nn 1,2

1.4.8 spir. in practice

You know, to follow the spiritual path is not always easy. Yes it is pleasant to learn meditation, to sit and think of Parama Parusha, but when the truth be known, the spiritual path is filled with struggle. You know, if I want to move from Calcutta to Bombay, I will have to take a train. I will have to buy a ticket, I will have to wait in a line, and then I will have to find a seat. I will have to have a way to get the money, then I will have to carry my bags.

No movement occurs without action, and when there is action, effort must be exerted. So, in the spiritual path, effort must be exerted and action taken to transform consciousness from association with materialistic thoughts and desires to association with the Cosmic Mind, to alignment with the infinite consciousness of Parama Parusha. If Mr. A wants to go from here to there, he must get a ticket, reserve his space and make the journey. Likewise you must get a ticket and make a journey, and this journey requires even more effort than a physical journey. For you have never been to your destination before. You do not know the terrain. You hope the ticket is good for the entire ride. You are not sure if you will be able to get there, and you don't even know what to do if you are stranded at some outpost on the way.

So that is why I say, the spiritual path takes courage. It is not a path for cowards. Do you want to go? Good, good. Have you got a ticket? If you have a ticket and the courage to go, then I think you are set. But you must make certain that your ticket is current so that you will not get stranded along the way. You must have proper Sadhana and proper guidance to be able to make the journey. If you have a faulty practice and the guidance is second rate, then you may find you are looking for something you cannot find. That is why you must be certain that you have the requisite guidance before you enter and begin your travels down the spiritual path to self awareness. Do not think it is sufficient to have read scholarly books, to be knowledgeable, to know the right people, to have the best initiations. No, these will not do. You must have proper guidance and proper sadhana. Then surely your journey will be smooth.

But even when these are present, there is one other commodity you must possess. It is courage. Only those who are courageous can bear to look within themselves in an honest fashion, see the demons and conquer them. This is no path for the weak. So hone the sword of discrimination, make it sharp and take up the shield of Dharma. Do battle with the demons of lust, hate, revenge, self pity, self righteousness, despite, greed, and delusion. Cut them down with your discernment and with your passion, shout the name of your Lord for all to hear. Then when you are weary, do not go to sleep and let the demons catch you off guard and unawares. No, no, instead place yourself in the charge of your Lord and let that One watch over you while you rest. Let Him infuse you with His strength, with His valor, with His one pointed determination, and then go forward, march to His beat, His rhythm, until all creation moves in that rhythm. Never step out of His rhythm. Stay in step, sword ready and shield up and fight the demons.

If you think life is difficult, if you think "Why has Lord made so many obstacles in my path, why has He given this affliction, why does He not take it away, am I not devoted to Him, why does He not help me?" To this I say, I am always helping, but you must learn how to proceed and accept My assistance, how to stay in My rhythm so that you are never out of My flow. Then, if this can be done, you will find that the trials and tribulations of your life are no longer obstacles in front of you but merely fluctuations in the dance. They will not weigh you down or stop your flow of progress. They will not even be a nuisance. You will appreciate them. So have courage, Oh Sadhaka, be bold and daring and stay in My rhythm no matter what. Then I am certain, you will find progress in your spiritual life.