THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS TO SELF REALISATION

If you are to walk on the path of Self Realisation by seeking the Source of your own Being, you cannot get very far by half-hearted attempts.

There are no shortcuts.

It requires complete dedication to the ideal and strenuous, life long effort in pursuit of ‘That’.

Unless you come to understand that the purpose and goal of life is to Realise the Self, you cannot, in truth, make any meaningful progress, or expect to make much progress.

Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi has said those few who have succeeded in this life time owe their success to perseverance.

That means day in and day out effort, unrelenting.

So whatever method you take up, you have to do sincerely and steadily, for a whole lifetime, if need be.

The path to Self Realisation is a vocation in life, not something we just take up at intervals. Spiritual pursuit must be as vital and natural to one as eating and breathing.

Once we are clear about this point and attempt to realise the Truth with all our heart, Almighty God comes forward and guides us. He makes the situations in our life conducive to spiritual progress.

But we cannot judge this progress easily. No effort ever goes in vain. And if we strive relentlessly, His Grace will take hold of us and carry us to the goal. This is what all true Sadhaks have to do to attain Self Realisation.

If you are unable to commit yourself to this ideal, then pray to God or Bhagavan, to bless and inspire you with sincere determination.

That is all that is within your power. Surrender to him wholeheartedly, and await his Grace.

Also think about the ephemeral nature of all things in life, your experiences, your joys and sorrows- how you are always seeking to grasp a bit of happiness from pursuing and fulfilling desires, but only experience short-lived pleasures in the end, followed by more desires and pursuits.

This is an endless cycle that replays itself, life after life, birth after birth.
Be clear about this, reflect on the underlying Reality and seek it.
No one can do this for you.

Start now with a determined, unrelenting effort.

That is the only way.

By Dennis Hartell, Editor of ‘The Maharshi’ writing in the NewsLetter of th Ramana Maharshi Retreat Centre, Nova Scotia. Posted by Alan Jacobs