Ashwini asked Shri Nimishananda Guruji, “Why is a Sadhak asked to become childlike, Pujya Guruji?”

Shri Nimishananda Guruji said, “Children are open and innocent. Innocence leads to Divine sense. Divine sense in turn establishes innocence. Simplicity and innocence have great power.

That is why the Sankalpa (resolution) of children is so powerful. To become childlike, we must realise that we are not perfect and accept ourselves as we are. Then the ego disappears.

Since we no longer have to project an image, we are always open to learning. Wisdom is showered upon us. A child asks its mother only for her love and attention. If its mother is preoccupied for a while with something else, the child does its best to attract her attention and focus it back upon itself.

Likewise, just ask one thing to God, “May your gaze ever be fixed upon me, My Lord.

Krishna’s Mother Yashoda looked upon Him as her son and did not realise His Divine Stature. Lord Krishna charmed her with his mischievous pranks. When she was unable to tolerate His naughtiness, she would impose some punishment to discipline Him.

As long as she petted Him or scolded Him, Krishna continued to behave like a human child.

One day Yashoda realised that neither cajolery nor threats had any impact on Krishna. She could not really control His behavior and thereby unknowingly surrendered to Him. It was only when she reached this state of internal surrender that Lord Krishna allowed her to have a glimpse of the three worlds within His Mouth. What do we learn from this?

Neither praise nor blame will win His Grace. Only complete surrender can do that.

Venkataram, a building contractor by profession asked, “Pujya Guruji, the hundred good words that we utter are undone by one bad word. Why does this happen?”

Shri Nimishananda Guruji said, “The entire satsangh last Sunday was about this. Since you were not present, you can ask one of the devotees who were there. In the meanwhile, you can ponder over this. If your hundred good words are reinforced up by spiritual Sadhana, then they bear a rich harvest and the bad word hardly makes any impact. However, if you do not perform any spiritual Sadhana, all your good words will be outweighed by one bad word.”

Venkatram said, “Pujya Guruji, this is another common experience that most devotees have. We invite many of our friends and acquaintances to visit the Ashram with us. Most of them come once or twice and then stop.”

Source: The New Indian Express, DT. June 15, 2013.