Inspiring Thoughts and Prayers for the Day

        

 Excerpt from the "Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers"

                               By Swami Paramananda

Salient Thought

Great things are near, but we must have certain unfoldment to be able to partake of them.

Lines to memorize

The resonance of They voice aroused me who was slumbering in idle dreams.  My waking was only for a a moment, But Thou hast wrought a strange miracle within my soul.

Now even in sleep I find something in me always awake and watching. That which Though hast roused in me can sleep no more.

Lesson

Nature holds for us a rich treasure. She has great lessons for us; but we must have spiritual vision to perceive what She offers.  We take layer after layer off and things unfold themselves; this is the real secret of revelation. When it comes, man realizes he has a mighty spiritual heritage, that he has the power of Divinity within him. But no one can force this realization on us, we must acquire it ourselves.

Prayer

O Thou who dwellest in my heart!

Help me to withdraw my mind from all

     Mundane glamour

And make it so clear and calm,

That is will reflect the Spirit of Truth.
Awaken me from the sleep of ignorance

    and delusion,

And grant me understanding of my divine

    nature.

.



The danger of a fickle mind, and its remedy

This past weekend I attended a concert of classical Hindustani music at Amma's ashram.  What started as a wrestling match in my mind between conflicting desires ended up teaching me critical insight into the nature of my mind, specifically why I often feel so out of touch with the present moment.  Let me explain.

Before the concert began I had doubts about attending.  Classical Indian vocal music has never sparked my interest because of it's complex beats and rhythms.  Music like all art either inspires you or it doesn't.

Having this doubt set the stage for disappointment, or did it? As the music began I tried so hard to find interest. The more I tried the worse I felt.  My mind was jumping all over the place. I tried one technique after another to bring myself in the music, but I failed miserably. The thought of having attended this entire concert without any fulfillment brought a feeling of bitterness. What was I to do?

Roughly three quarters into the performance I asserted my will power towards concentrating with my entire being, determined to push aside ALL! doubtful and fickle minded thoughts. I gazed at the fingers of the harmonium player determined to be aware only of the movement of his fingers. As I stared with intensity the rays of my mind gathered, creating a calming sensation. The present moment began to awaken.  I was nipping unwanted thoughts at the bud, not allowing them to sink in and influence my emotional body.  As I continued this process the music came into the forefront and I effortlessly became absorbed. I was winning the battle against my fickle mind.

 It brought me joy knowing that I have the ability to will myself into any given moment. I see this as a bridge, a stepping stone to the ever present NOW!

                                                          

                                                        OM Shanti Shanti Shanti

Trataka

 (Technique for developing concentration)