Spiritual Teachings of Shivanandaji

So Said Swami Shivananda

You should try to meditate a little. Night is the ideal time for meditation. When you meditate, though for a short time, try to detach yourself completely from your work. Shaking off all worries and withdrawing yourself from everything, seek to be established in your own self. You should practise this at least once a day, even if only for a short while. naturally you have your duties and responsibilities in the world, your pains and pleasures there; but all these are transient. This world is unreal: there can be nothing more certain than that.

Though the work you are carrying on is no doubt good, for a while you will have to abstract your mind from even this and offer it at the lotus feet of the Lord, at the same time being absorbed in the thought of Him, who is the Supreme Father, the embodiment of Truth and Goodness. The Lord will then occupy your whole heart and there will be no thought of this world, no thought even of your individuality. Pray to God thus: “O Lord, give me faith and devotion, knowledge and discrimination. See that I do not get entangled in the snares of the world-bewitching maya.” When you pray, pray with all your heart and soul. When you meditate, try to be one with God, to have the consciousness of unity and identity. One should by all means practise like this.

My children, I repeat:  At the end of the day, even if for a short while, lay aside everything and commune with God. In the beginning you may have some difficulty in practising meditation in this way, but there is no reason to stop trying. Pray to Him and He will give you peace. Out of His compassion He will strengthen your heart and make you one with Him. With the practice of meditation peace of mind will grow and then alone will you be in a position to undertake humanitarian activities in the right spirit. Know for certain that this world and all living  beings are His. He is the creator, you are His servants. You are blessed to the extent that He, in His grace, allows you to serve His creatures. Meditation on God will obliterate the ego, and He will then be all in all. Only when your mind reaches this state will you be able to do genuine philanthropic work.