Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj
The Holy Word or the Light and Sound of God brought all creation into being-this physical universe, the stars, the sun, the planets, the moon, all human beings, and all living creatures. It is this Power that sustains all of us and is reverberating within us at all times. If we could listen to its divine melody, we would travel on that current back to the Source from where it emanates.
The Holy Word has been referred to in all religions by different names: as Jyoti, Naam or Shabd, as Nad, the Voice of Silence, and the Holy Word. When God was one and wanted to become many, this thought produced a vibration which resulted in two primal manifestations: Light and Sound. Through meditation on the inner Light and Sound, we can soar into inner spiritual realms. However, we need to cultivate our connection with this divine principle by developing ethical virtues, putting in time for our spiritual practices, and through selfless service. Patience and perseverance helps us to further cultivate the garden within.
In this connection, there is a story of a man who asked his son to help landscape the family’s home. Because the son did not know much about landscaping, he hired a gardener to plant the seeds and to make sure they were fertilized. After the gardener planted the seeds, he told the son he must water the ground daily so that in a few weeks they would grow.
Each day the son faithfully watered the soil, letting the water soak deep enough to reach the seeds. Day after day, week after week, he watered but no grass grew. Meanwhile, a bill came in from the gardener for his services. The father came to see the soil surrounding the house and said to the boy, “Why are we paying the gardener? He is terrible. Nothing is growing. Each day you are out here watering, and yet no grass is coming up. We should fire him.”
The son lovingly replied, “Let us give it time. The gardener said it would take some weeks. Be patient. The grass has to grow some day.” One week, two weeks, three weeks, four weeks passed, and no grass seeds sprouted from the soil. The only thing growing was the father’s impatience. In the meantime, the son kept watering the soil daily. “I wonder if I am doing something wrong?” the boy wondered. “Perhaps the birds are eating the seeds?” The boy called the gardener and asked, “Is it possible that birds came and ate the grass seeds?”
“It takes a while,” the gardener replied. The boy then began to pray to God that the seeds begin to grow. Each day as the boy watered the ground, he remembered the Lord and prayed for grace that the seeds may sprout. Then, one day, when he went out doors, lo and behold, small tops of seedlings peeped out from the ground. He was overjoyed that his prayers were answered and his efforts had fructified. Day after day, the little sprouts made their way higher and higher until green grass started appearing in clumps throughout the soil. He continued to water, remembering God as he held the hose over the ground. Within a few more weeks, the barren land was rich with grass. Some grew faster and other areas with seeds grew slower, but his daily efforts mingled with prayer had finally produced a grassy paradise around his home.
This boy’s attitude describes how we should approach meditation. Like planting a garden, meditation requires daily care. For the seed of meditation to grow, we must water it daily by sitting in silence and focusing within at the single or third eye. Through love and devotion, we fertilize the seeds within. Just as the son discovered that his efforts of watering the grass were not enough, he also had to rely on prayer for the grace of God to help. Likewise, when we meditate, we also need to supplement our efforts with prayer. The father’s impatience describes those people who want the fruits of meditation without the effort. Even though the gardener explained to the son that growing seeds takes time, the father wanted to give up whereas the boy continued to water the seeds daily even though he did not see his efforts bear fruit right away. This is the right attitude we need to have to grow spiritually.
Likewise, we should continue to meditate no matter what inner vistas we see within, and sooner or later, all our efforts will be rewarded. We should do our best, pray for grace, and leave the results to God. Then, one day, vistas of Light will open for us within, and we will be lifted into the spiritual regions and carried in the strong arms of the Lord to our eternal Home.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
