How we tend to recognise some ‘enemies’ before they come

Think about it for yourselves: what kinds of moods can destroy my purity? Anger is number one, right? Hatred is another one. What are the other ones? Doubt, temptation, fear, guilt, laziness, ego, jealousy, comparison and prejudice, to name a few. You must be so careful. Now you have identified your enemies. Laziness – yes. With ignorance we can’t do much. Ignorant people don’t know they are ignorant. That’s the other ignorant part of it! So knowing the enemies now, we can all recognise them before they come.

Now, what are the good things that can perpetuate our purity or make it more intense? Can you identify your friends in this way? Love is number one. Patience – yes, tolerance, acceptance, faith, discipline – yes, acceptance! You have a whole list of friends.

In the Gita, Lord Krishna mentions the 21 or 23 great qualities we must have in life when we have to tackle all this warfare. I don’t know why he likes to quote life as a war. He says to consider this life as being protected by a palace in which you are living, protected by a compound wall with these 21 or 23 qualities or gates.

Then he says that all these gates should be protected with these great qualities. But it is at the back gate, which is the most vulnerable in a palace (nobody pays attention to the back gate), from which most enemies attack. From the most unexpected place they will attack. And he says that this gate must be protected always by humility. If you don’t have humility, all other gates are vulnerable.

In the Ten Maxims, whilst ending the last maxim, Babuji Maharaj (as Ram Chandra, Founder, Shri Ram Chandra Mission, was referred to fondly) mentions these particular qualities of humility and simplicity very highly. He says in having the qualities of humility and simplicity you can consider that you have everything you want; there is nothing more.

In a person with humility and heart, there is not only respect, unspoken respect, but they are highly regal. The way that person conducts himself or herself, they stand out like royalty when they are walking around. You can distinctly mark that they must be of royal descent. They have that something in them. Spiritual person also, if he has this spiritual royalty or regal quality, it will shine through when he walks or talks, or even when he does not walk or talk. There is immense courtesy and civility in the conversation. In Sahaj Marg, we not only strive for proper communication, but we go further into a state of communion: from communication to communion. Everything must be towards excellence, but without being exclusive. The exclusivity principle will destroy us.

In one of the messages, Babuji says that as long as we think ourselves to be great we continue to form the wall of greatness around us and separate ourselves from the rest of the godly kingdom. We jail ourselves. We are alone. We are alone among loved ones. It is only when we break the wall of greatness and submit ourselves as humble insignificant servants of the Master, of God, and only when we become nothing, subduing our tendencies and allowing him to take charge of our existence, that life will be truly enjoyable. That means total surrender. Who wants surrender willingly? That is where the ego comes. But that is where you can also pamper your ego and say, “I will excel in my surrender.” It will help and then you slowly say goodbye to it.  

—  Kamlesh D Patel is the fourth spiritual Guide in the Sahaj Marg system of Raja Yoga meditation. He is a role model for students of spirituality who seek that perfect blend of eastern heart and western mind. He travels extensively and is at home with people from all backgrounds  and walks of life, giving  special attention to the  youth of today