LOVING THE DIVINE Part – Twenty Nine

LOVING THE DIVINE

People determine the nature of the Divine, through the categories of logic and dialectics. But, intellect cannot grasp it; reason cannot delve into it. For, both are shaped by one’s prejudices and predispositions. We appreciate only what we like; we see only what we would like to see. “When prayer is answered and one gets what one desires, God is real; when they are not answered, God is a fake, a figment of the imagination.” Arjuna acclaimed Krishna as the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient God, when the foe was defeated, day after day. But, when his son Abhimanyu was killed in the conflict, he raved in his grief that Krishna had not guided him properly and guarded him efficiently. His mind wavered with every wind of fortune. To many, the mind is the master of the intellect also. One must be vigilant, and preserve the impartiality of the instrument called Reason or Intellect. Clarify Reason; then, it will reveal God everywhere, even in you. Once you accept God as the core of the Universe and yourself, have that faith strong and steady.

When one chooses a life partner nowadays, the first consideration is paid to exter¬nal beauty and charm. Next, the economic position is taken as the basis. How rich is he or she? How much does he or she earn? Questions like, ‘How far are they educated?’ ‘What is the social status of the families to which they belong?’, are asked later. Carried off by mere external frills, people enter into wedlock, and get entangled in misery or a destructive family life. The family cannot be stable if it is built on such slender foundation. Prime importance has to be paid to the fundamental requisites of a good character, high ideals of tolerance and forbearance, love and service. When beauty fades or wealth wanes, the bond too becomes less strong.

It is the same with the God whom you choose, adore and yearn to live with. You should not choose God for the benefits He can shower on you. Do not expect God to satisfy your worldly or material ambitions; and, when they are not realised, do not desert the Path towards God. “Baba! Appear in my dream this night!” you demand, and, if it does not happen, He is not Sai Baba, he is Rai Baba (Stone Baba); and, you go in search of some other God who will be at your beck and call. You must hold on to your faith, whatever might happen, success or failure, appointment or disappointment. When God who is your very core is irremovably fixed in your consciousness, there will be no room for elation or dejection. God is bliss, and when God is the undying spring in you, you will ever have Bliss. – Baba

LOVING THE DIVINE – A sacred path of devotion, surrender, and inner peace

LOVING THE DIVINE is not only an emotion; it is a way of living with purity, humility, faith, and compassion. Many people say they love God, but true love for the Divine must be seen in thoughts, words, actions, and daily behavior. It is not limited to prayer, worship, rituals, or sacred songs. It becomes real when the heart becomes soft, the mind becomes peaceful, and life becomes useful to others.

The first sign of LOVING THE DIVINE is sincerity. God does not look at outer show, costly offerings, or beautiful words. The Divine looks at the feeling behind every action. A simple prayer offered with a pure heart is more powerful than a grand ritual done for pride. A small act of kindness done silently can be greater than a loud display of devotion. True love does not need advertisement; it shines naturally through character.

LOVING THE DIVINE also means seeing God in all beings. If we love God but hurt people, ignore the poor, insult the weak, or speak harshly to others, our devotion remains incomplete. The same divine presence lives in every heart. Therefore, kindness toward people, compassion toward animals, respect for elders, and care for nature are all forms of worship. The devotee who understands this does not separate prayer from service.

Love for God becomes stronger through truth. A person cannot come close to the Divine while living with dishonesty, selfishness, and falsehood. Truth purifies the mind and gives courage to the heart. Falsehood may give temporary comfort, but it creates fear within. When thoughts, words, and actions become honest, devotion becomes deeper. A truthful life is one of the most beautiful offerings to God.

LOVING THE DIVINE requires control of ego. Ego says, “I am great, I know everything, I deserve praise.” Devotion says, “Everything comes from God, and I am only an instrument.” The more ego reduces, the more love grows. A humble devotee does not feel superior because of knowledge, worship, service, or spiritual experiences. Humility keeps the heart open to grace.

Prayer is an important part of this sacred path. Prayer does not always need long words. A silent tear, a grateful thought, a humble request, or a simple remembrance of God can become prayer when it comes from the heart. Prayer gives strength during sorrow, patience during delay, and courage during difficulty. It reminds us that we are never alone.

LOVING THE DIVINE also teaches surrender. Surrender does not mean laziness or weakness. It means doing our 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. God’s timing may not always match our wishes, but it always carries deeper wisdom.

Service is one of the purest expressions of devotion. Feeding the hungry, helping the sick, comforting the sad, guiding the confused, and supporting the weak become sacred actions when done with love. God does not need anything from us, but His creation needs compassion. Hands that serve with humility are as holy as lips that pray with devotion.

LOVING THE DIVINE means remembering God not only in trouble, but also in joy. Many people pray deeply during pain and forget God when life becomes comfortable. True devotion remains steady in both situations. In sorrow, it seeks strength. In happiness, it expresses gratitude. A grateful heart sees every breath, every meal, every protection, and every opportunity as a blessing.

This path also asks us to control desires. A restless mind keeps asking for more comfort, more praise, more wealth, and more success. Desire has no end when it is not guided by wisdom. Contentment brings peace. It does not mean lack of effort; it means knowing the difference between need and greed. A contented devotee lives simply, works sincerely, and remains thankful.

LOVING THE DIVINE slowly transforms the heart. Anger becomes patience, pride becomes humility, fear becomes faith, and selfishness becomes service. This transformation is the real proof of devotion. A person may speak beautifully about God, but if behavior remains harsh and selfish, love has not yet entered deeply. True devotion changes daily life.

In the end, love for God is the highest wealth. It gives peace that the world cannot give and strength that difficulties cannot destroy. When a person lives with truth, kindness, prayer, surrender, service, and gratitude, every action becomes worship. The heart becomes a temple, life becomes an offering, and the devotee begins to feel the Divine not as distant, but as lovingly present in every moment.