Hari
OM
Application - that is what 'Workings-days' are
about!27th
The Narada Bhakti Sutra is our guide for a while… the
nature of Love (with the capital 'ell') and a full exploration of it. As
always, you are encouraged to seek out the full text from Chinmaya Publications
(links in side-bar); but for those who prefer e-readers, this version is recommended. Whilst awareness and interest can be
raised by these posts on AV-blog, they cannot substitute for a thorough reading
and contemplation...and practice!
Having
given some methodology for application of Bhakti, Sri Narada now turns to how
we can maintain Bhakti even in our daily tasks. Far too often it is heard from
those who are active in employment and other activity that there 'is no time'
for pursuing spiritual practice. There is no excuse, declares the Guru!
लोke=ip
_agvd!gu[-ïv[kItRnat!.37.
Loke-api
Bhagavadguna-shravanakiirtanaat ||37||
(Bhakti can be practiced) By hearing and singing the
Lord's Glory even while engaged in the worldly activities.
Here
is the fourth means of developing perfect Love for the Lord. According to the
tradition, any individual engaged in daily routines can discover and develop
Bhakti in his own heart by shravana and kiirtanam (listening and singing) of
the Lord's wonders. This is actually particularly easy to do in the modern
world; download bhajans/gospels/sacred chants/hymns to your favourite portable
device!
The
two processes of shravanam and kiirtanam are quite profound in their effect.
Think about the time you hear any song on a number of occasions - do you not
find that it echoes within - you may even find yourself seeking to give your
own rendition? How readily we will permit this indoctrination of our mind with
popular music; at least if it is with traditional and classical music, it can
aid a form of contemplation. How much more would it be so if we permitted songs
of praise to enter our psyche in similar manner?! Shravanam, remember, is
active listening, an alert and alive acceptance of the sound-bytes which
provide meaning and worth immediately to the listener. Kiirtanam is the dynamic
effort to provide an output which equals the beauty, the intensity, the belief
in what has been heard. It is not a mechanical repetition, a musical
'performance', filled only with noise and show. It is filled with heart-felt
awareness of the presence of the Lord. Each bhajan, each mantra, must arise
from within like a lovesong to the beloved.
By
these to processes, even in the busy life of duties, one of worldly
preoccupation can also maintain and almost continuous awareness of the Lord,
constantly turning the mind back to the Higher. In the Srimad Bhagawat sage
Vyaasa, writing about Sri Krishna, has Bhagawan declare, 'the mind that
constantly fancies over the sense-objects gets drowned in sensuality; while the
mind that constantly contemplates upon Me shall get merged in Me'.
These
symbols of puja, kiirtan, shravan, dhyaan (meditation) are all available to the
seeker who would have Bhakti in their life. When practised for a long period,
the seeker discovers that the devotion for the Lord has taken root within; the
practice becomes easier and reverence becomes natural to the personality.
Do
we ignore the world around and the news it contains? Of course not; however we
now put it in rightful place and let it not overwhelm or totally distract us.
By having the name of the Lord ever-present on our mind, we cope better, we
deal better and are less likely to tumble into gossip and rumour-mongering. We
have improved boundaries and can remain compassionate but avoid the pitfalls of
over-empathy. We can be clear about what we can do, and what we can't. At all
times we think Higher, we speak Higher and we act Higher.
The
lesson today all speaks to the choice of following shreyas as opposed to
preyas, as has been getting discussed on Choose-days of late. It is admitted,
though, that this can be quite trying, especially in the early stages if we are
making big changes in our life. We need support. Aids to the Love Divine are
discussed in following sutras.
SAADHANA
Seek out at least three pieces of spiritual music/song which you enjoy and will readily listen to them each day at least thrice daily. Observe yourself over the week as to the effect of this listening... permit yourself to join in!
