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FEELING THE PRESENCE OF GOD

God is all-pervading. He is always with you. He is in you, around you. He is not far to
seek. He cannot be, perceived through the physical eye. Your sense of touch cannot help you.
He has to be realized through the inner eye of wisdom.
Modern civilization has enslaved people to such an extent that they are incapable of any
original expression, thought or deed. They do not care to think of their routine actions—how
their activities progress, what they are running after or what goal they are marching towards.
Inventions, innovations and contrivances have eased men from their labour and human skill. The
conservation of energy in this direction has only created laziness in them. More sensual desires
and perceptions have begun to sway them. Lost in the ever-pouring luxuries of life, the true
mission is once for all forgotten. People do not think wherefrom their daily requirements come,
who the unfailing and non-stopping supplier is, where His abode rests, how to have His Darshan,
what to request of Him and how to revere Him. No amount of study and research in physical
geography, vegetable kingdom, various industrial technologies, physiology and other sciences
will solve these problems nor even give a clue to the solution. This scientific knowledge is
subject to various hypotheses, axioms and data which are by themselves under controversies.
This knowledge will in no way aid one to arrive at the source. The source is really beyond all
these conceptions. Its abode cannot be located by running the finger over a coloured map. The
Dweller and His abode can be seen only through the inner eye and right understanding.
Concentration, Meditation and Sublime Thoughts are the pathways to this abode.
Most people feel themselves unable to stay their mind upon God and meditate upon
divine thoughts. This is all due to want of training. Realization is always through practice.
Practice comes out of proper training. Proper training requires consultation of learned men. This
is “Initiation in the right path.”
In all ages you meet with such great personalities who are always ready to help you but
who may not advertise themselves as such. It is left to you to find out such men, to choose your
own GURU to obey him implicitly, to serve him with all sincerity and earnestness and express
your thirst for knowledge. Vain discussions and intentional test-questions must be strictly
avoided. You must be regular in your lessons and practice.
There are again persons who say that they are unable to meet even a single man of such
qualities, for their Guru. Though it is firmly held that no perfection can be attained in any line
without a Guru, it may well be asserted that God is near and dear to you as He is to everybody.
Sincere and earnest attempt will have its own fruits. It is not on this plea the concentration and
meditation have to be cast off.
Because a man does not understand the film language, does he refrain from visiting
films? He avails himself of every opportunity to accompany his friend who is able to interpret
and who is already in the groove. If not he makes fresh acquaintance while in the queue to
procure tickets. Even this if he is unable to get he pushes himself anyway and tries his best to
decipher the whole film racking his brain. He makes earnest efforts to improve his knowledge in
this line by purchasing synopsis, bulletins and magazines. He is restless until he acquires some
knowledge. At no stage does he stop and put an end to this quest of knowledge. In due course
every actor or actress lives at the tip of his tongue. He becomes profusely enlightened in this art.
He speaks hours and hours about the talents of various film-stars. What are all these due to? Is
he not training himself earnestly. honestly, sincerely and virtuously in the particular line? Did he
wait for a Guru? What a pity it is that a man indulges so much in trivial things discarding the
vital mission of life?
It is quite common for people to complain that when they begin to think upon God, their
mind wanders here and there and their thoughts become engaged with mundane affairs. This is
again due to lack of training and want of definite will-power. True. It is very difficult, extremely
difficult to fix the mind at first instance upon God. An entirely different, superior and higher
stratum of mind is needed for this practice. This has to be well developed.
The mind is full of lust. It is always restless. It traverses through all spheres—good or
bad. It has to be wound up by the triple cord of devotion, concentration and meditation. It must
always be kept under control.
Try to get alone for a few minutes every day. If you cannot afford this, utilize every scrap
of leisure you presume to enjoy. Select a lonely place, a river bank, the top of a mount, the open
terrace of your house, a sea shore, a simple pleasant meadow, a corner in a temple, church or
mosque or a private room. Purge all your wavering thoughts. This will be quite easy in any of
the above localities as all the senses will be drawn by the exquisite, beauty of the spot or
landscape or by the deep silence pervading all-round. If necessary, burn incense or scented
sticks, which will always keep you alert.
There are two distinctive ways for worship of God. One, the “All-pervading Nature” and
the other “Here and here alone”. If one is to sit down and contemplate on the omnipresence of
God, i.e., presence in the sun, in the moon, in the stars, in anything and everything he comes
across, perhaps he might become lost in immensity. On the other hand one may localize the
presence of God at the initial stage which he may develop later into the former method.
Having steadied the mind either by gazing at a particular spot, or the picture of any form
of God or Guru or tuning the ears to the murmur of the river or receding waves of the sea, utter
slowly in a low tone the statement “GOD IS NOW HERE” or “GOD IS IN THIS ROOM”. First
repeat “G-O-D I-S N-O-W H-E-R-E” in a deep meditative way. Then relax for a while and
again repeat. Do this untiringly till you are immersed in your statement. Now you realize the
presence of God.
Do not stop with this. This is not the ultimate aim. Existence Absolute, Knowledge
Absolute and Bliss Absolute are the supreme things to be aimed at. After experiencing “GOD IS
NOW HERE” repeat “HIS PRESENCE FILLS ME FROM HEAD TO FOOT”. By repeated
utterances realize His existence in you. In the same way practice “HIS PRESENCE IS JOY”,
“HIS PRESENCE IS LOVE” and “HIS PRESENCE IS PEACE”. Whenever your mind attempts
to wander, repeat these statements loudly until it comes round. Morning hours are most suitable.
This practice will free you from fear and fill you with courage, joy and peace.
If this is practiced untiringly a sense of supreme joy, Cosmic love and Eternal Peace will
reign over you. What to speak of the radiance of such a realized Yogi? How glorious will he
shine in the world.
May all know this easy way for the realization of God! May all practice this with
definiteness and self-will. May all share His blessings. May all be free from worldly ties and
sensual agonies. May the All-merciful Lord encumber them with help and relieve them from the
struggle of Samsara!