CHANT OF GOD NAME

“Doing nothing, or not feeling like doing anything, is in itself a kind of spiritual attainment. But simply sitting still is considered a severe punishment in prison. We have become so used to constant activity — both physical and mental — that sitting quietly is difficult for the body, even harder for the mind, and most difficult of all is keeping the mind calm while the body is engaged in action.

True peace belongs to the mind. But to achieve that peace, effort is necessary. Let’s first consider what disturbs the mind’s peace: First — when things happen against our will; second — when memories of our past good or bad deeds trouble us; and third — when we worry about the future. Everyone desires that the world should move according to their wishes. But how can everyone’s will be fulfilled? It’s natural that things won’t always happen as you want. So to avoid this disturbance of peace, we should learn to let go of personal desires. One must abandon attachment to material gains, give up expectations from others, let go of pride, and continue to act sincerely.

If we make efforts and fail, it leads to disappointment and disturbs our peace. But if we consider that we did nothing, then where’s the sorrow? Whatever results come, we should accept them as the will of the Divine. To think that everything is done by God is to remain constantly connected with the Divine. To cultivate this attitude, constant remembrance of the Divine Name is essential. Whatever has happened, is happening, and will happen, is all for our own good, done by God. We are not the true doers — this belief requires unbroken remembrance of the Divine.

In short, whatever happens is for our benefit, done by the Lord. Tomorrow’s worries are for Him to handle. He will do what He finds appropriate. So, we should neither dwell on the past nor worry about the future, and must not waste the present moment — it should be spent in the remembrance of His Name. Real peace, even while living in this world, lies only in the remembrance of God.

It’s the nature of the body-centric mind to never feel content with what it already has, and we apply this attitude everywhere. We often say we won’t act unless we have complete knowledge of everything — but complete knowledge never comes while we live, and thus we do nothing! This attachment to the body makes us forget the Divine. Let us sprinkle the water of the Divine Name on this body-centered attitude, so it doesn’t grow further.

We should anchor our minds in the Divine, while letting the body continue its worldly duties.”