A Guide to Spiritual Surrender
Repeatedly and frequently observe the outcome of desiring for sansar - the material world. This will solidify the jejuneness of the world which in turn would gradually detach the mind from seeking the world. Besides, reiterate the knowledge that God is bliss and I am the eternal part of God; this would attach mind to God. Also, contemplate on the transience of human life and ponder on the fact that this is the only form (out of a total of 8.4 million forms) in which God can be realized. Above all, let a genuine saint guide you in your devotional practice.
For example, suppose a deer in a desert sees water at a distance and run towards it. When he reaches there, he finds sand only and again sees water at a distance. In this manner it is running hither thither in search of water. If somehow, someone counsels it that this is a mirage, there is no water here it is all sand, the deer might stop running hither thither. That is detachment. But now to quench its thirst the deer would need to know the direction and the place where water is available. Even this is not sufficient, the deer would have to then proceed towards the water source and then drink it. No matter how long a thirsty deer runs after a mirage his thirst will not be quenched. Also, if it were to stop running still his thirst will not be quenched. Only water can quench its thirst.Likewise,
- Know the insipidity of the world, wherein we are running ceaselessly in search of happiness.
- Seek guidance from a genuine Guru.
- Follow his instructions.
The Supreme Lord is veritable divine bliss and we are the eternal fraction of that eternal divine bliss. Hence attaining that bliss is the exclusive desire of every jeev. Due to our ignorance, we allow other ignorant beings, who are at the same spiritual level as us, lead us on the path of spirituality. They are as much in search of divine happiness within the insipid material sansaar - the world just as we are.
Allowing an ignorant being to lead us on the path of spirituality is like the situation of the blind leading the blind, with both falling in a ditch together. Outcome of blind leading blind is misery for bothHence the only remedy to get out of this predicament is to follow a God-realized saint who has attained God. He has the ability to lead us to God-realization.
The Vedas affirm –
तद्विज्ञानार्थं स गुरुमेवाभिगच्छेत् समित्पाणि: क्षोत्रियं ब्रह्मनिष्ठम्॥
tadvijñānārthṁ sa gurumēvābhigacchēt samitpāṇi: kṣōtriyṁ brahmaniṣṭham.
“Your guru should have met God (ब्रह्मनिष्ठम्), and should also know all the secrets of the Vedic philosophy (क्षोत्रियं)”.
One must take shelter of the lotus feet of a Master who knows all the secrets of the Vedic philosophy (क्षोत्रियं). Theoretical knowledge with the references from our holy scriptures is essential to eliminate the doubts of the aspirant. Inquisitive aspirants find it more convincing when concepts are attested by the references from Vedic scriptures.
Still, practical experience (ब्रह्मनिष्ठम्) is a must to provide authentic guidance. Otherwise, he would not be able to resolve problems which occur in practical sadhana and thus he will be totally incapable of leading us towards God. Our minds are crowded with lots of questions and doubts all of which stem from bad impressions and practices of past innumerable lives. An aspirant is supposed to inquisitively and submissively seek answers to the questions to remove all the doubts. As the Gita says –
The Gita also proclaims –
तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया । उपदेक्ष्यन्तत तेज्ञानंज्ञानननस्तत्तिदभशिनः।। गी. 4.34
tadviddhi praṇipātēna paripraśnēna sēvayā . upadēkṣyantata tējñānañjñānananastattidabhaśinḥ.. gī. 4.34
“Seek a genuine saint who possesses the knowledge of the scriptures and is also a God-realized soul. Approach such a saint with a completely surrendered mind. Humbly ask him questions to satisfy your inquisitive mind and serve him selflessly. Then by his grace you would attain the precise direction to reach Me”.
In nut shell, to be surrendered to God, one has to choose a real saint as Guru with complete faith and obedience and practice devotion regularly and diligently. Also, fortify knowledge given by Guru to increase love towards God and simultaneously practice to detach mind from the world.