Summary of the discourse by
Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji on 22nd December 2002

This Ashram is a Holy Place. The divine energy permeates in each and every corner of the Ashram. Thousands of Devotees come here, yet very few of them realize that the Spiritual services of Ashram are meant for their spiritual upliftment.

Many devotees even the senior ones keep on expecting Swamiji to physically interact with them. And when they interact with Swamiji they have nothing else to share with Swamiji except for one problem or the other pertaining to their mundane material lives. Swamiji is not happy over this. He wants devotees to come to the Ashram so that they can participate in various spiritual activities conducted by Sri Swamiji, such as Kriya Yoga, meditation classes. Whether it is Homa, Pooja, Abhisheka, Deepa Dana, Nama Japa, Shrama Dana, or any other, including social projects benefiting the mankind in general, the devotees should take to them in a selfless spirit. However what happens is, that their outlook remains limited only to the physical aspects of worship and they hardly try to make the spiritual use of these activities. Swamiji wants that the devotees, on coming to the Ashram, should engage themselves in meditation and self-absorption.

They should check their mind from running here and there. Their focus should be concentrated on their spiritual relationship with Swamiji.

A devotee should understand that the Kriya Yoga or Meditation classes one had undergone, are the basic steps to understand ones self. After living in the outside world gaining mundane happiness all through the life, one should live for his inner self. If this is not done, then at one’s old age, one would find something missing. At that time one would not know where to go for peace. Body overtakes the mind and peace is lost forever. By then it will be too late. Your Guru may not be there physically. Hence capture the Guru and hold Him in your heart.

You should not bother as to what Swamiji is speaking to others. A doctor would give different kinds of treatment to different patients. If it is only a tablet for one it shall be an injection for another. A teacher has his own method to make his student understand the subject. One should not get hurt if Swamiji scolds you. It is His right to scold you, because you are His student or patient as the case may be. In fact when He scolds, He is helping you get rid of the evils in you. Swamiji has an abundant energy to give you. It is for you to take whatever amount you can take and retain. If you cannot retain, it is your loss.

Swamiji has given you enough material for your spiritual practice. What you need to do now is to meditate every day for some time regularly for your spiritual benefit. It is wrong to be physically dependent on Swamiji. You have to deal with your Karma yourself. Through meditation, try to become strong enough to deal with your Karma your self. What will happen to you if Swamiji vanishes? So, He is giving you a word of caution that you do not waste any time. Develop the spiritual energy within your self, remove the unwanted thoughts and remain steadfast in your devotion and meditation. It is this that enhances your capacity to face problems in life. This is the only way for you to realize your own individual self and independence, which actually you are.
Happiness does not lie anywhere outside you. It is there very much within you. Search and search it, not allowing your mind to run here and there but to remain concentrated on this search and rest assured that if your search is sincere and strong enough, your Sadguru will always be there to come to your guidance and help.

Jai Guru Datta.