How to see God in all that we see ?
Vinoba was a great saint. He was imprisoned in Dhule Jail in 1932 for his participation in freedom movement. All inmates of the prison found in him an extraordinary character of highest order of spirituality, knowledge, wisdom and selfless actions. It was upon the request of inmates of the prison that Vinoba accepted to deliver talks on the Gita. These talks were subsequently published as 'Gita Pravachan' or the "Talks onThe Gita".
The way Vinoba explained the Bhagwadgita is uniquely simple yet outstandingly influencing in effect.Those who want to practise it can do it with great ease and appreciation. In his talks on the Gita to fellow prisoners Saint Vinoba resorted to simple examples that could be understood and appreciated even by the common men having some urge to tread the path of spirituality and action combined together.
An easy way to learn to see God
In his said talks on the Gita, I have found him explaining as to how to see God in all that we see around us; whether good or bad.
In chapter 10 of this Book Vinoba suggests that methods which are employed in teaching the children can be used to see the Lord everywhere.
He says -
The children are taught the alphabet in two ways. One method is to teach the letters first by writing them in big size. When the child becomes used to writing these letters in big size he is subsequently made to learn those letters in small cases. After that he is made to learn complicated joint letters called संयुक्ताक्षर which is parts of two small letters joined together.
In the same way, we should first learn to see God in bigger and more conspicuous things. The Lord manifests Himself in the oceans or high mountains. It can be grasped at once. When we come to experience His presence therein, we shall realise that He is present even in a drop of water or a speck of dust. After all there is no difference between capital 'A' or small 'a'.
This is one way. The other way is to see Him first in His simpler manifestation. After that we should move on to His complicated manifestations.
Vinoba explains; one can quickly comprehend Lord's manifestation in pure form. He says, "we can easily discern God in Rama. Rama is like a simple letter. But what about Ravana? Ravana is like a 'joint' letter. In Ravana, His manifestation is difficult to discern because there is a mixture of good and evil in the person of Ravana. Ravana's penance and energy are indeed great but they are mixed with cruelty. So to begin with, learn to behold God manifest in Rama who is full of love and compassion. It will take time to discern divinity in Ravana. But one has to reach that stage through rising experience of spirituality."
Thus one should first learn to discern God in a good person, but ultimately one should be able to discern Him in an evil person too.
The Lord who is present in an ocean is present in a drop of water too. The God who is in Rama is present in Ravana too. What is present in the gross is present in the subtle also.
In fact this दर्शन that is seeing things through mind's eye is the result of the practice of yoga explained as the 'विभूतियोग' in the Gita.The Lord clarifies to Arjun, O my dear! Whatever you see good or bad (ordinarily or extraordinarily) around you know them to be simply a mere manifestation of mine.
यद्यद्विभूतिमत्सत्त्वं श्रीमदूर्जितमेव वा।
तत्तदेवावगच्छ त्वं मम तेजोंऽशसम्भवम्।। (१०/४१)
भगवान् कहते हैं-अर्जुन! जो-जो भी ऐश्वर्ययुक्त, शोभायुक्त और बलयुक्त प्राणी तथा पदार्थ है, उस-उसको तुम मेरे हीं तेज के अंश से उत्पन्न हुआ समझो।
R.R.Prabhakar.
19.02.2020.
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