How to get enlightened without engaging in any Spiritual Practices?

Question- Master AD, I feel uncomfortable when asked to do Yoga, Meditation, breathing or Mantra chanting etc. Is there any possibility for me to move towards self-realization without engaging in any of the so called spiritual practices? Please guide? – Srinivasan M.

Shivoham!

Beloved Srinivasan,

I am not sure whether you are genuinely seeking because a seeker is ready to do anything as suggested by one’s master. he/she can go to any extent to achieve the goal.. but it seems you have read too much and you are not only informed of the possibility of getting enlightenment without doing anything in particular but also freezed the idea for yourself even if this may not be suitable for you because the method is not chosen by a student but the teacher. But, anyways.. since you asked…

There is possibility of self-discovery or enlightenment through mundane or natural activities of life but even here you can’t achieve the desired doing things arbitrarily. There’s this way and you must prepare yourself for this.. The possibility exists only if you live in ‘particular’ way not in ‘anyway’. Heard about Karma Yoga?

‘The Karma Yoga is about doing your karma (rooted in dharma) with enthusiasm without any attachment to the results thereof.’ It is however easier said than done because of this ‘enthusiasm factor’. Due to thorough conditioning one is able to be enthusiastic only in case one is seeing big gains through some action.

An analogy, I share, may be makes it easier for you. Think yourself to be employed by the richest & most powerful man on the planet – having direct control over all the countries and governments of the world. I am sure this would the most sought after position – Wherein the person employed shall be assisting him in implementing, every aspect of his business empire. Would you not take this job with twinkles in your eyes? I am sure every day you will get up with a big smile on your face for having gotten the opportunity to be employed with him. Realization that it is the BEST one can aspire to be would fill you with joy every moment. Isn’t it?

Further imagine this extremely noble, supreme powerful and the richest person on the earth, who luckily happens to employ you hasn’t decided to pay you any fixed salary but has assured that he will be taking care of everything pertaining to every area your life – right from the food, luxury, conveyance, entertainment, medicine, travels, personal aspirations etc. He is powerful enough to punish and reward you without any interference from any government and is so generous that if he becomes happy he may even completely handover this whole empire to you. He has commanded “Serve others without any ego or desire for returns. Serve others as if you are serving me. I am watching you over and I shall take care of every need and aspiration of yours.”

I am sure, in this case although you are not being paid a single penny but you shall definitely stay enthusiastic in your duty to serve others with complete humility and dedication.

Now.. recognize that you are an employee of the Supreme. This boss of yours is none other than the Supreme Creator and Controller of this universe who has deployed you in his service. He is assuring you –

अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जना: पर्युपासते |
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् || भगवद्गीता – 9:22||

“There are those who always think of Me and engage in exclusive devotion to Me. To them, whose minds are always absorbed in Me, I provide what they lack and preserve what they already possess. ||Gita 9:22||”

‘Providing what they lack’ means, whatever you lack. You lack food to eat, it is given. You lack peace and joy – it is given. You lack self-knowledge – It is given. Further in this way of life ‘Devotion’ does not mean you chanting any Mantra or worshipping an idol but to begin with rendering your enthusiastic efforts devoted to the welfare of to His 7 billion incarnations. Treat ‘Him’ in others with compassion, love and respect as per Dharma. You may still have confusion about word ‘dharma’ and ‘How to know what is my dharma?’ but for this keep praying to your Boss (Supreme Creator) and he will surely but silently speak to you about it through your own mind. Wait patiently for that to happen.

Live to Serve Enthusiastically. You do service with heartfelt gratitude for being given this chance. No expectation whatsoever from the ones you serve for you are serving your boss through them! For those who don’t want to do anything specific for attaining ‘Self-knowledge’ this is the only way to get to that experience.

Shivoham!

-Acharya Agyaatadarshan Anand Nath

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