Everything is possible with divine grace (1of 2)

Good morning friends. They said that everything is possible with divine grace. Yes it’s true, even some don’t believe in it.

Grace plays a significant role in our spiritual evolution. So say seers and scriptures. The Katha Upanishad mentions that only one who is chosen by the atman or consciousness, realizes the Truth.

Ramana Maharshi mentions that God's ways are inscrutable. In the presence of the Sun, which is ever shining, some buds blossom, not all. The fault however does not lie with the Sun, though it is true that the bud cannot blossom by itself. It requires the sunlight to do it. Grace is thus recognized as a key ingredient for deliverance.

Faith and unconditional surrender help us to receive Divine Grace. Whether it is meditation, prayer, introspection or self-enquiry, the route used would depend on a person's temperament and inclination. What is encouraging is that sincere steps taken on the spiritual path lead to progress that we might not even be aware of.

Psychiatrist Scott Peck who wrote The Road Less Travelled reveals an interesting perspective to the aspect of Grace and healing. He points out that much as one examines, the workings of Grace cannot be ascribed to a set pattern. Try as we might to obtain grace, it may elude us, yet it might find us when least expected. He talks of neurotic patients who, on an average, are easier to treat than those who suffer social behavior disorders.

Surprisingly, he also reports of cases of complete turnaround amongst psychosis patients, while those suffering from the milder forms of neurosis have made insignificant progress, despite prolonged treatment. The element helping the revival process has been identified as the "will to grow" akin to earnestness and faith demonstrated by a spiritual aspirant. This concept again has an element of mystery shrouding it as evidence is rather inconclusive on the dominant role of parental nurturing and love.

Find the right track to achieve bliss (2)

In other words, we have the choice. Until we try ourselves to get rid of the "shackles of misery", no divine power can come to our rescue. Our gurus can only show us the way, but the real "action" is in our hands.

Therefore, the Buddha presented the path of Sila or ethical conduct, Samadhi or meditation and Panna or wisdom as the means to purify the mind. These are quite often referred to as the threefold training or tividhasikkha system; but none of these is an end in itself. Each one is only a means to an end. And these three means go together.

Sila strengthens one's mental discipline. So does samadhi. And the two lead to panna. It is wisdom that differentiates us from other life forms. It enables us to see life as it is, arising and passing away. The materialistic world has too many temptations. Our desire for fame, name, wealth and power has led us far away from the path of deliverance. Hatred, distrust and violence is the outcome of the lack of understanding of life. Our love for the gratification of senses has led to our experiencing bankruptcy of mind.

However, a little more determination can still put us on to the right path. The Buddha's Eightfold Path can help us realise our objectives. The path to deliverance is difficult only for those who avoid it. Constant heedfulness and mindfulness can make the path easy to track. These practices are a way of life, and not just an "add-on" to life. Those who try to live life through moral, spiritual and intellectual perfection are the ones who will be the ultimate reapers of happiness and bliss. Self-discipline in body, mind and word go a long way in helping one get closer to reality of life. –The Times of India