The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : An "awakened" person

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Friday, Jun 10, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

An "awakened" person

CHENNAI: : It is not easy for one steeped in day-to-day activities to engage one's mind in thoughts about the purpose of life and one's relationship to God. Nevertheless this enquiry is very essential and has to be pursued as a constant endeavour during one's life. The awareness that God is true and He alone is true, and that all of us owe our existence to Him, can influence one's overall quality of life, said Swami Vimurtananda, primarily by establishing a direct permanent hotline with God. If one were to extract the essence of all of Sri Ramakrishna's teachings, it would reveal only one thing, namely God and His qualities, and on the individual's relationship with God. It was because he had realised God, he could clearly speak about the method for God realisation. Whatever be one's status in life, a constant endeavour to develop a bent of mind that focusses on God as the sole governing power in our life helps in keeping the body mind and soul in good condition. This makes one an "awakened" person. Swami Vivekananda's inspiring slogan `Arise, Awake', refers to this state of mind, when a person is not just not sleeping and awake in the physical sense, but really awake in the philosophical sense. Such a person slowly becomes a devotee of God. This Bhakta will not go against God's wishes, and will instinctively go in the right path.

True devotion is something that is internalised in the personality and attitude of the individual and cannot be assessed by external symbols or labels.

It is not necessary to wear one's religion on the sleeve. There are many who may perform elaborate rituals of worship, spend long hours on puja or visit temples regularly, yet they may not be anywhere near realising God. The important thing is to realise God's presence not only within oneself but in others as well, and also realise sincerely that all one does is because of God's decree. Alertness leads to awakening. It makes for a self-imposed discipline.

It is believed that God graces auspicious occasions with His presence, when pujas are performed with devotion. Only a sincere devotee who is ever alert and hence awake can recognise God's manifestation. God's grace confers peace of mind, fulfilment and satisfaction that are more essential for cultivating good qualities than wealth that can cause more worry and greed.

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