Question: Please explain the meaning of Jesus’ teaching, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Sri Gurudev: Poverty is not in things. You need food, shelter, a body. Poverty means giving up “mineness,” or calling things “mine,…
Enlightenment is the same for one and all. Is the sun in Australia different from the sun in America? There is the same sun, the same light, the same rain, the same air. Is there a man’s sleep and a woman’s sleep, a dog’s sleep and a cat’s sleep? No. Sleep is the same. Death…
Prema is intense, concentrated, pure love of the Lord. Prema brings the devotee face to face with the Lord. Bhakti culminates in prema. Prema is pure nectar. Prema destroys pains and sorrows. It makes one immortal and blissful and peaceful. It is very difficult to describe the nature of prema. You will have to experience…
Get up at 4 a.m. Japo Ram Ram, Get up at 4 a.m. do Brahma Viciir. Get up at 4 a.m. Enquire, ‘Who am I?’ Get up at 4 a.m. practise Yogabhyās. Observe Mouna daily for two. Fast on Ekadesi, take milk and fruits, Study daily one chapter of Gita. Do regular charity, one-tenth income,…
All that we encounter in life are just temporary phases, different stages, various scenes in the drama of life. They come and go. Don’t let your mind get affected by these things. Samatvam yoga ucyate: Equanimity of mind is Yoga. You can always maintain that. This what you call purity of heart. “Blessed are the…
Siddhis, or powers, can come with spiritual practice. But remember, they are the worst impediments. Who would want a siddhi? Your ego. “I want to do this. I want to get that. I want to have name, fame. I want to show my superiority. I want to perform miracles.” The biggest miracle is to become…
A karma yogi should adapt, adjust, accommodate, in relation to all and under all circumstances. He should share what he has with others. He should be absolutely unselfish. He should keep his senses under control. He should always be truthful and cheerful. He should be social and amiable. He should be simple, noble, humble and…
Half-hearted service is no service at all. Give your whole heart, mind and soul when you serve. This is very important when you practice karma yoga. Some people have their body in one place, mind in another place, and soul in another place. That is the reason why they do not make any substantial progress…
Work for the commonweal; do not work for selfish gains. Give up all profit motives. Work with detachment and you will attain eternal peace and immortality. The wise man does actions but believes himself to be free from actions since he expects no returns therefrom and has no selfish motive thereto. Serve without being conspicuous.…
If you want to become a member of God’s club, get all the qualifications needed to become a member. Only a rich person can go to the rich people’s club. Only a spiritual person can go to the spiritual people’s club. If you want God, become God soon. Until you become God, you will never…
The mind is restless; it is always looking for a change. That is the nature of the mind. It can never be satisfied. It might rebel and want you to go live in a teepee in the mountains. After a while it won’t be happy with your teepee on the mountaintop; it will think that…
Every man should have a comprehensive understanding of nature’s laws, and their operations. Then he can pull on in this world smoothly and happily. He can utilise the helping forces to serve his ends in the best possible manner. He can neutralise the hostile or antagonistic currents. Just as the fish swims against the current,…