Living with God, living for God, living in God
Man since times immemorial has been in quest of God. Man has been in search of happiness from the beginning of this creation. He wanted to know where God is. He wanted to describe Him. He probed to find out “Who is God?” The answer is simple. At one time he said, “God is Wind – Vayudeva.” At another time he said, “God is Fire.” Later, the question arose – Who is God?
You cannot define God. You cannot know. God cannot be analysed. God can only be realized. God cannot be experimented upon. God can only be experienced. “That which cannot be comprehended by the mind, that which cannot be understood by the mind. That cannot be narrated, that which cannot be described – that is divinity. Thus who is God? Only experience. But we are of the modern age, the computer age. Bhagavan gave the answer: “God is Love. Love is God. Live in Love.
Now the point is this. When you love anything want to possess it. When you love anyone you want to be near that person. So love leads to nearness or proximity. This is the first aspect of the topic – living with God when you love God you want to live with Him. What do we mean by living with God? It is not an ordinary thing, Baba Himself put it – it is like living with fire.
Living with God is not just physical nearness. Bhagavan says that one has to dear and near. Thus spiritually speaking, living with God means being so dear to him. One has to endear himself to Bhagavan.
How can we live with him spiritually? Jesus Christ said :’I am the Truth, I am the way and I am the Life.’ Baba says: “Follow me.” We should follow the Master. Master stand for truth . If you want to follow the Master, you should hold on to Truth, follow the path of righteousness. This is living with God. The meaning of living with God is that you love Him intensely, much more than family and property.
So long as you hold onto your comforts, properties and families, giving them priority, and God next, we say that we are living with God. Living with God is sacrifice, God first, the world next, and you last. Thus living with God is detachment, intense love, control, discipline, surrender, dedication. You have to obey all His command unconditionally. Whether or not you gain and whether or not you attain victory spiritually it means following His messages following in His footsteps and following His command.
Living in God is only possible through compassion. The heart with compassion is the temple of God. You should have the spirit of sacrifice too. So living with God is one of bhakti-yoga. Once you have bhakti you should serve him. It is no use saying , “I love you, but I won’t work for you.” Living for God is karma yoga. Karma yoga will make us receive that acknowledgement.
Living for God means sacrificing everything for God. We are selfish truly. We love our son, our wife our husband only because of our own selfish reasons. Even those that say they are working for Swami are not right because Swami’s work will go on whether you do it or not.. You are working for selfish reason and not in a dedicated manner.
The third one is ‘Living in God.’ This means that there is nothing other than God. Whatever man does, talk or think is only divine. When he bathes it is an abhisheka, when he talks it is a namasmarana. Everything he does is spiritual. This is called ‘jnana yoga’ – or ‘path of wisdom.’ wisdom is that you are one with God, the Cosmic Consciousness. You are allowing the divine Cosmic Consciousness to pass through. The spirit of awareness is Consciousness. Some feel God’s presence in their work, meditation or bhajans.
Living with God, living for God, living in God – A Divine Path Of Love And Surrender
Living with God, living for God, living in God is a deeply spiritual theme that describes the complete journey of a devotee from faith to surrender and finally to oneness. In the beginning, a person may feel that God is someone above, watching, blessing, and protecting. Slowly, through prayer, service, and purity, the devotee begins to feel God as a constant companion. Finally, the seeker understands that God is not far away at all, but present within the heart and in all creation.
Human life becomes meaningful when it is connected with the Divine. Without that connection, people may feel lost even after gaining wealth, comfort, knowledge, or success. The world can give temporary happiness, but it cannot give permanent peace. True peace comes when the heart remembers God, trusts His will, and lives according to noble values. This divine connection gives strength during suffering and humility during success.
Living with God, living for God, living in God begins with remembrance. To live with God means to feel His presence in daily life. It means remembering Him not only during prayer, but also while working, speaking, eating, walking, and facing challenges. A devotee who lives with God does not feel completely alone. Even in silence, there is a quiet faith that divine grace is guiding every step.
Prayer is a beautiful way to live with God. Prayer does not always need long words or special language. A sincere heart can speak to God simply and honestly. Sometimes prayer asks for help, sometimes it gives thanks, and sometimes it remains silent. The deepest prayer is the feeling of surrender: “Lord, guide me, purify me, and make me an instrument of Your love.”
Living with God, living for God, living in God also teaches that life should not be lived only for personal desires. To live for God means to dedicate thoughts, words, and actions to Him. A student can study for God by being sincere and disciplined. A worker can work for God by being honest. A parent can care for family as service to God. A devotee can help others without pride, seeing every act as worship.
When actions are done for God, ego becomes weaker. The mind no longer says, “I am the doer.” It begins to understand that every ability, opportunity, and success comes through grace. This feeling brings humility. Work becomes lighter because the devotee offers both effort and result to the Divine. Praise does not create pride, and criticism does not destroy peace so easily.
Living with God, living for God, living in God becomes real through selfless service. God is present in every heart, so serving others is a direct way of serving Him. Feeding the hungry, comforting the sad, helping the poor, guiding children, respecting elders, and caring for the sick are all sacred actions. Service done with love purifies the mind and expands the heart. It changes devotion from feeling into living action.
The highest stage is living in God. This means seeing the Divine everywhere and in everyone. The devotee no longer limits God to one place, one form, or one moment of worship. The whole world becomes a temple. Every person becomes a reminder of the same divine presence. This vision removes hatred, pride, jealousy, and narrow thinking. It brings unity, compassion, and peace.
Living with God, living for God, living in God does not mean escaping from responsibilities. It means performing every responsibility with a sacred attitude. Spirituality is not separate from life. It is the purity with which life is lived. Cooking, cleaning, studying, serving, speaking, and working can all become spiritual practices when done with love, awareness, and surrender.
This path also requires purity of thought. If the mind is filled with anger, greed, jealousy, and selfishness, it becomes difficult to feel God. Purity begins with small efforts. Speak gently. Avoid hurting others. Forgive quickly. Control desires. Be grateful. Remember God daily. These simple practices slowly remove inner darkness and make the heart ready for divine experience.
Living with God, living for God, living in God gives strength during difficult times. A devotee may face pain, delay, failure, or loss, but faith prevents complete despair. The heart understands that God’s wisdom is deeper than human understanding. Sometimes what looks like a problem becomes a lesson. Sometimes what looks like delay becomes protection. Sometimes what feels like loss opens the way to inner growth.
Gratitude is also an important part of this journey. A person who lives close to God sees blessings in ordinary things: breath, food, family, shelter, health, learning, and the chance to serve. Gratitude keeps the heart humble and joyful. It helps the devotee stop complaining constantly and start recognizing grace in every moment.
Living with God, living for God, living in God finally leads to inner freedom. The devotee becomes less dependent on outer situations for happiness. There is a deeper peace within, because life is rooted in divine remembrance. Such a person becomes gentle in speech, pure in intention, steady in difficulty, and loving toward all beings.
In the end, this sacred path is the journey from separation to union. First, we remember God as our protector. Then we offer our life to Him through service and surrender. Finally, we realize that He is the very life within us. When every thought becomes prayer, every action becomes worship, and every breath becomes remembrance, human life becomes divine.
Letter to Swami