Love for the sake of love

On the second day of the Global Spirituality Mahotsav, DAAJI spoke about the purpose of the gathering, why there are different religious practices in different faiths, how to nurture the soul, and how all people can come together for a better world.

Lovers of God, to you all my heartfelt Pranams. I hope this will become a yearly tradition throughout the globe. Coming together is only the beginning. When we work together it will translate into progress, in the words of Henry Ford. When we join hands and grow, we will have to understand each other, and how to work together to fulfill a goal.

Many ask me, “What is the purpose of this event?” 
I reply, “It is to come together for the moment, learn from each other, understand each other, know each other, and then roll out programs across the globe.”
There will be volunteers from many organizations who can work together on specific projects.

The United Nations SDGs are there, including pollution control of all kinds (soil, water, air), the education of women, equality, poverty eradication, etc. But fundamentally, they have not included the one thing that is the cause of all the other problems.

A dear brother from France highlighted this need for meditation to regulate the mind so as to address all the SDGs. A mind that has transcended differences can discriminate, discerning right from wrong. An unregulated mind will always be tempted to do wrong. Why would a person with a sane, regulated mind think of polluting the air or polluting the water? It is not possible; hence the need for meditation. In brief, all the various types of pollution in the world are the product of mental pollution.

In the traditions of India, we pluck Tulsi leaves. Is Tulsi a goddess? No, but we call her a goddess. Why? Because Tulsi has so many healing properties that no one should destroy her. Our ancestors called Tulsi a goddess so we wouldn’t destroy the plants, we would worship them. Isn’t it wonderful, respecting a little plant, worshipping it?

Likewise, there are many other traditions, like breathing exercises, Pranayama. Do you think huffing and puffing will bring God toward you? Not at all. But when Pranayama is tied with religion, people do it. Pranayama is mainly to look after your koshas for your health and well-being.

In Hinduism, we have a sattvic diet prescribed. Why? Because through a sattvic diet we nourish our physical body. Through mental activity, such as interacting with our elders, learning in colleges, universities, and schools, and now through Google matha [mother], we nourish our minds.

How do we nourish the soul? The Adi-guru of Heartfulness, Shri Ram Chandra ji, also known as Lalaji Maharaj, showed us how to enrich our prana in order to enrich our souls. He said that it is through pranasya pranaha or pranahuti—prana of the subtlest order transmitted by a yogi of caliber. It awakens our dormant consciousness, and helps that consciousness to travel from the base to the human to the humane to the divine levels. This is the promise. It is not a false promise; it is a promise that can be experienced.

In science we don’t have to believe. There are factual things—gravitation, the quantum field, the laws of genetics, chemical reactions, the laws of thermodynamics—where the fundamental laws stay the same. So it is in spirituality. The fundamental law that governs all is love. Then, we speak of “Ekam Brahmam dvitya naste,” meaning there is only one God. In the Quran it says “La ilaha illallah,” also meaning there is only one God. In the Christian tradition too there is only one God.

Christ said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.” Lord Krishna said, “Abandon all dharmas, surrender to me, I will save you from trials and tribulations.” In Buddhism it is “Buddham Saranam Gacchami,” meaning I go to the Buddha for refuge. When we listen to such statements and we don’t understand them, they seem superficially egotistic. But they are not. I must tell you, love means surrender.

Here, I speak about surrender not in the form of defeat, but because I have won over myself. My ego is now sublimated, so “I” exists no more. Though art the only one, dear God.

We can realize this state as a follower of any religion. If you are a Hindu, be the best Hindu you can be. If you are a Christian, be the best Christian. If you are a Muslim, be the best Muslim, and so on.

Pranasya pranaha
or pranahuti—prana of the
subtlest order—transmitted by a
yogi of caliber awakens
our dormant consciousness, and
helps that consciousness to travel
from the base to the human to the
humane to the divine levels.

Will there be wars if you follow your own dharma perfectly? No, there cannot be. Religions are all faithful systems. Kofi Annan, former Director-General of the United Nations once said, “The problem is not with the faith, but with the faithful.” The faithful believe in their faith alone, and think they are superior to others. This is the problem. My Guruji Maharaj used to say that there is nothing wrong with thinking you are great, but always think the other person is greater.

So with this little understanding, with peaceful hearts, let us all practice on a daily basis. When you do your Namaz, be receptive to the godly Grace. When you do your puja pat in front of your favorite deity, be receptive, be loving, open your heart. Whatever form of practice you are performing, do it with a receptive heart, not as a ritual, not out of fear, not out of temptation, not for begging, but with love for the sake of love.

When we maintain this, we will change. Once we change, the world will change. And we will contribute much more this way.

Whatever form of practice you are
performing, do it with a receptive heart,
not as a ritual, not out of fear,
not out of temptation, not for begging,
but with love for the sake of love. 

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