Part 1
The meditation techniques included in this book are not intended to be a substitute for medical attention, examination, diagnosis or treatment. If someone tries these techniques without prior participation in the meditation programs, they shall be doing so entirely at their own risk; the author is not responsible for the consequences of their actions.
A man prays to God every day, 'O God, I don't have enough money. Please help me win a big lottery worth at least ten million rupees! If I win, I promise you, I will offer 20 percent of my winnings at your shrine. If you don't believe me, please deduct 2 million for yourself, and give me only the remaining 8 million.'
All our dealings are exactly like this – a mere business! It may not be so obvious in our lives, but if you deeply analyse your attitude of prayer, you will understand that you have a business deal with everyone, including God.
A small story:
One day a poor man went to Emperor Akbar's palace.
He wanted to request Akbar to give him some money for his son's studies.
Akbar was known for not turning away anyone who asked for help.
When the man reached the palace, he saw that Akbar was offering his prayers to God. He turned away without asking for anything. But Akbar spotted him and called him back. He asked him, 'Why are you leaving without asking for anything?'
The man replied, 'Your Majesty, I came to ask you for alms, but saw that you yourself were begging!'
If you observe our prayers, you will realize that we actually only beg. We simply ask, ask and ask. Our prayer is nothing but a begging bowl. We beg for material things, for smooth relationships, for power, for achieving our goals, for physical beauty, and what not.
We are asking for something or the other continuously in our minds. In fact we are so much in tune with asking, that it has become an unconscious process within us and we might not even accept that we are asking. We don't even see it as asking. It has become a natural way of life! We have become very involved in it and therefore unable to distance ourselves from it and see it with a fresh mind.
Understand that there are only two kinds of religion in the world; religions based on prayer, and religions based on gratitude.
The religion of prayer is all about asking God for something or other. It can be followed by the masses, because it is very much in tune with our asking attitude. It is in tune with the conditioning that has gone on inside us from a young age. Asking is the prayer that we have been taught since we were children. It seems like the most natural way to approach God or Existence.
On the other hand, the religion of gratitude is based on just an overwhelming gratitude from within, towards God or Existence. It is quite contrary to what is taught to us from childhood. We have always been taught to thank only for what we receive, that's all. We have been taught gratitude as social etiquette; nothing more than that!
There are only two kinds of religion in the world; religions based on prayer, and religions based on gratitude.
How then can we be thankful all the time? It is too much to digest! That is why these religions of gratitude are followed only by a select few.
Only a few meditative religions, like Buddhism, Sufism, Hinduism and Jainism touch upon gratitude. These religions have very few followers, but the quality of the followers is high.
There is nothing wrong with prayer, but getting stuck in the act of asking while praying is where the trouble starts. Prayer should be used as a jumping board to enter into meditation; a meditation where gratitude becomes prayer and your being becomes bliss!
You might think, 'Giving your gratitude can be a social habit, but how can it be a meditation?' You will understand what I mean when you actually start giving your gratitude. When you start giving your gratitude, you will understand the value of
Prayer should be used as a jumping board to enter into meditation; a meditation where gratitude becomes prayer and your being becomes bliss! your life.
I tell you: You are only aware of the people who are directly responsible for providing and caring for you. But during all these times and thousands of other times that you are not even aware of, you are helped, protected, and cared for by Existence, by the cosmos, by the universal energy.
You always think that whatever was given to you was either because you deserved it or because it was an accident. When you start seeing and feeling the invisible hand of Existence taking care of you, you will understand that you are wanted here by Existence. Only then you will understand that you are being showered upon continuously by Existence.
The fact that you are alive is enough to show that Existence wants you here and cares for you. It is only when you don't understand this, you feel dull and depressed and keep asking as if you are the most deprived person in the world.
If you listen from your being to what is said here, you will be able to tune yourself and become sensitive to the wonderful giving ways of Existence!