“Devotion means using your emotions to dissolve into the object of devotion.” ___ Sadhguru.
A lot has been said and written about this topic. But only those who know it experientially or who know someone who is living and operating through this faculty, would know its profoundness.
In this blog, I would like to take this opportunity to mention a really special person who taught me many life lessons (devotion toward divine power and devotion toward life are the most prominent ones). An extraordinary human being, who lived with utmost humility and simplicity, touched hundreds of lives with his kind and loving gestures. He had surrendered himself completely to his guru’s teachings and used to become one with his guru’s radiance, while reading, chanting, praying and describing them.
Such a divine being, left this physical world at 91yrs of age, leaving a huge void in our lives, this year. Even during his last days in the hospital, he would tell us, “Do not worry about me, I am at utmost peace as I can strongly feel my Guru’s presence within me at this time. Keep praying now and celebrate when I am gone, as I would be dissolving and becoming one with the higher power.” He was Shri Damjibhai Mota, my beloved grandfather, our Bapuji.
He had unwavering faith in the divine and the greater good of life. Absolutely no grievances and complaints against anything or anyone, he lived his life with utmost involvement in everyday happenings. Unbelievably low on expectations and incredibly high on acceptance, his state of being was extremely selfless and generous. Each moment spent with this saintly soul was a ‘satsang’ in itself. Anyone who has met him, even once would agree to it.
Sadhguru says____
“Devotion means having the intelligence to understand that there is bigger intelligence in existence; so, you keep your little intellect aside. Devotion does not mean doing pooja every day. Devotion means your involvement with life is so absolute that even you do not matter anymore. If you are devoid of yourself, that is devotion. There is no greater intelligence than that, and there is no greater sweetness than that. No lover or pleasure seeker will know the sweetness that a devotee knows.” He further adds, “Devotion is a dimension that will allow you to sail across even if you do not know the way.”
While on this journey of life, we are supported by so many elements of nature, we come across innumerable things and a lot of people on the way who contribute toward our wellbeing and success. The least we could do is to be in the state of reverence and devotion toward all these aspects. Being in reverence towards the earth we walk upon, the water we drink, the air we breathe in, the food we eat, the people we come in contact with, and everything else that we use, including our body and mind, will lead us to a different possibility as to how we can live.
Nourish your soul daily with a balanced diet of knowledge, devotion, service and meditation.
___ Gurudev Shri Rakeshbhai, Shrimad Rajchandra Mission, Dharampur.