Remaining Centred

 

Photo Credit: Making Life Beautiful

Remaining Centred

All of us have definitely thought about remaining centred, balanced 24/7, 365 days a year. Swamiji has always said in his discourses the easiest way to remain centred is to connect with Guru-karya (Guru’s work) – but there is a downside or risk attached to this – development of ego. Why does this happen? In our normal material life, we would never dream of doing things which the Guru makes us do – work of such critical importance and so huge in magnitude that under normal circumstances, if asked to do this, we would just laugh and move on. But under the Guru’s guidance and Grace we do it without much effort!

As a consequence, most of us, start thinking we have done it and that’s where the risk is. This kind of thinking develops our ego and we start thinking that we are larger than life, we can do anything! The Guru is always playing with us, testing us, and if we fall short, he gives us at least three chances to correct our ways, else the stick falls, and when this happens the ego gets shattered.

The way to remain balanced is always to have the feeling that whatever one is doing is being done under the Guru’s grace – this could be cooking at home, cleaning, dusting, sweeping, work in the office, talking to friends and colleagues – anything we do we are doing it for the Guru. When this starts happening automatically, witness oneself – and one will find that one is remaining centred, balanced.

Don’t create any conflict about going astray and being centred. Float. If we create a conflict, if we become afraid of going astray, then there is more possibility that we will go astray – because whatever we try to suppress becomes very significant. Whatever we try to deny becomes very attractive. So, don’t create any condemnation of going astray. In fact, go with it.

If it is happening, allow it to happen; there is nothing wrong in it. There must be something in it, and that’s why it is happening. Sometimes, even going astray is good. A person who really wants to remain centred should not be worried about centring. If we worry about it, the very worry itself will never allow us to be centred, because worrying can never be centred – a non-worried mind is required. So, going astray is good, there is nothing wrong in it. 

Stop fighting with existence. Stop all conflict and the idea of conquering – surrender. And when one surrenders, what can one do? If the mind goes astray, we go; if it doesn’t go, that too is okay. Sometimes we will be centred, and sometimes we will not. But deep down we will always remain centred because there is no worry, as we have totally and unconditionally surrendered to the Satguru.