Continued
Realize the Significance of Spiritual Initiation
We should not forget that spiritual initiation is a very significant event in life. So, it should be taken with all seriousness. Here I would like to point out one thing not only for the initiated but for everyone. Let not initiation be looked upon as a status symbol or as a means to attain a status either. Let us not forget that it is a means of God realization only. Those who come to take initiation should be serious about it. That the moment of initiation is a unique one should be borne in mind.
Suppose the guru is speaking something that requires close attention but some are not attentive and are thinking of something else. It clearly suggests that they have not understood the importance or seriousness of spiritual initiation. I have no intention to criticize anybody. I mention it to drive home the point that one must have a reverential attitude towards initiation. One must remember that it is important event in one's life. Otherwise, one will not fell the worth of this event.
Read Our Specified Literature
Many desire to have initiation. Some show great interest. But before initiation, unless one is familiar with the ideal which we want to present before you, the initiation will not be fruitful. That is why it is our practice that one must be familiar with the life and teachings of Sri Ramakirshna, Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda. Hence one seeking initiation is asked to prepare himself. Those who are found under prepared are advised to wait. Only eligible candidates are advised to take initiation. This preparedness helps us to do our duty properly. Besides, the recipients also are able to grasp easily what we instruct.
Necessity of the Guru
The Upanisads declare: 'Knowledge gained from a teacher alone becomes fruitful.' If a bit of knowledge is to be made really effective in our lives, it must be heard from a Guru. The idea behind it is that the Guru not only gives the mantra but along with it he transmits some of the spiritual power that he possesses, to the disciple. When one reads the mantras in printed books, this kind of transmission of power does not take place.
Let us try to understand this in a more intelligible and rational sense. If we read certain ethical codes in a book, they may have some effect on us. But when we hear those ethical teachings from a person whom we love and revere, the effect will be naturally very different.Similarly, though we may not understand the actual process of transmission of spiritual power through spiritual initiation, we can understand at least this much that it is only from a lamp that another lamp is lighted. It is necessary that to kindle a soul there must be some soul that must have already been kindled. That is what is meant by transmission from the Guru to the disciple. Without that sort of living link, transmission of spiritual power is not possible.
To be continued
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Realize the Significance of Spiritual Initiation
We should not forget that spiritual initiation is a very significant event in life. So, it should be taken with all seriousness. Here I would like to point out one thing not only for the initiated but for everyone. Let not initiation be looked upon as a status symbol or as a means to attain a status either. Let us not forget that it is a means of God realization only. Those who come to take initiation should be serious about it. That the moment of initiation is a unique one should be borne in mind.
Suppose the guru is speaking something that requires close attention but some are not attentive and are thinking of something else. It clearly suggests that they have not understood the importance or seriousness of spiritual initiation. I have no intention to criticize anybody. I mention it to drive home the point that one must have a reverential attitude towards initiation. One must remember that it is important event in one's life. Otherwise, one will not fell the worth of this event.
Read Our Specified Literature
Many desire to have initiation. Some show great interest. But before initiation, unless one is familiar with the ideal which we want to present before you, the initiation will not be fruitful. That is why it is our practice that one must be familiar with the life and teachings of Sri Ramakirshna, Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda. Hence one seeking initiation is asked to prepare himself. Those who are found under prepared are advised to wait. Only eligible candidates are advised to take initiation. This preparedness helps us to do our duty properly. Besides, the recipients also are able to grasp easily what we instruct.
Necessity of the Guru
The Upanisads declare: 'Knowledge gained from a teacher alone becomes fruitful.' If a bit of knowledge is to be made really effective in our lives, it must be heard from a Guru. The idea behind it is that the Guru not only gives the mantra but along with it he transmits some of the spiritual power that he possesses, to the disciple. When one reads the mantras in printed books, this kind of transmission of power does not take place.
Let us try to understand this in a more intelligible and rational sense. If we read certain ethical codes in a book, they may have some effect on us. But when we hear those ethical teachings from a person whom we love and revere, the effect will be naturally very different.Similarly, though we may not understand the actual process of transmission of spiritual power through spiritual initiation, we can understand at least this much that it is only from a lamp that another lamp is lighted. It is necessary that to kindle a soul there must be some soul that must have already been kindled. That is what is meant by transmission from the Guru to the disciple. Without that sort of living link, transmission of spiritual power is not possible.
To be continued
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