Swami Brahm Bodhi

Spirituality is a serious subject—indeed, a very serious one. To speak truthfully, life itself is a profoundly serious matter; yet, very few understand its seriousness. Those who realize that one’s rebirth may occur in any form of life, even in the most pitiable condition, and who grasp the misery that the soul may undergo after death—such people truly awaken.

We must think deeply about how to remain happy and contented in this life as well as in the life after death. The Bhagavad Gita is the best guide for such reflection.

Therefore, I wish to remind you once again: those who are genuinely serious about their spiritual welfare must keep three books in their homes. Read them regularly. If your occupation is not exceedingly demanding, make it a habit to study them daily. If you are very busy, then at least read and understand one chapter of the Gita every day, and on weekends, study the Bhagavata Purana and the Ramcharitmanas. Reading the Ramcharitmanas brings great peace to the heart, and the noble character of Lord Rama builds fine spiritual impressions within. The Bhagavata Purana is an ocean of spirituality—it too should be read at least on weekends.

If this discipline is maintained for six months, you will find that your spiritual foundation has begun to form.

You may have often heard saints say that it takes hundreds or thousands of births to attain liberation or God-realization. These hundreds of births are not required to reach God Himself, but to cleanse the inner house of the mind so that God may enter. Once the mind becomes pure, His presence begins to manifest naturally. In the Ramcharitmanas, Lord Rama declares:
“The one with a pure mind attains Me; I am not pleased by deceit, trickery, or hypocrisy.”

If you study these three sacred texts regularly, your mind will soon become pure. Those who wish to purify it even faster should practice daily self-evaluation and introspection, preferably at night. If that is not possible, do it at least once every weekend. This reduces the time required for inner purification a hundredfold.

Therefore, keep examining and reviewing yourself regularly. Those among you who are especially eager and restless for spiritual progress may send me a message on the WhatsApp number ending with “15” ( +918865052915) shall make special arrangements for their guidance.

At present, many members of this group have only a general or initial interest in spirituality; therefore, it may not be possible or appropriate to discuss extremely advanced topics here. Such discussions are best suited for developed seekers and earnest lovers of the spiritual path.