satsangatve nissangatvam
nisangatve nirmohatvam
nirmohatve niscala tatvam
niscalatatve jivan muktih
The company of the good leads to detachment, detachment leads to freedom from delusion, that leads to firmly being established in the self and that in turn leads to liberation. - Bhaja Govindam by Adi Shankara
Satsang means good company. Where is good company and where would one seek it?
You are your own good company. Feel that you have to take care of your mind and body. Ramakrishna sang a beautiful song. “O my Mind, don’t go to other places. Remain within your abode. Do not go here and there. Search within.”
The senses are extrovert and so is the mind. We are always looking out, into the external world, through all our senses. Who is looking inside, for the source of love and light? How can you reach the source if you don’t search?
There is a special variety of deer called ‘musk deer’. A heavenly fragrance emanates from their body, but not knowing the source, the deer searches in other places to find it. The source of joy and happiness is within. Out of twenty-four hours in a day, what is it that we do in which we do not depend on others? We sleep. To sleep, we do not depend on others. In sleep we forget everything, and we experience joy and calmness. But in sleep we are ignorant. When we get up we say, “I slept so well. I was not aware of anything.” The experience of sleep is the knowledge of ignorance. We should be able to experience that state of joy, with consciousness.
Yoganandaji said, “Sleep is meditation without consciousness, and meditation is sleep with consciousness.”
For satsang there is no need to go here and there. If you are not steady and strong in the beginning of spiritual life, your soft mind will be influenced with the ideas of others and create conflict and confusion. When you are inwardly strong, you can go anywhere. We should transform our life again and again. To change our life, we need to change our habits. We need determination and will power. But we don’t do that.
The word disciple and discipline are closely related. A disciple without discipline is not a true disciple. Discipline should be followed at every chakra. Without disciplining the body, how can we discipline the mind? This cannot be achieved overnight. A sapling does not grow into a tree without time and effort. We should be patient. Patience is the ability to wait calmly without agitation.
Gurudev teaches, “je sahiva, se rahiva” which means, “one who forbears, survives.”
We need forbearance. We react to little things. Just let go, storms will come and storms will pass. Two devotees of two different gurus were comparing notes. One said, “I have taken shelter in a banyan tree.” The other said, “I have taken shelter in a holy basil.” When a big storm comes, the banyan tree will be damaged more easily than the basil.
When you are bathing in the sea and a big wave comes, you bend your body and let it pass. When a problem comes, be humble in front of God and pray. No storm is permanent. Even incarnations like Krishna underwent suffering. No one suffered like Krishna. Born in a dark prison, and leaving the body wounded by an arrow. Obstacles will come and go. Through that we have to grow. Work without ego, with love and cooperation. You will find satsang within you.