THE VISION, August 2024, Vol 91, Issue 11:
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Beloved Readers,
Prayer plays a crucial role in the life of everyone who has faith in God. Whenever we are confronted with hurdles on our path to achieving our goals, we invoke the blessings of the Almighty Lord of the Universe to step in and extend His hand of support to remove the obstacles. Prayer coming from the bottom of the heart is sure to be answered.
Inadvertently, once the problem is overcome, we tend to forget that our relief was not due to our own expertise but because of our surrender unto Him. And once again, the dominance of the sense of individuality takes over.
So, prayer is intended to constantly remind ourselves that it is He who is behind everything. However, for prayer to become effective, faith and devotion are a must. Gandhiji says that in prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.
This month’s issue of THE VISION contains words of Mahatmas on different aspects of prayer. May all be able to dwell on these thoughts and learn to make their prayers more effective
— EDITOR
AS WE SCROLL DOWN...
- ‘Power Of Prayer’ — says Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas, is such that it enables us to communicate with God and establish a relationship with Him. As we go on remembering Him through prayer, the intensity of our longing to have Him increases, and we feel His nearness and also oneness with Him.
- ‘Words Of Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas’ — impress upon us that the object of congregational prayers and Bhajans is to develop broadness of vision and expand the heart so that it may embrace all people as members of a common family. Besides, we ought to put our heart and soul into our prayer and for that moment we ought to lose ourselves entirely in Him.
- ‘Words Of Pujya Mataji Krishnabai’ — make us aware that God harkens to our prayers whether they are for material possessions or for experiencing our oneness with Him. It is for us to choose what we would like to pray for.
- ‘Words Of Pujya Swami Satchidananda’ — emphasise that prayers should be done silently, and we should also have the firm conviction that prayers are absolutely necessary for a happy and peaceful life.
- ‘Editor Answers’ — what is the purpose of prayer and how to make it effective. He states that prayer ultimately makes us realise that we need to accept everything as ordained by Him.
- ‘Prayer’ — explains Brent Clark, is more than just words. It is a conversation with God. It is a simple act that even a child can perform it, but so profound that it can change the world. It is an opportunity to align ourselves with God.
- ‘Prayer — A Mystic State’ — in which individual consciousness gets absorbed in God, elucidates Swami Sivananda. It is melting the mind and ego in silence in God. It is a powerful spiritual current that purifies us.
- ‘Words To Inspire’ — of Dada JP Vaswani express that prayer is waiting upon God in love and longing.
- ‘Dear Children’ — the story here conveys that the best prayer is the one in which we accept the will and workings of God without any preferences.
- ‘Learning From The School Of Life’ — that learning is understanding something we have understood all your life, but in a new way.
- ‘Homage To Luminaries’ — who are the embodiment of Divinity. We should be aware that the Universal Spirit has condensed itself into human forms as saints and sages.
- ‘Epistles Of Swami Ramdas’ — inform us that the object of prayer is to intensify our desire to attain God. When the longing has reached the necessary pitch, realisation comes. Repetition of His holy name gives strength and concentration to prayer.
- ‘Seva Activities And Overheads For The Year Ending 31st March 2024’
- ‘Anandashram News’:
- ‘Mouna Sadhana On Guru Purnima’ — done at Anandashram on the 21st of July 2024. It enabled the participants to remember that while chanting, we should realise that the indwelling POWER is making us chant.
- ‘Book In Focus’: ‘Hints To Aspirants.'
- ‘Thought For The Month’
- ‘Download THE VISION’ in PDF format and the Audio Book.
POWER OF PRAYER
By Swami Ramdas
God dwells within us. Heart is the place in which God resides. Having known where He dwells, we have to see Him and realise Him, and live in the light of His guidance. This is possible only by contacting God. That contact is possible only through prayer.
Prayer is a means by which we communicate with Him and establish a relationship with Him. We look upon Him as father, mother, friend, master or Lord. We consider ourselves to be His children, servants or friends. This relationship brings us nearer to Him, and our prayer then becomes very real to us. Prayer should be done with the sole object of attaining the knowledge of our oneness with Him. As we go on remembering Him through prayer, the intensity of our longing to have Him increases, and we feel His nearness.
When Ramdas was struggling to know God, to realise God, to feel His presence, his one mainstay was God’s holy name. He kept this all-powerful Name on his tongue always, and he felt he was very near God, because the Name gave continuous remembrance, and the remembrance developed into a consciousness in which he felt not only nearness of God, but also oneness with Him.
WORDS OF BELOVED PAPA SWAMI RAMDAS
The object of congregational prayers and Bhajans is to develop broadness of vision and expand the heart so that it may embrace all people as members of a common family. It is the spirit of brotherhood that takes the aspirant nearer God.
***
When we talk to our mother, we talk in our own language and place before her our troubles. Similarly, if we open ourselves unto God and appeal to Him to remove the impurities of our hearts, He is bound to fulfil our prayer. We ought to put our heart and soul into our prayer and for that moment we ought to lose ourselves entirely in Him. These prayers and meditations will enable us to remember Him even when we are active in the world; for, the consciousness that we are one with Him will remain with us. It is not necessary that we should give up normal activities of our life. We should do all actions in a state of Divine Consciousness. This Consciousness should not leave us for a moment. When we attain this state, our actions will flow spontaneously as offerings at His feet.
WORDS OF PUJYA MATAJI KRISHNABAI
To obtain anything, we should pray to Papa. If we pray to Him for material things, He grants us material things. If we pray to Him to grant us Himself, He grants that prayer too. But, such a prayer should be accompanied by Guru Dhyana, Nama and Seva. Let us at least sow this seed of aspiration in this life so that, at least in some future life, this seed will sprout and grow as you water it with more and more Ram Nam, and finally take you to Papa.
WORDS OF PUJYA SWAMI SATCHIDANANDA
It is better if prayers are done silently and nobody knows about them. Some may appreciate it, and at the same time, many may laugh at it. When they laugh, you may be affected. So, let nobody know anything about your views on God or about your spiritual practices. Whatever opinions others may hold, you must be firm in the faith that prayers are absolutely necessary for a happy and peaceful life.
EDITOR ANSWERS
Question: What is the purpose of prayer and how to make it effective?
Answer: Purpose of prayer is to open up a channel of communication with the indwelling Realty, either through a Form or with the Formless.
Prayer also helps us to realise this truth that without Him we do not exist.
Through prayer we become aware that He provides us opportunities to commune with Him and dwell on Him; and it is for this reason that He brings about challenges in our lives and also the subsequent relief from tough situations. However, a true aspirant will be steadfast no matter what the outcome of the prayer is. His / her trust in the Divine remains unchanged even if the prayer for relief is unfulfilled. Ultimately it zeros to accepting everything as ordained by Him.
PRAYER
By Brent Clark
Prayer is more than just words. It is communion with God. It is an opportunity to live where the kingdom of God overlaps this world, to touch heaven and bring it to earth. It is a place where we can discover the heart of a God who loves the world and join Him in His work in the world.
Too often we have reduced prayer to God being the genie in the bottle and our words are what we use to rub the lamp to get the genie to do what we want. We have used prayer as a place to bring our laundry list of wants. It is more than that. Prayer is more than just a means to an end. It is more than just trying to get things from God. It is trying to get more of God Himself.
Prayer is such a simple act that even a child can perform it, but so powerful that it can change the world. It is a conversation with God. But even more than that, it is an encounter with God. Our prayer is a reflection of our faith. When we live in a dynamic passionate relationship with God, we will be passionate about our prayers. Prayer is an opportunity to align ourselves with God. It can change things and have an impact.
Source: https://ashworth.church
PRAYER — A MYSTIC STATE
By Swami Sivananda
Prayer is communion with God through single-minded devotion. Prayer is tuning the mind with God. Prayer is meditation on God. Prayer is surrendering oneself to God completely. Prayer is melting the mind and ego in silence in God. Prayer represents a mystic state when the individual consciousness is absorbed in God.
Prayer is an uplifting of the soul to God. It is an act of love and adoration to Him. Prayer is worship of God. Prayer is glorification of God. Prayer is thanksgiving to God for all His blessings.
Prayer is an invocation, a calling forth of spiritual forces ever flowing through the human heart, mind and soul. Prayer is a mighty spiritual force. It is as real as the force of gravity or attraction.
Prayers are powerful spiritual currents. There is nothing so purifying as prayer. If you pray regularly, your life will be gradually changed and moulded. Prayer must become habitual.
Prayer is the rock to which man can cling when he is drowning in the ocean of Samsara. Prayer frees the devotee from the fear of death. It brings him nearer to God, and makes him feel the Divine Consciousness and his essential immortal, blissful nature.
Source: Bliss Divine
WORDS TO INSPIRE
“Prayer is waiting upon God in love and longing…
True prayer is being linked with God. It is an act of deep communion.”
DEAR CHILDREN
Once a farmer decided to visit the homes of his daughters who lived in his village. When he reached the house of the older daughter, he was welcomed very warmly and served delicious food and taken care of very well. The farmer asked about her welfare, she replied, “Father, we are happy. But as you know if the weather is very dry and if there is scanty rain, the crops will die and we will have nothing to eat. Please pray to God for more rains so that the crops can grow properly?” The farmer agreed to pray for frequent rains.
Then he visited the home of the younger daughter. There too, he was welcomed very warmly and taken care of well. When he asked the daughter about her welfare, she said, “Father, we have a pottery business. But due to rain, we aren’t able to make or dry the pots. Please can you pray to God for a sunny weather so that we can dry the pots and sell them? Else, we won’t be able to make ends meet.”
Now the farmer was in a dilemma. His elder daughter wanted him to pray for frequent rains and the younger daughter wanted a dry and sunny weather. So, he prayed, “God, do as you wish. Let your decision be final.” The man entrusted the fate of his daughters to the will of God.
Source: https://www.vedantu.com/
LEARNING FROM THE SCHOOL OF LIFE
Unveiling The Inherent Human Values From Frequently Used Articles
“Learning is suddenly understanding something you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way.” — Doris Lessing
Here are a couple of examples:
When the flower blossoms, it reveals its inner beauty and gives out its hidden fragrance. Similarly, God who lives in and permeates all objects in the world unveils the latent glory, power and joy of His being. The lifespan of the flower is short. However, in that short span it brings joy to onlookers. Even when crushed it emits fragrance.
HOMAGE TO LUMINARIES
Saints are the embodiment of Divinity — Universal Truth, the Universal Reality. To derive the right kind of spiritual help and inspiration from them, we should be aware that the Universal Spirit has condensed itself into human forms as saints and sages. This month we pay our reverential homage to Sri Narayana Guru and Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj.
t Sri Narayana Guru:
EPISTLES OF SWAMI RAMDAS
Beloved Ram,
When Hanuman was dispirited and thought it was not in his power to take the leap to Lanka, a comrade awakened him to the sense of his prowess, which he had forgotten; and he could accomplish the apparently impossible task. So the immortal bliss and peace which is within us becomes revealed when our heart is illumined by the light of knowledge. Saints help us to attain this. They constantly din into our ears what we really are. You are not a despicable worm, sinful and wretched. The Lord of the worlds has His throne in your heart — you are not only in tune with Him eternally but you are His very expression and form.
The object of prayer is to intensify our desire to attain God. When the longing has reached the necessary pitch, realisation comes. Repetition of His holy name gives strength and concentration to prayer. The bowman hits the mark when his mind is perfectly concentrated on his act — when the thought of the mark alone rules the mind.
SEVA ACTIVITIES & OVERHEADS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 2024
Statement showing the details of expenditure incurred for Seva activities and overheads by Anandashram Trust, Satchidananda Charitable Medical Trust, Ramdarshan Trust and Pinakin Sharda Endowment Trust:
Particulars | Amount |
Aid For Education | 1,542,718 |
Aid-For Handicapped | 1,124,469 |
Aid For Medical Expenses | 5,652,943 |
Aid-For Natural Calamity | 110,000 |
Aid For Palliative Care | 248,370 |
Aid For Poor, Aged & Destitute | 1,001,169 |
Aid For Self-Employment | 334,350 |
Aid For Shelter/House/Well | 2,590,608 |
Aid for Animal welfare | 306,553 |
Donation Paid cash | 5,924,072 |
Donation paid to Charitable institutions | 783,255 |
Donation paid for cloth distribution | 883,515 |
Donation paid for rice/food distribution | 1,303,831 |
Expenses for Value Based Education | 40,482 |
Expenses incurred for awareness of Universal Love & service | 562,687 |
Expenses incurred for Annadaan (feeding) | 12,200,088 |
Expenses incurred for Overhead | 13,110,317 |
Expenses incurred for printing & postage of THE VISION | 134,211 |
Expenses incurred for Publication | 707,959 |
Total | 48,561,597 |
ANANDASHRAM NEWS
15500-CRORE NAMA JAPA YAGNA FOR WORLD PEACE:
The total Japa received in the fourth round of the 15500-Crore Nama Japa Yagna for World Peace in the month of June 2024 is 210 crores, chanted by 188640 devotees. The grand total of the Japa done so far in this round now stands at 2640 crores.
***
SESSIONS WITH CHILDREN AT ANAND KUTIR IN ANANDASHRAM:
In the month of June 2024, 9 interactive sessions were held with children at Anand Kutir, in which 345 students participated. As the sessions are free from teaching and preaching, they help the children to bring out their own learnings like:
- the importance of treating others with respect and dignity;
- importance of understanding oneself;
- time management;
- the need to avoid drug use.
MOUNA SADHANA ON GURU PURNIMA
Guru Purnima is observed on the full moon day in the month of Ashada. It is a significant day in the spiritual journey of seekers and devotees. On this auspicious day, heartfelt gratitude is offered with great reverence to the Gurus, both in their personal and impersonal aspects. This year, as prompted by Beloved Papa, Guru Purnima was celebrated at Anandashram on the 21st of July 2024, as a day-long inward journey in silence based on Beloved Papa’s teachings. It enabled the participants to remember that while chanting, we should realise that the indwelling POWER is making us chant.
Beloved Papa said: “Repeat mentally and make the mind repeat the Name until all its waves cease and it becomes perfectly still.” This Mouna Sadhana was an attempt to get rooted in mental chanting to control our mind, which tends to go wayward. It was an opportunity for the participants to make the mind dwell on the fact that although it assumes the role of the doer, the senses, body, breathing and thinking function because of the POWER that enables them to do so.
About 130 participants, ranging in age from their 20s to late 70s, enthusiastically observed silence from 6 am to 6 pm. During these 12 hours, there were seven silent sessions of 45 minutes each and three walking meditations of 30 minutes each, with two breaks for a simple breakfast and lunch.
From the feedback received so far, it appears that many participants, to a great extent, managed to immerse themselves in their inner realm, witnessing the thoughts arising and passing in their minds and also the moments when they were emptied out. The programme started with the participants listening to Beloved Papa’s chanting of Ram Nam and mentally chanting along with it, while simultaneously listening to their own mental chanting. In the concluding session, all Sadhakas gathered together and gently emerged from silence with a slow, solemn Ram Nam chanting.
BOOK IN FOCUS
'Hints To Aspirants'
This book contains excerpts from Swami Ramdas’ letters to the devotees the world over. Here, Beloved Papa gives pointers on how to tirelessly tread the spiritual path with unfaltering steps. Seekers will find in his words encouragement and inspiration for achieving the highest and loftiest vision of Truth.
Available in English, Tamil and Telugu.
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
“You must create a relationship with Him (God) and remember Him with all love so that His peace and power may flow into you. That is prayer. Prayer is the means of communication. He is within us.”
— Swami Ramdas
DOWNLOAD THE VISION
Devotees can download the PDF version or the audio book this issue of THE VISION by clicking on the relevant links.
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