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07/15/2002 Archived Entry: "7/13/02 Tapas"

Suggesting that I do not know what I can do to elevate my consciousness is a manifestation of my inertia with respect to the subject. Of course I know what to do. It is just that, as Newton says, a body at rest tends to stay at rest.

It is necessary to expend energy in order to generate energy. One must create spiritual heat (tapas) through the practice of spiritual discipline, in order to elevate oneself. While at the same time, one must be aware that spiritual elevation is an experience of Grace. It is not a given.

Spiritual practice, like everything else, should be done as an offering. In a sense it is a sacrifice, an offering to the Infinite Being, to one’s higher consciousness. The experience of higher consciousness is an act of Divine grace, and when experienced, should be accompanied by gratitude. It most especially, should not be regarded as something one has generated by one’s own efforts. Effort is good, and frequently required. But there is no guarantee that effort, without Grace, will produce the desired results.

So, what shall I do? First, it is time to practice a full morning sadhana for at least forty days, perhaps longer. That will require rising at 3:30 AM every morning, come what may (with respect to when I go to sleep), and doing all the pieces: Japji, exercises, chanting, meditation, Kirtan, Ardas, and taking a reading from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. This will begin tomorrow, July 14th. However, I do not think that is enough. For some it would be a great leap, but I have been doing this dance for over 32 years.

It is time for me to begin a "Sahaj Path," a regular (preferably daily) reading from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, starting at the beginning, and going all the way through to the end. I will make this a daily practice, and require at least 11 minutes a day of myself. I want to add one more thing, which is quite delightful, but which I have not been able to accomplish on a regular basis in the past. I would like to do a daily Kirtan practice with my wife Prabhu Nam Kaur, and reach the point that I could accompany her on a regular basis, when she performs Kirtan. I will commit to five days a week, which is riskier, than daily. If it does not work, then I will shift to doing it daily. I have, by the way, already asked her if she is willing to do this with me.

I generally recommend to yoga students that they not bite off too much, when they commit to establishing a regular daily practice, as it is so easy to set one’s goal too high. Then one sets oneself up for failure and the guilt monster. Yet, I think I can do all the above, with God’s Grace. It is what came to me at Solstice.

"After wandering and wandering,
O God, I have come:

I have entered your sanctuary.

O God: This is Nanak’s prayer:

Please: Attach me to Your
Devotional service."
(Sukhmani Sahib)