These Asanas (physical practice of Yoga) and Pranayams (breathing exercises), they contribute
toward our health, physical and mental health. But what do you do with physical and mental health
if you are not going to take it further and take advantage of it for spiritual benefit?
You know Babuji Maharaj, often repeated this statement that “I really do not ask anyone of you
to leave anything in your life. Do not detach yourself unnecessarily.” Because all our efforts,
they go in trying to stop all the negative things in the world. Do not focus on the negatives.
But focus on the positive, the Almighty. When we form a bond, greater bond, intense bond of love,
then the negative things automatically begin to dissolve, without making efforts actually.
Only effort that is required is, let our hearts and minds be imbued in love for God. And when we have,
when we do cultivate such an attitude, kaushalam, excellence is an outcome. So that is how, through Yoga,
we attain this excellence. Well, it is heartening to see, because of our Prime Minister, Shri Modi ji’s efforts,
many countries are opening up, allowing Yoga as a general practice for overall health. Even in many countries
who were earlier opposed to Yoga and meditations, now they have opened their doors.
Unfortunately, even till today, many people think Yoga means Asanas, Yoga means Pranayama.
It is a partial truth. Because both these Asanas (physical practice of Yoga) and Pranayamas (breathing exercises),
they contribute towards our health, physical and mental health. But what do you do with physical and mental health,
if you are not going to take it further and take advantage of it for spiritual benefit?
When we talk of the material wing of life, Bhautik jeevan, and Adhyatmik jeevan (spiritual life),
Babuji insists that they have to be balanced, they have to be integrated. All our activities in the material world
should be taken up as we mature, as an aid or the support to the spiritual wing of our existence.
When we have such an attitude that I am doing business, or I am working, so that my spiritual life can develop better,
then the material efforts will also become full of bhakti (devotion). Material efforts also can have
the flavour of spiritual life in it. So eventually we do not differentiate anymore between karma (action) and bhakti.
That karma itself becomes ennobled with an attitude that I am doing this – suppose you are studying medicine,
you are studying agriculture, all such thing and we are actually practising in day-to-day life – and when
we have this attitude that I am doing it for the sake of the Lord, then that work becomes bhakti.
And this is the attitude we need to develop, you see. When you are studying, have this attitude.
When you are cooking, have this attitude. Even when you are doing nothing, remain in an absorbed state
that, “Everything around me is absorbed in Godly remembrance. These birds are singing for God.
Trees are enjoying. Clouds are absorbed, sky is absorbed, earth is absorbed in Godly remembrance.”
Have this thought in your mind and see how even those silent moments can change.