Since the time we are born, and throughout our lives, we are unconsciously creating an image of ourselves – a self-image that is so different from what we truly are. This is the outer cover – the personality that we develop as a result of various experiences, situations faced in life, and also due to various influences in our lives – that of father, mother, teacher, friend, etc. As we live and grow, we unconsciously gather varied impressions from life. All this goes towards creating this self-image. We also keep on changing the self-image as we mature in age and intelligence. Most part of our lives is spent in living an unreal life.

So, the important thing in life is to discard this acquired personality the self-image that causes a complex range of problems, resulting from our struggle to maintain the image. Until this image is dropped there is no chance of entering the sphere of one’s true self. Human beings are often influenced by opinions of others. They are like flocks of sheep, often motivated into doing things that are rarely understood. They are constantly seeking outside approval for things they do or say. They suffer from lack of confidence, and form opinions or images based on images of the ones whom they consider as influential in their lives.

Opinions and information gathered from outside are always questionable and cannot be called true knowledge. True knowledge comes only through experience and therefore experiencing the truth first-hand, is a must. When you have a direct experience of Truth, then no matter how strong the external influences in your life may be, you shall not be influenced by them. The only way you can shed this acquired image or personality is through conscious living – from moment to moment – during waking, sleeping, walking, talking, eating, drinking, etc.

When you start living every moment with conscious awareness, then you start dropping your unconsciously created false self-image bit by bit, and you start revealing your True Self in all its glory. Constant chanting of the following mantra from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad will bring excellent results.

असतो मा सद्गमय ।

Asato Ma Sat Gamaya

[From unreal, lead us to Reality]

तमसो मा ज्योतिर् गमय ।

Tamasoma Jyotir Gamaya

[From darkness, lead us to Light]

मृत्योर्मा अमृतंगमय ॥

Mrityorma Amritam Gamaya

[From death, lead us to Deathlessness (Immortality)]

ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिः॥

Om Shanti Shanti Shantih

[Om peace, peace, peace.]

The True Self of man lies in Reality, in Light, in Immortality. This privilege has not been given to any other creation of God. It is only the human beings who have been bestowed with such immense capabilities, in order to acquire the divine Self. The human being is a traveller upon this earth, with a divine mission to utilize his physical, mental and intellectual faculties toward realizing his True Self. Break away from the self-image that you have worn for this world. Utilize your faculties dedicatedly towards awakening your spiritual awareness. Achieving one’s True Self is the final goal of every human being who has taken birth upon this earth.

The spiritual journey of striving towards this goal will slowly and surely liberate you from all your present bondages. All limitations, sense-cravings and compulsions, will be removed one by one. Work towards it constantly and you will return to your original pure state of consciousness, freedom and total awareness. All of us are aware that one day, sooner or later, we shall depart from this earth. We are aware that we are, every moment, inching closer and closer to the end of our human life. So, do not neglect the prime purpose for which you have taken this birth. With every sunrise and sunset, one day of your life goes by. If you keep postponing your ‘sadhana’ – your spiritual practices – then you would have spent this privileged life without having done anything purposeful. So, before it is too late, start your spiritual journey earnestly, with all humility and dedication. The practice of Kriya-yoga synchronised with the bell is a wonderful technique for the remembrance of God with every breath, every intonation of the bell.

What is required in this world is complete dependence on God. Surrender everything to God; without complete surrender to Him, spiritual success is not possible. After surrendering to God, live in whatever condition you are placed, with a sense of contentment. The path of surrender is open to all, but no one sees or follows it. One is always looking for physical comfort – how to earn well, eat well, and live well. Hardly anybody wants God. God is only needed as a wish-fulfilling benefactor. As you advance in your spiritual practices, you will come to a stage where you are able to lay yourself out completely for God.

Give your entire mind and body to God. Whenever you have any work to do, do it with your heart and soul, concentrating upon the work as if it is God’s work. Whether the work on hand is pleasant or unpleasant, devote yourself to it completely. As you continue to do this, you will find that your troubles move away and you start enjoying every aspect of life, oblivious to comfort or discomfort, happiness or sorrow. Complete devotion to God purifies the mind. All spiritual practices awaken devotion in the heart and purifies it. The pure heart reflects truth, and as soon as the heart becomes completely pure, Truth is revealed to man.