THE VISION, September 2025, Vol 92, Issue 12:
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Beloved Readers,
Experience shows that everyone faces suffering in some form—whether physical, mental, or both. In fact, suffering is not only inevitable but often necessary for growth, since every transition in life carries its share of challenges. At the same time, suffering humbles us, softening pride and dissolving vanity.
Scriptures and words of Mahatmas remind us that suffering arises from past Karmas. Within the limited freedom available to us, we can choose to endure it patiently while invoking the grace of God—the indwelling Reality. One saint beautifully expressed it this way: “The enjoyment of pleasure and pain in this physical body is determined by our past Karmas. Thought by thought, action by action, we have demanded the present body and mental equipment. Indeed, even while we are alive and acting here now, we are shaping the future life to come. With our own actions, we provide God with a blueprint of our destiny, and according to that specification, the body—the tent of experience—is built and handed over to each of us by the all-merciful, omnipotent Divine Creator.” When we truly reflect on these truths during times of hardship, it cushions the heart and helps us endure at every level—physical, mental and emotional.
This month’s issue of THE VISION explores this theme further.
— EDITOR
AS WE SCROLL DOWN...
- ‘Surrender Brings Peace’ — states Swami Ramdas. Unquestioning surrender to God’s will removes fear, anxiety and grief, bringing freedom, peace and bliss. By accepting all events as willed by the Divine, dedicating every action to Him and remaining calm amidst trials, life is transformed into harmony, strength and joy.
- ‘Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas Answers’ — divulges that suffering, like manure for a plant, nurtures the soul by turning our minds to God. True happiness is not in comforts or circumstances, but in a mind attuned to Him, where joy flows from constant remembrance of the Divine.
- ‘Purpose of Sufferings’ — says Mother Krishnabai, is God’s way of healing and restoring harmony, just as bitter medicine cures illness. All experiences, pleasant or painful, are willed by Beloved Papa for our ultimate good, for He is the loving Mother who always knows what is best for Her children.
- ‘Present Is the Result of the Past’ — reminds Swami Satchidananda. Life’s joys and sorrows arise from our own past actions, for God is never partial. By facing difficulties with equanimity, avoiding wrong deeds, doing good and chanting Ram Nam, we purify the mind and shape a brighter future.
- ‘Editor Answers’ — how to keep the mind positive while facing suffering. By loosening our identification with the body we gain inner strength and endurance. As Papa reminds us, when we know we have a body and are not the body, we face ups and downs calmly without spreading our suffering to others.
- ‘The “Gita Touch” in Daily Life’ — illustrates how Chapter 1, Shloka 29 of the Bhagavad Gita mirrors the inner turmoil caused by misaligned choices. Ratnakar’s story shows that when actions are driven by ego or external pressures, body and mind suffer; real strength and peace come from aligning life with the heart’s deepest truths.
- ‘Pain Is a Blessing in Disguise’ — emphasises Swami Chidananda, because it is a Divine tool to turn our mind towards God and strengthen spiritual growth. Each failure is a stepping-stone to success. While undergoing suffering, we should remind ourselves: “Even this will pass away,” and be a witness to the unfoldment of the Divine Drama.
- ‘Who Is Carrying Your Burdens?’ — Mata Amritanandamayi conveys through a simple story that while we strive to do our best, the Divine ultimately carries our burdens. By surrendering anxieties and accepting Divine will, we lighten our load, cultivate faith and develop inner peace and confidence.
- ‘Universalise Your Vision’ — elucidates Swami Ramdas that by cultivating forgiveness, love and compassion—even toward those who harm us—we free ourselves from the bonds of Karma. True happiness comes when the ego dissolves and our vision embraces all beings.
- ‘Epistles Of Swami Ramdas’ — reveals that love expressed through self-suffering and self-sacrifice, coupled with perfect surrender to the Divine, transforms pain into pure joy. By adopting an optimistic and loving outlook, we bring happiness to ourselves and radiate joy to others.
- ‘In Memoriam’
- ‘Anandashram News’:
- ‘Book In Focus’
- ‘Thought For The Month’
- ‘Download THE VISION’ in PDF format and the Audio Book.
SURRENDER BRINGS PEACE
By Swami Ramdas
Unquestioning surrender to God’s will is faith. Whatever happens is attributed to the workings of God. God is taken as great, good and kind. He is the sole dispenser of all things. Since all events, changes and movements proceed from a heart ever filled with goodness, love and mercy, there is nothing to grumble at, nothing to find fault with, nothing to grieve over, nothing to be anxious about, and nothing to be afraid of — all, all is His doing. He works always for harmony and joy. When this faith is ours, God becomes our never-failing companion, guide and friend, and we do all actions by His will, i.e., by His promptings. He is in us and everywhere about us. All doubts and fears now vanish away and we attain a state of freedom which is itself absolute Peace and Bliss.
To maintain equilibrium of mind, the sovereign remedy is to submit calmly to the will and workings of God who guides and controls the destiny of the universe. Never lose your equilibrium under any stress of external circumstances. They come and go — like the clouds in the breeze. Stand firm on the rock of your unchanging and immortal existence.
When the mind is in tune with God, external conditions, however unfavourable, do not affect us. Difficult situations, disappointments and clashes come to all alike — in a greater or lesser degree. Great is he or she who remains calm and serene in all circumstances. This attainment is possible only when the mind is made to dwell in the Divine and all actions are dedicated to Him.
Just as an unshaped stone can be fashioned into a beautiful image worthy of adoration and worship only after it has received many a stroke of the chisel, so also a distorted and inharmonious life has to pass through many a trial, suffering and tribulation, before a great change could come over it, before the life of ignorance could be transmuted into a life of immortal splendour and joy, fit to be revered and adored.
Don’t ruminate over the past. All that happened in the past has been for good. So no thought need be taken of it. Have no thought or anxiety about the future. What is to happen does come to pass, in spite of yourself. Be prepared to stay in any and every condition calmly and coolly. No worry or anxiety can change the course of things as ordained. And for the present, think only of Ram and perform all actions as offerings to Him.
BELOVED PAPA SWAMI RAMDAS ANSWERS
Devotee: Why did God create suffering?
Papa: In suffering we remember God. In giving us suffering He is very kind to us; He enables us to remember Him. As manure is necessary for the growth of a plant, so suffering is necessary for the growth of the Soul.
Every condition can make us happy if we constantly remember God and the mind is attuned to Him. Happiness does not depend upon what we are. He must draw our hearts to Him and it is then that we are happy.
When Ramdas was taken out of his old life and made to roam all over India with only a wearing cloth and with no money in hand, he must have appeared to others a very unhappy man. But he was very happy.
Happiness does not consist in having comforts. We can be happy in any condition. External circumstances are not responsible for one’s joy or grief. The mind is responsible. It depends upon our mental attitude to life. The mind should ever be in the contemplation of God.
PURPOSE OF SUFFERINGS
By Mother Krishnabai
You always ask questions about why there is so much of evil in the world, why there is so much suffering and all that. You should not find fault with Papa’s creation. Even the so-called bad is His doing.
Now, when you have a stomach ache, what do you do? Don’t you take some bitter medicine to cleanse your stomach of the undigested food? This whole universe is Papa’s own body, and if any part of it is suffering, it is only Papa who applies the cure for the situation by making that part of the world go through some bitter experience. Whatever happens, we should take it as for our good. For, isn’t Papa our mother? She knows what is best for her children. Can a mother ever be cruel and harsh to her children? So, whatever is happening in the world should be taken as happening by Papa’s will and for our own good.”
PRESENT IS THE RESULT OF THE PAST
By Swami Satchidananda
Life is not always smooth for everyone. Difficulties come to one and all in life, some time or other, according to the effects of past Karma. Good deeds bring about sweet fruits and bad deeds bring about bitter fruits. So the present difficulties are the result of bad actions in the past. Realising this, we should face all situations with equanimity, drawing the necessary strength from the Lord seated within, at the same time desisting from bad deeds and doing only good deeds now so as to ensure a contented and happy life hereafter. One thing is sure. God is never partial. We suffer here because of our own past actions. Others seem to enjoy here as a result of their own past actions. If they are doing anything bad now, they are sure to suffer in the future. Keep chanting the holy Ram Nam as much as possible. Truth will reveal itself to you when your mind gets more and more purified. Everything will be clear then. Till then have faith in the words of the saints and carry on, accepting cheerfully the effects of your own actions and trying to do only that which will bring sweet fruits in future.
EDITOR ANSWERS
Question: When we suffer, we often end up making everyone around us unhappy as well. How can we deal with suffering while keeping our mind positive?
Answer: No one is completely free from suffering. In one form or another—whether on the mental or physical level—it comes to all. Naturally, our reactions to pain can create disturbances not only within us but also for those around us.
The real question, then, is how to face such situations. One helpful approach is to gradually train ourselves, in daily life, to loosen the deep-rooted identification with the idea “I am the body.” If we keep some inner distance from this thought, a natural strength of endurance begins to grow within us. With that strength, we stop making a fuss over physical discomforts, and as a result, we no longer spread our suffering to others. Endurance thus develops step by step.
Beloved Papa repeatedly reminds us: “Body is a queer instrument. It is subject to all sorts of disorders. This is true in the case of everybody. Be conscious always that you have a body and not that you are the body.” Holding on to this perspective helps us face suffering with peace, while keeping our mind steady and positive.
THE ‘GITA TOUCH’ IN DAILY LIFE
Chapter 1, Shloka 29 — Rediscovery
Ratnakar was a gifted software engineer in Bangalore, living a comfortable life with his wife and young daughter. When a prestigious multinational company in Mumbai offered him a high-paying managerial role, Ratnakar was exhilarated. The promise of a hefty salary, a coveted title and the admiration of his peers was irresistible. Eager to prove himself and climb the corporate ladder, he accepted the offer, moving to Mumbai and leaving his family behind.
At first, the new job was everything he had dreamed of—the perks, the recognition, the sense of achievement. But soon, the demands of the role took their toll—long hours, relentless travel and constant pressure left him drained. He missed birthdays, school performances and quiet evenings with his family. His hobbies—photography, volunteering—fell by the wayside. The excitement faded, replaced by a growing sense of emptiness and fatigue.
One evening, after missing his daughter’s school play for the third time, Ratnakar sat alone in his apartment, overwhelmed by regret. His body felt heavy, his mind restless and his heart ached with longing for the life he had left behind.
The Gita teaches that the body often echoes the mind’s turmoil. When our actions are driven by fear, ego or societal pressure, we lose sight of our true path, and both mind and body suffer.
This turmoil in Ratnakar’s mind is mirrored in Shloka 29 of Chapter 1 from the Bhagavad Gita:
सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति ।
वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते ॥
“My limbs give way, my mouth is parched,
my body trembles and my hair stands on end...”
Just as Arjuna’s body faltered under the weight of inner conflict, Ratnakar too experienced exhaustion and restlessness when his life strayed from its true course. His struggle revealed how the body mirrors the mind’s confusion, reminding us that real strength lies in aligning our choices with the heart’s deepest truth.
After deep reflection, Ratnakar realised he had been chasing external rewards—status, money, validation—while neglecting what truly mattered: connection, balance and inner fulfilment. With courage, he resigned from the high-pressure job and returned to Bangalore, accepting a simpler role that paid less but allowed him to be present for his family and pursue his passions. The decision brought him peace and genuine happiness.
PAIN IS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
By Swami Chidananda
The Divine has been shaping you gradually for the noble, sublime life spiritual through various means. He has been putting opportunities in your way, and bringing obstacles, giving bitter experiences. God does more miracles through painful and unpleasant experiences than He does through pleasant experiences. Pain is an eye-opener. When one realises the ground truth that association with all temporary things is fraught with sorrow, then only our journey to Eternal begins.
Pain is a blessing in disguise. Pain turns your mind towards God, in whom alone there is lasting happiness and peace.
God sometimes puts His devotees in difficult situations in order to strengthen them spiritually. Face difficulties bravely. Each failure is a stepping-stone to success. Rely on Him, He knows what is best for you. Pray to God to give you strength to face them calmly. He will protect you and guide you.
Difficulties come in our path to test our strength. Remember: even this will pass away. The world is the play of God. Be a witness in this play. God is kind and merciful. Therefore, despair not. Be calm and serene.
Source: Daily Swadhyaya
WHO IS CARRYING YOUR BURDENS?
By Mata Amritanandamayi
Once, a man was standing in a train with his suitcase on his head, crying loudly. Seeing him crying, another passenger asked, “Why are you crying?”
The man replied, “This suitcase is too heavy.”
The co-passenger said, “Then just put it down!”
The first man replied, “No! How can I? I only bought a ticket for myself! I did not buy one for my suitcase.” The poor man in this story does not realise that whether he carries the suitcase on his head or not, the train is still carrying the weight.
This is how our condition is today. We find it so hard to surrender to the Divine. In life, we can only put forth our best effort and surrender the rest to the Divine will. It is in that state of surrender that the Lord accepts all our burdens. Sorrows are our creation — not God’s. If we want to be able to face them, then we need to unburden ourselves of them. We need surrender, which when viewed from another angle is nothing but Self-confidence. It is the confidence that the Divine will take care of everything. Anxiety about the future, lack of faith — these are the snakes we carry within. We need to surrender such anxieties at the feet of the Divine. We need to put forth our effort and leave the rest to Divine will. We must develop acceptance of all situations.
Source: From Amma’s Heart, Volume 3
UNIVERSALISE YOUR VISION
By Swami Ramdas
Usually, our whole existence is centred in the ego. The ego is crystallised selfishness. We toil day and night in order to get something only for ourselves and our kith and kin. Our vision is thus circumscribed. Outside that circle the world is not ours. So long as the ego is strong in us, we cannot be happy. We have to universalise our vision. In that vision the ego is lost and we will then be truly happy.
If anybody abuses you, you naturally retaliate. If you do so you pave the way for future suffering. Therefore, do not have enmity towards anybody. You suffer as a result of your own Karma. Your so-called enemy is only an instrumental cause. You should forgive him, not in petty things alone but when he has even ruined your life. You must be ready to help him in his difficulties. Jesus Christ said, ‘Love your enemies.’ Buddha said, ‘Return love for hate.’
Once Jesus was asked, ‘Suppose a person does me wrong; how many times should I forgive him; will seven times do?’ ‘No, no,’ he said, ‘seventy times seven.’ That means you should forgive him infinite number of times. Therefore, it is said, ‘To err is human and to forgive is Divine.’
When you develop the quality of forgiveness and are loving and compassionate towards your fellow-beings, you are revealing God in your heart.
EPISTLES OF SWAMI RAMDAS
Beloved Ram,
…Love works most triumphantly in the field of self-suffering and self-sacrifice. It does not seek comfort or gain for itself at the expense of others. It bravely and cheerfully endures all pains and sorrows in a spirit of perfect surrender to the will and dispensation of the Supreme Lord of the Universe, who is all love, mercy and forgiveness. When this spirit of surrender is attained, your very suffering and sorrows are transmuted into pure joy. A pessimistic view of life is the cause of our and others’ miseries, whereas an optimistic one brings joy not only to oneself but also to others…
IN MEMORIAM
Smt Kamala Pardhanani (82), an ardent devotee of the Ashram from Pune and the wife of the Late Sri Lalchand Pardhanani, was called by Beloved Papa on the 27th of August 2025.
Praying for Beloved Papa’s blessings on the dear departed soul for eternal rest and peace at His lotus feet.
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 July 2025 is 220 crores, chanted by 181480 devotees.
The grand total of the Japa done so far in this round now stands at 5410 crores.
***
SESSIONS WITH CHILDREN AT ANAND KUTIR IN ANANDASHRAM:
In the month of July 2025, 15 interactive sessions were held with children at Anand Kutir, in which 688 students participated. As the sessions are free from teaching and preaching, they help the children to bring out their own learnings:
- Ashwajith shared, “I realised that I am responsible for many problems. I will correct them.”
- Farsana reflected, “The session helped me understand my bad habits.”
- Arjunram stated, “I will understand the financial situation at home and behave accordingly.”
- Nivedya acknowledged, “I realised that everything we have is a debt owed to others. We should live in a way that repays it.”
- Sparsha expressed, “For happiness and peace, one has to change one’s way of thinking.”
- Shri noted, “I realised that many perceptions are misunderstandings, and my mind became calm.”
- Rehana shared, “We should understand others’ situations and not play with their feelings.”
- Sauparnika reflected, “I learnt that attention means doing things with the awareness that we are doing them.”
MOUNA SADHANA IN ANANDASHRAM:
The monthly day-long Mouna Sadhana is scheduled on the 14th of September 2025. Devotees interested in participating may kindly inform through WhatsApp (+91-9037466744) or by email (pms.anandashram@gmail.com).
‘HARE RAMA’ NAMA SAPTAH:
As usual, the devotees of Sri Avadhoothendra Saraswati Swamigal from Andhra Pradesh will be rendering ‘Hare Rama’ Nama Saptah from the 14th to the 21st of September 2025.
122ND JAYANTI OF PUJYA MATAJI KRISHNABAI:
Pujya Mataji Krishnabai’s 122nd Jayanti will be observed on 21st September 2025.
Through her tender motherly touch, Pujya Mataji, who was the mother of all, revealed how spirituality can find expression in the simplest aspects of daily life.
On this sacred occasion, THE VISION offers its heartfelt homage to Pujya Mataji, with a prayer that she may bless all devotees with the strength and intensity to embody spiritual values in their everyday living, thus fulfilling the way of life she lovingly guided all towards.
BOOK IN FOCUS
‘GURU’S GRACE’
The autobiography of Mother Krishnabai, ‘Guru's Grace,’ describes her years of struggle and how her meeting with Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas hastened her realisation of the Supreme. This intensely devotional book is addressed entirely to ‘Papa’ (who stands for both: the personal and impersonal aspects of the Divine), and all the persons mentioned therein are regarded by her as Papa Himself in those forms.
Beloved Papa translated this book into English.
Available in English, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil.
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
“Our actions, in themselves, are neither virtuous nor sinful.
They are simply activities of the Divine Shakti.
We give them the dual names, and suffer through ignorance.”
— Swami Ramdas
DOWNLOAD THE VISION
Devotees can download the PDF version or the audio book of this issue of THE VISION by clicking on the relevant links.
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