peace and happiness. Conflict is for our training. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Manthan

Edition 3; Pages 141 - 142.

HOW DOES GUNAS (GOOD QUALITIES) AND ENERGY INCREASE?

 HARI OM

Kumbhakonam

June 23, 1952.

It was not possible for you to perform Yagna of Naam-Smaran for 24 hours in the ashram and yet you did not lose peace and happiness. For that, I congratulate you. It is not a small matter to keep impartiality, balanced mind, be peaceful and not let the mind be disturbed even a little bit, when faced with incidents, where the things does not happen our way and expectations. I would be very happy if you write me about such incidents.These incidents are the beauty of life and penance. It develops Bhava in my heart towards you. If we continue to do this, we can experience the grace of the Chetan on us automatically. Having bad feeling in mind, getting angry, feeling of contempt, feeling insulted, feelings getting hurt etc, are like adding Ghee (clarified butter) to the burning coal and igniting the fire. We should become quiet with determination, maintain happiness, peace and balanced mind during such times. These incidents should be taken as the opportunity for the development of the life. If we use these Gunas with awareness, we will realize the strength of these Gunas at the time of its application during such incidents. Do write me about such incidents whenever it happen.  

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Pravesh

Edition 2; Pages 47 - 48.

REMEDY FOR THE ATTACKS OF PRAKRUTI (NATURE)

 I am telling again that the sadhana can be done by the brave soul. The soul that does sadhana is never overpowered by any kind of difficulties. This may happen in the beginning but the soul continues to face and fight even while being swept away and being drowned. The soul never gives in without a tremendous fight. It is very necessary for the sadhak to reject and deny the tendencies of the sentient nature (Jiva nature). The sadhak must develop balanced mind and equanimity by practice and whenever the tendencies of the Jiva nature arise, never cooperate with them with its help. Sadhak should also pray with heartfelt sincerity and ask for the help/grace of the God.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 6; Page 290.

PERFORMING WORK DOES NOT COME IN THE WAY OF SADHANA

 There is not much worry and objection in performing the work, if the Bhavna of Shree Prabhu is kept in the mind while starting the work. The Sanskars that result from the work mostly depend upon the status of the mind while performing the work. Not much depends on whether the work is good or bad. For this reason, the soul needs to learn the art of engaging the mind in the Bhavna of Shree Bhagwan by any means. It is easy for the ones who have the mind that is full of Bhavna and feelings. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Pravesh

Edition 2; Pages 189 - 190.

UNAVOIDABLE NEED OF SMARAN (REMEMBERING GOD)

 When Naam-Smaran is done with knowledge, devotion and awareness, then only the true awareness develops in the heart. When there is Bhavna with awareness and devotion in Naam-Smaran, Bhavna of concentration and oneness develop in the heart. Only then it is possible to develop the heartfelt relationship with Shree Prabhu (God). The reason for the failure of this relationship to develop lies in the roots of our nature and Prakruti. We have many kind of habits including natural tendencies, vrutties, thoughts, feelings, expectations, wishes, desires, demands, likings and disliking, knots of understanding and habit of understanding within these parameters only. We get entangled in these things whenever they manifest. We fail to keep awareness and develop good qualities like peace, genuine happiness, impartiality and sense of discretion. So how can Bhavna with awareness and devotion develop in Naam-Smaran? We do not even start the game that we want to play. The Jiva must think what kind and whose sadhana it wants to do if there is no genuine effort made to remember spirit of Naam-Smaran and Prabhu-Bhavna in all the work that is done, or it is not possible to make an effort with heartfelt sincerity; and it is not possible to remember and establish Guru Bhavna in the heart and asking for the help and grace.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 6; Pages 274 - 275.

KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS FROM DUKKHA (MISERY)

 Karachi, 1939.

The entire thought process that leads to constant thoughts of any matter that cannot be put in action, is dangerous and deadly. It is human to create the habit of having thoughts that can lead to action and energy. Thoughts have enormous power that can radically change our actions in life. One reason for such power of the thoughts is the force of Bhavna (emotions, intention) that if associated with the thoughts. The strength of the Bhavna is so powerful that it builds the entire life. The Sanskaras (mental impressions and recollections) that nourish Bhavna and Bhavna that nourishes the Sanskaras can change the entire life of the human being. This means that the Sanskaras plays major role in accepting the dukkha. Sometimes the tendencies resulting from the qualities that are not Satwik (as a result of Sanskaras) lead to the destruction of the life. This is the result of extreme mental anguish and mental disturbances resulting from inability to bear Dukkha. Sometimes it leads to dissatisfaction with life, weariness and loss of balanced mind. As a result life does not seem to be worth living.

The way to remove the feeling of Dukkha is unique. When organs of senses (indriyo) touch its own interests, it is impossible to not have shadows of Sukkha or Dukkha. We need to let this understanding go deep within us. It is not enough to understand this with mere intellect. If we understand this with Bhavna, we will not take any interest in them and will be able to keep the spirit of equanimity. With practice  we will be able to gain strength and withstand attacks by any kind of feelings and emotions. 

Pujya Shree Mota 

Jivan Prerana

Edition 2; Pages 13 - 15.

ASPIRE AND CONNECT WITH GURU- CONSCIOUSNESS (3)

 Every sadhak must solve his own problems. Only then, he will be able to successfully deal with the life's difficulties. Guru is a subtle Bhavna and for that reason it is Nirakar (no shape, size and cannot be seen). This Bhavna is useful only if we ask for the help with heartfelt sincerity in the path of life's journey, to develop the sadhana, solving the difficulties and guidance in performing the duty. Sadhak must pay close attention to keep close and constant touch with this Bhavna in a heartfelt and creative way. There is no place for weariness, regrets or disappointments in the life of sadhak. This is not a matter of imagination but it is a solid fact. He must ignite this Chetana-Shakti from the depth of his heart with tremendous effort whenever he is put in difficult circumstances by his own nature or prakruti. He must make his Bhavna effective and learn the art of taking help from Guru's subtle Bhavna. He will be successful only if he makes this Guru's subtle bhavna alive and creative with clear understanding, and just not by mad craze. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Pathaya

Edition 3; Pages 108 - 109.

ASPIRE AND CONNECT WITH GURU-CONSCIOUSNESS.(2)

 We have firmly decided to do sadhana and experience God. It is our goal in life. We will never receive the love of the God unless we perform our karmas with heartfelt love and enthusiasm. Love of the God cannot be bought. It will spring up in our hearts if we do our karmas with the bhavna of love and enthusiasm. This will not happen by ignoring the one whom we want to use as a tool to achieve our goal. He is thirsty for our love. He feels his life dry without receiving our love and he cannot do anything to help us. Sadhak must realize the degree of heartfelt love towards him in the daily dealings and how much creative Chetna-shakti and enthusiasm he receives from him. There will not be heart to heart connection until we have love and devotion towards him in our hearts and until we have this connecting bridge, how can he come and go seamlessly? Sadhak may have many difficulties or needs to do difficult tasks, he will not think of these difficulties but rely on divine consciousness (subtle Guru Bhavna - love and devotion to Guru). He will continue to do deep contemplation and try to ignite the Guru Bhavna within him and try to keep it alive and creative. He will continue to think of the ways to solve difficult problems and tasks with the help of divine consciousness (Guru Bhavna). One who keeps the burden of solving the problems on one's head and worries is not sadhak but a worldly person. 

Sadhak must lovingly develop trust and faith in his Self-strength and try to gain more Chetna-Shakti (energy from divine consciousness) through tackling such difficult situations with its help ( sadhak interprets the difficult circumstances according to his beliefs. In fact, He gives us the difficulties that we can handle. He does this, so that we realize our strength to handle difficult circumstances). Sadhak who fails to show his preparedness to tackle the difficulties enthusiastically, looses great opportunity for developing the life. Guru is not a lifeless entity. It is a subtle Chetna-Shakti that passes through many layers of the life of sadhak; it experiences and  arranges, the methods and the ways to transform the life of sadhak. So, as the sadhak seeks self realization with intensity, he will enter deep in the sadhana with the help of this Chetna-Shakti. Sadhak should not be defeated under any circumstances. He must continue the fight. There will be series of wars in his life and he must continue to fight these wars.  There will not be any inner strength (khamir) without tackling these wars. This means, we should not let go without winning over it. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Pathaya

Edition 3; Pages 106 - 108.

ASPIRE AND CONNECT WITH GURU-CONSCIOUSNESS (1)

 Ashram, Sabarmati

June 23, 1948.

Those Sadhaks who are connected with the one (Guru-consciousness) should discuss their experiences whenever they meet. They should discuss with an open mind and heart, about the methods that can be used to maintain the connection to this consciousness. They should also discuss various methods that can be used to get understanding and how their view points change with new understanding; methods used to increase and sanctify trust and faith and other experiences regarding sadhana. They should think and discuss among themselves, the ways to become concentrated, contemplative and focused on one in advanced sadhana. We should have the heartfelt knowledge that we are parts of the same body. 

We will never be able to properly grasp the Guru-consciousness or the Bhavna of the Guru, till we possess heartfelt love and devotion with natural ease towards him. All sadhaks must have experienced this kind of experiences in their own lives. It is very important to discus their observation of these experiences amongst themselves. It is also important that they discuss this with an open heart.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Patheya

Edition 3; Pages 105 - 106.

MAKE MIND ITS OWN GURU

 We have to decide regarding the direction of our path, with heartfelt sincerity. Once this is decided with certainty in the mind and the heart, you need to be vigilant about the direction  the mind takes in any situation. Then the mind will keep on inquiring with the mind regarding the direction that is supposed to be taken. It will question if it is going in the wrong direction or taking the path that has been decided earlier.  We are on the right path when mind becomes its own Guru. This is the cream (result) of such experiences. One who tries understands. So please continue doing this. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 6; Page 205.

ATTITUDE TOWARDS NEGATIVE VRUTTIES (NATURAL TENDENCIES)

 Negative vrutties mean, contrariwise feeling (many kinds of rough and negative attitude) arising in the mind towards others. If you believe that these vrutties can be ignored, it is like falling in the ditch with blindfold applied to the eyes. This contrariwise feelings arising in the mind do not go away by just ignoring it. In fact these kind of rough corners of the mind should bother us a lot. This is our weakness and fault and it is a great obstruction in the sadhana of the progress in life. We will never get freedom from it until we recognize it and it bites us a lot. We can definitely get rid of it, if it bothers us a lot and bites, right at the time it arises in our mind. Some people believe that there is no need for doing all these and if only we do naam-smaran, every thing will be all right. This is ignorance and falsehood. Many people who believe that, cannot even do naam-smaran constantly and their faults in prakruti and nature remain the same. The lectures of some holy people and old fables have supported these beliefs. They say, "You just keep reciting God's name and everything else will be all right". In reality, even this much is not completely done by anybody. This work is assigned to me for the purpose of warning the souls, that have come in the contact of this soul for the purpose of sadhana; I am acting this way considering this as my Dharma (duty) even at the risk of performing this bitter and unpalatable work.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sanshodhan

Edition 6; Pages 247 - 248.

LIGHTEN UP THE MIND FROM HEAVY BURDEN

 Keep lightening the burden off the mind repeated, with prayers or shouting loudly in a solitary place.  After reducing the burden of the mind, get engaged in the daily work with awareness. That is an important work.  We need to empty ourselves of everything. For that reason, we must keep our mind as light as a flower. It is best if mind does not have any burden and is kept busy actively with Bhavna of life's progress at all times. Until now the mind was carrying burden with useless thoughts and it still does. We must change this bad habit of the mind with repeated efforts. It is not necessary to believe that there is no way to change or remove any habit. In the age of science lots of impossible things are possible now! Who says that established habit cannot be removed? If there is heartfelt sincerity, it is entirely possible to become whoever you want to be. Oh my dear friend, how many times I need to say, " It is a matter of heartfelt sincerity".

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sanshodhan

Edition 6; Page 211. 

TRUE MEASURE OF SADHANA OF LIFE

 We should gauge our selves from the thoughts, vrutties (intention) and feelings that arise within us in waking condition and especially expressed while performing the work and in dreams. Sadhak of life has to develop the continuity of the Bhavna at all the time of the day. It is not that important whether the tool was practiced in certain way, sitting in meditation for 3-4 hours, showed certain firmness or followed the rules strictly. The true measure of sadhana is the result of all these efforts. It includes, the increase in the living and creative Bhavna in our daily routine work, degree of engagement in the One, increase in the intensity of the Bhavna and development of love and devotion towards Satguru. Our attention and importance  should be focused on these measures and that is true meditation. It may not be necessary to sit in the meditation if our Bhavna towards our goal is unadulterated. It is very necessary for us to do inner and outer sadhana with the appropriate tools in this manner so that we can achieve above mentioned condition.  Tools like japa, vrat, certain external behavior, worship, dhyana, attaining knowledge and wisdom, love and devotion, work etc are practiced to change our vruttie and Bhavna, direct it towards God and become full of love and devotion towards Him in all its entirety. So please do not measure the progress in meditation with number of hours. It all depends upon the awareness about the peace and silence produced by the intense Bhavna during meditation, duration of this effect and how we use this effect to good use. Awareness is a measure of the progress. The real measure is how fast our whole life progresses towards our goal, how the nectar released from the lively practice of meditation with love and devotion intoxicates our life and spreads its fragrance in our Satwa.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sanshodhan

Edition 6; Pages 209 - 210.

BHAKTI AND WORK -- WITH KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS.

 I would be extremely happy if you can develop heartfelt and intense Bhava of love, devotion and knowledge. This soul has been given the only work, to become Nimitta of Him. This is the only work for me and it will be easier to complete it and benefited from it. Whatever work we do, needs to be done with knowledge, understanding and awareness. If you have accepted this soul with heartfelt sincerity, you need to do the work that I write, with love, knowledge and awareness of the purpose. Nothing should be done with lack of faith and in a routine manner. When the work is done in a haphazard way, meaning it is done without the awareness of the purpose, it is better to not do that work. This applies to the aspirant of the spiritual path. Otherwise all the souls keep doing the work in a haphazard way. There will not be any progress if the work is done with the understanding that, "Because I am suggesting, it is to be done". It must be done with the understanding and cooperation of your mind and intellect. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sanshodhan

Edition 6; Pages 175 - 176. 

FAITH IN GURU WITH KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM.

 HARI OM

Shanti niketan,

October 5, 1939.

You wrote me that " For two days, I keep the Bhava that my love towards you increase and for whatever reason my time passes with lots of happiness". Whatever may be the reason that you guess, believe or imagine, is not it enough that the result is good? It is very good that there is living-creative love, faith and trust towards Satguru, resulting in genuine happiness. Even then, I have to warn you. You may gain the benefit resulting from such faith with knowledge but the Gurudom ( the rigid hold and tradition of Gurudom) that is prevalent presently in society with immoral blind following, needs to be broken up with the blows of a heavy hammer. It is true that there is a need for help from Satguru in spiritual education. It is also true that one can be one's own Guru when there is a intense volcanic aspiration to experience Him. Guru is a tool to inspire us and not the goal to achieve. Bhakti (love and devotion) towards Guru is not of his body but the intention and desire to go near the consciousness/energy that is expressed in him. The purpose of such Bhava of love and devotion is to express such  consciousness/energy in our lives with living knowledge and understanding. If we keep heartfelt love, faith and trust towards someone we will experience such Bhava. This Bhava helps to ignite vitality and vigor in our sadhana. There is expression of inspirational Bhava within us, when there is inner intimate contact (with love, devotion and awareness) with the realized soul. This Bhava needs to be put in good use to develop 'looking within' (અંતર્મુખતા) ourselves. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sanshodhan

Edition 6; Pages 174 - 175.

LIFE IS A BATTLEFIELD

 HARI OM

                                                                        Karachi

                                                                                     August 11, 1940.

Dear Bhai,

If we can take even one step forward in our battle to win over oppositional forces within us, it will be that much victory over oppositional forces. We will have increase in trust and faith within us correspondingly. For that reason, considering life as a battlefield, we have to plan our responses with awareness. Even if we lose, it is all right but we need to be aware of it. We need to inform all these to our inner consciousness or God within ( Pujya Shree Mota calls this inner consciousness as એ in Gujarati). There should be nothing that is not told, kept secret or pending. Inner consciousness is our paramount companion, friend, relation and our own well wisher. Our relationship with inner consciousness will keep on increasing by such conversations. 

Our Satguru lives within us. We need to create such conditions that our inner consciousness  constantly guides, provides knowledge and wisdom to us at all times. In fact whatever is within us teaches us and makes our progress.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Pagaran

Edition 3; Pages 212 - 213.

EVERY INCIDENT IS A GRACE FROM GOD.

 We will have nothing to worry if we master the art of learning that every incident happening in the life is a grace from the God. We do say sometimes, not even a leaf can move without the consent of the God. So is it not possible that our life incidents are created by Him? Why not such incidents are created for our benefit? For that reason, we should welcome whatever comes our way with love. We should not have the desire to escape, run away or keep distance from such incidents. We should not keep thinking about it. We should do whatever needs to be done, become worry free and keep reciting God's name. 

It will be ignoring the grace of God if we fail to learn the art of sticking like a spider in an apparent defeat. God teaches us in variety of ways and His methods are unique. Every incident is a page from the book of our lives. If we use it in a good way, we will definitely benefit from it. It is my prayer that God give us the vision to understand this. 

We should continue to navigate our lives courageously like a captain navigating the boat in difficult weather. God's help is always ready. Only we need to be ready. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Pagaran

Edition 3; Pages 181 - 182. 

DO NOT SUPPRESS THE FEELINGS

 You can read the newspapers if you feel like it. It is not proper to suppress the feelings, at the same time it is also not proper and beneficial to be swept away in the forceful feelings. Please note that we have to find the middle way that also strengthens and benefits us. Nothing needs to be suppressed. Anything that is suppressed stays in the mind as garbage. This will resurface off and on and if we are not careful and aware, will knock us down from our path. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Pagaran

Edition 3; Page 178.

CONTINUE TO PRAY

 You should maintain the regular schedule to pray in the morning and in the evening. Even during the day, if you feel that you need to pray, certainly do so. You can pray with humility and include such things as ' we get good thoughts', 'we do not harm anyone', 'we always wish well of others'. You should also pray for your husband. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Pagaran

Edition 3; Page 94.

HOW CAN WE REDUCE THE OPPOSITION TOWARDS THE GURU?

 Surat, 

Feb 23, 1952.

There will be a mental struggle between the Guru and the soul during the initial period of the contact. During this period the soul should not speculate and make hasty decisions in this matter. Try to remind yourself repeatedly, the understanding gotten by the earlier experiences. Awaken the Bhavna (love and devotion) in the heart with sincerity. Definitely ask if you cannot understand something. Do not keep any reservations about it. By the grace of God, I wish that you stand tall and confront the worldly affairs. Read the books and when it is all done, read all of them again. Convey my greetings and salutations to Pujya Baa. Be in lots of happiness. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; Page 103.

APPRECIATE ' THE HEART '

 This worldly affairs, world and the whole universe is created and contained in 'the heart'. Universe is so huge! There is no end to it. For this reason, we need to make our heart as wide and infinite as universe. The heart does not have duality and Gunas (human qualities). Even-though it is abstract, it not completely abstract. So the heart also can be considered at the level of Ishwar. Persons like I and you have no concept and understanding about it. If we want to achieve real progress (spiritually) in life, we must obtain the knowledge of recognizing the heart and experience it. Know that, whenever there is real awareness and knowledge of the heart, there is automatic understanding of everything and all happenings. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; Pages 93 - 94.

DIVINE LOVE (3)

 Swajan: Mota, it seems that, what we consider true love is mixed up with many impurities. Is not it?

Pujya Shree Mota: There are many impure elements mixed up in what we call love, that seems very intense at times. Love is not true love if we have physical attraction and desires towards loved ones. It can also get mixed up if we have a deep rooted subtle desire to control the loved ones. The workings of the mind is so deep and mysterious that human has no concept regarding it. Only the person who has developed the habit of introspection with awareness and equanimity, can see that. Even the intense love of the mother towards her child, is mixed up with the deep and hidden feeling that child is her creation and her own blood. To that extent it is not pure and is lessened. For this reasons, most mothers cannot develop broader love towards the world from the love of her child. How can we say that there is no love of higher calibre in the people who are ready to give up their lives for their ideal and nation? Even here, there is a tendency of measuring others with subtle ego and materialistic viewpoint. For this reason, they also have the element of attachment and hate to a higher degree. True and pure love is the true nature of the Atman. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Daampatya Bhavna (ideal Matrimony)

Edition 1; Pages 8 - 9.

DIVINE LOVE (2)

 Swajan: Mota, what kind of changes are experienced in our nature, while we pursue to sublimate our love?

Pujya Shree Mota; Open mindedness and generosity (માનસિક ઉદારતા) is the first step. It is just the beginning of the love when we bear with people of different nature, that come in our contact in different situations. Open mindedness and generosity means to bear misunderstanding, sarcasm, unjust behavior, oppositional attitude, being ignored, false accusations and biting words without any complaints. There is some inherent misery even in open mindedness and generosity. True love does not have, even that inherent misery. True love accepts physical and mental difficulties peacefully without giving any reaction. True love never toots its own horns. 

Moreover, true love keeps quite regarding its own inclusiveness and self sacrifice. Love and ego can never coexist. The relationship between love and Moha (infatuation, fascination) is like light and darkness. Degree of infatuation corresponds to the lack of love. Moha is blind; love on the other hand has manyfold vision, being the characteristic of the formidable God. True love always keeps the welfare of the loved one in the forefront and it can become apparently tough if needed. It is just not the soft and tender feelings. It always considers one thing.  How can it benefit the loved ones?

Pujya Shree Mota

Daampatya Bhavna (Ideal of matrimony)

Edition 1; Pages 5 - 6.

DIVINE LOVE (1)

 Swajan: Mota, the element of love that is present in all beings as the desires for worldly pleasures. When that  can be considered transformed (sublimated) as divine love?

Pujya Shree Mota: It is a well accepted fact that human being carries the residue of the animal kingdom and seeds of the divinity. Ultimately the humans, animals and everything else will be merged with divine consciousness. If human being wants to expedite the speed of the evolution, so that he can avoid misery, worry and sorrow arising out of the karmas; he must sublimate this great element of the God (love). I would go the extent, that if one wants to serve humanity, one would need to sublimate this formidable element love. 

How can we say that love is sublimated? It is sublimated when all aspects of the love (dual and non dual) are expressed fully and in totality. Without the presence of two, there is no existence of this universe or love. Even the most sinful person loves his body and mind so much that he commits real bad karmas to please them. So knowingly or unknowingly he considers body, mind and nature (expression of Prakruti) separate from 'I'. Love can be present when there is lover and the person to be loved. There is a natural higher progress in love as it is a divine element. So there is a slow or fast progress in duality (with awareness or as per nature) towards the ideal of non duality, absorption and mixing together. All these are present in love in the concealed or manifested form. Thus love is a chain that connects and also a tool for realization. In fact true  love is such a chain, that it is the form of realization. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Daampatya Bhavna (Ideal of Matrimony)

Edition 1; Pages 5 - 6

NAAM-SMARAN AND ITS EFFECT

 Question: Mota, why does the effect of the Naam-Smaran is not manifested in life even if it is done for a long time?

Pujya Shree Mota; The tools like Japa will be effective only if we get to reduce love (attachment) and hate from our lives. If our nature is still sentient, Naam-Smaran  cannot be done for a long time and can not be maintained. Then how can it be there all the time? So while practicing any tool, one should work to cleanse the mind (ચિત્તશુધ્ધિ, reducing attachments and hate etc,).

Pujya Shree Mota

Shree Mota Sathe Vartalap

Edition 2; Page 157.

LOVE (ATTACHMENT) AND HATE - રાગદ્વેષ (3)

 The main aim of the aspirant is not to get rid of only  love and hate. He tries very hard to develop the strength and energy that is needed to fight off love and hate. He stays engaged in the practice of the tool to develop attraction towards consciousness becoming brighter and  courageous in his inner beings. He does this with knowledge and devotion. He also works to develop Bhavna, prayers and introspection. At this point he is convinced that it is not possible to defeat love and hate without the help of the divine energy. So as he develops this divine energy; whenever there is an inclination towards love-hate in the mind arise, he tries hard to increase the energy by deeply engaging in the tools and uses all his might and energy to defeat love-hate. Thus he does not get entangled in the currents of love-hate and let it pass by. He does not cooperate with it or takes part in it. This he does by keeping the aim of his life in front of him. He is always ready and eager to remove the root causes of love-hate. He has the inner understanding to remove the roots that provide the support to love-hate. He uses this inner understanding greatly for that purpose. Love and hate cannot be removed just by the strength of the intellect. Devotion towards the consciousness with Gnana must be cultivated. Such devotion has tremendous strength and energy. Only at such level of the aspirant, the energy is capable of removing the obstacles like love and hate. It is never possible to remove love and hate completely without the development of devotion and Bhakti in the intellect. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Love-hate (રાગદ્વેષ)

Edition 3. From Preface (writers few words),

LOVE (ATTACHMENT) AND HATE - રાગદ્વેષ - (2)

An aspirant for spiritual life is always a struggling soul. His struggle always continues constantly in various aspects and fields of the life. An intellect of the aspirant is subtle, sharp and is being established in consciousness. It is alert and aware to take care of the problems that confront him in the life. It is far more effective in taking care of the problems arising out of the confrontation with love-hate than the collective intelligence of the leaders fighting the war. An aspirant does not know to stay in safe environment. He only knows to keep changing all the aspects of the life constantly. From such confrontations he realizes that there is no way to progress further without fighting and defeating such a thief and robber like love-hate. The confidence and conviction out of this realization is unique and it does not stay without any further action. This confidence and conviction take the challenge to defeat love-hate, no matter how difficult it is to defeat them. He tries all his might to defeat them. Sometimes he negotiates and at times he uses other skills.  He continues to confront them with patience, care, courage, skill and with  perseverance. During this confrontation he gets to understand many aspects of love-hate. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Love-hate (રાગદ્વેષ)

Edition 3. From Preface (writers few words).

LOVE (ATTACHMENT) AND HATE -- રાગ દ્વેષ (1)

Initial  spiritual aspirant develops instant comprehension of many kinds of obstacles in the path. During the period of the sadhana love-hate tries to slow down or defeat the aspirant by sudden attack on the inner most budding energy. Love-hate are the robbers, bandits and gangsters. There is no way the aspirant will progress upwards towards higher path till the love-hate are reduced to great extent. Love-hate disturbs the peace and creates friction and distress in life. It also distracts the mind making it inefficient and scattered. By the grace of God, this is mentioned clearly in the writings on love-hate to make the aspirant clearly aware of it. Love-hate is of many kinds and has many subtle differences. There is always difference in gross and subtle form of love-hate. The gross kind of love-hate causes obstacles; and this also is explained. Also there is description of how the subtleness of the love-hate is lot more powerful at subtle level.

Pujya Shree Mota

Love-hate (રાગદ્વેષ)

Edition 2. From preface (writers few words).

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Vocal Naam-Smaran

 Question: Mota, Is there any special advantage of doing Naam-Smaran vocally?

Pujya Shree Mota: Yes, by doing Naam-Smaran vocally, the stream of thoughts stops. There are lots of thoughts interfering while doing mental Naam-Smaran. In spite of that, we should create the habit of doing mental Naam-Smaran after doing vocal Naam-Smaran. We need to pay attention to the Bhava of the Dhyana or the Naam-Smaran and try awaken the Bhavna (love) for its place of origin, the consciousness. When Japa is done vocally, it creates the vibrations that touches the various centers of our body and mind. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Shree Mota Sathe Vartalap

Edition 2; Page 54

ASSOCIATION BETWEN JAPA AND MEDITATION (DHYANA)

 Question: Mota, Is there any association between Japa and Dhyana?

Pujya Shree Mota: Japa can done loudly. It can be done mentally with closed mouth and just moving the tongue. With constant effort Japa will be done in the heart automatically. It is best if Japa is done with the heartbeat, since heart is where the Japa originates. Japa itself is a kind of Bhava (intention, love, faith). Once the Japa is established in Bhava, Dhyana will automatically evolve from it. Dharana also will be established. In this way Japa, Dhyana and Dharana will be arranged in place. 

Today there are many places where Dhyana is taught and many shortcuts are suggested. But the incremental process is not taught. For this reason, people keep inquiring at many places. There are many books explaining Dhyana are written but just reading the books will not cut it. Dhyana is easy if you create the habit of doing Dhyana at the same time and same place, get involved deeply in it and practice it regularly with enthusiasm, love, devotion and knowledge. This will not happen with just the talk. Start doing, start doing.

Pujya Shree Mota

Shree Mota Sathe Vartalap

Edition 2; Pages 53 - 54.

PERFORMING WORLDLY WORK AS SADHANA

 Sadhak should not renounce all the worldly activities and at the same time should not invite unnecessary works. We need to be involved only to the extent that our presence is needed and our consult or advice is asked for.  There should not be any other involvement as if it does not exist for us. We need to keep separateness or balanced attitude. Looking from another angle, all these exist only because of our mind. If we examine ourselves with balanced mind and without any attachment, we will realize that we have taken lot of interest in the items, where there was no need for meaningful involvement. The mind needs to be engaged only in the places where we have meaningful responsibility. Also this needs to be done with least involvement of the mind and only till the work is finished. Here least involvement does not mean that the work is done by ignoring or without paying attention to it. It is best if the work is done with the view point that the work belongs to God. We need to be careful that there is no trace of our insistance to force our views on others in these worldly affairs. If we are responsible for certain work, we should carry out this responsibility with the best of our ability and understanding prevailing at that time. But this is entirely a different thing. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Pagaran

Edition 2; Pages 56 - 57.

MEASURE OF SADHANA

 There should be upward momentum of Satwik Bhavas within us as a result of the sadhana. Not only that we should clearly feel this increase. 

As the energy of the Chetna (consciousness) awakens within us, there is awakening of Bhava in our relationships, work and the areas where ever there is Chetan. This love-bhava gets to be of higher quality. Our bhava was towards our own opinions, insistences and such self-interests. As there is advancement in sadhana, there is change in this bhava with new and clear vision. Earlier we used to keep relationships more or less from the view point of self interests, but now this relationship gets to be of higher quality. In true sense it originates from the view point of reality and truth. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Pagaran

Edition 2; Page 54.

ATTITUDE TOWARDS OUR FAULTS

 Question : Please tell us, what kind of attitude we should keep towards our own faults? 

Pujya Shree Mota : Do not think too much about the faults. It does not mean that you do not have to pay any attention to it. The work of just removing the faults is very dry. It is much better if the efforts are made to keep our hearts soaked with the love of God. It is best if our minds are full of devotion (Bhakti) to God. It is very important to be aware of not repeating the fault, after heartfelt repentance. There will be more damage instead of the gains, by repeatedly remembering the faults. There is increase in the strength of these old impressions (Sanskar) of the faults by repeatedly remembering it. Pay attention for this reason. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Mota Sathe Vartalap

Edition 2; Page 152.

BHAKTI YOGA OR GNANA YOGA

 Question : Sometimes, we get confused about following Bhakti yoga or Gnana yoga. What should we do?

Pujya Shree Mota : Both the paths are proper. Shree Shankaracharya who was a  great scholar of Vedanta and yet wrote many verses of prayers and bhakti. When can this happen? This happens when the mind gets completely engrossed in Shree Bhagwan. Nobody comprehends even little bit of basics about reducing desires, anger, greed, infatuation, ego, jealousy , etc. We talk and discuss about Vedanta. It is all hypocrisy. We are deluded and yet talk about Brahman (ultimate reality). Just start with courage. Just move from where you are; move even one step further.

Pujya Shree Mota

Shree Mota Sathe Vartalap

Edition 2; Page 87.

BHAVA OF GENEROSITY (ઉદાર ભાવ)

 There is a common belief that Bhava of Generosity can be directed towards only somebody else and not towards the self. This is one kind of fallacy. We will be able to keep Bhava of generosity towards ourselves if we have practiced and learned to keep such Bhava towards others. During the process, we will be able to do appropriate evaluation of our own beliefs, feelings, strength, successes and failures. That would prevent us from becoming dogmatic, obstinate and a narrow mind person with a limited knowledge.  

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sandesh

Edition 4; Pages 124 - 125.

SELF CONFIDENCE AND PRAKRUTI IN SADHANA

When a child starts to learn walking and takes the first step, the child develops the self-awareness, that eventually it will lead to walking. Child eventually learns to walk on the strength of the self confidence generated by the self awareness. Sadhak must develop such self confidence with wisdom, from his own sadhana. Only then sadhak will survive in any circumstances. What you wrote me is not even an attack. That is nothing. It is like a drop of water in an ocean. If sadhak has taken the sadhana sincerely, there will be subtle and subtlest attacks on him by his own prakruti. If the sadhak is aware, he will experience as if the prakruti of the other soul is trying to attack him through his own prakruti. There are several examples in our scriptures where the prakruti plays the various kind of tricks to dislodge the sadhak from the sadhana. There are many kind of topsy-turvy forces in nature and it play its own part as the sadhak advances in sadhana. When there is heartfelt divine faith in sadhak, then only the forces from outside attack him. In the earlier stages his own prakruti opposes him. So never give in to such attacks. Keep the courage. Be adventurous. Pray in heart. Sadhak needs to take care that his inner forces can work in the best manner and are engaged in encouraging the Bhavna of the sadhana. It is definite that, we will be trapped in the game of the prakruti if we loose our track and forget the inner aim.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Pravesh

Edition 2; Pages 84 - 85.

INNER VISION

 We should have the mysterious inner vision that increasingly promotes our aim of the life from any happenings. Without that inner vision, the process to acquire the knowledge does not progress well. We need to gain the  strength by thinking about 'what is the purpose of things that is happening around us and how does it help us to further our aim in life'? If we do this properly with knowledge and wisdom, in spite of the protest of our nature, the awakened and alert inner vision is always there to help us. Even if the soul seems to be loosing, if the soul keeps the inner vision open and accessible while remembering the heartfelt aim that he is in this to win the battle; such soul can keep afloat in these difficult circumstances. His self confidence keeps increasing from such inner battles. 

 Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Pravesh

Edition 2; Pages 83 - 84.

HOW CAN WE WIN OVER THE FORCES OF PRANA?

 Sadhak will never understand the true nature of Bhakti till the level of the Prana (one of the inner instruments of the body) is of sentient nature. For this reason cleansing of the Prana is of paramount importance. There is force, feelings, sentiments, etc., in the nature of the Prana. The soul gets entangled in the forces of the Prana because its force and sentiments are of sentient nature. The soul will always understand and act according to these forces of Prana. How can the soul gather the strength to overcome the forces of the Prana? If the sadhak has true spiritual desire that is strong, he may experience warning call of inner consciousness at these times. He may act on this call of warning to control the forces of the Prana. Otherwise Prana's insistences, wishes, desires are already riding on the soul.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; Page 171.

SMARAN OF SATGURU

 Question : Mota, Is it all right to remember Satguru instead of Shree Bhagwan?

Pujya Shree Mota : Satguru's Smaran (remembering) is all right if we believe in our heart that he is the representative of Shree Bhagwan and are able to experience Shree Bhagwan's Bhava (love and devotion) in the Satguru. Not only that, it is easy and available. Our minds and hearts have to accept the Satguru as the physical manifestation of Shree Bhagwan.

Pujya Shree Mota

Shree Mota Sathe Vaartalaap

Edition 2; Pages 142 - 143.

ESSENCE OF THE PRAYERS

 Question : Mota, There is a saying that prayers can move mountains. If that is the case, please explain to us — when and how to do prayers. 

Pujya Shree Mota : Yes, that is true. Many have experienced that certain work that seems to be impossible or take very long time, is achieved by the strength of the prayers. For that we need to have intense desire  and self interest for the prayers. Without that there is no true expression of the prayers. The soul that prays with heartfelt sincerity, profound humility, sense of urgency and takes its shelter is never disheartened. If the Sadhak has mastered the art of the prayers, he gets strength, inspiration, compassion, patience and courage from it. There is lessening of the faults in the work (Karma) and there is increase in the inspirational good thoughts. Prayers can be done while performing any work. It is an easy, natural and best tool.

Pujya Shree Mota

Mota Sathe Vaartalaap

Edition 2; Page 128.

 

HOW CAN WE CHANGE AND CONQUER OUR NATURE

 Question : What is responsible for the formation of our Prakruti and nature? How can we change and conquer our nature?

Pujya Shree Mota : Formation of our nature is the totality of our nature collected over many births. When  these impressions arise in the mind as thoughts and vrutties, we should not  get mixed up with it and let it pass by. We should cultivate the awareness at that time and pray to Shree Bhagwan with sincerity "O, Bhagwan! I need happiness only from you". The very intense desire and enthusiasm to call on Shree Bhagwan is our strength. We can never sink in these obstacles of the nature by this strength. For this reason, there is this miraculous strength in the Naam-Smaran of Shree Bhagwan to improve and change the Prakruti. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Mota Sathe Vaartalaap

Edition 2; Page 116.

CONFLICTS, STRUGGLES AND DEVELOPMENT

 Question : Mota, We have to face lots of conflicts (small and large) regarding family, social and job situations while living in the society. It seems that at such times our spiritual development is suffocated. Is there any way out of it?

Pujya Shree Mota : The fundamental principle of progress lies in conflict. Human being does not progress and stays the same without conflicts. You will be no where, if you are overpowered by the conflicts. For the one who stays within (turned inwards), struggle is the genuine tool to keep alive one's brilliance and strength of the character. When you are perplexed or disturbed, call on to your Satguru, narrate your problems and pray with intense love and eagerness. He will surely show the way. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Shree Mota Sathe Vaartalaap

Edition 2; Pages 115 - 116.

IMPORTANCE OF BHAVA (INTENSE FEELING, LOVE FOR GOD)

 Sadhak can face any difficulty if there is awakening of the Bhava of the heart. Sadhak may get disheartened if the Bhava cannot be kept awakened. He will find everything burdensome and experience weariness, disgust, sorrow, distress, etc. When we feel this way, we should turn inwards, go deep within and pray for grace-help from God. We should do this repeatedly and ignite the Bhava in our hearts again. Bhava is a holy tool. Bhava is the root of the divine energy. Bhava is the true friend in life. Its support and warmth can be understood only by experience. Sadhak can stay above all difficulties, only by maintaining this Bhava. Otherwise no body has enough strength without Bhava. It is needed in everything. Nothing is possible without the Bhava.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; Page 169.

 

HOW CAN WE CONQUER FORCES OF PRANA (VITAL ENERGY)?

 Sadhak will never achieve the true form of Bhakti till the level of the prana (one of the instruments of the mind-body complex) is of sentient nature. For this reason there is a necessity of cleansing the prana first. Feelings, emotions, desires, anger, etc., are the different forms of the prana. Sadhak will definitely get entangled in prana the instant it arises, because of his sentient nature. He will interpret and act accordingly. How can he find the energy to overcome various forms of prana? If the hunger for spirituality is real, true and intense, he may hear the voice of the inner divine consciousness and act on it. Otherwise prana's insistences, desires, inclinations, etc., will ride over the soul. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; Page 171.

HOW CAN WE ESTABLISH PEACE IN THE MIND?

 We need to encourage the thoughts regarding 'what we want to be and what we want to do'. We should keep the mind engaged in these kind of thoughts, while performing all actions in the worldly affairs. With the grace of God, we need to interact with the souls that have come in our contact in this world, with the least possible friction. We need to develop the state of this understanding within us so that it is possible for us to keep the mind peaceful, happy, patient and equipoise. For that reason, we will succeed only if can maintain this kind of creative and lively awareness in our hearts. There will be all kind of incidents in this world. There will be incidents of conflict, since we need to live with people of different nature. We need to develop heartfelt awareness that these conflicts are for our test and measure; and it is a grace-opportunity to develop good qualities like mental peace, balanced mind and equanimity. We must frequently remind the mind of our purpose.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; Page 101.

BE HUMBLE AND PEACEFUL

 Always be the humblest of the humble. Be the most peaceful in all events and circumstances. Pray to God whenever the peace of the mind is disturbed. We will get somewhere if we become aware of the (sentient nature) negative tendencies, vrutties and thoughts when it arise; and change them constructively.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; Page 98

GAINS FROM GENUINE HAPPINESS (PRASANNATA)

 Always be happy. There are many advantages of being Prasanchitta (one with happy mind). The soul that tries to be happy all the time, the organs of karma ( mouth, two hands, two feet, excretion and reproduction) and organs for knowledge ( hearing, skin sensation, eyes, taste, smell) become subtle and active. His nervous system can bear more impacts and reactions. Mind becomes stable and gets less involved in waffling. It also becomes much more constructive. Intellect gets to be more equipoised. The vision and understanding of the true path becomes more alert. There is even lessening of the natural characteristics of the prana like desires, attachments, expectations, covetousness, anger, greed, ego, jealousy , etc.  His ego also takes turn for the better. Since the soul stays in Prasannata, it does not get befuddled by the good or bad incidents in life and faces the problems with peaceful mind. He imbibes the lessons of life in much better fashion. Well balanced mind and equipoise get to be more active in the soul that always remains in Prasannata. The strength to understand the life springs from such Prasannata. 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; Page 82.

THREE PROCESSES TO PURIFY THE MIND

 We do not weaver when the understanding of anything convinces us and this conviction, also can be heartfelt. Heart accepts it. Any steps we take is to be taken with higher conviction. It does not matter if the step is taken in the worldly matter or anything else. We must continuously and thoroughly examine our actions, with thorough understanding of the kind of thoughts and Bhavna  present in the mind at that time. We should be alert with awareness if there is a negative thought instead of positive thought about anything. At such times, we must jolt, stir up and withdraw the mind. We should also ask for grace and help from God. It is very necessary for the mind, to often undergo these three processes push or jolt (ટકોરવુ), stir up (સંકોરવુ) and withdraw the mind (સંકેલવુ). 

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; Page 76.

AWARENESS IS NEEDED

 Usually the souls do not try to understand the happenings in life with alertness and awareness. For that reason, the soul is not even aware of his losses. I am telling you with certainty that any kind of soul, even the most wretched one; if that soul has continuous awareness, there is a possibility of such soul to develop in sadhana. Such awareness can be naturally occurring or can be developed with efforts made with perseverance, enthusiasm and patience.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; Page 60.

EVOLUTION THROUGH SANSAR (WORLDLY AFFAIRS)

 Kumbhakonam

September 10, 1954

Human being experiences many Vrutties in the dreams and when one wakes up, knows what happened. One does not stick to it like a louse, even though one knows what happened. It is everybody's experience that we do not give much importance to it. Similarly, if the condition of the human being becomes such (with balanced mind and easiness) towards the happenings in the Sansar like relationships, incidents and the tendencies originating in the mind; all happenings of the Sansar will fall off with ease. Human being believes by heart, that the happenings in the dreams are just dreams and they are not true. For that reason he does not stick to it like a ghost. Human being will not get entangled if similar understanding springs up and stabilized in the heart for the happenings in the worldly affairs. We should not give much importance to whatever happens in our five Karmendriyo, five Gnanendiyo, mind, intellect, chitta, prana and ego. Instead if we learn to give importance to inner and deeper consciousness, all happenings will fall off like the water falling off from the leaves of the lotus. For this reason, we need to cultivate such practice. Mind gets engaged easily and automatically in the matter where we give the utmost heartfelt importance with sincerity. We need to have true propensity towards our utmost important thing.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; Pages 70 - 71.

SOME INSTRUCTIONS FOR SADHANA

 We have to be especially happy in the mind, when the things do not go the way we wished or verbalized. At that time we have to say to our ego: 'hey ego, look at what happened. You try to get your way all the time. It is best if you get this kind of setbacks'. Do not offer even suggestions, for no apparent reasons. Try to develop equanimity (balanced mind) with awareness, when there is desire to respond to someone, as a part of or during conversation with others. Try your best, to look within and be introspective. Try to  behave with all the souls harmoniously. If you do only this much, there will be very pleasant results in your life automatically.

Pujya Shree Mota

Jivan Sopan

Edition 3; Page 69.