Canada Satsang 7 , by Param Sant Kanwar Saheb Ji Maharaj
True devotion means turning the beads of the mind. It means making the Lord’s Name the garland of our heart and remembering Him continuously. Many people count how many times they repeat the Name, but why should the Name of the Lord be counted? When the Lord has blessed us with countless gifts, we too should remember Him with endless love, without keeping any count.
Those who are unable to practise true devotion are first guided through worship, rituals, and prayers so that they may slowly move towards the truth. But one who stays away from Naam, worship, and satsang becomes trapped in worldly attachments. Saints have explained that liberation does not come through outer practices alone. True liberation lies in Naam, in controlling the mind, in giving up unnecessary thoughts and habits, and in stopping the evils that have grown within us.
If a person sings hymns and spiritual verses throughout life, but the wrong feelings inside him do not change, then what is the use of such devotion? If one does not give up forbidden actions, intoxicants, meat, fish, eggs, criticism, backbiting, jealousy, hatred, dishonesty, exploitation, and corruption, then what kind of devotion is that?
You go to the Guru, listen to satsang, and hear the glory of Naam every day. Yet, if you do not give up your faults, it is like holding a lamp in your hand and still falling into a well. Kabir Sahib has said that the mind knows everything, yet it still commits wrong actions. The mind knows what is bad, what is harmful, and what can destroy life, yet it continues to follow the same path.
Satsang is that lamp, that light, that knowledge, and that eye which shows us what is true and what is false. The God whom we search for outside is actually present within us.
Many people remain trapped in their own weaknesses but still give advice to others. The true teaching of Sant Mat is that a person should not live in show or pretence, but should become pure and clean from within.
When pain, suffering, and worries reduce, the mind can become peaceful and turn towards devotion. A person who is worried about food, illness, or the basic needs of life may find it difficult to keep the mind steady. But those who have been given everything and still do not practise devotion should think deeply: all this has been received only through the grace of the Lord.
The Lord is extremely merciful. He has blessed us in countless ways. He has given us good time, a healthy body, the human form, knowledge, intelligence, and understanding. Even after receiving so much wisdom, if we do not work for our own spiritual welfare, then the mistake is ours.
For inner peace, the mind must be focused and controlled. Controlling the mind is difficult only for those who have allowed it complete freedom. When the mind is left loose, it jumps around like a deer. When it is given too much freedom, it begins to misuse that freedom. Then a person starts fulfilling whatever desire arises in the mind. This is why the soul becomes lost and distracted. Until the mind comes onto the right path, we cannot truly turn towards the Lord.
There are two paths before us: the path of worldly involvement and the path of withdrawal from worldly attachment. The path of withdrawal will open only when the mind turns away from worldly desires. The mind is very restless and stubborn; it does not obey easily. There is only one way to control it: the Guru’s word. When the mind is bound by the Guru’s command, it slowly comes under control. Once the reins of the Guru’s word are placed on the mind, its self-will begins to stop.
Therefore, it is necessary to keep watch over the mind. Before doing anything, we should ask ourselves whether it is according to the Guru’s command or not. If any action goes against the Guru’s word, we should avoid it. The Guru teaches us not to hurt anyone through thought, word, or action, because all three are controlled by the mind. That is why controlling the mind is the foundation of spiritual practice.
To bring the mind under control, simran is essential. Practise the remembrance of Naam. It can be done at all times—while walking, sitting, standing, working, or moving about.
Without a pure heart and sincere feeling, Naam-simran cannot be practised properly, because the old habit of the mind is to run here and there. To stop this wandering, we should withdraw our attention from worldly talk, attach it to the Lord’s feet, practise Naam-simran, and keep the words of Saints and great souls alive in our heart.
Radha Swami ji 🙏🏻