For Householders

Finding Time for Spiritual Practices

Sri Krishna was a householder. He had many responsibilities, but He was the embodiment of detachment. Sri Rama was also a householder and in addition to that, a king. He was the embodiment of dharma. King Janaka (father of Sita, the holy consort of Lord Rama) was a king and a householder. He too, was a jivanmukta or (liberated soul). They all found enough time to do tapas and to lead a spiritual life even in the midst of all their court duties and other problems.”

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“If we say that we have no time (for spiritual practices) due to our problems and family responsibilities, that is simply an escape. That means that we have no desire to follow the path of spirituality. We are lazy and want to avoid work. So immersed in maya (illusory world), so trapped in its net, we do not even realise that there is a reality higher than the body and the external world around us. We have no eyes to see it, no ears to hear it and no heart to feel it.”

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“If you cannot find free time to devote to the worship of God, try to be like the gopis. They did not set apart a separate time for prayer. They saw God while immersed in their work. They would repeat the holy name while churning the milk and grinding the grain, and doing all their other chores. The jars of pepper and coriander, and all the other spices, were labelled with the names of the Lord. When they wanted pepper they asked for Mukunda. When they gave someone coriander, they were giving Govinda. Those who came for milk and curd asked for them using the Lord's names. They were engaged in nothing but chanting Krishna's names everywhere, and at all times. Thus, they were always able to remember the Lord without any special effort. Those who are not able to set apart a special time for sadhana can still maintain remembrance of God in this way.”

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“A strong resolve to reach the goal is necessary. There is plenty of time to go to movie theatres and hospitals, but there is not time for temples and ashrams. Such is our way of living. Even while living in the world, householders should try to imbibe these principles. Otherwise, the mind will become restless. At least one hour every day should be spent thinking of God, one hour for the sake of the soul.”

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“Children, Mother knows that it is difficult for you who live in the midst of material pleasures and with family ties, to remember God constantly. But when you become aware that you are not remembering Him, immediately repent, 'O Lord, I have forgotten you for this much time. I have forgotten to chant your name for this length of time. O Lord, please forgive me. Please bestow upon me the mental strength to cherish Your form within and Your name on my lips constantly and incessantly. O Lord, please do not let me waste time like this. Let the desire to behold Thy form burn within me.' Having repented and prayed thus, immediately start repeating the mantra. Again you might forget it. Don't worry, go on applying the same technique of repentance and prayer whenever you realise that you have not been chanting the mantra for a long time. Slowly in due course, you will develop the power to remember Him incessantly.”

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“Nothing is difficult for those who really want it. You have to have a sincere desire to do it. You should spend at least one day a week in solitude, performing sadhana. You may have responsibilities and work to do. Even then, one day should be set apart. Don't you take sick leave if you are not well, even if there is a lot of unfinished work? Don't you take a day off to attend the wedding of a relative? How much more important is this! So, at least one day a week, go to an ashram and do sadhana. and seva. That day will train you to strengthen the love and cooperation in your family as well.”

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“When you are convinced that God is the one who protects you, and that there will not be peace in this life without taking refuge in Him, then you will find the time.”

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"Remember O mind, this supreme Truth: Nobody is your own! Because of doing meaningless actions, you are wandering in the ocean of this world." Remember this song, have satsang and always chant your mantra. Give up talking about others. We find time for every useless and unnecessary thing, yet we say that there is no time to think of God. Do not go to vulgar movies or read novels. Are we not sitting in front of the television or going shopping for hours on end? If you always fix your mind on the Lord, peace will be experienced.”

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My Friends Talk Only About Worldly Things...

Question: Being a college professor, I have a good circle of friends. Most of them are worldly people and talk only about worldly things. How should I deal with them?

Amma: Try to talk less with them and even then, only if necessary. When they see that you are no longer interested in the things that they are, they will slowly avoid you. Don't think that they will get angry with you. Let all of them hate you if they wish. Don't go towards things which will again create trouble for you. You should go towards stillness. Our time is precious. It is not to be wasted by the company of others. Whatever time you have, you should be more introspective. Many of the friends come only to gossip and chat, don't they? Lovingly tell them, "We have been talking for a long time. What are we going to gain by talking about and discussing all these things? My goal is to think about God, to give solitude to the mind. You might get angry with me if you don't like it. At present, that is not a problem for me. I can move forward only if I overcome obstacles. I am not angry with you, even if you get angry with me, for I have only love for you. But now I don't have any time to waste." Saying so in a very calm and loving tone, you should withdraw into solitude. Let them love or hate you. Some such control is needed in the beginning.

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Don't Postpone Spiritual Life

“Children, don't think that you can start spiritual life after satisfying all your desires. The desires will go on and on. It is a never-ending circle. When one is satisfied, another one will occupy its place. If somebody thinks to take up spiritual life after fulfilling all his desires, he is like a person on the seashore who waits for all the waves to subside before taking a bath.”

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Question: I am very busy with my work and can't find any time for meditation. Also, when I try to do japa, I don't get any concentration. Amma, wouldn't it be best for me to wait with japa and meditation until I am no longer so busy and have some peace of mind

Amma: You may think you will turn to God when your workload is lighter, or after you have had enough of worldly pleasures, but that won't happen. You should turn to Him right now, in the midst of all your difficulties; He will certainly show you a way.”

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“Don't think that you lack the mental purity to pray because you have made a lot of mistakes in your life, or that you will pray only when your mind becomes pure. If you think you will bathe in the sea only after the waves subside, you will never be able to bathe. You can't learn to swim by sitting at the side of the pool. You have to get into the water. What will happen if the doctor tells the patient to come to him only after he gets well? God is the one who purifies our minds. That is why we take refuge in Him. Only through Him can we be cleansed.”

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