A Definate Way to Contact God
by Swami Sivananda
The fact that there is a technique such as Yoga practices, whereby Cosmic Consciousness can be attained is in itself proof that higher sense is indeed an inherent faculty of all men, needing but the necessary training to call it forth. Most people believe that divine Knowledge comes to only a few chosen people, and that the average man can approach no nearer to God than his ‘faith’ will take him. Realisation that there is a definite way to contact God, a technique usable by all men in all circumstances, has come with such a liberating shock to students of Hindu spiritual science that they feel they have undergone a new birth.
I have one such case in mind. An American man who, as soon as he had heard the Yogoda Message brought to America by Swami Yogananda of India was swept up into Cosmic Consciousness. This student was possessed of intense religious faith and aspiration. Though well read in the sacred scriptures of the world, especially those of the Hindus, he knew that this intellectual knowledge was barren and stony; it did not feed the soul‑hunger within him. He did not wish merely to read about spiritual food, but to taste it. Under the even tenor of his days there yawned a black abyss of despair-despair that he was worthy of any direct contact with God, since no such experience was given him. He finally came to doubt not God, but the possibility that he would ever be able to have more than an intellectual comprehension of Him. This conviction struck at the roots of his life and made it seem a worthless and meaningless thing.
Into this dark night of his soul came a dazzling light brought by the teacher from India. The student felt the heavy weight of despair lifting from his heart. Returning to his home one night from the last of the public lectures, he was conscious of a great peace within himself. He felt that in some deep fundamental way he had become a different person. An impulse urged him to look into a mirror in his room, that he might see the new man. There he saw not his own face, but the face of the Hindu teacher whose lecture he had attended that evening.
The flood‑gate of joy broke in his soul; he was inundated with waves of indescribable ecstasy. Words that had been merely words to him before-bliss, immortality, eternity, truth, divine love-became, in the twinkling of an eye, the core of his being, the essence of his life, the only possible reality. Realisation that these deep, everlasting founts of joy existed in every heart, that this immortal life underlay all the mortality of humanity, that this eternal, all‑inclusive love enveloped and supported and guided every particle, every atom of creation burst upon him with a surety and divine certainty that caused his whole being to pour forth in a flood of praise and gratitude.
He knew, not with his mind alone, but with his heart and soul, with every cell and molecule of his body. The sublime splendour and joy of this discovery were so vast that he felt that centuries, millenniums, countless aeons of suffering were as nothing, as less than nothing, if by such means that bliss could be obtained. Sin, sorrow, death-these were but words now, words without meaning, words swallowed up by joy as minnows by the seven seas.
A Definite Way to Contact God | Spiritual Guide
Faith is one of the greatest strengths a seeker can possess. Every sincere prayer, every pure thought, and every selfless action brings the soul closer to the Divine. A Definate Way to Contact God is not found through complicated rituals or intellectual debates, but through a heart filled with devotion, purity, and unwavering faith. When the mind becomes calm and the heart is free from selfish desires, the presence of God is naturally experienced. Great saints like Swami Sivananda repeatedly emphasized that the Divine is always within us, waiting to be realized through disciplined spiritual living.
The journey described in A Definate Way to Contact God begins with inner transformation. External worship has its place, but true spiritual progress happens when thoughts, words, and actions become pure. Daily prayer, meditation, chanting the Divine Name, and selfless service gradually remove ignorance and awaken the light of wisdom. As negative tendencies fade away, the seeker develops peace, compassion, and love for all beings, recognizing the same Divine presence everywhere.
A sincere aspirant should cultivate regular spiritual practices with patience and determination. Spiritual growth does not happen overnight; it is the result of continuous effort and complete surrender to God’s will. Reading the teachings of realized masters, maintaining good company, and living a life of truth and simplicity strengthen the connection with the Supreme. A Definate Way to Contact God is therefore not a secret technique but a disciplined lifestyle rooted in purity, humility, and devotion.
Every challenge in life can become an opportunity for spiritual evolution when accepted with faith. Instead of complaining about difficulties, a devotee learns to see them as lessons sent by the Divine for inner purification. Gratitude, forgiveness, and contentment create an atmosphere where divine grace naturally flows. As the ego weakens, the heart becomes a fitting temple for God’s presence. This understanding transforms ordinary life into a sacred journey filled with purpose and joy.
The teachings of Swami Sivananda inspire seekers to remember God throughout the day, whether working, serving others, or sitting quietly in meditation. Constant remembrance gradually removes fear, anxiety, and attachment. A Definate Way to Contact God lies in making every action an offering to the Supreme. Such a life develops inner strength, unwavering faith, and lasting peace that cannot be disturbed by external circumstances.
The wisdom preserved by Devotional India continues to inspire countless spiritual aspirants who wish to deepen their relationship with the Divine through authentic teachings. By following the timeless principles of devotion, self-discipline, meditation, and selfless service, every seeker can experience the nearness of God. The spiritual heritage shared through Devotional India reminds us that God is never far away. The Divine responds immediately to a sincere heart filled with love, faith, purity, and complete surrender.
A Definate Way to Contact God