Getting over the “How” of Spiritual Life (Just do it)
by Annapurna Sarada
Recently, I have been part of some conversations concerning the desire of sangha members to know exactly “how” to put particular teachings into practice. Of course, we love to have this modeled for us, but it seems that we forget that we have that at hand. For instance, the biography of Sri Ramakrishna by Swami Saradananda goes into meticulous detail about how Sri Ramakrishna put discrimination regarding God and the world, lust and greed, renunciation, etc., into practice. The biographies of Holy Mother and Swamiji likewise show us how they practiced, as do those of all the direct disciples. The fact that we know all of them to be Avatar, nityasiddhas, or illumined beings, does not negate the earthly struggles they experienced. And we must not argue that, “Oh, times were different then,” or “They are different from us.” Anger, lust, greed, pride, desire, etc., have not changed over the ages, and reside in the mind of all beings. The need to discriminate between the real and the unreal until the unreal loses its grip on us has also not changed over the millennia, nor the requirement to cultivate sattva. They may be “past masters,” as Babaji calls them — beings that have given lifetimes to the realization of Truth — but we all have to begin sometime. We all share the same Atman.
It is also true that being in the presence of holy company, of the spiritually adept and realized, brings the “how” of spiritual disciplines home to the sincere seeker like nothing else. Our commitment to be in holy company for this unique transmission certainly needs to match our desire to know “how” to employ the teachings. Those who carefully observe the sangha’s Spiritual Director, Babaji, over time, will see “how” exemplified. This is another reason — a preeminent reason — why the idea of an SRV Retreat Center keeps arising. Consider the benefit of having a place where sangha/students can live with the teacher for extended retreats or permanently. Until then, it is important to attend as many events as possible with him. Notice that Babaji does not allow his retreats to be videoed. It is his and our (each of us) time to be together in the direct flow of spiritual transmission and instruction. The videos are great, but they require a certain formality because it is Vedanta being presented to the public. As Swami Vivekananda has told us, spirituality cannot be had from books, it comes from direct contact with another soul. As great as they are, videos are not the same as being with the teacher. For those who live far from centers, keeping up a consistent correspondence with Babaji is also good.
There is, however, another point that needs to be made. Sometimes when we want to know “how,” we are hiding behind the “safe zone” of “our” ignorance. It is a subtle and insidious ploy of the ego to procrastinate in taking the plunge. How many times have we heard Babaji say, “Assume the position,” referring to taking our stand on the reality of Atman-Brahman; on the nature of Reality being without transformation and without beginnings or causes (aparinama and ajativada); on the ephemerality of objects, relations, work, fame, and wealth? “Today’s imagination is tomorrow’s realization,” was often repeated by Swami Aseshanandaji.