How to become dear to God
Every person wishes to be liked by all. Animals, birds, and other creatures also show their appreciation when liked and loved. Nobody, not even animals like to be disliked. If they sense dislike they show it with negative gestures and emotions however subtle these may be.
Why do we like to be liked and dislike to be disliked?
The answer to this question is very deep and based upon Spiritual Truth. This is very well researched and documented in the different yogic scriptures of ancient India or “Bharatavarsh“. These yogic scriptures are known as The Upanishads.
Brihandaranayaka Upanishad
The most important prominent Upanishad dealing with this love aspect of the Creation is known as The Brihandaranayaka Upanishad. The famous Saint, Author of this spiritual scripture is Brahmarishi Yagnya Valkya. He was replying to the enigmatic question of his learned wife Maitri. He discussed in detail the relationships of husband and wife, possessor and possessions, owner and owned & dependents. In brief, the relationship between husband and wife, possessor, and possessions, is based on the feeling of oneness. The identification of oneness with different persons, between persons and objects, and the similar relationship of feelings is based on love for one’s own Soul or Spirit or the Power of God.
One feels love for others because one identifies those beloved persons or things or beings with one’s own self. It is because, though different beings appear different and separate they are all parts of the One Absolute, The Supreme Soul, or God. These appear different to the observer because the observations of ordinary people and animals are based on perceptions by the sense organs. The interpretation of these observations at on the memory in our brain. This memory is again conditioned and relative. It is not absolute and subject to frequent changes.
But the observation of the highly spiritual or God Realized persons or Saints are based on wisdom, truths of the spiritual knowledge. It is also based on own direct experience of the Truth of Oneness of the Creations. This direct experience of the Absolute Truth is based on constant spiritual practices of different methods of Sadhana. Real love is not possible without feelings of oneness. feelings of oneness will not come if there is no love. To love the Creation is to love The Creator or God or Soul or The Self. Those who really love God also love his Creations, i.e., His children. Those who love God and His children are also loved by God.
In the Holy Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna has described beautifully the characteristics of persons who are busy and active yet dear to God. It is true God loves all equally because He is the Father of all. Yet only a few of His children evolve sufficiently to reflect or project or live His Glory and Love. It comes automatically as great Souls, in spite of many hurdles and temptations, lives a spiritual life, and practice spirituality. They are never idle. In the following verses from the 12th Chapter of The Bhagavad Gita, we discuss the qualities of a person who is liked by God.
अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्र: करुण एव च |
THE BHAGAVAD GITA Chapter12 Verse13 – 14
निर्ममो निरहङ्कार: समदु:खसुख: क्षमी || 13||
सन्तुष्ट: सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चय: |
मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्यो मद्भक्त: स मे प्रिय: || 14||
adveṣhṭa sarva-bhutanam maitrah karuna eva cha
nirmamo nirahankarah sama-duhkha-sukhah kshami
santushtah satatam yogi yatatma dṛiḍha-nishchayah
mayy arpita-mano-buddhir yo mad-bhaktah sa me priyah
English Translation:
The person who has no hostility, who is kind and loving without any self-interest, who is free from egoism, me and my feelings, even-minded in pleasure and pain, is forgiving, is always free from any want or deficiency, he is in control of his mind and intellect to Me (God) is dearest to me.
THE BHAGAVAD GITA Chapter12 Verse15
यस्मान्नोद्विजते लोको लोकान्नोद्विजते च य: |
हर्षामर्षभयोद्वेगैर्मुक्तो य: स च मे प्रिय: || 15||
yasmān nodvijate loko lokan nodvijate cha yah
harṣhāmarsha-bhayodvegair mukto yah sa cha me priyah
English Translation:
He who does not cause disturbance and agitation to others and is not disturbed or agitated by others, he is not elated or excited, is free from fear and anxiety, such a devotee is dear to Me (God).
अनपेक्ष: शुचिर्दक्ष उदासीनो गतव्यथ: |
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी यो मद्भक्त: स मे प्रिय: || 16||anapekṣhaḥ śhuchir dakṣha udāsīno gata-vyathaḥ
THE BHAGAVAD GITA Chapter12 Verse16
sarvārambha-parityāgī yo mad-bhaktaḥ sa me priyaḥ
English Translation:
He who is free from
यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ् क्षति |
THE BHAGAVAD GITA Chapter12 Verse17
शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्य: स मे प्रिय: || 17||
yo na hṛiṣhyati na dveṣhṭi na śhochati na kāṅkṣhati
śhubhāśhubha-parityāgī bhaktimān yaḥ sa me priyaḥ
English Translation:
He who is not even-minded with joy, is free from hostility, never laments or resents, does not have cravings or desires, free from ideas of auspiciousness and in-auspiciousness, such a devotee is dear to Me (God).
सम: शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयो: |
THE BHAGAVAD GITA Chapter12 Verse18
शीतोष्णसुखदु:खेषु सम: सङ्गविवर्जित: || 18||
samaḥ śhatrau cha mitre cha tathā mānāpamānayoḥ
śhītoṣhṇa-sukha-duḥkheṣhu samaḥ saṅga-vivarjitaḥ
English Translation:
To whom there is no distinction between friend and enemy, is equally undisturbed in even-minded and dishonor, is undisturbed in cold and heat, pleasure or
तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित् |
THE BHAGAVAD GITA Chapter12 Verse19
अनिकेत: स्थिरमतिर्भक्तिमान्मे प्रियो नर: || 19||
tulya-nindā-stutir maunī santuṣhṭo yena kenachit
aniketaḥ sthira-matir bhaktimān me priyo naraḥ
English Translation:
He who is same in blame and praise, who is silent and with Divine thoughts, is satisfied with whatever is dispensed by God, is free from ego identification with property and wealth and free from mental attachments, such devotee of stable and calm is dear to Me (God).
ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते |
THE BHAGAVAD GITA Chapter12 Verse20
श्रद्दधाना मत्परमा भक्तास्तेऽतीव मे प्रिया: || 20||
ye tu dharmyāmṛitam idaṁ yathoktaṁ paryupāsate
śhraddadhānā mat-paramā bhaktās te ’tīva me priyāḥ
English Translation:
But those persons who with unwavering and deep faith in Me, practice the above lifestyle which is spiritual and without any selfish motive, they are dearest to Me (God). Lord Krishna, the teacher of The Holy Bhagavad Gita is the greatest Avatar of the One Supreme Being, God. It should not be confused with the term god( with a small ‘g’). As god written with a small ‘g’ denotes different aspects of one God, who is given different forms by the devotees. at is for the facilitation of love and faith which are the most essential components of spiritual practice.
There are 330 million such gods and goddesses in Hinduism. So the choice for a personal God is really large, so the people in India are so religious and spiritual. Each god signifies some power or aspects of God who has infinite power and aspects. The very much limited mind and intellect can’t even imagine, leave aside comprehending or understanding. Lord Krishna is God Himself descended to earth in human form with superhuman qualities, power, and glory. This was in order to teach the human being by way of instructing Arjuna, his friend, and disciple. He is considered the Master of all the Yogas.
The original Kriya Yoga that we practice and teach was first taught to the great Saintly Kings at the beginning of the creation of the human world. Then in Dvapara Yuga (the third great time of The Yugas), Lord Krishna through Arjuna passed it onto the human race. (1 Yuga =total 4 x 4 in 1 cycle of human creation).
In the Kali Yuga, Mahavatar Babaji through his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya passed it on to the human race again. This Kriya Yoga is an easy & balanced combination of the 5 major types of Yogas. So it is very effective and gives simultaneous physical, mental and spiritual benefits. As you all know the taste of a pie or a fruit or a nice food dish lies in eating it. So also the benefits of Kriya Yoga are in practicing it lovingly, correctly, and daily. Please practice Kriya Yoga daily in the right spirit and enjoy health & happiness, efficiency and solve your problem calmly and smilingly.
May the Almighty, working through Lord Krishna and Arjuna, Bless, Guide, Protect and Inspire you and remove your troubles.
With Love and Blessings to you. Humbly,
Paramahansa Atmananda Ji