Teachings to Live By
13
~ Baba Muktananda
To listen to a dharana and meditate on Baba’s teaching, click the “play” icon.
Spoken in English by Shakti Butler
हिन्दी में धारणा-वाचन : राधा सातव
This morning, as I followed the dharana on Baba’s very concise and yet profound teaching, I focused on a virtue that I always strive to embody: kindness. As I contemplated this virtue, I recalled that Gurumayi’s teachings encourage us to speak kindly to ourselves. From this, I understood that I must first try to be kind to myself and only then can I focus on being kind toward others.
This is a commitment that I make to myself: I will try to listen to myself to ensure that I am speaking sweetly—because, for me, it is kindness that makes the world better.
Naples, Italy
Today when I was following the dharana, what stood out for me was Gurumayi’s teaching on samanubhuti. I make conscious efforts to listen to others with samanubhuti—with understanding and without judgment.
I especially apply this while talking with my mother and mother-in-law. Although I don’t always agree with their opinions or perspective about others and their own life situations, I have started to practice samanubhuti in listening to them.
Just as Baba teaches, I am now realizing the great joy that lies in being the sounding board for both these sweet ladies in my life, who carry their own goodness and life experiences. They just want to be heard; once I listen respectfully, their goodness automatically leads them to their own heart. In this process, even I get to learn so much from how both have been taking care of their family with graciousness and devotion for many decades.
I am very grateful to have had this experience of how implementing the Guru’s teachings indeed fills my life with joy.
I especially apply this while talking with my mother and mother-in-law. Although I don’t always agree with their opinions or perspective about others and their own life situations, I have started to practice samanubhuti in listening to them.
Just as Baba teaches, I am now realizing the great joy that lies in being the sounding board for both these sweet ladies in my life, who carry their own goodness and life experiences. They just want to be heard; once I listen respectfully, their goodness automatically leads them to their own heart. In this process, even I get to learn so much from how both have been taking care of their family with graciousness and devotion for many decades.
I am very grateful to have had this experience of how implementing the Guru’s teachings indeed fills my life with joy.
Thane West, India
Mantra japa is what immediately arises within me when I engage with this dharana. The mantra stays with me until the end of meditation.
Mantra japa is a practice that I have focused on for many years. I very often repeat the mantra Om Namah Shivaya, whether silently or aloud, as I go about the activities of my life.
As a result, I feel as though a sense of benevolence, stillness, security, and faith permeates my mind and heart in so many situations, and sometimes spreads to the people with whom I interact. Mantra japa, for me, is an ocean of joy into which I can dive every day.
Mantra japa is a practice that I have focused on for many years. I very often repeat the mantra Om Namah Shivaya, whether silently or aloud, as I go about the activities of my life.
As a result, I feel as though a sense of benevolence, stillness, security, and faith permeates my mind and heart in so many situations, and sometimes spreads to the people with whom I interact. Mantra japa, for me, is an ocean of joy into which I can dive every day.
Ciudad de México, Mexico