Being Near and Dear to God part – Three

Being Near and Dear to God

Whatever a man sees in the world arouses fear in him. Detachment alone can free him from fear. Failing to grasp this profound truth, man is allowing his desires to multiply, without realising that desires promote attachment instead of detachment.

As long as man is attached to the body, he cannot get over the desire to possess the objects that attract him. A man afflicted with the acquisitive impulse can never get rid of worries. To overcome this attachment and possessiveness, ancient sages tailored their educational system so that it promoted self-control. Self-control also developed humility and thus, humility became the true index of right education. Control of the senses is absolutely essential for achieving humility, and education must promote such control.

Today’s educational system is concerned mostly with imparting bookish knowledge, and students seek education only as a means for earning a living. This link between education and employment has to be severed, and education must instead be transformed into the process of acquiring True Wisdom.

In life, there are two aspects that have to be considered, rights and duties. Most people are concerned only with their rights and engage in struggles to secure them. Seldom do they recognise their responsibilities. This is true of all fields of human activity – social, political, economic and even spiritual. Lack of self-control is responsible for all this.
Men should regard their senses as potential enemies and not allow senses to have their own way. They should be subject to one’s control and direction. What is the easiest way to achieve this mastery? Only the spiritual path. If there is real faith and devotion in man, the senses would be powerless against him. It is the decline in faith and devotion that has led man to become a slave of the senses.

The prompting of intellectual reasoning should not be identified with the dictates of the Conscience. Rather, the directives should come from the Heart. When you dive deep into a problem and enquire whether what you do is in the interests of your friends and Society in general, your Conscience will give you the right answer
Man is made up of three constituents, the body, the Mind and the Atma. Man needs the body for performing actions. But, if the actions are done without using the discriminating power of the Mind, man would be behaving like an animal, which acts on impulse. Moreover, if the Mind, without relying on the eternal and ever pure Atma, follows the demands of the body and the senses, the actions would be demonic. Bereft of the influence of the Atma, the combination of the Mind and the body can lead to demonic qualities. However, when one is installed in the Atmic principle, transcending the body and the Mind, one attains the Divine.

Hence, sanctify all your words, thoughts and deeds. Make your Heart pure so that it becomes a worthy abode for the Divine.

Being Near and Dear to God – A sacred path of love, purity, and devotion

Being Near and Dear to God is a meaningful spiritual theme that reminds us that closeness to the Divine is not gained through outer show, status, wealth, or long speeches. God is reached through purity of heart, sincere love, humble service, and truthful living. A person may live in a simple home, perform ordinary duties, and still be very close to God if the heart is filled with devotion and compassion.

The meaning of Being Near and Dear to God is deeply connected with inner purity. Many people think that God is pleased only by rituals, offerings, pilgrimages, or grand worship. These can be beautiful when done with faith, but they are not enough by themselves. The real offering is a clean heart. If thoughts are pure, words are kind, and actions are selfless, life itself becomes worship.

Being Near and Dear to God also means living with love for all. Love is not only attachment to family or friends. Real love is patience, forgiveness, kindness, sacrifice, and understanding. A person who loves God must also learn to love God’s creation. Feeding the hungry, comforting the sad, helping the weak, and speaking gently to others are all ways of expressing devotion in daily life.

Truth is another important part of this path. A person who wants to be close to God must try to live honestly. Falsehood may bring temporary comfort, but it creates fear and weakness within. Truth gives strength to the heart. When thoughts, words, and actions become united, the mind becomes peaceful. Being Near and Dear to God becomes natural when a person chooses truth even when it is difficult.

Humility is also necessary. Pride creates distance from the Divine, while humility brings the heart closer. A proud person may perform many spiritual acts but still remain restless inside. A humble person knows that every blessing comes from God. Such a person does not look down on others, does not boast about good actions, and does not demand praise. Humility makes devotion soft, pure, and beautiful.

Being Near and Dear to God requires control over desires. The mind becomes restless when it keeps running after more comfort, more praise, more money, and more attention. Desires are endless when they are not guided by wisdom. Contentment helps the heart become peaceful. A contented person works sincerely, accepts life with gratitude, and uses resources responsibly. Such simplicity creates space for prayer and inner joy.

Service is one of the clearest signs of devotion. God does not need anything from us, but His children need love and help. When we serve others without pride or expectation, we serve the Divine present in them. A glass of water given with love, a kind word spoken at the right time, or a small act of support can become sacred. Being Near and Dear to God is not only about praying with folded hands, but also about serving with open hands.

Prayer keeps the heart connected with God. It does not always require long or complicated words. A silent tear, a grateful thought, a humble request, or a simple remembrance can become prayer when it comes from the heart. Prayer gives courage during difficult times and keeps the mind steady during success. It reminds us that we are never alone.

Being Near and Dear to God also means accepting life with surrender. Surrender does not mean weakness or laziness. It means doing one’s duty sincerely and leaving the result to divine wisdom. A student must study, a worker must work honestly, a patient must take treatment, and a devotee must practice good values. After sincere effort, the heart should remain calm and trust God’s timing.

A person close to God does not hurt others intentionally. Such a person watches speech, controls anger, avoids jealousy, and tries to forgive. This does not mean perfection comes in one day. Spiritual growth is gradual. Mistakes may happen, but the sincere devotee learns, corrects, and continues walking the right path. God values sincerity more than outer perfection.

Being Near and Dear to God is also reflected in gratitude. Many people remember God only during trouble and forget Him during comfort. A loving devotee remembers Him in both joy and sorrow. Food on the plate, breath in the body, family support, good health, guidance, and protection are all blessings. Gratitude makes the heart soft and keeps devotion alive.

In the end, this sacred theme teaches that God is not far away. The Divine is close to every heart that lives with truth, love, humility, service, prayer, and surrender. We do not need to become famous, rich, or powerful to be loved by God. We only need to become sincere, kind, pure, and useful to others. When life becomes an offering of love and good conduct, the devotee naturally becomes near and dear to the Divine.