Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Announcements 07-06-2025 Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre Honoured by Three Prestigious Accolades: The first award was conferred at CII Hospital Tech 2024 – a Jury Choice for exceptional contribution in the category of ‘Best Healthcare Delivery Initiative’. This award highlights how Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre brings the highest standards of healthcare to a region in immense need. The second recognition was conferred at the Healthcare Owners’ Conclave by the Honourable Health Minister of Gujarat, Mr Rishikesh Patel for outstanding contribution to the society delivering high-quality healthcare to rural and interior communities either free, under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana or at highly subsidised rates. Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre was invited as part of a select group to evaluate the functioning of the Ayushman Bharat scheme itself – to further improve and strengthen the national programme. The third distinction is an internationally respected and highly technical recognition – the NABL Accreditation for the Laboratory Medicine Department at SRHRC. Awarded under the global standard ISO-15189-2022, the certificate is a stamp of trust that every test result is accurate, reliable and globally compliant. An Invitation to Help Spread Shrimad Rajchandraji’s Sacred Name Worldwide: The Mission extends a heartfelt invitation to all Raj Bhakts across the globe to participate in the sacred endeavour of spreading the revered name of Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandraji — ensuring that His divine presence echoes from quiet villages to bustling metropolitan cities. Whether you have contacts that can facilitate the naming of roads, junctions, gardens, flyovers, or other public landmarks after Shrimad Rajchandraji in your city, or sincerely wish to contribute to this noble cause and require guidance — you are encouraged to reach out to Sarvarpit Alpa Gandhi at +91 8369467223. Pujya Gurudevshri on Retreat and UK Dharmayatra: Pujya Gurudevshri will be on a retreat from Mon, 9 – Wed, 18 Jun, 2025. This will be followed by the UK Dharmaytra from Thu, 19 – Thu, 26 Jun, 2025. Please click here to view the full schedule. Forthcoming Pravachan: The next pravachan at Yogi Sabhagruh will be held on Sat, 5 Jul, 2025 at 7:30 pm.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Discovering the Treasures Within Influenced by people around we often try to imitate others and ‘create’ talents. For a change, let us discover the vast treasures that lie untapped in each one of you. Now is the time to explore, discover and celebrate your uniqueness. What is it that Albert Einstein, Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs and Sachin Tendulkar have in common? Yes, they are certainly successful in their respective fields but what else? It is that all of them were able to discover their talents, skills, passions and had the belief to pursue them. You can possibly have your name amongst them. Here’s how- Why do you need to discover your passions? We are often influenced by what people around us have achieved and eventually try to ape their ways or be like ‘them’. In this process, we almost become someone else and lose our individuality. And how many times have we been successful in this imitation? Imagine if Sachin Tendulkar, as a child, was influenced by Amitabh Bachchan’s fame and dreamt of becoming a successful actor, thereby leaving his passion to play cricket. India would have absolutely lost a star cricketer and Sachin would have possibly signed fewer movies than the number of centuries he has made! It’s better and easier to create opportunities, not talents and passions. Thousands of people walk through life completely blind to their unique talents, trying to master something they might never master entirely, and most importantly, going through life as a struggle. What if we could figure out what we are good at and master it? English author and cartoonist Ashleigh Brilliant says, “The most exciting place to discover talents is in you.” Success has no shortcuts, but there is a highway to success and that highway is to discover your innate potential and pursue it with firm belief. Replace the constant struggle of creating talents by the subtle joy of discovering one. The effort for discovering your niche is worth more than the struggle to imitate and fail miserably. What can your passion possibly be? Is it possible that one does not have any natural talents? In the book ‘Now, discover your strengths’, authors Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton define talents in a way that most people would have never imagined before. Talent is defined as any recurring pattern of thought, feeling or behaviour that can be productively applied. Based on their research the authors also conclude that each person’s talents are enduring and unique. Here are some examples of talent as they define it: inquisitive, charming, persistent, responsible, dyslexic. Dyslexic! Have we ever thought of dyslexia as a talent? The authors share an example of how David Boies – a celebrated trial attorney and one of the best litigators in the United States – uses dyslexia to his advantage. Dyslexia causes him to avoid using long and complicated words. He knows what these words mean, but doesn’t use them in his arguments because he’s afraid that he will mispronounce them. This need to rely on simple words makes his arguments far easier to follow. The authors of the book point out that “for David Boies, dyslexia is a talent because he has figured out a way to apply this recurring pattern productively”. American poet Henry Van Dyke adds, “Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” How can you discover your passions? Step 1: Discover your niche It is very difficult to wake up someone who assumes he is asleep. Accept that you are talented, just be aware and discover them.The truth is most people have never given themselves enough time to figure out what they are really passionate about. That kind of time is simply not a priority. Everything else seems to take the front seat when it comes to life, everything other than exploring what makes you really come alive. If you want to figure out what your niche is, you will need to spend some time actually thinking about it. Decide, I will uncover talents within me that make me unique and different from everyone else. We are all an individual blueprint. As no two snowflakes are alike or no two fingerprints are the same, each one of us possesses specific gifts that make us unique. So today, take time and do something that you’re curious about; something you’ve always wanted to try but have not made time for. For the next several days, take about 15-30 minutes and do something different than what you normally do. It could be taking a class, pursuing a hobby or just walking in the park. Ask yourself a few questions. What is incredibly easy to you? When is the time in your life when you have felt the most creative? What would you do if you got paid to exist? The purpose is to discover what you are good at. Step 2: Nurture your talent Discovering your talent is like sowing a seed, nurturing it is like watering it daily. It is important to master your talent in order to excel. It is constant batting practice that makes Sachin Tendulkar a great batsman. It is the sincere commitment to excel that made Steve Jobs a successful innovator. Nurturing your talents is crucial. Take out at least 15 minutes daily to master your niche and see it bloom to perfection with more and more practice. You will slowly reach a stage where you are so passionate about your talent that nurturing it would be a necessity. Step 3: Carve your life Now it’s time to capitalise on this talent. Either find or carve out a role that draws on these strengths every day. It does not mean quitting your current profession but it simply means modifying it slightly to accommodate your new-found treasure. Steal some time from your busy week and plan on how you could use it as an integral part of your life, maybe even as a means of earning money. Like, if someone’s talent is to play a guitar, he can start teaching students when he is free. The idea is to slowly incorporate this into your daily life. When you do, you will be more productive, more fulfilled, and more successful. Step 4: Help others En route to a prosperous life, it’s time to pass on the charm to others. A person who has discovered his passion is irresistibly attractive to others. Think of all the people who have influenced you and this is certainly a common trait. Now, it’s your chance to influence others. Compliment qualities and talents you see in others. Praise their talents. Encourage them to spend more time in nurturing them. This is a trademark of great people and with all the efforts you have taken earlier, you are sure to be one. Knowingly or otherwise, this four-step process is often a part of any success story. Write about passion and one cannot miss Gandhiji’s passion for India’s freedom. The father of the nation discovered his passion for India’s freedom and nurtured it gradually through Satyagraha. The passion carved its way through and became Gandhiji’s life as the fight for freedom became more intense. Now, make it happen After you’ve found out what your passion is, it’s time to start living it. Immerse yourself in passionate action. Seth Godin writes, with anything worth doing, there is a filter that separates those that lean into the challenge and accomplish something great, and those that quit right before they are about to break through. But worse is not trying at all. So, right now you have a choice. Will you accept the risk of failing, which is really just an opportunity to grow, or will you curb your growth and lead a predictable life? Discover your niche, nurture your talent and carve your way to personal excellence. It’s time to add your name to the list of successful individuals who discovered their passion and chiselled their way to excellence. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Evolving Spiritually Physical distance pales into insignificance, when it comes to Pujya Gurudevshri’s care, says Vanprastha Sonalben Mehta, a trustee of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (UK). Witness how this outgoing socialite began to tread the path of spirituality. The journey with Pujya Gurudevshri is inexpressible. He gives laughing tears and crying smiles. He is divinity; touching me deeply, making me yearn for more. Meeting the Master I first met Pujya Gurudevshri in August 2000 through my niece, Sarvarpit Vaishali Shah. As soon as He saw me He told her, “See your aunt in three years.” I was impressed by Him, but not enough to make me run after Him. He ‘looked’ and ‘ate’ like us. These concepts kept me away from Him. In 2002, when I watched His satsang, I felt touched within. He had mentioned that one should practise observing silence during meal times. I applied it straight away. I felt different. Money and career were all I had sought. Success in them equated to happiness. Late night partying, pursuing fashion and friends was life and fun. Soon, I reached my material goal but there was no joy, I felt empty. In my visit to Mumbai in 2002, I told Him, “The peace I see in Your eyes, I want it.” He replied, “Seek a Guru.” My Spiritual Journey Begins He answered my prayers! He came to Manchester and did pratishtha at home and within me forever! He gave birth to a ‘life’ on June 5, 2002. On that day, He gifted me faith and the quality to surrender. I revealed all my wrongdoings, my past to Him. I wrote Him a long letter, emptying my heart completely. From that day, I have felt so light since I hide nothing from Him. During Paryushan in 2004, He stayed with us for 11 days. After that, I started listening to His satsang every day, even at night, so His teachings would dwell in my subconscious. I suffered from pneumonia, and neither medicine nor money could stop my coughing. I spent sleepless nights which taught me that death exists, making me realise my temporary form, and no one or nothing can come with me. I was running a successful consultancy company. I no longer wanted to work and live in constant thoughts of business, but instead decided to dedicate my life to seva and sadhana. People around me thought I was giving up fun, a career, partying and holidaying with them. But they could not see that I was finding much greater joy in Him, so everything else dropped effortlessly. There was no need to impress or live for others. The attraction of the world began to diminish. In a trip to Ireland in 2007, He told me to enquire – Why do I need a Guru in my life? I began to realise the importance of a Sadguru and my quest for the true Self began. Transformation Through Ajnas He gave me an ajna to meditate for ten minutes every day. Following this with commitment brought stillness and the practice grew to 90 minutes. His every word and action has a message. He told me to connect to God before putting anything in my mouth. He gave me the prayer ‘Hey Hari’ and told me never to forget to say it. I told Him that I did not want to live so far from Him, and He said, “When you wake up in the morning decide your role. The physical long distance doesn’t matter in spirituality. Remove body consciousness and go within. Play the role of ‘Sonal’ to the best.” In 2011, He told me that wherever I wrote my name, I must write peaceful and powerful with it. His ajna brings purpose, not in words but in existence. He wrote, ‘Meditation is not an activity to be done in a peaceful atmosphere, but an art to remain peaceful in all atmospheres. Nothing and nobody should destroy your peace.’ With this learning, I have not gotten irritated for a long time. He has gifted me with an attitude, which has bought me joy and peace. From Disconnection to Devotion In South Africa, He asked me at the airport, “Have you heard today’s satsang?” I had not watched the webcast and He said, “I do not expect this from you.” He caught me in my moment of disconnection. Once I invited Him home for breakfast in Mumbai. I had decided and planned as per my will. So I became unaware when He was speaking and had to ask Him the same question again. He said He would not come because He expected that much awareness from me! During a pravachan in 2008, He said, “Sonalben, Sita had everything till she had Shri Rama by her side and she suffered for six months when she lost Him, so always keep your connection with your Sadguru.” On September 15, 2009 I listened to the mind and not the heart. I had not followed His ajna and planned His day in Manchester with three pratishthas, leaving Him with no space for sadhana. I lost His rajipo. I lost the connection. This moment was my worst ever; I would rather die than lose His rajipo. With His grace, my ego began to fall, alertness and devotion increased. My aim was strengthened, to only seek the Truth. Spiritual Metamorphosis Through Seva He gave me the first seva to organise a retreat in 2004. There was a lot of kartabhaav and stress. I was always rushing, and attached to perfection. I could not tolerate if a sevak did not follow ‘my way’. I learnt from Him that it is not about defeating people, but about winning them with love. He filled my days with seva, and I began to experience that He is the doer. Once I spent a lot of time, negotiating a deal for a trip. I thought that was ‘my’ skill. He changed the week of the trip and without effort the price dropped further by 25%. I realised He is the doer, I am only His murli. In November 2010, when I shouted at Roushab, my son, for keeping Him waiting in the car park, He said, “Nothing should disturb you, otherwise all seva is zero.” Not reacting is experiencing Him. From that moment, I introspect daily and first see my faults, underlying desires and expectations, leaving no space for reactions. Seva is priceless, it keeps me in tune and receptive to Him, making it my lifeline. Family Life Changes He brought a tremendous change in my daughter Priyanca. She led a UK lifestyle, but gave it up to seek a higher purpose, to become an Atmarpit in 2009. He told us that He had selected her. We were in elation! He told us not to cry and He planned the entire occasion as a surprise to her, and about fifty members of the family travelled from abroad. This was all planned by Him in a fortnight. He took charge of the family, decreasing my attachment. Roushab is a part of London Youth Group. Now, all of us have only one purpose, one conversation – Him and His bodh. He blessed me with the Vanprastha Diksha in 2010 and with Ajivan Brahmacharyavrat in 2012. Time is Slipping In 2008, He gave me the opportunity to do the arpan vidhi for ‘Gangasati bhajans’. He said that be like Paanbai and account for your 21,600 breaths each day. Don’t waste time, work towards your Samyak Darshan. I am there for you now; even I have very little time. The following year – I began to chart out plans of how I could increase my awareness, nirmalta and work towards this purpose. I was in the hospital with angina pain. I called Him; I do not want to die like this! He said ‘jagruti rakhjo’, He predicted there is nothing wrong with me, and all the tests proved it. But learn from this, time is slipping, act fast now. Inspiring Every Moment His devotion for Param Krupalu Dev is incomparable, a source of inspiration. He was at first, my Guru’s Guru but now when ‘Param Krupalu Dev’ is mentioned, I am touched and crying. He has created a passion in me, to read Vachanamrutji each day. During Long Island Spiritual Center pratishtha, I got to hold His Charanpaduka; each nerve was bursting in bhakti. He looks after my well-being and growth. In Udghosh, He asked me what my true nature is expecting me to say peaceful powerful soul, and I said I am full of ego. He said, “murkh che!” Who besides Him inspires to remove my negativities? He has transformed a career, partygoing person like me to cherish living in Dharampur for weeks! The simplicity, with which He brings the understanding of the Self in us, so that we only seek the Self, is His true greatness. He is the one source of strength, the unmoved mover. He has given me this life and written the divine plan for me. Thank you is never enough! Titthayrame Pasiyantu. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, August 2014 issue. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Leap of Faith Sarvarpit Mehnaz Jasani, Head of the Samarpit Shibirs and a part of the Shrimad Rajchandra Youthwing (SRY) Programme Management Committee, shares her experience of the Master’s unconditional love that transcends religious boundaries to sow seeds of devotion. My love story with Pujya Gurudevshri is like a true Bollywood movie love story with all the drama… First the heroine hates the boy – then she slowly falls in love with him, then there is that inevitable fight which pulls them apart and the joyous reunion and The End, well in my case not the end but the beginning. The Early Days Who is this man that Shyam, my husband, is running after? What is so great about Him? Why is Shyam mad after Him? Our life was fine without Him having to come and “ruin” everything for us. As the distance between Shyam and me grew wider, I had inevitably allowed Pujya Gurudevshri to creep into my life, if only to save and salvage our relationship. A friend of mine recommended trying out what Shyam was so interested in. Once I gave Him that little space, little did I know that He would take over my entire life! The entire process happened underground – it was something solid, committed and deep. It was faith. I had allowed my head to process it, my heart to feel it and now my mouth to speak it. It all started with Tumhari Amrita, a skit, where unknowingly I read every letter of that play looking directly into His eyes. How I spoke I didn’t know, for I had lost my voice and I didn’t know any of the letters by heart. Today I can proudly say it was He who flowed through me. Then came another skit – Mother Teresa. I remember so clearly, in the Group meeting Bapa was reading, “Come be my light.” I think I must have cried for the first time. I cried through the entire meeting and I still don’t know why. I believe I was washing away the ignorance, the lack of trust and was cleansing my soul for the Lord to begin His work on me, through me. I just could not understand what was happening to me. Was I mad? I had done all these plays because I enjoyed being part of a drama. Little did I know that I had planted a little seed of love and these plays were nurturing them into a strong deep-rooted tree. After Mother Teresa, He asked me what had touched me the most. Without thinking I replied, “It’s not whether something is big or small, it is how much love you put in that matter.” I had no idea why I said those words but today I realise that from that day on, no matter what I did, I would give it hundred percent of love and I found that nothing was too difficult or impossible to do. I am a Muslim by birth. And He has constantly encouraged me to read the Holy Quran. He has, on 3 different occasions, given me the Quran personally to read. It was a sign. I need to understand my roots. I started classes in Gujarati. It was beautiful. Every morning I had the teacher come over and we would unravel the mysteries of this wonderful scripture. It was only a medium which brought me closer to Him. Not even once, directly or indirectly did He ever indicate to me that I need to change my religion. It was always about discovering my True Self. Letting Go The two most dramatic incidents of my life were when we decided to change our children’s school and moving to Prithvi Apartments. Did He tell us to change their school? No. My kids went to one of the most coveted schools in Mumbai. I was proud of it too, as it was my school. And here He is telling me, looking directly into my eyes that our holidays will not be together now, as that school had holidays in May and the newly started IB school, which other Garbharpits went to, had them in June. But how could I give up such good education for holidays? Well, He had hinted at something. The hint was not lost on me. It was the beginning of losing ‘Me.’ Those two months, I went through mental turmoil. My attachment to my school and my concepts started loosening. I learnt that all decisions have to be made with your head and your heart working in tandem. If made with only one, most probably it will be the wrong decision. And most importantly, all decisions have to be made with Him being present. No decision is complete if He is not involved in it. And He, in some form or another always gives me my answer. It’s just the matter of how tuned I am with Him. It’s just that much easier. The second most important incident was moving to Prithvi Apartments. What is so great about that? Well firstly, we are always in His aura. We get to see Him almost every day. Even if it means that we had to move from a large house into a house half its size. It was then I realised that size did not matter; it was your heart which was important. How can you live without His love? Your world revolves around making Him happy. You live for His smile. The “I” dissolves and He is the most important. What does He like? Is He happy? The world then seems like such a wonderful place. How can you live any other way? The Big Lesson The world is so wonderful when in love. I was blessed with seva as the Head of Samarpit Shibir with Sharnarpit Nipa Shah and member of the SRY Programme Management Committee. What more could I ask for? Life was great. But He was not satisfied with life being great. He wanted to free me from my flaws and faults. During one of the Samarpit Shibirs, Nipa and I were flying high. We got to meet Gurudev every morning and discuss the shibir with Him. On the last day we made a blunder. So badly, that in a second we lost His Rajipo. He was so unhappy that He didn’t even talk to us or give us a chance to say sorry. The reason of the blunder was that we lost our connection with Him. We thought we had done everything right. But karta bhav, the villain of my love story, destroyed everything by making me weak and lose His connection. The entire evening, from that moment went downhill. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. Things that we were so sure about also went wrong. The biggest realisation to me was that I, Mehnaz, could make a mistake and I too could lose my connection with Him. Something that I thought was impossible. And what is the big deal if you lose connection with Him for a second? What wrong can possibly happen? What wrong? Your entire world can come to a grinding halt. He, you realise, is so important. How much He carries you through your life, through all the good, through all the bad. He is there by your side. This realisation has changed my life forever. The important thing I have learnt is His love is unconditional; but is mine? His love is boundless; is mine? He is ready to help me; am I ready to take that help? He will be with me no matter what; am I ready to stand with Him no matter what? He has faith in my abilities; do I have faith in mine? He sees God in me; do I see God in myself? I am one of those blessed souls to have a Guru in my life. How do I even begin to comprehend what I have gained from these priceless experiences. He has been watching over me continuously. Watching and carving and sculpting me slowly but surely. How do I thank Him for what He has done for me? My every step, my every breath is indebted to Him for bringing me to this path. It is His power, His grace, His compassion which has kept me here. It is just His grace, grace and more grace. Thank you does not suffice and are mere words, it is my transformation, my upliftment which I wish to offer at His Lotus Feet. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, November 2012 issue. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 My Guiding Light Sarvarpit Chirag Shah, offering seva as a member of the Mission’s Steering Committee and as a member of the core committee of the Ashram’s Master Planning project Sadguru Prerna, pens how Pujya Gurudevshri’s precise and practical guidance illuminated the path of his spiritual progress. In 1995, during the Paryushan Parva, my mother asked my brother and me to attend some religious activities and we were taken to Gurudev’s pravachan at the Bombay Market Apartments Centre. I had no interest in spirituality at that time. I was just twenty years of age, we had lost our father just four years back and were struggling with our studies and still managing business. My mother like an iron lady, with no background in business, was holding on to business, managing the family and her spiritual commitments. This was the first time ever I saw and met Gurudev in this birth and those eight days of pravachans were just life transforming. I was blown. The topic was ‘6 Dhala’ and little did I know, meeting Gurudev would change the course of my life. Those pravachans made a deep impact on my mind and instantly corrected and realigned my beliefs and thoughts. I had met my Gurudev and my journey had begun. Experiencing His Love After I first met Him, my spiritual honeymoon period started where like a friend, He took care of me, took me to various trips, appreciated and motivated me for good thoughts and deeds, made me feel special. He made sure that I kept growing on the spiritual path. During that time I clearly remember in one of the group meetings, He had mentioned that I will be there until the end. I was pleasantly surprised by these words and kept pondering on them. In 1996, I was blessed to drive Him from Manju Apartments to our home for pratishtha. While on the drive I kept thinking that once I drop Him, He will directly go up and the bhakti would start. I would have to go and park the car, so I will have to sit right at the back! But just as these thoughts ran in my mind, Gurudev asked me to go and park the car and told me that He would wait for me in the lobby. I was pleasantly surprised by how He read my thoughts and felt truly blessed to experience His purity and love. After almost 23 years, in one of the pravachans in Mumbai, He mentioned the bhajan which was taken during the pratishtha. Simply astonishing! Working on me On a trip to Mahabaleshwar in 1996, my compassionate Gurudev took me for a one and a half hour walk, alone with Him. Just like a loving father, He pushed me to open up to Him about a girl that I liked. Not knowing that my family had already informed Him, I like a foolish person did not acknowledge and lied to Him about the same. This was one of my biggest sin that I did not open up to my Gurudev, where I am supposed to be hundred percent open. I realised the importance of transparency with Him. In the early days, He gave me ajnas like shaving every day highlighting that such routine activities should also be done regularly. This was to inculcate the value of discipline as otherwise it will lead to laziness in spiritual activities too. Today I see myself being disciplined in my ajnabhakti, meditation etc. only because of such values inculcated by Gurudev. When He moved from Manju Apartments to Prithvi Apartments, in His mysterious ways, He also made us move to Prithvi Apartments. I have experienced, that since the time I have moved to Prithvi Apartments and whenever He is in the building, His pure Aura has always kept me away from internal vices and connected with a feeling that He is around, taking care of me. Growing Through Seva By now my seva journey had begun. The journey as sevak in the kitchen team washing 2,000 vessels during a Mahotsav, to Sarvarpit Group leader, to handling the Shri Samet Shikharji Tirthyatra, Goa Shibir and more, showed the faith and responsibility He was entrusting onto me. I was blessed in many ways to learn and imbibe His vision. He continuously taught us to grow spiritually with the core values of a seeker and the passionate spirit of a responsible sevak. I have been blessed to see many forms of His love. Once, we in the kitchen department had taken a grossly wrong decision where other seekers were getting affected. We experienced a completely different form of love where He had to be strict. We can never forget that day – on one side He kept on expressing His displeasure strongly for almost two hours until we realised our mistake and the moment I said sorry, He gave such a wonderful smile as if nothing had happened. It was all a drama for Him wherein He was completely unaffected and had taken up this role only to train us. The smile was just mesmerising and we all were relieved that while it was our mistake, He still loved and trusted us. In this manner, while training us He made sure that the motivation of sevaks was maintained. During Sadguru Prerna meetings, I have had wonderful opportunities to be closely involved in taking decisions. I have always noticed Gurudev taking keen interest in designing of the Ashram and its culture to be followed, such that the Ashram becomes a spiritual abode where seekers from all walks of life can come for their spiritual growth and not as a second home, a weekend place to enjoy or as an old age home. He has always kept the policy of seekers first. While there was no need for Him to personally get involved in allocation of each and every unit of the Sadguru Prerna housing, He spent hours and hours in deciding who should be allocated which unit, just to make seekers comfortable for long stays and eventually make them grow spiritually. In Steering Committee (SC) meetings, the conduct and discipline of the meetings are such that every member has to complete their points within the allotted minutes only. This is the culture set by Gurudev. Hence even though the Mission is at this huge scale and growing at a rapid pace, SC completes their meeting in maximum two hours and then one hour is spent with Gurudev to run Him through the points. We usually land up completing this meeting with Him in thirty minutes and Gurudev gives satsang in the remaining time. These are the attributes inculcated by Gurudev to maintain high level of discipline, clarity, alertness and connection. When SC members refer the points to Him, for His guidance, He instantly completely understands the points and provides His guidance, which reflects His supreme awareness level. He does this while maintaining His spiritual height which is a mesmerising sight to see. His most outstanding quality which I have witnessed is His love and devotion for His Guru, His Lord, Param Krupalu Dev. Everything He does is only with His ajna and only for Him. Any initiative He undertakes, everything begins and ends with Param Krupalu Dev. In the end I would just like to pray to Him that I too develop such devotion for Him as He has for Param Krupalu Dev and may my heart, in this life as well as all forthcoming lives, pursue the true religion as expounded by the Sadguru. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, April 2019 issue. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Mind and Meditation The so-called meditators try in vain to manoeuvre their minds through various techniques to experience peace. Pujya Gurudevshri explains that peace is natural to the Self and to meditate is not an act to control the mind but it is to transcend the mind. To stay noisy, turbulent is the nature of the mind. By no means can it be quietened. However, there surely is a way to become free from the mind, transcend the mind, and be in the state of no-mind. Therefore, the only meaning of a quiet mind is the absence of mind. There is no relationship between silence and mind. As long as there is mind, there cannot be quietude and where there is silence, there is no mind. The basic purpose of all spiritual practices is to dissolve the mind, to be free from the mind, to transcend the mind. Just as, to cure a disease, you must understand it well. Treatment without right diagnosis can aggravate the disease or even invite other diseases. In the same way, understand the mind well, or you may end up either suppressing it or making it numb. Erroneous Ways of Quietening the Mind You know how to suppress emotions. Anger comes and you repress it thinking it is not wise to show anger right now. You also know how to suppress passions and desires because every time it is not possible to fulfil them. The more you suppress, the more hideous the mind becomes. You create a volcano within. Whenever it erupts, it will create a disaster. Hence, though it seems that suppression makes the mind quiet, it actually becomes the creator of terrible unrest. Suppression can save you from committing a sin at that moment but it may make you sin in future. Energy suppressed could blast and shatter you one day. Therefore, the path of suppression is not the path of freedom from the mind. Similarly, benumbing the mind is not the way to peace. Making the mind unconscious of the pain may temporarily make you forget your suffering, but pills, alcohol etc. cannot cure it. The moment the mind comes back to consciousness, the suffering will rise again to harass. It can create physical illness too. Thus, suppression makes the mind restless and benumbing makes the mind insensitive but they cannot make you free from the mind. Mind is a constant flow of thoughts. As long as it exists, you cannot be at peace. Each thought is capable of disturbing you. Is Witnessing an Act of the Mind? Witnessing is not the act of the mind. In meditation, in witnessing, the Self acts in accordance with its nature and so it is not an effort, rather, it is effortlessness. Meditation or witnessing happens without the help of mind, speech or body and so it is non-action. This needs to be understood well. Due to the limitations of language, many non-actions are considered as actions. Like, taking birth is an activity, yet there is no effort of the child in it. In the same way, dying, sleeping, are not activities, even though in language, they are referred to as activities. You say, ‘I slept at night’. But when asked, ‘How did you go to sleep? What was the process of sleep?’ it will be difficult for you to answer. You may have slept for a long time and yet you cannot describe the process of sleep. You may be able to describe in detail what you did before going to sleep, like making the bed, turning the lights off, switching on the fan. They may help in going to sleep but they are not sleep, nor do they ensure that you will get sleep because of them. You cannot bring sleep, so sleep is not an action. You may prepare for a good sleep but can’t make it happen. It is easy to sleep in darkness and difficult in a bright room. Yet sleep comes without any doing. A child takes his thumb in his mouth and goes to sleep. When the thumb is pulled out, it is difficult for him to sleep. An association is built that the moment his thumb goes in his mouth, he is ready for sleep. It is a mere signal that soon he will be asleep. Likewise, bed, darkness, fan etc. are only signals. Meditation or witnessing when said to be effortless, it means that whatever is done for meditation is all external. It facilitates meditation. The efforts are mere superficial endeavours, not meditation. Meditation is a relaxed state of being, a state of effortlessness, just a happening and not doing. And so like sleep, it has no definite technique. Remove the Obstacles Understanding three basic principles regarding sleep should help remove all confusion about meditation. Sleep cannot be created, sleep comes and efforts are also made for sleep. There are preparations made for sleep but they are not the direct cause of sleep. One has to silently wait for sleep to come! Sleep when it comes, comes on its own and cannot be brought. All preparations like making bed etc. are only to facilitate sleep, to remove obstacles to sleep and nothing more than that. The same applies for meditation or witnessing. The techniques of meditation and all its preparations are taught or made to practice so that the mind does not become a hindrance. Hence, to meditate is to remove all that hinders meditation and then silently wait for meditation to happen. Meditation is a natural activity of the Self. Doership is the obstacle to it. Meditation occurs when doership dissolves. The sun dawns in the morning and you are sitting in the room with doors closed. Now, you ask, what should be done to get the sun inside the room? Can you bring the sunshine in a basket? Can you pull it in by the elephants? Or may be with someone’s help? The Wise Ones say that you need not do anything to bring the sunlight inside the room. All you have to do is remove the obstacle to it. Open the doors. This is the only method. The sunlight will enter on its own. Even though you may say you brought the sunlight inside the room, it would be a lie. All you did was open the doors. It’s the sun that brings in the sunlight and not you. Meditation Happens on its Own This means that you cannot do meditation but can surely stop it happening! To do meditation is to give up all efforts that obstruct meditation. Meditation does not require efforts. It happens naturally when you become choiceless and effortless. To meditate is like opening the doors, and the sunlight naturally floods. And so, when meditation happens, you shall not claim its doership. You prepare a room conducive to get a good sleep. However, sleep may occur without any preparation too. Like, a person can go off to sleep on a sunny, noisy, hot day; laying his head on a stone. But the condition is he must be exhausted. In the same way, when you are completely tired of the play of mind, you let go of the mind and meditation occurs. Then you do not need a conducive environment or technique. However, without being tired, you will need both, a correct setting and a right method as preparation, yet they are not meditation. For meditation cannot be done, it occurs on its own. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Managing Emotional Baggage The Power of Right Mindset in Controlling Your Emotions. Do you often find yourself struggling with negative emotions? Do you wonder about the true meaning of emotional baggage and how to effectively deal with it? In this enlightening discourse, profound wisdom is shared on how to deal with emotional breakdown and take control of your emotional well-being. Situations may not change, but you can change your feelings by changing your thoughts. This powerful insight serves as the foundation for understanding how to deal with negative emotions. Just as a steering wheel controls the direction of wheels, our thoughts direct our feelings. To transform how we feel, we must first change our thought patterns. Cleaning Your Mind Daily While we clean our homes and bodies regularly, how often do we clean our minds? The importance of mental cleansing is emphasised: You clean your house, you clean your bodies, you should also clean your minds. The place you will get your happiness from, you don’t have time to clean that place? This daily practice of mental cleansing is essential for maintaining emotional balance. It is advised to close our emotional accounts every night without exception — even if it’s just for two minutes. This practice helps prevent emotional baggage from accumulating and weighing us down. Opening Folders with the Right Mindset One of the most practical teachings on how to control emotions involves what is called “opening folders.” Often, we open mental folders of past incidents when we’re angry, which only reinforces negative emotions. Instead, the advice is: Become a little devotional, a little meditative, become calm and happy and then open the folder. You will release that. By approaching difficult situations or conversations from a place of calmness rather than reactivity, we can process them without creating more emotional turmoil. This approach helps us deal with emotional baggage effectively rather than adding to it. Understanding the Source of Irritation The discourse challenges a fundamental wrong belief—that others are the cause of our irritation and hurt. The clarification is made: Thoughts—meaning all negative thoughts, hurt, hate, everything—don’t come from situations, they come from your beliefs. This shift in understanding is crucial for anyone wanting to know how to deal with negative emotions. When we recognise that we choose our reactions based on our beliefs rather than blaming external factors, we gain control over our emotional responses. Building Emotional Immunity Just as physical immunity protects us from illness, emotional immunity shields us from negative influences. It is explained that our emotional distress comes not from situations themselves but from our low emotional immunity. By strengthening this immunity through right beliefs and mindset, we can remain stable even in challenging circumstances. Rising Above Negative Energy The discourse concludes with a beautiful metaphor about climbing to higher floors when encountering unpleasant smells on lower levels. Similarly, when faced with negative energy from others, we should elevate our inner state rather than being influenced by it. See that the positive energy from you influences the negative energy, be alert that the negative energy does not influence you. This practice involves cultivating forgiveness, friendliness, and love—moving from the “second floor” to the “third floor” of consciousness. The encouragement is to learn the language of blessings and good wishes, especially toward those with whom we have difficulties. For a more immersive experience of this transformative wisdom on how to deal with emotional breakdown, watch the complete satsang at FAQs About Emotional Baggage What is the meaning of emotional baggage? Emotional baggage refers to the accumulated negative feelings and unresolved issues from past experiences that we carry with us. As explained, these emotions stem from our beliefs rather than from external situations. Understanding the true source of emotional baggage is the first step toward releasing it. How can I deal with negative emotions effectively? To deal with negative emotions effectively, it is recommended to change your thought patterns and beliefs. Instead of blaming others for your irritation, acknowledge that you choose your reactions. Practice “closing accounts” daily by reflecting on your emotions from a calm state of mind, and open mental “folders” only when you’re in a positive mindset. What are some practical ways to control emotions during conflicts? When faced with conflicts, the suggestion is to elevate your inner state—moving from anger to forgiveness, and then to friendliness and love. This helps you maintain control over your emotions rather than being influenced by negative energy. Practice sending good wishes and blessings to the person you’re in conflict with, which can transform the dynamic entirely. How do I prevent emotional breakdown in challenging situations? Building emotional immunity is key to preventing emotional breakdown. Just as physical immunity protects against viruses, strong emotional immunity shields you from being affected by difficult situations. This involves cultivating right beliefs, practising daily mental cleansing, and approaching challenges with a positive mindset. Remember that situations don’t cause your distress—your response to them does. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Pujyashri Deepakbhai paid his respects at the Jinmandir and Gurumandir, and spent blissful moments with Pujya Gurudevshri as well. Seekers were blessed with an address by Pujyashri Deepakbhai at Raj Sabhagruh. During his visit, Pujyashri Deepakbhai also saw the various social initiatives of the Mission, including Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. 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Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Evolving Spiritually Physical distance pales into insignificance, when it comes to Pujya Gurudevshri’s care, says Vanprastha Sonalben Mehta, a trustee of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (UK). Witness how this outgoing socialite began to tread the path of spirituality. The journey with Pujya Gurudevshri is inexpressible. He gives laughing tears and crying smiles. He is divinity; touching me deeply, making me yearn for more. Meeting the Master I first met Pujya Gurudevshri in August 2000 through my niece, Sarvarpit Vaishali Shah. As soon as He saw me He told her, “See your aunt in three years.” I was impressed by Him, but not enough to make me run after Him. He ‘looked’ and ‘ate’ like us. These concepts kept me away from Him. In 2002, when I watched His satsang, I felt touched within. He had mentioned that one should practise observing silence during meal times. I applied it straight away. I felt different. Money and career were all I had sought. Success in them equated to happiness. Late night partying, pursuing fashion and friends was life and fun. Soon, I reached my material goal but there was no joy, I felt empty. In my visit to Mumbai in 2002, I told Him, “The peace I see in Your eyes, I want it.” He replied, “Seek a Guru.” My Spiritual Journey Begins He answered my prayers! He came to Manchester and did pratishtha at home and within me forever! He gave birth to a ‘life’ on June 5, 2002. On that day, He gifted me faith and the quality to surrender. I revealed all my wrongdoings, my past to Him. I wrote Him a long letter, emptying my heart completely. From that day, I have felt so light since I hide nothing from Him. During Paryushan in 2004, He stayed with us for 11 days. After that, I started listening to His satsang every day, even at night, so His teachings would dwell in my subconscious. I suffered from pneumonia, and neither medicine nor money could stop my coughing. I spent sleepless nights which taught me that death exists, making me realise my temporary form, and no one or nothing can come with me. I was running a successful consultancy company. I no longer wanted to work and live in constant thoughts of business, but instead decided to dedicate my life to seva and sadhana. People around me thought I was giving up fun, a career, partying and holidaying with them. But they could not see that I was finding much greater joy in Him, so everything else dropped effortlessly. There was no need to impress or live for others. The attraction of the world began to diminish. In a trip to Ireland in 2007, He told me to enquire – Why do I need a Guru in my life? I began to realise the importance of a Sadguru and my quest for the true Self began. Transformation Through Ajnas He gave me an ajna to meditate for ten minutes every day. Following this with commitment brought stillness and the practice grew to 90 minutes. His every word and action has a message. He told me to connect to God before putting anything in my mouth. He gave me the prayer ‘Hey Hari’ and told me never to forget to say it. I told Him that I did not want to live so far from Him, and He said, “When you wake up in the morning decide your role. The physical long distance doesn’t matter in spirituality. Remove body consciousness and go within. Play the role of ‘Sonal’ to the best.” In 2011, He told me that wherever I wrote my name, I must write peaceful and powerful with it. His ajna brings purpose, not in words but in existence. He wrote, ‘Meditation is not an activity to be done in a peaceful atmosphere, but an art to remain peaceful in all atmospheres. Nothing and nobody should destroy your peace.’ With this learning, I have not gotten irritated for a long time. He has gifted me with an attitude, which has bought me joy and peace. From Disconnection to Devotion In South Africa, He asked me at the airport, “Have you heard today’s satsang?” I had not watched the webcast and He said, “I do not expect this from you.” He caught me in my moment of disconnection. Once I invited Him home for breakfast in Mumbai. I had decided and planned as per my will. So I became unaware when He was speaking and had to ask Him the same question again. He said He would not come because He expected that much awareness from me! During a pravachan in 2008, He said, “Sonalben, Sita had everything till she had Shri Rama by her side and she suffered for six months when she lost Him, so always keep your connection with your Sadguru.” On September 15, 2009 I listened to the mind and not the heart. I had not followed His ajna and planned His day in Manchester with three pratishthas, leaving Him with no space for sadhana. I lost His rajipo. I lost the connection. This moment was my worst ever; I would rather die than lose His rajipo. With His grace, my ego began to fall, alertness and devotion increased. My aim was strengthened, to only seek the Truth. Spiritual Metamorphosis Through Seva He gave me the first seva to organise a retreat in 2004. There was a lot of kartabhaav and stress. I was always rushing, and attached to perfection. I could not tolerate if a sevak did not follow ‘my way’. I learnt from Him that it is not about defeating people, but about winning them with love. He filled my days with seva, and I began to experience that He is the doer. Once I spent a lot of time, negotiating a deal for a trip. I thought that was ‘my’ skill. He changed the week of the trip and without effort the price dropped further by 25%. I realised He is the doer, I am only His murli. In November 2010, when I shouted at Roushab, my son, for keeping Him waiting in the car park, He said, “Nothing should disturb you, otherwise all seva is zero.” Not reacting is experiencing Him. From that moment, I introspect daily and first see my faults, underlying desires and expectations, leaving no space for reactions. Seva is priceless, it keeps me in tune and receptive to Him, making it my lifeline. Family Life Changes He brought a tremendous change in my daughter Priyanca. She led a UK lifestyle, but gave it up to seek a higher purpose, to become an Atmarpit in 2009. He told us that He had selected her. We were in elation! He told us not to cry and He planned the entire occasion as a surprise to her, and about fifty members of the family travelled from abroad. This was all planned by Him in a fortnight. He took charge of the family, decreasing my attachment. Roushab is a part of London Youth Group. Now, all of us have only one purpose, one conversation – Him and His bodh. He blessed me with the Vanprastha Diksha in 2010 and with Ajivan Brahmacharyavrat in 2012. Time is Slipping In 2008, He gave me the opportunity to do the arpan vidhi for ‘Gangasati bhajans’. He said that be like Paanbai and account for your 21,600 breaths each day. Don’t waste time, work towards your Samyak Darshan. I am there for you now; even I have very little time. The following year – I began to chart out plans of how I could increase my awareness, nirmalta and work towards this purpose. I was in the hospital with angina pain. I called Him; I do not want to die like this! He said ‘jagruti rakhjo’, He predicted there is nothing wrong with me, and all the tests proved it. But learn from this, time is slipping, act fast now. Inspiring Every Moment His devotion for Param Krupalu Dev is incomparable, a source of inspiration. He was at first, my Guru’s Guru but now when ‘Param Krupalu Dev’ is mentioned, I am touched and crying. He has created a passion in me, to read Vachanamrutji each day. During Long Island Spiritual Center pratishtha, I got to hold His Charanpaduka; each nerve was bursting in bhakti. He looks after my well-being and growth. In Udghosh, He asked me what my true nature is expecting me to say peaceful powerful soul, and I said I am full of ego. He said, “murkh che!” Who besides Him inspires to remove my negativities? He has transformed a career, partygoing person like me to cherish living in Dharampur for weeks! The simplicity, with which He brings the understanding of the Self in us, so that we only seek the Self, is His true greatness. He is the one source of strength, the unmoved mover. He has given me this life and written the divine plan for me. Thank you is never enough! Titthayrame Pasiyantu. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, August 2014 issue. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Leap of Faith Sarvarpit Mehnaz Jasani, Head of the Samarpit Shibirs and a part of the Shrimad Rajchandra Youthwing (SRY) Programme Management Committee, shares her experience of the Master’s unconditional love that transcends religious boundaries to sow seeds of devotion. My love story with Pujya Gurudevshri is like a true Bollywood movie love story with all the drama… First the heroine hates the boy – then she slowly falls in love with him, then there is that inevitable fight which pulls them apart and the joyous reunion and The End, well in my case not the end but the beginning. The Early Days Who is this man that Shyam, my husband, is running after? What is so great about Him? Why is Shyam mad after Him? Our life was fine without Him having to come and “ruin” everything for us. As the distance between Shyam and me grew wider, I had inevitably allowed Pujya Gurudevshri to creep into my life, if only to save and salvage our relationship. A friend of mine recommended trying out what Shyam was so interested in. Once I gave Him that little space, little did I know that He would take over my entire life! The entire process happened underground – it was something solid, committed and deep. It was faith. I had allowed my head to process it, my heart to feel it and now my mouth to speak it. It all started with Tumhari Amrita, a skit, where unknowingly I read every letter of that play looking directly into His eyes. How I spoke I didn’t know, for I had lost my voice and I didn’t know any of the letters by heart. Today I can proudly say it was He who flowed through me. Then came another skit – Mother Teresa. I remember so clearly, in the Group meeting Bapa was reading, “Come be my light.” I think I must have cried for the first time. I cried through the entire meeting and I still don’t know why. I believe I was washing away the ignorance, the lack of trust and was cleansing my soul for the Lord to begin His work on me, through me. I just could not understand what was happening to me. Was I mad? I had done all these plays because I enjoyed being part of a drama. Little did I know that I had planted a little seed of love and these plays were nurturing them into a strong deep-rooted tree. After Mother Teresa, He asked me what had touched me the most. Without thinking I replied, “It’s not whether something is big or small, it is how much love you put in that matter.” I had no idea why I said those words but today I realise that from that day on, no matter what I did, I would give it hundred percent of love and I found that nothing was too difficult or impossible to do. I am a Muslim by birth. And He has constantly encouraged me to read the Holy Quran. He has, on 3 different occasions, given me the Quran personally to read. It was a sign. I need to understand my roots. I started classes in Gujarati. It was beautiful. Every morning I had the teacher come over and we would unravel the mysteries of this wonderful scripture. It was only a medium which brought me closer to Him. Not even once, directly or indirectly did He ever indicate to me that I need to change my religion. It was always about discovering my True Self. Letting Go The two most dramatic incidents of my life were when we decided to change our children’s school and moving to Prithvi Apartments. Did He tell us to change their school? No. My kids went to one of the most coveted schools in Mumbai. I was proud of it too, as it was my school. And here He is telling me, looking directly into my eyes that our holidays will not be together now, as that school had holidays in May and the newly started IB school, which other Garbharpits went to, had them in June. But how could I give up such good education for holidays? Well, He had hinted at something. The hint was not lost on me. It was the beginning of losing ‘Me.’ Those two months, I went through mental turmoil. My attachment to my school and my concepts started loosening. I learnt that all decisions have to be made with your head and your heart working in tandem. If made with only one, most probably it will be the wrong decision. And most importantly, all decisions have to be made with Him being present. No decision is complete if He is not involved in it. And He, in some form or another always gives me my answer. It’s just the matter of how tuned I am with Him. It’s just that much easier. The second most important incident was moving to Prithvi Apartments. What is so great about that? Well firstly, we are always in His aura. We get to see Him almost every day. Even if it means that we had to move from a large house into a house half its size. It was then I realised that size did not matter; it was your heart which was important. How can you live without His love? Your world revolves around making Him happy. You live for His smile. The “I” dissolves and He is the most important. What does He like? Is He happy? The world then seems like such a wonderful place. How can you live any other way? The Big Lesson The world is so wonderful when in love. I was blessed with seva as the Head of Samarpit Shibir with Sharnarpit Nipa Shah and member of the SRY Programme Management Committee. What more could I ask for? Life was great. But He was not satisfied with life being great. He wanted to free me from my flaws and faults. During one of the Samarpit Shibirs, Nipa and I were flying high. We got to meet Gurudev every morning and discuss the shibir with Him. On the last day we made a blunder. So badly, that in a second we lost His Rajipo. He was so unhappy that He didn’t even talk to us or give us a chance to say sorry. The reason of the blunder was that we lost our connection with Him. We thought we had done everything right. But karta bhav, the villain of my love story, destroyed everything by making me weak and lose His connection. The entire evening, from that moment went downhill. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. Things that we were so sure about also went wrong. The biggest realisation to me was that I, Mehnaz, could make a mistake and I too could lose my connection with Him. Something that I thought was impossible. And what is the big deal if you lose connection with Him for a second? What wrong can possibly happen? What wrong? Your entire world can come to a grinding halt. He, you realise, is so important. How much He carries you through your life, through all the good, through all the bad. He is there by your side. This realisation has changed my life forever. The important thing I have learnt is His love is unconditional; but is mine? His love is boundless; is mine? He is ready to help me; am I ready to take that help? He will be with me no matter what; am I ready to stand with Him no matter what? He has faith in my abilities; do I have faith in mine? He sees God in me; do I see God in myself? I am one of those blessed souls to have a Guru in my life. How do I even begin to comprehend what I have gained from these priceless experiences. He has been watching over me continuously. Watching and carving and sculpting me slowly but surely. How do I thank Him for what He has done for me? My every step, my every breath is indebted to Him for bringing me to this path. It is His power, His grace, His compassion which has kept me here. It is just His grace, grace and more grace. Thank you does not suffice and are mere words, it is my transformation, my upliftment which I wish to offer at His Lotus Feet. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, November 2012 issue. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 My Guiding Light Sarvarpit Chirag Shah, offering seva as a member of the Mission’s Steering Committee and as a member of the core committee of the Ashram’s Master Planning project Sadguru Prerna, pens how Pujya Gurudevshri’s precise and practical guidance illuminated the path of his spiritual progress. In 1995, during the Paryushan Parva, my mother asked my brother and me to attend some religious activities and we were taken to Gurudev’s pravachan at the Bombay Market Apartments Centre. I had no interest in spirituality at that time. I was just twenty years of age, we had lost our father just four years back and were struggling with our studies and still managing business. My mother like an iron lady, with no background in business, was holding on to business, managing the family and her spiritual commitments. This was the first time ever I saw and met Gurudev in this birth and those eight days of pravachans were just life transforming. I was blown. The topic was ‘6 Dhala’ and little did I know, meeting Gurudev would change the course of my life. Those pravachans made a deep impact on my mind and instantly corrected and realigned my beliefs and thoughts. I had met my Gurudev and my journey had begun. Experiencing His Love After I first met Him, my spiritual honeymoon period started where like a friend, He took care of me, took me to various trips, appreciated and motivated me for good thoughts and deeds, made me feel special. He made sure that I kept growing on the spiritual path. During that time I clearly remember in one of the group meetings, He had mentioned that I will be there until the end. I was pleasantly surprised by these words and kept pondering on them. In 1996, I was blessed to drive Him from Manju Apartments to our home for pratishtha. While on the drive I kept thinking that once I drop Him, He will directly go up and the bhakti would start. I would have to go and park the car, so I will have to sit right at the back! But just as these thoughts ran in my mind, Gurudev asked me to go and park the car and told me that He would wait for me in the lobby. I was pleasantly surprised by how He read my thoughts and felt truly blessed to experience His purity and love. After almost 23 years, in one of the pravachans in Mumbai, He mentioned the bhajan which was taken during the pratishtha. Simply astonishing! Working on me On a trip to Mahabaleshwar in 1996, my compassionate Gurudev took me for a one and a half hour walk, alone with Him. Just like a loving father, He pushed me to open up to Him about a girl that I liked. Not knowing that my family had already informed Him, I like a foolish person did not acknowledge and lied to Him about the same. This was one of my biggest sin that I did not open up to my Gurudev, where I am supposed to be hundred percent open. I realised the importance of transparency with Him. In the early days, He gave me ajnas like shaving every day highlighting that such routine activities should also be done regularly. This was to inculcate the value of discipline as otherwise it will lead to laziness in spiritual activities too. Today I see myself being disciplined in my ajnabhakti, meditation etc. only because of such values inculcated by Gurudev. When He moved from Manju Apartments to Prithvi Apartments, in His mysterious ways, He also made us move to Prithvi Apartments. I have experienced, that since the time I have moved to Prithvi Apartments and whenever He is in the building, His pure Aura has always kept me away from internal vices and connected with a feeling that He is around, taking care of me. Growing Through Seva By now my seva journey had begun. The journey as sevak in the kitchen team washing 2,000 vessels during a Mahotsav, to Sarvarpit Group leader, to handling the Shri Samet Shikharji Tirthyatra, Goa Shibir and more, showed the faith and responsibility He was entrusting onto me. I was blessed in many ways to learn and imbibe His vision. He continuously taught us to grow spiritually with the core values of a seeker and the passionate spirit of a responsible sevak. I have been blessed to see many forms of His love. Once, we in the kitchen department had taken a grossly wrong decision where other seekers were getting affected. We experienced a completely different form of love where He had to be strict. We can never forget that day – on one side He kept on expressing His displeasure strongly for almost two hours until we realised our mistake and the moment I said sorry, He gave such a wonderful smile as if nothing had happened. It was all a drama for Him wherein He was completely unaffected and had taken up this role only to train us. The smile was just mesmerising and we all were relieved that while it was our mistake, He still loved and trusted us. In this manner, while training us He made sure that the motivation of sevaks was maintained. During Sadguru Prerna meetings, I have had wonderful opportunities to be closely involved in taking decisions. I have always noticed Gurudev taking keen interest in designing of the Ashram and its culture to be followed, such that the Ashram becomes a spiritual abode where seekers from all walks of life can come for their spiritual growth and not as a second home, a weekend place to enjoy or as an old age home. He has always kept the policy of seekers first. While there was no need for Him to personally get involved in allocation of each and every unit of the Sadguru Prerna housing, He spent hours and hours in deciding who should be allocated which unit, just to make seekers comfortable for long stays and eventually make them grow spiritually. In Steering Committee (SC) meetings, the conduct and discipline of the meetings are such that every member has to complete their points within the allotted minutes only. This is the culture set by Gurudev. Hence even though the Mission is at this huge scale and growing at a rapid pace, SC completes their meeting in maximum two hours and then one hour is spent with Gurudev to run Him through the points. We usually land up completing this meeting with Him in thirty minutes and Gurudev gives satsang in the remaining time. These are the attributes inculcated by Gurudev to maintain high level of discipline, clarity, alertness and connection. When SC members refer the points to Him, for His guidance, He instantly completely understands the points and provides His guidance, which reflects His supreme awareness level. He does this while maintaining His spiritual height which is a mesmerising sight to see. His most outstanding quality which I have witnessed is His love and devotion for His Guru, His Lord, Param Krupalu Dev. Everything He does is only with His ajna and only for Him. Any initiative He undertakes, everything begins and ends with Param Krupalu Dev. In the end I would just like to pray to Him that I too develop such devotion for Him as He has for Param Krupalu Dev and may my heart, in this life as well as all forthcoming lives, pursue the true religion as expounded by the Sadguru. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, April 2019 issue. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Mind and Meditation The so-called meditators try in vain to manoeuvre their minds through various techniques to experience peace. Pujya Gurudevshri explains that peace is natural to the Self and to meditate is not an act to control the mind but it is to transcend the mind. To stay noisy, turbulent is the nature of the mind. By no means can it be quietened. However, there surely is a way to become free from the mind, transcend the mind, and be in the state of no-mind. Therefore, the only meaning of a quiet mind is the absence of mind. There is no relationship between silence and mind. As long as there is mind, there cannot be quietude and where there is silence, there is no mind. The basic purpose of all spiritual practices is to dissolve the mind, to be free from the mind, to transcend the mind. Just as, to cure a disease, you must understand it well. Treatment without right diagnosis can aggravate the disease or even invite other diseases. In the same way, understand the mind well, or you may end up either suppressing it or making it numb. Erroneous Ways of Quietening the Mind You know how to suppress emotions. Anger comes and you repress it thinking it is not wise to show anger right now. You also know how to suppress passions and desires because every time it is not possible to fulfil them. The more you suppress, the more hideous the mind becomes. You create a volcano within. Whenever it erupts, it will create a disaster. Hence, though it seems that suppression makes the mind quiet, it actually becomes the creator of terrible unrest. Suppression can save you from committing a sin at that moment but it may make you sin in future. Energy suppressed could blast and shatter you one day. Therefore, the path of suppression is not the path of freedom from the mind. Similarly, benumbing the mind is not the way to peace. Making the mind unconscious of the pain may temporarily make you forget your suffering, but pills, alcohol etc. cannot cure it. The moment the mind comes back to consciousness, the suffering will rise again to harass. It can create physical illness too. Thus, suppression makes the mind restless and benumbing makes the mind insensitive but they cannot make you free from the mind. Mind is a constant flow of thoughts. As long as it exists, you cannot be at peace. Each thought is capable of disturbing you. Is Witnessing an Act of the Mind? Witnessing is not the act of the mind. In meditation, in witnessing, the Self acts in accordance with its nature and so it is not an effort, rather, it is effortlessness. Meditation or witnessing happens without the help of mind, speech or body and so it is non-action. This needs to be understood well. Due to the limitations of language, many non-actions are considered as actions. Like, taking birth is an activity, yet there is no effort of the child in it. In the same way, dying, sleeping, are not activities, even though in language, they are referred to as activities. You say, ‘I slept at night’. But when asked, ‘How did you go to sleep? What was the process of sleep?’ it will be difficult for you to answer. You may have slept for a long time and yet you cannot describe the process of sleep. You may be able to describe in detail what you did before going to sleep, like making the bed, turning the lights off, switching on the fan. They may help in going to sleep but they are not sleep, nor do they ensure that you will get sleep because of them. You cannot bring sleep, so sleep is not an action. You may prepare for a good sleep but can’t make it happen. It is easy to sleep in darkness and difficult in a bright room. Yet sleep comes without any doing. A child takes his thumb in his mouth and goes to sleep. When the thumb is pulled out, it is difficult for him to sleep. An association is built that the moment his thumb goes in his mouth, he is ready for sleep. It is a mere signal that soon he will be asleep. Likewise, bed, darkness, fan etc. are only signals. Meditation or witnessing when said to be effortless, it means that whatever is done for meditation is all external. It facilitates meditation. The efforts are mere superficial endeavours, not meditation. Meditation is a relaxed state of being, a state of effortlessness, just a happening and not doing. And so like sleep, it has no definite technique. Remove the Obstacles Understanding three basic principles regarding sleep should help remove all confusion about meditation. Sleep cannot be created, sleep comes and efforts are also made for sleep. There are preparations made for sleep but they are not the direct cause of sleep. One has to silently wait for sleep to come! Sleep when it comes, comes on its own and cannot be brought. All preparations like making bed etc. are only to facilitate sleep, to remove obstacles to sleep and nothing more than that. The same applies for meditation or witnessing. The techniques of meditation and all its preparations are taught or made to practice so that the mind does not become a hindrance. Hence, to meditate is to remove all that hinders meditation and then silently wait for meditation to happen. Meditation is a natural activity of the Self. Doership is the obstacle to it. Meditation occurs when doership dissolves. The sun dawns in the morning and you are sitting in the room with doors closed. Now, you ask, what should be done to get the sun inside the room? Can you bring the sunshine in a basket? Can you pull it in by the elephants? Or may be with someone’s help? The Wise Ones say that you need not do anything to bring the sunlight inside the room. All you have to do is remove the obstacle to it. Open the doors. This is the only method. The sunlight will enter on its own. Even though you may say you brought the sunlight inside the room, it would be a lie. All you did was open the doors. It’s the sun that brings in the sunlight and not you. Meditation Happens on its Own This means that you cannot do meditation but can surely stop it happening! To do meditation is to give up all efforts that obstruct meditation. Meditation does not require efforts. It happens naturally when you become choiceless and effortless. To meditate is like opening the doors, and the sunlight naturally floods. And so, when meditation happens, you shall not claim its doership. You prepare a room conducive to get a good sleep. However, sleep may occur without any preparation too. Like, a person can go off to sleep on a sunny, noisy, hot day; laying his head on a stone. But the condition is he must be exhausted. In the same way, when you are completely tired of the play of mind, you let go of the mind and meditation occurs. Then you do not need a conducive environment or technique. However, without being tired, you will need both, a correct setting and a right method as preparation, yet they are not meditation. For meditation cannot be done, it occurs on its own. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Managing Emotional Baggage The Power of Right Mindset in Controlling Your Emotions. Do you often find yourself struggling with negative emotions? Do you wonder about the true meaning of emotional baggage and how to effectively deal with it? In this enlightening discourse, profound wisdom is shared on how to deal with emotional breakdown and take control of your emotional well-being. Situations may not change, but you can change your feelings by changing your thoughts. This powerful insight serves as the foundation for understanding how to deal with negative emotions. Just as a steering wheel controls the direction of wheels, our thoughts direct our feelings. To transform how we feel, we must first change our thought patterns. Cleaning Your Mind Daily While we clean our homes and bodies regularly, how often do we clean our minds? The importance of mental cleansing is emphasised: You clean your house, you clean your bodies, you should also clean your minds. The place you will get your happiness from, you don’t have time to clean that place? This daily practice of mental cleansing is essential for maintaining emotional balance. It is advised to close our emotional accounts every night without exception — even if it’s just for two minutes. This practice helps prevent emotional baggage from accumulating and weighing us down. Opening Folders with the Right Mindset One of the most practical teachings on how to control emotions involves what is called “opening folders.” Often, we open mental folders of past incidents when we’re angry, which only reinforces negative emotions. Instead, the advice is: Become a little devotional, a little meditative, become calm and happy and then open the folder. You will release that. By approaching difficult situations or conversations from a place of calmness rather than reactivity, we can process them without creating more emotional turmoil. This approach helps us deal with emotional baggage effectively rather than adding to it. Understanding the Source of Irritation The discourse challenges a fundamental wrong belief—that others are the cause of our irritation and hurt. The clarification is made: Thoughts—meaning all negative thoughts, hurt, hate, everything—don’t come from situations, they come from your beliefs. This shift in understanding is crucial for anyone wanting to know how to deal with negative emotions. When we recognise that we choose our reactions based on our beliefs rather than blaming external factors, we gain control over our emotional responses. Building Emotional Immunity Just as physical immunity protects us from illness, emotional immunity shields us from negative influences. It is explained that our emotional distress comes not from situations themselves but from our low emotional immunity. By strengthening this immunity through right beliefs and mindset, we can remain stable even in challenging circumstances. Rising Above Negative Energy The discourse concludes with a beautiful metaphor about climbing to higher floors when encountering unpleasant smells on lower levels. Similarly, when faced with negative energy from others, we should elevate our inner state rather than being influenced by it. See that the positive energy from you influences the negative energy, be alert that the negative energy does not influence you. This practice involves cultivating forgiveness, friendliness, and love—moving from the “second floor” to the “third floor” of consciousness. The encouragement is to learn the language of blessings and good wishes, especially toward those with whom we have difficulties. For a more immersive experience of this transformative wisdom on how to deal with emotional breakdown, watch the complete satsang at FAQs About Emotional Baggage What is the meaning of emotional baggage? Emotional baggage refers to the accumulated negative feelings and unresolved issues from past experiences that we carry with us. As explained, these emotions stem from our beliefs rather than from external situations. Understanding the true source of emotional baggage is the first step toward releasing it. How can I deal with negative emotions effectively? To deal with negative emotions effectively, it is recommended to change your thought patterns and beliefs. Instead of blaming others for your irritation, acknowledge that you choose your reactions. Practice “closing accounts” daily by reflecting on your emotions from a calm state of mind, and open mental “folders” only when you’re in a positive mindset. What are some practical ways to control emotions during conflicts? When faced with conflicts, the suggestion is to elevate your inner state—moving from anger to forgiveness, and then to friendliness and love. This helps you maintain control over your emotions rather than being influenced by negative energy. Practice sending good wishes and blessings to the person you’re in conflict with, which can transform the dynamic entirely. How do I prevent emotional breakdown in challenging situations? Building emotional immunity is key to preventing emotional breakdown. Just as physical immunity protects against viruses, strong emotional immunity shields you from being affected by difficult situations. This involves cultivating right beliefs, practising daily mental cleansing, and approaching challenges with a positive mindset. Remember that situations don’t cause your distress—your response to them does. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Pujyashri Deepakbhai paid his respects at the Jinmandir and Gurumandir, and spent blissful moments with Pujya Gurudevshri as well. Seekers were blessed with an address by Pujyashri Deepakbhai at Raj Sabhagruh. During his visit, Pujyashri Deepakbhai also saw the various social initiatives of the Mission, including Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 SRM Wallpaper 126 Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Leap of Faith Sarvarpit Mehnaz Jasani, Head of the Samarpit Shibirs and a part of the Shrimad Rajchandra Youthwing (SRY) Programme Management Committee, shares her experience of the Master’s unconditional love that transcends religious boundaries to sow seeds of devotion. My love story with Pujya Gurudevshri is like a true Bollywood movie love story with all the drama… First the heroine hates the boy – then she slowly falls in love with him, then there is that inevitable fight which pulls them apart and the joyous reunion and The End, well in my case not the end but the beginning. The Early Days Who is this man that Shyam, my husband, is running after? What is so great about Him? Why is Shyam mad after Him? Our life was fine without Him having to come and “ruin” everything for us. As the distance between Shyam and me grew wider, I had inevitably allowed Pujya Gurudevshri to creep into my life, if only to save and salvage our relationship. A friend of mine recommended trying out what Shyam was so interested in. Once I gave Him that little space, little did I know that He would take over my entire life! The entire process happened underground – it was something solid, committed and deep. It was faith. I had allowed my head to process it, my heart to feel it and now my mouth to speak it. It all started with Tumhari Amrita, a skit, where unknowingly I read every letter of that play looking directly into His eyes. How I spoke I didn’t know, for I had lost my voice and I didn’t know any of the letters by heart. Today I can proudly say it was He who flowed through me. Then came another skit – Mother Teresa. I remember so clearly, in the Group meeting Bapa was reading, “Come be my light.” I think I must have cried for the first time. I cried through the entire meeting and I still don’t know why. I believe I was washing away the ignorance, the lack of trust and was cleansing my soul for the Lord to begin His work on me, through me. I just could not understand what was happening to me. Was I mad? I had done all these plays because I enjoyed being part of a drama. Little did I know that I had planted a little seed of love and these plays were nurturing them into a strong deep-rooted tree. After Mother Teresa, He asked me what had touched me the most. Without thinking I replied, “It’s not whether something is big or small, it is how much love you put in that matter.” I had no idea why I said those words but today I realise that from that day on, no matter what I did, I would give it hundred percent of love and I found that nothing was too difficult or impossible to do. I am a Muslim by birth. And He has constantly encouraged me to read the Holy Quran. He has, on 3 different occasions, given me the Quran personally to read. It was a sign. I need to understand my roots. I started classes in Gujarati. It was beautiful. Every morning I had the teacher come over and we would unravel the mysteries of this wonderful scripture. It was only a medium which brought me closer to Him. Not even once, directly or indirectly did He ever indicate to me that I need to change my religion. It was always about discovering my True Self. Letting Go The two most dramatic incidents of my life were when we decided to change our children’s school and moving to Prithvi Apartments. Did He tell us to change their school? No. My kids went to one of the most coveted schools in Mumbai. I was proud of it too, as it was my school. And here He is telling me, looking directly into my eyes that our holidays will not be together now, as that school had holidays in May and the newly started IB school, which other Garbharpits went to, had them in June. But how could I give up such good education for holidays? Well, He had hinted at something. The hint was not lost on me. It was the beginning of losing ‘Me.’ Those two months, I went through mental turmoil. My attachment to my school and my concepts started loosening. I learnt that all decisions have to be made with your head and your heart working in tandem. If made with only one, most probably it will be the wrong decision. And most importantly, all decisions have to be made with Him being present. No decision is complete if He is not involved in it. And He, in some form or another always gives me my answer. It’s just the matter of how tuned I am with Him. It’s just that much easier. The second most important incident was moving to Prithvi Apartments. What is so great about that? Well firstly, we are always in His aura. We get to see Him almost every day. Even if it means that we had to move from a large house into a house half its size. It was then I realised that size did not matter; it was your heart which was important. How can you live without His love? Your world revolves around making Him happy. You live for His smile. The “I” dissolves and He is the most important. What does He like? Is He happy? The world then seems like such a wonderful place. How can you live any other way? The Big Lesson The world is so wonderful when in love. I was blessed with seva as the Head of Samarpit Shibir with Sharnarpit Nipa Shah and member of the SRY Programme Management Committee. What more could I ask for? Life was great. But He was not satisfied with life being great. He wanted to free me from my flaws and faults. During one of the Samarpit Shibirs, Nipa and I were flying high. We got to meet Gurudev every morning and discuss the shibir with Him. On the last day we made a blunder. So badly, that in a second we lost His Rajipo. He was so unhappy that He didn’t even talk to us or give us a chance to say sorry. The reason of the blunder was that we lost our connection with Him. We thought we had done everything right. But karta bhav, the villain of my love story, destroyed everything by making me weak and lose His connection. The entire evening, from that moment went downhill. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. Things that we were so sure about also went wrong. The biggest realisation to me was that I, Mehnaz, could make a mistake and I too could lose my connection with Him. Something that I thought was impossible. And what is the big deal if you lose connection with Him for a second? What wrong can possibly happen? What wrong? Your entire world can come to a grinding halt. He, you realise, is so important. How much He carries you through your life, through all the good, through all the bad. He is there by your side. This realisation has changed my life forever. The important thing I have learnt is His love is unconditional; but is mine? His love is boundless; is mine? He is ready to help me; am I ready to take that help? He will be with me no matter what; am I ready to stand with Him no matter what? He has faith in my abilities; do I have faith in mine? He sees God in me; do I see God in myself? I am one of those blessed souls to have a Guru in my life. How do I even begin to comprehend what I have gained from these priceless experiences. He has been watching over me continuously. Watching and carving and sculpting me slowly but surely. How do I thank Him for what He has done for me? My every step, my every breath is indebted to Him for bringing me to this path. It is His power, His grace, His compassion which has kept me here. It is just His grace, grace and more grace. Thank you does not suffice and are mere words, it is my transformation, my upliftment which I wish to offer at His Lotus Feet. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, November 2012 issue. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 My Guiding Light Sarvarpit Chirag Shah, offering seva as a member of the Mission’s Steering Committee and as a member of the core committee of the Ashram’s Master Planning project Sadguru Prerna, pens how Pujya Gurudevshri’s precise and practical guidance illuminated the path of his spiritual progress. In 1995, during the Paryushan Parva, my mother asked my brother and me to attend some religious activities and we were taken to Gurudev’s pravachan at the Bombay Market Apartments Centre. I had no interest in spirituality at that time. I was just twenty years of age, we had lost our father just four years back and were struggling with our studies and still managing business. My mother like an iron lady, with no background in business, was holding on to business, managing the family and her spiritual commitments. This was the first time ever I saw and met Gurudev in this birth and those eight days of pravachans were just life transforming. I was blown. The topic was ‘6 Dhala’ and little did I know, meeting Gurudev would change the course of my life. Those pravachans made a deep impact on my mind and instantly corrected and realigned my beliefs and thoughts. I had met my Gurudev and my journey had begun. Experiencing His Love After I first met Him, my spiritual honeymoon period started where like a friend, He took care of me, took me to various trips, appreciated and motivated me for good thoughts and deeds, made me feel special. He made sure that I kept growing on the spiritual path. During that time I clearly remember in one of the group meetings, He had mentioned that I will be there until the end. I was pleasantly surprised by these words and kept pondering on them. In 1996, I was blessed to drive Him from Manju Apartments to our home for pratishtha. While on the drive I kept thinking that once I drop Him, He will directly go up and the bhakti would start. I would have to go and park the car, so I will have to sit right at the back! But just as these thoughts ran in my mind, Gurudev asked me to go and park the car and told me that He would wait for me in the lobby. I was pleasantly surprised by how He read my thoughts and felt truly blessed to experience His purity and love. After almost 23 years, in one of the pravachans in Mumbai, He mentioned the bhajan which was taken during the pratishtha. Simply astonishing! Working on me On a trip to Mahabaleshwar in 1996, my compassionate Gurudev took me for a one and a half hour walk, alone with Him. Just like a loving father, He pushed me to open up to Him about a girl that I liked. Not knowing that my family had already informed Him, I like a foolish person did not acknowledge and lied to Him about the same. This was one of my biggest sin that I did not open up to my Gurudev, where I am supposed to be hundred percent open. I realised the importance of transparency with Him. In the early days, He gave me ajnas like shaving every day highlighting that such routine activities should also be done regularly. This was to inculcate the value of discipline as otherwise it will lead to laziness in spiritual activities too. Today I see myself being disciplined in my ajnabhakti, meditation etc. only because of such values inculcated by Gurudev. When He moved from Manju Apartments to Prithvi Apartments, in His mysterious ways, He also made us move to Prithvi Apartments. I have experienced, that since the time I have moved to Prithvi Apartments and whenever He is in the building, His pure Aura has always kept me away from internal vices and connected with a feeling that He is around, taking care of me. Growing Through Seva By now my seva journey had begun. The journey as sevak in the kitchen team washing 2,000 vessels during a Mahotsav, to Sarvarpit Group leader, to handling the Shri Samet Shikharji Tirthyatra, Goa Shibir and more, showed the faith and responsibility He was entrusting onto me. I was blessed in many ways to learn and imbibe His vision. He continuously taught us to grow spiritually with the core values of a seeker and the passionate spirit of a responsible sevak. I have been blessed to see many forms of His love. Once, we in the kitchen department had taken a grossly wrong decision where other seekers were getting affected. We experienced a completely different form of love where He had to be strict. We can never forget that day – on one side He kept on expressing His displeasure strongly for almost two hours until we realised our mistake and the moment I said sorry, He gave such a wonderful smile as if nothing had happened. It was all a drama for Him wherein He was completely unaffected and had taken up this role only to train us. The smile was just mesmerising and we all were relieved that while it was our mistake, He still loved and trusted us. In this manner, while training us He made sure that the motivation of sevaks was maintained. During Sadguru Prerna meetings, I have had wonderful opportunities to be closely involved in taking decisions. I have always noticed Gurudev taking keen interest in designing of the Ashram and its culture to be followed, such that the Ashram becomes a spiritual abode where seekers from all walks of life can come for their spiritual growth and not as a second home, a weekend place to enjoy or as an old age home. He has always kept the policy of seekers first. While there was no need for Him to personally get involved in allocation of each and every unit of the Sadguru Prerna housing, He spent hours and hours in deciding who should be allocated which unit, just to make seekers comfortable for long stays and eventually make them grow spiritually. In Steering Committee (SC) meetings, the conduct and discipline of the meetings are such that every member has to complete their points within the allotted minutes only. This is the culture set by Gurudev. Hence even though the Mission is at this huge scale and growing at a rapid pace, SC completes their meeting in maximum two hours and then one hour is spent with Gurudev to run Him through the points. We usually land up completing this meeting with Him in thirty minutes and Gurudev gives satsang in the remaining time. These are the attributes inculcated by Gurudev to maintain high level of discipline, clarity, alertness and connection. When SC members refer the points to Him, for His guidance, He instantly completely understands the points and provides His guidance, which reflects His supreme awareness level. He does this while maintaining His spiritual height which is a mesmerising sight to see. His most outstanding quality which I have witnessed is His love and devotion for His Guru, His Lord, Param Krupalu Dev. Everything He does is only with His ajna and only for Him. Any initiative He undertakes, everything begins and ends with Param Krupalu Dev. In the end I would just like to pray to Him that I too develop such devotion for Him as He has for Param Krupalu Dev and may my heart, in this life as well as all forthcoming lives, pursue the true religion as expounded by the Sadguru. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, April 2019 issue. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Mind and Meditation The so-called meditators try in vain to manoeuvre their minds through various techniques to experience peace. Pujya Gurudevshri explains that peace is natural to the Self and to meditate is not an act to control the mind but it is to transcend the mind. To stay noisy, turbulent is the nature of the mind. By no means can it be quietened. However, there surely is a way to become free from the mind, transcend the mind, and be in the state of no-mind. Therefore, the only meaning of a quiet mind is the absence of mind. There is no relationship between silence and mind. As long as there is mind, there cannot be quietude and where there is silence, there is no mind. The basic purpose of all spiritual practices is to dissolve the mind, to be free from the mind, to transcend the mind. Just as, to cure a disease, you must understand it well. Treatment without right diagnosis can aggravate the disease or even invite other diseases. In the same way, understand the mind well, or you may end up either suppressing it or making it numb. Erroneous Ways of Quietening the Mind You know how to suppress emotions. Anger comes and you repress it thinking it is not wise to show anger right now. You also know how to suppress passions and desires because every time it is not possible to fulfil them. The more you suppress, the more hideous the mind becomes. You create a volcano within. Whenever it erupts, it will create a disaster. Hence, though it seems that suppression makes the mind quiet, it actually becomes the creator of terrible unrest. Suppression can save you from committing a sin at that moment but it may make you sin in future. Energy suppressed could blast and shatter you one day. Therefore, the path of suppression is not the path of freedom from the mind. Similarly, benumbing the mind is not the way to peace. Making the mind unconscious of the pain may temporarily make you forget your suffering, but pills, alcohol etc. cannot cure it. The moment the mind comes back to consciousness, the suffering will rise again to harass. It can create physical illness too. Thus, suppression makes the mind restless and benumbing makes the mind insensitive but they cannot make you free from the mind. Mind is a constant flow of thoughts. As long as it exists, you cannot be at peace. Each thought is capable of disturbing you. Is Witnessing an Act of the Mind? Witnessing is not the act of the mind. In meditation, in witnessing, the Self acts in accordance with its nature and so it is not an effort, rather, it is effortlessness. Meditation or witnessing happens without the help of mind, speech or body and so it is non-action. This needs to be understood well. Due to the limitations of language, many non-actions are considered as actions. Like, taking birth is an activity, yet there is no effort of the child in it. In the same way, dying, sleeping, are not activities, even though in language, they are referred to as activities. You say, ‘I slept at night’. But when asked, ‘How did you go to sleep? What was the process of sleep?’ it will be difficult for you to answer. You may have slept for a long time and yet you cannot describe the process of sleep. You may be able to describe in detail what you did before going to sleep, like making the bed, turning the lights off, switching on the fan. They may help in going to sleep but they are not sleep, nor do they ensure that you will get sleep because of them. You cannot bring sleep, so sleep is not an action. You may prepare for a good sleep but can’t make it happen. It is easy to sleep in darkness and difficult in a bright room. Yet sleep comes without any doing. A child takes his thumb in his mouth and goes to sleep. When the thumb is pulled out, it is difficult for him to sleep. An association is built that the moment his thumb goes in his mouth, he is ready for sleep. It is a mere signal that soon he will be asleep. Likewise, bed, darkness, fan etc. are only signals. Meditation or witnessing when said to be effortless, it means that whatever is done for meditation is all external. It facilitates meditation. The efforts are mere superficial endeavours, not meditation. Meditation is a relaxed state of being, a state of effortlessness, just a happening and not doing. And so like sleep, it has no definite technique. Remove the Obstacles Understanding three basic principles regarding sleep should help remove all confusion about meditation. Sleep cannot be created, sleep comes and efforts are also made for sleep. There are preparations made for sleep but they are not the direct cause of sleep. One has to silently wait for sleep to come! Sleep when it comes, comes on its own and cannot be brought. All preparations like making bed etc. are only to facilitate sleep, to remove obstacles to sleep and nothing more than that. The same applies for meditation or witnessing. The techniques of meditation and all its preparations are taught or made to practice so that the mind does not become a hindrance. Hence, to meditate is to remove all that hinders meditation and then silently wait for meditation to happen. Meditation is a natural activity of the Self. Doership is the obstacle to it. Meditation occurs when doership dissolves. The sun dawns in the morning and you are sitting in the room with doors closed. Now, you ask, what should be done to get the sun inside the room? Can you bring the sunshine in a basket? Can you pull it in by the elephants? Or may be with someone’s help? The Wise Ones say that you need not do anything to bring the sunlight inside the room. All you have to do is remove the obstacle to it. Open the doors. This is the only method. The sunlight will enter on its own. Even though you may say you brought the sunlight inside the room, it would be a lie. All you did was open the doors. It’s the sun that brings in the sunlight and not you. Meditation Happens on its Own This means that you cannot do meditation but can surely stop it happening! To do meditation is to give up all efforts that obstruct meditation. Meditation does not require efforts. It happens naturally when you become choiceless and effortless. To meditate is like opening the doors, and the sunlight naturally floods. And so, when meditation happens, you shall not claim its doership. You prepare a room conducive to get a good sleep. However, sleep may occur without any preparation too. Like, a person can go off to sleep on a sunny, noisy, hot day; laying his head on a stone. But the condition is he must be exhausted. In the same way, when you are completely tired of the play of mind, you let go of the mind and meditation occurs. Then you do not need a conducive environment or technique. However, without being tired, you will need both, a correct setting and a right method as preparation, yet they are not meditation. For meditation cannot be done, it occurs on its own. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Managing Emotional Baggage The Power of Right Mindset in Controlling Your Emotions. Do you often find yourself struggling with negative emotions? Do you wonder about the true meaning of emotional baggage and how to effectively deal with it? In this enlightening discourse, profound wisdom is shared on how to deal with emotional breakdown and take control of your emotional well-being. Situations may not change, but you can change your feelings by changing your thoughts. This powerful insight serves as the foundation for understanding how to deal with negative emotions. Just as a steering wheel controls the direction of wheels, our thoughts direct our feelings. To transform how we feel, we must first change our thought patterns. Cleaning Your Mind Daily While we clean our homes and bodies regularly, how often do we clean our minds? The importance of mental cleansing is emphasised: You clean your house, you clean your bodies, you should also clean your minds. The place you will get your happiness from, you don’t have time to clean that place? This daily practice of mental cleansing is essential for maintaining emotional balance. It is advised to close our emotional accounts every night without exception — even if it’s just for two minutes. This practice helps prevent emotional baggage from accumulating and weighing us down. Opening Folders with the Right Mindset One of the most practical teachings on how to control emotions involves what is called “opening folders.” Often, we open mental folders of past incidents when we’re angry, which only reinforces negative emotions. Instead, the advice is: Become a little devotional, a little meditative, become calm and happy and then open the folder. You will release that. By approaching difficult situations or conversations from a place of calmness rather than reactivity, we can process them without creating more emotional turmoil. This approach helps us deal with emotional baggage effectively rather than adding to it. Understanding the Source of Irritation The discourse challenges a fundamental wrong belief—that others are the cause of our irritation and hurt. The clarification is made: Thoughts—meaning all negative thoughts, hurt, hate, everything—don’t come from situations, they come from your beliefs. This shift in understanding is crucial for anyone wanting to know how to deal with negative emotions. When we recognise that we choose our reactions based on our beliefs rather than blaming external factors, we gain control over our emotional responses. Building Emotional Immunity Just as physical immunity protects us from illness, emotional immunity shields us from negative influences. It is explained that our emotional distress comes not from situations themselves but from our low emotional immunity. By strengthening this immunity through right beliefs and mindset, we can remain stable even in challenging circumstances. Rising Above Negative Energy The discourse concludes with a beautiful metaphor about climbing to higher floors when encountering unpleasant smells on lower levels. Similarly, when faced with negative energy from others, we should elevate our inner state rather than being influenced by it. See that the positive energy from you influences the negative energy, be alert that the negative energy does not influence you. This practice involves cultivating forgiveness, friendliness, and love—moving from the “second floor” to the “third floor” of consciousness. The encouragement is to learn the language of blessings and good wishes, especially toward those with whom we have difficulties. For a more immersive experience of this transformative wisdom on how to deal with emotional breakdown, watch the complete satsang at FAQs About Emotional Baggage What is the meaning of emotional baggage? Emotional baggage refers to the accumulated negative feelings and unresolved issues from past experiences that we carry with us. As explained, these emotions stem from our beliefs rather than from external situations. Understanding the true source of emotional baggage is the first step toward releasing it. How can I deal with negative emotions effectively? To deal with negative emotions effectively, it is recommended to change your thought patterns and beliefs. Instead of blaming others for your irritation, acknowledge that you choose your reactions. Practice “closing accounts” daily by reflecting on your emotions from a calm state of mind, and open mental “folders” only when you’re in a positive mindset. What are some practical ways to control emotions during conflicts? When faced with conflicts, the suggestion is to elevate your inner state—moving from anger to forgiveness, and then to friendliness and love. This helps you maintain control over your emotions rather than being influenced by negative energy. Practice sending good wishes and blessings to the person you’re in conflict with, which can transform the dynamic entirely. How do I prevent emotional breakdown in challenging situations? Building emotional immunity is key to preventing emotional breakdown. Just as physical immunity protects against viruses, strong emotional immunity shields you from being affected by difficult situations. This involves cultivating right beliefs, practising daily mental cleansing, and approaching challenges with a positive mindset. Remember that situations don’t cause your distress—your response to them does. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Pujyashri Deepakbhai paid his respects at the Jinmandir and Gurumandir, and spent blissful moments with Pujya Gurudevshri as well. Seekers were blessed with an address by Pujyashri Deepakbhai at Raj Sabhagruh. During his visit, Pujyashri Deepakbhai also saw the various social initiatives of the Mission, including Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 SRM Wallpaper 126 Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 My Guiding Light Sarvarpit Chirag Shah, offering seva as a member of the Mission’s Steering Committee and as a member of the core committee of the Ashram’s Master Planning project Sadguru Prerna, pens how Pujya Gurudevshri’s precise and practical guidance illuminated the path of his spiritual progress. In 1995, during the Paryushan Parva, my mother asked my brother and me to attend some religious activities and we were taken to Gurudev’s pravachan at the Bombay Market Apartments Centre. I had no interest in spirituality at that time. I was just twenty years of age, we had lost our father just four years back and were struggling with our studies and still managing business. My mother like an iron lady, with no background in business, was holding on to business, managing the family and her spiritual commitments. This was the first time ever I saw and met Gurudev in this birth and those eight days of pravachans were just life transforming. I was blown. The topic was ‘6 Dhala’ and little did I know, meeting Gurudev would change the course of my life. Those pravachans made a deep impact on my mind and instantly corrected and realigned my beliefs and thoughts. I had met my Gurudev and my journey had begun. Experiencing His Love After I first met Him, my spiritual honeymoon period started where like a friend, He took care of me, took me to various trips, appreciated and motivated me for good thoughts and deeds, made me feel special. He made sure that I kept growing on the spiritual path. During that time I clearly remember in one of the group meetings, He had mentioned that I will be there until the end. I was pleasantly surprised by these words and kept pondering on them. In 1996, I was blessed to drive Him from Manju Apartments to our home for pratishtha. While on the drive I kept thinking that once I drop Him, He will directly go up and the bhakti would start. I would have to go and park the car, so I will have to sit right at the back! But just as these thoughts ran in my mind, Gurudev asked me to go and park the car and told me that He would wait for me in the lobby. I was pleasantly surprised by how He read my thoughts and felt truly blessed to experience His purity and love. After almost 23 years, in one of the pravachans in Mumbai, He mentioned the bhajan which was taken during the pratishtha. Simply astonishing! Working on me On a trip to Mahabaleshwar in 1996, my compassionate Gurudev took me for a one and a half hour walk, alone with Him. Just like a loving father, He pushed me to open up to Him about a girl that I liked. Not knowing that my family had already informed Him, I like a foolish person did not acknowledge and lied to Him about the same. This was one of my biggest sin that I did not open up to my Gurudev, where I am supposed to be hundred percent open. I realised the importance of transparency with Him. In the early days, He gave me ajnas like shaving every day highlighting that such routine activities should also be done regularly. This was to inculcate the value of discipline as otherwise it will lead to laziness in spiritual activities too. Today I see myself being disciplined in my ajnabhakti, meditation etc. only because of such values inculcated by Gurudev. When He moved from Manju Apartments to Prithvi Apartments, in His mysterious ways, He also made us move to Prithvi Apartments. I have experienced, that since the time I have moved to Prithvi Apartments and whenever He is in the building, His pure Aura has always kept me away from internal vices and connected with a feeling that He is around, taking care of me. Growing Through Seva By now my seva journey had begun. The journey as sevak in the kitchen team washing 2,000 vessels during a Mahotsav, to Sarvarpit Group leader, to handling the Shri Samet Shikharji Tirthyatra, Goa Shibir and more, showed the faith and responsibility He was entrusting onto me. I was blessed in many ways to learn and imbibe His vision. He continuously taught us to grow spiritually with the core values of a seeker and the passionate spirit of a responsible sevak. I have been blessed to see many forms of His love. Once, we in the kitchen department had taken a grossly wrong decision where other seekers were getting affected. We experienced a completely different form of love where He had to be strict. We can never forget that day – on one side He kept on expressing His displeasure strongly for almost two hours until we realised our mistake and the moment I said sorry, He gave such a wonderful smile as if nothing had happened. It was all a drama for Him wherein He was completely unaffected and had taken up this role only to train us. The smile was just mesmerising and we all were relieved that while it was our mistake, He still loved and trusted us. In this manner, while training us He made sure that the motivation of sevaks was maintained. During Sadguru Prerna meetings, I have had wonderful opportunities to be closely involved in taking decisions. I have always noticed Gurudev taking keen interest in designing of the Ashram and its culture to be followed, such that the Ashram becomes a spiritual abode where seekers from all walks of life can come for their spiritual growth and not as a second home, a weekend place to enjoy or as an old age home. He has always kept the policy of seekers first. While there was no need for Him to personally get involved in allocation of each and every unit of the Sadguru Prerna housing, He spent hours and hours in deciding who should be allocated which unit, just to make seekers comfortable for long stays and eventually make them grow spiritually. In Steering Committee (SC) meetings, the conduct and discipline of the meetings are such that every member has to complete their points within the allotted minutes only. This is the culture set by Gurudev. Hence even though the Mission is at this huge scale and growing at a rapid pace, SC completes their meeting in maximum two hours and then one hour is spent with Gurudev to run Him through the points. We usually land up completing this meeting with Him in thirty minutes and Gurudev gives satsang in the remaining time. These are the attributes inculcated by Gurudev to maintain high level of discipline, clarity, alertness and connection. When SC members refer the points to Him, for His guidance, He instantly completely understands the points and provides His guidance, which reflects His supreme awareness level. He does this while maintaining His spiritual height which is a mesmerising sight to see. His most outstanding quality which I have witnessed is His love and devotion for His Guru, His Lord, Param Krupalu Dev. Everything He does is only with His ajna and only for Him. Any initiative He undertakes, everything begins and ends with Param Krupalu Dev. In the end I would just like to pray to Him that I too develop such devotion for Him as He has for Param Krupalu Dev and may my heart, in this life as well as all forthcoming lives, pursue the true religion as expounded by the Sadguru. Please Note: This Tale of Transformation was published in Sadguru Echoes magazine, April 2019 issue. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Mind and Meditation The so-called meditators try in vain to manoeuvre their minds through various techniques to experience peace. Pujya Gurudevshri explains that peace is natural to the Self and to meditate is not an act to control the mind but it is to transcend the mind. To stay noisy, turbulent is the nature of the mind. By no means can it be quietened. However, there surely is a way to become free from the mind, transcend the mind, and be in the state of no-mind. Therefore, the only meaning of a quiet mind is the absence of mind. There is no relationship between silence and mind. As long as there is mind, there cannot be quietude and where there is silence, there is no mind. The basic purpose of all spiritual practices is to dissolve the mind, to be free from the mind, to transcend the mind. Just as, to cure a disease, you must understand it well. Treatment without right diagnosis can aggravate the disease or even invite other diseases. In the same way, understand the mind well, or you may end up either suppressing it or making it numb. Erroneous Ways of Quietening the Mind You know how to suppress emotions. Anger comes and you repress it thinking it is not wise to show anger right now. You also know how to suppress passions and desires because every time it is not possible to fulfil them. The more you suppress, the more hideous the mind becomes. You create a volcano within. Whenever it erupts, it will create a disaster. Hence, though it seems that suppression makes the mind quiet, it actually becomes the creator of terrible unrest. Suppression can save you from committing a sin at that moment but it may make you sin in future. Energy suppressed could blast and shatter you one day. Therefore, the path of suppression is not the path of freedom from the mind. Similarly, benumbing the mind is not the way to peace. Making the mind unconscious of the pain may temporarily make you forget your suffering, but pills, alcohol etc. cannot cure it. The moment the mind comes back to consciousness, the suffering will rise again to harass. It can create physical illness too. Thus, suppression makes the mind restless and benumbing makes the mind insensitive but they cannot make you free from the mind. Mind is a constant flow of thoughts. As long as it exists, you cannot be at peace. Each thought is capable of disturbing you. Is Witnessing an Act of the Mind? Witnessing is not the act of the mind. In meditation, in witnessing, the Self acts in accordance with its nature and so it is not an effort, rather, it is effortlessness. Meditation or witnessing happens without the help of mind, speech or body and so it is non-action. This needs to be understood well. Due to the limitations of language, many non-actions are considered as actions. Like, taking birth is an activity, yet there is no effort of the child in it. In the same way, dying, sleeping, are not activities, even though in language, they are referred to as activities. You say, ‘I slept at night’. But when asked, ‘How did you go to sleep? What was the process of sleep?’ it will be difficult for you to answer. You may have slept for a long time and yet you cannot describe the process of sleep. You may be able to describe in detail what you did before going to sleep, like making the bed, turning the lights off, switching on the fan. They may help in going to sleep but they are not sleep, nor do they ensure that you will get sleep because of them. You cannot bring sleep, so sleep is not an action. You may prepare for a good sleep but can’t make it happen. It is easy to sleep in darkness and difficult in a bright room. Yet sleep comes without any doing. A child takes his thumb in his mouth and goes to sleep. When the thumb is pulled out, it is difficult for him to sleep. An association is built that the moment his thumb goes in his mouth, he is ready for sleep. It is a mere signal that soon he will be asleep. Likewise, bed, darkness, fan etc. are only signals. Meditation or witnessing when said to be effortless, it means that whatever is done for meditation is all external. It facilitates meditation. The efforts are mere superficial endeavours, not meditation. Meditation is a relaxed state of being, a state of effortlessness, just a happening and not doing. And so like sleep, it has no definite technique. Remove the Obstacles Understanding three basic principles regarding sleep should help remove all confusion about meditation. Sleep cannot be created, sleep comes and efforts are also made for sleep. There are preparations made for sleep but they are not the direct cause of sleep. One has to silently wait for sleep to come! Sleep when it comes, comes on its own and cannot be brought. All preparations like making bed etc. are only to facilitate sleep, to remove obstacles to sleep and nothing more than that. The same applies for meditation or witnessing. The techniques of meditation and all its preparations are taught or made to practice so that the mind does not become a hindrance. Hence, to meditate is to remove all that hinders meditation and then silently wait for meditation to happen. Meditation is a natural activity of the Self. Doership is the obstacle to it. Meditation occurs when doership dissolves. The sun dawns in the morning and you are sitting in the room with doors closed. Now, you ask, what should be done to get the sun inside the room? Can you bring the sunshine in a basket? Can you pull it in by the elephants? Or may be with someone’s help? The Wise Ones say that you need not do anything to bring the sunlight inside the room. All you have to do is remove the obstacle to it. Open the doors. This is the only method. The sunlight will enter on its own. Even though you may say you brought the sunlight inside the room, it would be a lie. All you did was open the doors. It’s the sun that brings in the sunlight and not you. Meditation Happens on its Own This means that you cannot do meditation but can surely stop it happening! To do meditation is to give up all efforts that obstruct meditation. Meditation does not require efforts. It happens naturally when you become choiceless and effortless. To meditate is like opening the doors, and the sunlight naturally floods. And so, when meditation happens, you shall not claim its doership. You prepare a room conducive to get a good sleep. However, sleep may occur without any preparation too. Like, a person can go off to sleep on a sunny, noisy, hot day; laying his head on a stone. But the condition is he must be exhausted. In the same way, when you are completely tired of the play of mind, you let go of the mind and meditation occurs. Then you do not need a conducive environment or technique. However, without being tired, you will need both, a correct setting and a right method as preparation, yet they are not meditation. For meditation cannot be done, it occurs on its own. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Managing Emotional Baggage The Power of Right Mindset in Controlling Your Emotions. Do you often find yourself struggling with negative emotions? Do you wonder about the true meaning of emotional baggage and how to effectively deal with it? In this enlightening discourse, profound wisdom is shared on how to deal with emotional breakdown and take control of your emotional well-being. Situations may not change, but you can change your feelings by changing your thoughts. This powerful insight serves as the foundation for understanding how to deal with negative emotions. Just as a steering wheel controls the direction of wheels, our thoughts direct our feelings. To transform how we feel, we must first change our thought patterns. Cleaning Your Mind Daily While we clean our homes and bodies regularly, how often do we clean our minds? The importance of mental cleansing is emphasised: You clean your house, you clean your bodies, you should also clean your minds. The place you will get your happiness from, you don’t have time to clean that place? This daily practice of mental cleansing is essential for maintaining emotional balance. It is advised to close our emotional accounts every night without exception — even if it’s just for two minutes. This practice helps prevent emotional baggage from accumulating and weighing us down. Opening Folders with the Right Mindset One of the most practical teachings on how to control emotions involves what is called “opening folders.” Often, we open mental folders of past incidents when we’re angry, which only reinforces negative emotions. Instead, the advice is: Become a little devotional, a little meditative, become calm and happy and then open the folder. You will release that. By approaching difficult situations or conversations from a place of calmness rather than reactivity, we can process them without creating more emotional turmoil. This approach helps us deal with emotional baggage effectively rather than adding to it. Understanding the Source of Irritation The discourse challenges a fundamental wrong belief—that others are the cause of our irritation and hurt. The clarification is made: Thoughts—meaning all negative thoughts, hurt, hate, everything—don’t come from situations, they come from your beliefs. This shift in understanding is crucial for anyone wanting to know how to deal with negative emotions. When we recognise that we choose our reactions based on our beliefs rather than blaming external factors, we gain control over our emotional responses. Building Emotional Immunity Just as physical immunity protects us from illness, emotional immunity shields us from negative influences. It is explained that our emotional distress comes not from situations themselves but from our low emotional immunity. By strengthening this immunity through right beliefs and mindset, we can remain stable even in challenging circumstances. Rising Above Negative Energy The discourse concludes with a beautiful metaphor about climbing to higher floors when encountering unpleasant smells on lower levels. Similarly, when faced with negative energy from others, we should elevate our inner state rather than being influenced by it. See that the positive energy from you influences the negative energy, be alert that the negative energy does not influence you. This practice involves cultivating forgiveness, friendliness, and love—moving from the “second floor” to the “third floor” of consciousness. The encouragement is to learn the language of blessings and good wishes, especially toward those with whom we have difficulties. For a more immersive experience of this transformative wisdom on how to deal with emotional breakdown, watch the complete satsang at FAQs About Emotional Baggage What is the meaning of emotional baggage? Emotional baggage refers to the accumulated negative feelings and unresolved issues from past experiences that we carry with us. As explained, these emotions stem from our beliefs rather than from external situations. Understanding the true source of emotional baggage is the first step toward releasing it. How can I deal with negative emotions effectively? To deal with negative emotions effectively, it is recommended to change your thought patterns and beliefs. Instead of blaming others for your irritation, acknowledge that you choose your reactions. Practice “closing accounts” daily by reflecting on your emotions from a calm state of mind, and open mental “folders” only when you’re in a positive mindset. What are some practical ways to control emotions during conflicts? When faced with conflicts, the suggestion is to elevate your inner state—moving from anger to forgiveness, and then to friendliness and love. This helps you maintain control over your emotions rather than being influenced by negative energy. Practice sending good wishes and blessings to the person you’re in conflict with, which can transform the dynamic entirely. How do I prevent emotional breakdown in challenging situations? Building emotional immunity is key to preventing emotional breakdown. Just as physical immunity protects against viruses, strong emotional immunity shields you from being affected by difficult situations. This involves cultivating right beliefs, practising daily mental cleansing, and approaching challenges with a positive mindset. Remember that situations don’t cause your distress—your response to them does. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Pujyashri Deepakbhai paid his respects at the Jinmandir and Gurumandir, and spent blissful moments with Pujya Gurudevshri as well. Seekers were blessed with an address by Pujyashri Deepakbhai at Raj Sabhagruh. During his visit, Pujyashri Deepakbhai also saw the various social initiatives of the Mission, including Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 SRM Wallpaper 126 Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Mind and Meditation The so-called meditators try in vain to manoeuvre their minds through various techniques to experience peace. Pujya Gurudevshri explains that peace is natural to the Self and to meditate is not an act to control the mind but it is to transcend the mind. To stay noisy, turbulent is the nature of the mind. By no means can it be quietened. However, there surely is a way to become free from the mind, transcend the mind, and be in the state of no-mind. Therefore, the only meaning of a quiet mind is the absence of mind. There is no relationship between silence and mind. As long as there is mind, there cannot be quietude and where there is silence, there is no mind. The basic purpose of all spiritual practices is to dissolve the mind, to be free from the mind, to transcend the mind. Just as, to cure a disease, you must understand it well. Treatment without right diagnosis can aggravate the disease or even invite other diseases. In the same way, understand the mind well, or you may end up either suppressing it or making it numb. Erroneous Ways of Quietening the Mind You know how to suppress emotions. Anger comes and you repress it thinking it is not wise to show anger right now. You also know how to suppress passions and desires because every time it is not possible to fulfil them. The more you suppress, the more hideous the mind becomes. You create a volcano within. Whenever it erupts, it will create a disaster. Hence, though it seems that suppression makes the mind quiet, it actually becomes the creator of terrible unrest. Suppression can save you from committing a sin at that moment but it may make you sin in future. Energy suppressed could blast and shatter you one day. Therefore, the path of suppression is not the path of freedom from the mind. Similarly, benumbing the mind is not the way to peace. Making the mind unconscious of the pain may temporarily make you forget your suffering, but pills, alcohol etc. cannot cure it. The moment the mind comes back to consciousness, the suffering will rise again to harass. It can create physical illness too. Thus, suppression makes the mind restless and benumbing makes the mind insensitive but they cannot make you free from the mind. Mind is a constant flow of thoughts. As long as it exists, you cannot be at peace. Each thought is capable of disturbing you. Is Witnessing an Act of the Mind? Witnessing is not the act of the mind. In meditation, in witnessing, the Self acts in accordance with its nature and so it is not an effort, rather, it is effortlessness. Meditation or witnessing happens without the help of mind, speech or body and so it is non-action. This needs to be understood well. Due to the limitations of language, many non-actions are considered as actions. Like, taking birth is an activity, yet there is no effort of the child in it. In the same way, dying, sleeping, are not activities, even though in language, they are referred to as activities. You say, ‘I slept at night’. But when asked, ‘How did you go to sleep? What was the process of sleep?’ it will be difficult for you to answer. You may have slept for a long time and yet you cannot describe the process of sleep. You may be able to describe in detail what you did before going to sleep, like making the bed, turning the lights off, switching on the fan. They may help in going to sleep but they are not sleep, nor do they ensure that you will get sleep because of them. You cannot bring sleep, so sleep is not an action. You may prepare for a good sleep but can’t make it happen. It is easy to sleep in darkness and difficult in a bright room. Yet sleep comes without any doing. A child takes his thumb in his mouth and goes to sleep. When the thumb is pulled out, it is difficult for him to sleep. An association is built that the moment his thumb goes in his mouth, he is ready for sleep. It is a mere signal that soon he will be asleep. Likewise, bed, darkness, fan etc. are only signals. Meditation or witnessing when said to be effortless, it means that whatever is done for meditation is all external. It facilitates meditation. The efforts are mere superficial endeavours, not meditation. Meditation is a relaxed state of being, a state of effortlessness, just a happening and not doing. And so like sleep, it has no definite technique. Remove the Obstacles Understanding three basic principles regarding sleep should help remove all confusion about meditation. Sleep cannot be created, sleep comes and efforts are also made for sleep. There are preparations made for sleep but they are not the direct cause of sleep. One has to silently wait for sleep to come! Sleep when it comes, comes on its own and cannot be brought. All preparations like making bed etc. are only to facilitate sleep, to remove obstacles to sleep and nothing more than that. The same applies for meditation or witnessing. The techniques of meditation and all its preparations are taught or made to practice so that the mind does not become a hindrance. Hence, to meditate is to remove all that hinders meditation and then silently wait for meditation to happen. Meditation is a natural activity of the Self. Doership is the obstacle to it. Meditation occurs when doership dissolves. The sun dawns in the morning and you are sitting in the room with doors closed. Now, you ask, what should be done to get the sun inside the room? Can you bring the sunshine in a basket? Can you pull it in by the elephants? Or may be with someone’s help? The Wise Ones say that you need not do anything to bring the sunlight inside the room. All you have to do is remove the obstacle to it. Open the doors. This is the only method. The sunlight will enter on its own. Even though you may say you brought the sunlight inside the room, it would be a lie. All you did was open the doors. It’s the sun that brings in the sunlight and not you. Meditation Happens on its Own This means that you cannot do meditation but can surely stop it happening! To do meditation is to give up all efforts that obstruct meditation. Meditation does not require efforts. It happens naturally when you become choiceless and effortless. To meditate is like opening the doors, and the sunlight naturally floods. And so, when meditation happens, you shall not claim its doership. You prepare a room conducive to get a good sleep. However, sleep may occur without any preparation too. Like, a person can go off to sleep on a sunny, noisy, hot day; laying his head on a stone. But the condition is he must be exhausted. In the same way, when you are completely tired of the play of mind, you let go of the mind and meditation occurs. Then you do not need a conducive environment or technique. However, without being tired, you will need both, a correct setting and a right method as preparation, yet they are not meditation. For meditation cannot be done, it occurs on its own. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Managing Emotional Baggage The Power of Right Mindset in Controlling Your Emotions. Do you often find yourself struggling with negative emotions? Do you wonder about the true meaning of emotional baggage and how to effectively deal with it? In this enlightening discourse, profound wisdom is shared on how to deal with emotional breakdown and take control of your emotional well-being. Situations may not change, but you can change your feelings by changing your thoughts. This powerful insight serves as the foundation for understanding how to deal with negative emotions. Just as a steering wheel controls the direction of wheels, our thoughts direct our feelings. To transform how we feel, we must first change our thought patterns. Cleaning Your Mind Daily While we clean our homes and bodies regularly, how often do we clean our minds? The importance of mental cleansing is emphasised: You clean your house, you clean your bodies, you should also clean your minds. The place you will get your happiness from, you don’t have time to clean that place? This daily practice of mental cleansing is essential for maintaining emotional balance. It is advised to close our emotional accounts every night without exception — even if it’s just for two minutes. This practice helps prevent emotional baggage from accumulating and weighing us down. Opening Folders with the Right Mindset One of the most practical teachings on how to control emotions involves what is called “opening folders.” Often, we open mental folders of past incidents when we’re angry, which only reinforces negative emotions. Instead, the advice is: Become a little devotional, a little meditative, become calm and happy and then open the folder. You will release that. By approaching difficult situations or conversations from a place of calmness rather than reactivity, we can process them without creating more emotional turmoil. This approach helps us deal with emotional baggage effectively rather than adding to it. Understanding the Source of Irritation The discourse challenges a fundamental wrong belief—that others are the cause of our irritation and hurt. The clarification is made: Thoughts—meaning all negative thoughts, hurt, hate, everything—don’t come from situations, they come from your beliefs. This shift in understanding is crucial for anyone wanting to know how to deal with negative emotions. When we recognise that we choose our reactions based on our beliefs rather than blaming external factors, we gain control over our emotional responses. Building Emotional Immunity Just as physical immunity protects us from illness, emotional immunity shields us from negative influences. It is explained that our emotional distress comes not from situations themselves but from our low emotional immunity. By strengthening this immunity through right beliefs and mindset, we can remain stable even in challenging circumstances. Rising Above Negative Energy The discourse concludes with a beautiful metaphor about climbing to higher floors when encountering unpleasant smells on lower levels. Similarly, when faced with negative energy from others, we should elevate our inner state rather than being influenced by it. See that the positive energy from you influences the negative energy, be alert that the negative energy does not influence you. This practice involves cultivating forgiveness, friendliness, and love—moving from the “second floor” to the “third floor” of consciousness. The encouragement is to learn the language of blessings and good wishes, especially toward those with whom we have difficulties. For a more immersive experience of this transformative wisdom on how to deal with emotional breakdown, watch the complete satsang at FAQs About Emotional Baggage What is the meaning of emotional baggage? Emotional baggage refers to the accumulated negative feelings and unresolved issues from past experiences that we carry with us. As explained, these emotions stem from our beliefs rather than from external situations. Understanding the true source of emotional baggage is the first step toward releasing it. How can I deal with negative emotions effectively? To deal with negative emotions effectively, it is recommended to change your thought patterns and beliefs. Instead of blaming others for your irritation, acknowledge that you choose your reactions. Practice “closing accounts” daily by reflecting on your emotions from a calm state of mind, and open mental “folders” only when you’re in a positive mindset. What are some practical ways to control emotions during conflicts? When faced with conflicts, the suggestion is to elevate your inner state—moving from anger to forgiveness, and then to friendliness and love. This helps you maintain control over your emotions rather than being influenced by negative energy. Practice sending good wishes and blessings to the person you’re in conflict with, which can transform the dynamic entirely. How do I prevent emotional breakdown in challenging situations? Building emotional immunity is key to preventing emotional breakdown. Just as physical immunity protects against viruses, strong emotional immunity shields you from being affected by difficult situations. This involves cultivating right beliefs, practising daily mental cleansing, and approaching challenges with a positive mindset. Remember that situations don’t cause your distress—your response to them does. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Pujyashri Deepakbhai paid his respects at the Jinmandir and Gurumandir, and spent blissful moments with Pujya Gurudevshri as well. Seekers were blessed with an address by Pujyashri Deepakbhai at Raj Sabhagruh. During his visit, Pujyashri Deepakbhai also saw the various social initiatives of the Mission, including Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 SRM Wallpaper 126 Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Managing Emotional Baggage The Power of Right Mindset in Controlling Your Emotions. Do you often find yourself struggling with negative emotions? Do you wonder about the true meaning of emotional baggage and how to effectively deal with it? In this enlightening discourse, profound wisdom is shared on how to deal with emotional breakdown and take control of your emotional well-being. Situations may not change, but you can change your feelings by changing your thoughts. This powerful insight serves as the foundation for understanding how to deal with negative emotions. Just as a steering wheel controls the direction of wheels, our thoughts direct our feelings. To transform how we feel, we must first change our thought patterns. Cleaning Your Mind Daily While we clean our homes and bodies regularly, how often do we clean our minds? The importance of mental cleansing is emphasised: You clean your house, you clean your bodies, you should also clean your minds. The place you will get your happiness from, you don’t have time to clean that place? This daily practice of mental cleansing is essential for maintaining emotional balance. It is advised to close our emotional accounts every night without exception — even if it’s just for two minutes. This practice helps prevent emotional baggage from accumulating and weighing us down. Opening Folders with the Right Mindset One of the most practical teachings on how to control emotions involves what is called “opening folders.” Often, we open mental folders of past incidents when we’re angry, which only reinforces negative emotions. Instead, the advice is: Become a little devotional, a little meditative, become calm and happy and then open the folder. You will release that. By approaching difficult situations or conversations from a place of calmness rather than reactivity, we can process them without creating more emotional turmoil. This approach helps us deal with emotional baggage effectively rather than adding to it. Understanding the Source of Irritation The discourse challenges a fundamental wrong belief—that others are the cause of our irritation and hurt. The clarification is made: Thoughts—meaning all negative thoughts, hurt, hate, everything—don’t come from situations, they come from your beliefs. This shift in understanding is crucial for anyone wanting to know how to deal with negative emotions. When we recognise that we choose our reactions based on our beliefs rather than blaming external factors, we gain control over our emotional responses. Building Emotional Immunity Just as physical immunity protects us from illness, emotional immunity shields us from negative influences. It is explained that our emotional distress comes not from situations themselves but from our low emotional immunity. By strengthening this immunity through right beliefs and mindset, we can remain stable even in challenging circumstances. Rising Above Negative Energy The discourse concludes with a beautiful metaphor about climbing to higher floors when encountering unpleasant smells on lower levels. Similarly, when faced with negative energy from others, we should elevate our inner state rather than being influenced by it. See that the positive energy from you influences the negative energy, be alert that the negative energy does not influence you. This practice involves cultivating forgiveness, friendliness, and love—moving from the “second floor” to the “third floor” of consciousness. The encouragement is to learn the language of blessings and good wishes, especially toward those with whom we have difficulties. For a more immersive experience of this transformative wisdom on how to deal with emotional breakdown, watch the complete satsang at FAQs About Emotional Baggage What is the meaning of emotional baggage? Emotional baggage refers to the accumulated negative feelings and unresolved issues from past experiences that we carry with us. As explained, these emotions stem from our beliefs rather than from external situations. Understanding the true source of emotional baggage is the first step toward releasing it. How can I deal with negative emotions effectively? To deal with negative emotions effectively, it is recommended to change your thought patterns and beliefs. Instead of blaming others for your irritation, acknowledge that you choose your reactions. Practice “closing accounts” daily by reflecting on your emotions from a calm state of mind, and open mental “folders” only when you’re in a positive mindset. What are some practical ways to control emotions during conflicts? When faced with conflicts, the suggestion is to elevate your inner state—moving from anger to forgiveness, and then to friendliness and love. This helps you maintain control over your emotions rather than being influenced by negative energy. Practice sending good wishes and blessings to the person you’re in conflict with, which can transform the dynamic entirely. How do I prevent emotional breakdown in challenging situations? Building emotional immunity is key to preventing emotional breakdown. Just as physical immunity protects against viruses, strong emotional immunity shields you from being affected by difficult situations. This involves cultivating right beliefs, practising daily mental cleansing, and approaching challenges with a positive mindset. Remember that situations don’t cause your distress—your response to them does. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Pujyashri Deepakbhai paid his respects at the Jinmandir and Gurumandir, and spent blissful moments with Pujya Gurudevshri as well. Seekers were blessed with an address by Pujyashri Deepakbhai at Raj Sabhagruh. During his visit, Pujyashri Deepakbhai also saw the various social initiatives of the Mission, including Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 SRM Wallpaper 126 Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur. Pujyashri Deepakbhai paid his respects at the Jinmandir and Gurumandir, and spent blissful moments with Pujya Gurudevshri as well. Seekers were blessed with an address by Pujyashri Deepakbhai at Raj Sabhagruh. During his visit, Pujyashri Deepakbhai also saw the various social initiatives of the Mission, including Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre.
Home Archives for 2025 Page 9 Pujyashri Deepakbhai Visits Dharampur Ashram Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur had the honour of hosting Pujyashri Deepakbhai, Spiritual Head of Dada Bhagwan Foundation, at its international headquarters, Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur.
