Theos-Talk Archives (November 2000 Message tt00136)

Below I would like to add a example of what contact with a real 
Mahatma might involve, i.e., latrine duty:


Study the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi. He never made any 
difference between menial service and dignified work. 
Scavenging or 
cleaning the latrines were the highest yoga for him, the highest 
puja. He annihilated his illusory little `I' through this
service.

Many highly educated persons joined his ashram to learn yoga 
under 
him. They thought that Gandhiji would teach them yoga in some 
mysterious manner, in a private room. They thought that he 
would 
teach them pranayama, meditation, awakening of the kundalini, 
etc. 
They were asked to clean the latrines first.

Gandhiji used to mend his own shoes. He himself used to grind 
the 
flour. He would take upon himself the work of others when they 
were 
unable to do their allotted portion of work. When an educated 
person, 
a new ashramite, felt shy to do grinding work, Gandhiji himself 
would 
do the work in front of him. And then the man would willingly do 
the 
work the next day.

Try to do daily as many virtuous actions as possible. When you 
go to 
sleep have a review of your day's actions. Mark them in your 
spiritual diary. Performance of virtuous actions is the beginning 
of 
spiritual life.

Repeat mentally or silently with the breath, the Lord's name -
such as Hari Om, Sri Ram, or your own ishta mantra. Do this 
even when 
you are working in the office: A strong habit of repetition of the 
mantra will soon be formed.

Karma, according to Jaimini Rishi, is the performance of 
agnihotra 
and other vedic rituals. According to the Gita any action done with 
niskamya bhava (unselfishly, motivelessly), is karma yoga. Lord 
Krishna says: "Work incessantly. Your duty is to work but not to 
expect the fruits thereof." The central teaching of the Gita is
non- attachment to work. Breathing, eating, seeing, hearing,
thinking, etc., are all karmas.

Service of your guru or a mahatma (saint) is the highest form of 
karma yoga. This purifies your heart quickly. Contact with a great 
soul or guru has immense advantages. You will benefit by the 
magnetic 
aura of the great personage. You will draw inspiration from him. 

- From Swami Sivananda of the Divine Life Society 

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