We are divine beings living out a human existence. The eternal, immutable spark within us is the soul. The soul is a spark of the Endless Divine Light. The endless Universe and all countless variety of creations in it are made up of this glorious Light. The Light within us- the soul – is covered by layers of desires, karma, the elements and the pull of the senses. These layers that cover our soul make us forget our Divine Nature and get us entangled in the material world. We live our lives in an incomplete manner, unable to rise to the heights which are our actual potential and nature. We amass wealth, name, fame and power. Yet we feel incomplete and yearning for something more. Clearly, the activities that we perform in our day to day existence of earning our food, clothes and other necessities of material existence are not sufficient to bestow on us the deep peace and love that we yearn for. Peace and love cannot be found in the external world. They are a part of us. They are the qualities of the soul. The journey that we take in finding our real nature and unveiling the hidden qualities of light and love within us is self transformation.
Self transformation is patiently chipping away at the layers of ignorance, habits, self destructive tendencies that we have formed over the years in order to realise the Light of the soul within us. It is like performing a live operation on ourselves without anaesthesia and steering the work according to the results. It requires hard work and extreme determination. We are totally accountable for ourselves and have none to blame for our failures. It can be scary as we uncover terrible ugliness of vices like intense anger, uncontrollable lust, vengeance, attachment, pride and ego within ourselves and have to work patiently at changing them. As we transform ourselves, we break free from all these vices and false attitudes. We uncover the Light of the Atma or the soul within us and are linked to the Great Love and Power of the Universe. We become conscious of our timeless nature and the terrible feelings of inferiority, helplessness, discouraging attitudes leave us and the immortal wisdom of the Universe guides us.
The journey of self transformation is one of sheer beauty and joy of life. The timelessness of life, the vastness of divine light, the endless love and peace become a part of us. Though we live in this world, we are not defeated by it. We become like the lotus flower. The lotus grows in murky waters. It smiles in sheer beauty and joy at the sun. It is a bright colourful spark in the dark and dirty waters of the pond where it grows. It is clean, shining and fragrant. The mud and filth around it are not able to touch it or contaminate it. It is pristine pure. Yet it lives in the pond and derives its sustenance from the filth of the pond. It is a prized offering at the feet of the Lord. Self transformation makes us and our lives a worthy offering to Divinity.
Our inner world determines our outer world. When we are permeated with the divine light, our light lights up the world around us. There are extensive ups and downs in life, disappointments and pains. But we never lose track as we carry our own inner light with us and this light shows us the way in life. We do not stumble and fall down in any situation. The inner wisdom and knowledge open up and show us the right way out. Most of us live in darkness and with many disappointments. We are not aware of who and what we are. We identify ourselves with this perishable body and its ailments, lack and shortcomings. Our lives are full of endless pains and disappointments.
Self transformation is easily possible when we are guided by the Guru. When we sit in his presence and absorb power and peace through his vibrations, changes take place within us. The Siddha mantra of SitaRam, meditation, following of the teachings of the Guru and his guidance helps us in chipping away all the unessential qualities in us and finally reveal in full glory the blazing light of the Divine Essence within us. Let us live as children of God and not beggars of earth!
