THE VISION, February 2026, Vol 93, Issue 5:
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Beloved Readers,
When we turn inward in quiet reflection, we realise that we have done nothing to earn our human birth. Even the present “me” has not created the body we inhabit.
Continuing this enquiry, it becomes clear that we came into this world empty-handed and that we have not contributed anything essential for the body’s very existence — air to breathe, water to drink, earth to stand upon, space to move, warmth, sunlight, rain, minerals, food, or the countless elements that sustain life.
After our arrival, we were further blessed with comforts and conveniences, none of which are truly of our own making. Gradually, a deeper truth dawns: from Life Force, Consciousness, and Intelligence to every support that sustains us, all is provided by one Supreme Power — the Master. This truth applies to all of creation.
We also recognise that every human being is unique, because each has a distinct role to fulfil. This reveals a Master Plan behind life, embracing all beings, including ourselves. Unaware of this, we often try to force life into fixed and familiar moulds, instead of allowing it to unfold in its own natural and glorious way. Accepting everyone as they are, and trusting this Divine order, becomes the surest path to inner peace.
This month’s issue of THE VISION carries articles on this subject.
— EDITOR
AS WE SCROLL DOWN...
- ‘The Release of Divinity’ — Swami Ramdas teaches that true spiritual perfection lies in unfolding one’s own inherent nature, not in imitation. Sadhana is the process of removing inner limitations so that the Divine Truth within can express itself freely and creatively through each individual. By eliminating rigidity, impurity and narrowness, life is released into its natural splendour, allowing Divine knowledge, power and love to shine forth as a unique expression of Truth.
- ‘Words of Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas’ — reveal that life finds its true fulfilment only in the realisation of the one Master Power or Truth that is both the Source and the End of all existence. When this Truth is realised, the intellect, heart and body move in perfect harmony, and life becomes radiant with Divine light, peace and ecstasy. Beloved Papa further affirms that communion with the Divine Name attunes the seeker to the infinite Truth, transforming human limitations into a self-illumined nature and bestowing the bliss of immortality.
- ‘Be Humble’ — reminds us Mother Krishnabai. Pride in any form — whether of achievement, spiritual progress, talent or possessions — inevitably invites a fall. Ego clouds our vision, and Papa (God), seated within, compassionately arranges circumstances to dissolve it. By attributing all accomplishments to Papa and remaining humble while fulfilling our worldly duties, we are protected from inner downfall and guided back to dependence on Divine grace alone.
- ‘Everything Moves by His Will Only’ — states Swami Satchidananda. While perfect surrender belongs to those who have realised oneness with God, sincere Sadhakas must consciously practise submission to the Divine Will. By recognising that God works through all forms and that every event unfolds by His power alone, the sense of individual doership gradually dissolves. Through earnest Sadhana, constant remembrance of His all-pervading presence and cheerful acceptance of whatever comes, surrender matures into the living realisation, “I and He are one.”
- ‘Editor Answers’ — how everyone’s uniqueness is not a moral ideal but a fact of Creation. Our failure to live it consistently arises from conditioned, ego-based reactions of judgement and comparison. By learning to pause before responding, shifting from judging to witnessing, and offering our reactions to the Master, remembrance gradually deepens. With steady practice and grace, humility replaces judgement, compassion replaces comparison, and respect for the Divine uniqueness of all beings becomes natural and effortless.
- ‘The Gita Touch in Daily Life’ — through a simple reunion scene, illustrates how diversity in choices arises from differing inner temperaments, even among those with shared origins. Drawing on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Shloka 12, it shows that the varied qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas — which shape our preferences, behaviour and life paths — all arise from the Divine, while the Divine itself remains untouched by them. Recognising this helps us appreciate diversity as part of the Cosmic Design and honour the unique journey of every soul.
- ‘You Are Unique in the Eyes of God’ — explains Swami Chidanandaji. Every being is utterly unique and precious in the Creator’s vision, with a distinct role in the Divine plan. God does not measure us by comparison or perfection, but by our sincere offering of what we are capable of in our own sphere. Recognising God as the indwelling Reality, ever near and ever loving, we are called to rejoice in our uniqueness and live as instruments of His peace — spreading the peace that we truly are to all around us.
- ‘Gleanings’ — brings together luminous insights from various Mahatmas pointing to a single truth: the One expresses Itself as the many without losing Its oneness. Together, these voices affirm unity in diversity as the Divine play, where individuality is not a deviation but an expression of God’s infinite creativity.
- ‘Epistles Of Swami Ramdas’ — lovingly encourages the seeker to remain perfectly original and true to one’s own Swabhava. Swami Ramdas cautions against imitation and urges spontaneous living and creative expression guided by the Divine Power within. When struggle and strain are relinquished, life and work flow naturally as joyful, blissful expressions of one’s true Being.
- ‘Anandashram News’:
- ‘Book In Focus’
- ‘Thought For The Month’
- ‘Download THE VISION’ in PDF format and the Audio Book.
THE RELEASE OF DIVINITY
By Swami Ramdas
The true spiritual perfection lies along the path of your own inherent nature. You have to develop your individual uniqueness so that the Divine Power and glory may be revealed in you, expressing themselves in an original way. You ought to be a creator of new thoughts and actions. When you are walking on the path of the Divine you are fired with the zeal of adventure and you go to meet the goal of your quest according to your own inborn nature. Sadhana consists in removing the obstacles that are found in your nature, so that you can spontaneously reveal the Eternal Truth of your being.
Sadhakas receive inspiration and guidance from great souls and scriptures, but they should be warned against mere imitation. The world judges the lives illumined with Divine radiance by common tests and standards. It expects that they should all be cast in the same mould and act and live in the same manner. You are asked to do a particular thing or not do it because some great saint in the past did or did not do it. If you express your creativity, you are told you have departed from the traditional path.
You see, the pearl fish receives the raindrop and dives down into the sea and after sometime produces a pearl of rare brilliance. There is a creation, unique and original. A tree bears innumerable fruits—each fruit having its own quality, shape and taste. You behold countless stars shining in the sky and on close examination you discover that each one of them has its own peculiar lustre and beauty. So also, among human beings there is a variety of natures and temperaments, each being born with a distinctly unique characteristic.
The mistake is to squeeze life into a set and traditional mould instead of permitting it to expand and manifest its splendour in its own way. The object of Sadhana is to release life from limitations with which it is bound. It is a process of elimination of the impurities, stiffness, and narrowness that have clogged your being and the revealment of Divine knowledge, power, and love so that you may shine as a unique expression of TRUTH.
WORDS OF BELOVED PAPA SWAMI RAMDAS
Life’s fulfilment lies only in the realisation of the Master Power or Truth who is at the basis of the varied gross and subtle manifestations in the universe. When once the life has seen the Source and End of it as one and the same, the intellect, heart and body are automatically attuned with each other in all their movements. Then the glory of life is revealed in all its magnificence because it is now filled with Divine light, ecstasy and peace. A soul who has reached this highest consummation of life lives and acts in the world as the very embodiment of the highest wisdom, universal love and blissful activity.
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The Divine Name represents God, who is at once the Lord and Master of the Universe, as also the Universe itself and everything beyond. So, to be in tune with the Name is to be in tune with the infinite Truth, and thus to transmute the lower, stumbling and ignorant human nature into the glorious, self-illumined nature. To be in communion with God through the music of His Name is to earn the very bliss of immortality.
BE HUMBLE
By Mother Krishnabai
We should always guard ourselves against pride raising its head in us. The moment Abhiman swells up in us, Papa brings about circumstances that make our pride lick the dust. It could be pride of achievement, or pride on the progress we have made on the spiritual path. Whatever it be, it is Abhiman and the moment we become proud, Papa who is seated in us, sees to it that we take a fall, due to circumstances beyond our control. Papa, of course, has His own ways of humbling us. If we are proud of our popularity as a singer, and we get busy planning elaborate singing tours, Papa renders all our plans null and void. If we are proud of our riches and possessions, He makes it impossible for the possessor to enjoy the riches. If we are proud of our property, somehow that property slips out of our hands and we are suddenly rendered helpless, so much so that we have none to turn to but Papa. So, it is always better to remain humble at heart while carrying out our duties in the world. Whatever we do, whatever we achieve, let us attribute it to Papa. We lose nothing in acknowledging what we owe to Papa. It would, on the other hand, help to keep our pride down.”
EVERYTHING MOVES BY HIS WILL ONLY
By Swami Satchidananda
Perfect surrender is possible only in the case of those who have realised their oneness with God, Sadhakas also have to practise submission to God’s will. They are yet to realise that God and the world are not different from them. They try to accept God’s power as absolute and therefore whatever happens in the world, through the innumerable forms, happens by His will alone, which means that He works through His many forms in the universe to fulfil His will. Therefore, Sadhakas take it that no individual is responsible for whatever is done by him or her. This demands constant remembrance of God, sensing His all-pervading and eternal presence and acceptance of His power as absolute.
Practise Sadhana seriously and intensely and surrender to Him, i.e. accept cheerfully and unquestioningly that whatever happens in the universe happens by His will alone, until we are able to assert “I and He are one.”
EDITOR ANSWERS
Question: Swamiji, you repeatedly affirm that everyone is unique and therefore nothing and no one is insignificant, irrelevant, or unimportant. Despite our efforts to remember this, our reactions are often contrary to this message. Please guide us on how to live up to this truth consistently.
Answer: When we say that every individual is unique and therefore significant, we are not making a moral statement; we are pointing to a fact of Creation. Nothing in this universe is accidental. Just as no two leaves on a tree are identical, no two human beings are shaped alike. Each carries a distinct role in the Master’s plan. The difficulty arises not in understanding this truth, but in remembering it in the heat of life. Our reactions contradict this understanding because they arise from the ego’s conditioning — comparison, judgement, likes and dislikes, fear, and insecurity. These reactions are mechanical; they belong to the mind, not to our deeper awareness. We should not be discouraged by them. Instead, we must learn to catch them early, before they turn into words or actions.
To live this truth consistently, three simple disciplines are essential:
First, pause before responding. Even a few seconds of inner pause creates space between the reaction and the response. In that pause, remind yourself: “This person is also placed here by the same Power that placed me.” The reaction may still be there, but it loses its authority.
Second, shift from judging to witnessing. When we see others as expressions of the same Divine order, our role changes from that of a judge to that of a witness. We need not approve or agree with everything, but we can stop dismissing or devaluing anyone.
Third, offer your reactions to the Master. Instead of fighting the mind, acknowledge its limitations and surrender them. Say inwardly, “This reaction is mine, but the awareness of it is Yours.” Gradually, grace works where effort fails.
Living this truth is not a sudden transformation; it is a process of refinement. Each time we become aware of a contrary reaction and choose not to act upon it, the truth becomes a little more rooted in us. Over time, remembrance becomes natural, and respect for the uniqueness of all beings flows effortlessly.
Ultimately, when we truly recognise that the same Divine Power is working through all, humility replaces judgement, compassion replaces comparison, and life itself becomes our teacher.
THE GITA TOUCH IN DAILY LIFE
Chapter 7, Shloka 12 - Diversity
A group of college alumni, now scattered across different walks of life, discovered they were all in Mumbai at the same time. Delighted by the coincidence, they fixed a date and a venue for a long-awaited reunion.
On the chosen day, they gathered at a hotel, sharing warm hugs, cheerful banter, and nostalgic memories from their campus days. Laughter flowed as freely as the memories.
As they settled down to eat, a server handed out menus. Interestingly, despite their shared history and similar upbringings, each person chose something entirely different. One went for a rich, sweet dessert, another preferred something spicy, yet another opted for a tangy, sour dish. A few chose simple, bland food.
When someone pointed out the diversity in their choices, they laughed. “My body can't handle sweets anymore,” said one. “Spicy food gives me a kick,” said another. “Sour things refresh me!” added a third. Though their bodies are built from the same basic elements, and though they shared similar early influences, their current preferences varied greatly — shaped by inner dispositions, habits and personal evolution.
One of them, quietly reflective, smiled and said: “It is fascinating, isn’t it? We are all made of the same stuff, yet express ourselves so differently. Our likes, choices and even life paths — each shaped by something deeper within.” This subtle truth is beautifully reflected in this Shloka:
ये चैव सात्त्विका भावा राजसास्तामसाश्च ये।
मत्त एवेति तान्विद्धि न त्वहं तेषु ते मयि॥
“All the qualities born of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas originate from Me. Though they are in Me, I am not in them.”
Here, the Lord declares that diverse tendencies - be it calmness, energy or inertia - spring from His power, yet He remains untouched by them. Just as each friend’s food choice reflected an inner temperament, so too in life, our behaviours, attractions and decisions arise from different Gunas (qualities) — all part of the Cosmic Design, yet leading each soul on its unique journey.
YOU ARE UNIQUE IN THE EYES OF GOD
By Swami Chidananda
Each one is distinct and unique in the eyes of the Creator; there is none like that particular being, there is no second. So each one is precious and specially valuable to the Creator. This should always be remembered. And therefore rejoice and be grateful to the Lord that He has given you a role to perform. Whether you perform your role perfectly and in a meaningful manner or not is irrelevant, because God expects each one to do what one is capable of, at any point, at any time.
God does not expect an ant to haul a great timber as the elephant does in the forest. Nor does God expect the elephant to fly gracefully in the air as do swallows and doves.
Each one in his own place, in his own sphere, can fulfil a task and gladden the heart of the Maker and contribute something to His plan on earth. Therefore, rejoice that you are special to God.
Rejoice that you have your own special role to perform in this Creation. And rejoice that His love is immediately available to you, for He is not a remote reality, but He is the indwelling Reality, nearer to you than anything else on earth. And rejoice that within you is the peace of God as your own Self. You are God’s peace and you have a duty to spread this peace which you are to one and all. Live to spread this peace!
GLEANINGS
Sri Ramana Maharshi
The body, senses, and mind operate by a Higher Power, while the ego falsely imagines, “I am the doer.” Through self-enquiry, this false sense of authorship dissolves. When doership drops, effort ceases and one abides naturally in peace.
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Nisargadatta Maharaj
Life happens by itself and that the person has no independent control. Consciousness and intelligence are not personal achievements but spontaneous expressions of the Absolute. The belief “I act” is the root of bondage. Freedom lies in seeing that Life lives us.
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Swami Vivekananda
Each soul is a unique expression of the Divine, unfolding according to its own law. He cautions against imitation and rigid moulds in spiritual life. True growth comes from allowing one’s inherent nature to flower fully. Harmony arises when individuality is honoured as Divine intention.
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Sri Aurobindo
The One does not become many by ceasing to be one; it enjoys itself in innumerable forms.
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Kabir
The clay is one, but the pots are many.
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Tukaram
No two waves are alike, yet all are water.
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Jnaneshwar (Dnyaneshwar)
The same sun appears reflected in many waters, yet each reflection trembles in its own way.
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Swami Sivananda
Unity in diversity is the plan of Nature.
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Swami Ram Tirtha
One appears as many without losing its oneness.
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Swami Abhedananda
Nature loves variety, yet works through unity.
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Mahavatar Babaji
Creation is the rhythm of the One appearing as many.
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Vallabhacharya
This world is the sportive manifestation of God.
EPISTLES OF SWAMI RAMDAS
Beloved little Mother,
…Your loving letter with the poems to hand. The poems are very promising. In your writings and in your life in general, be perfectly original; allow your own Swabhava to flow itself out in its own unique way. Do not imitate; not that you do so; but if you have any such tendency, stem it. Let the Divine Power inspire you to new creations. Write and act spontaneously. Give up struggle and tiresome effort. Let all your works be the blissful expression of your Being!.
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 December 2025 is 210 crores, chanted by 182544 devotees.
The grand total of the Japa done so far in this round now stands at 6460 crores.
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SESSIONS WITH CHILDREN AT ANAND KUTIR IN ANANDASHRAM:
In the month of December 2025, 3 interactive sessions were held with children at Anand Kutir, in which 124 students participated. As the sessions are free from teaching and preaching, they help the children to bring out their own learnings:
- Shigi: “The session helped me realise how I was running away from my responsibilities.”
- Srilakshmi: “I had the opportunity to ask myself questions that I had never thought of before.”
- Tejashree: “The session helped me realise the greatness of understanding myself.”
- Vaishali: “Everything was interesting because it was presented in the form of a game.”
- Srilakshmi M: “The session reminded me to move from ‘me’ to ‘we.’”
- Saniya Rajeev: “Though I don’t yet know who I am, I have gained the energy to seek myself.”
- Pavithra: “Simple and stress-free session.”
- Fatima Irfana: “I realised that I, too, can take firm decisions.”
MOUNA SADHANA IN ANANDASHRAM:
A day-long Mouna Sadhana is scheduled on the 8th of February 2026. Devotees interested in participating may kindly inform through WhatsApp (+91-9037466744) or by email (pms.anandashram@gmail.com).
BOOK IN FOCUS
‘Vishwamata Krishnabai’
“Vishwamata Krishnabai” is the unfolding of a soul that bloomed ‘like a rocket’ into God-consciousness. Within these pages, readers witness a young woman — once walking the streets of Kasaragod in a black sari, chanting Ram Nam through tears and laughter — transform into a being of pure devotion, fearlessness and boundless love. The book reveals rare glimpses of Mataji’s inner life: her unparalleled Guru-bhakti, her total self-effacement, her vision that saw every being as Papa Himself, and her astonishing journey to Sahaja Samadhi. Through touching anecdotes, poems, and conversations with seekers, this book becomes a living portrait of a woman who carried Divine radiance in her eyes, whose silent presence uplifted countless hearts, both in India and abroad.
Available in English, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu.
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
“Each person or being is unique in himself or herself. In nature you find no dull uniformity. No two things or persons are alike. Divergent natures exist in the one Supreme Being; they are reconciled in Him.”
— 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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