Chapter Fourteen: The Importance of Friendship

Maitri nu mahatva

All those who have been selected by a genuine brahmswaroop will have their prarabhdas (fate) directed and ordained by the swaroop as is deemed necessary for the  purification of their soul.  This is a continuous process driven by the prayers and sankalpas of the brahmswaroop which we call ‘sakar brahm ni leela – otherwise known as the purification of the soul. 

Just as water is essential for a fish to survive, without water a fish would die, it lives, eats and breathes in the water – it does everything in the water.  In the same way, it is essential that we should be able to observe the brahm ni leela in our sadhanas and live accordingly, as inspired by the Lord. 

Whatever obstacles  (i.e. a person, a force, an organisation, an opinion, or own characteristic)  prevents us from observing this ‘leela is our swabhav – our ego.  It will take a different form for each person.  We will have to become our own guru, probe deeply, introspect and seek out this obstacle.  Whatever causes us to feel disturbed and unhappy, become biased, to neglect our convictions and to become insincere towards our pratyaksh swaroop – that is our ego.  This will differ for each individual.  One should note down one’s own weakness so that it will serve as a helpful warning which will save us from neglecting our convictions and taking offence of others etc.

99% of the time we act as inspired by the pratyaksh swaroop, but the 1% of the time when we act as guided by our ego, actually obliterates everything we  strive to achieve and have achieved.  In order to avoid this we should constantly be aware of our weaknesses.  Also we should establish a friendship with someone whom we will heed and obey and whose fundamental characteristics are opposite to ours.  It is of utmost importance that in times of crisis we should heed the advice of such a friend and act accordingly without any question or doubt.  We should remain humble towards that friend when asking for advice and should always bear in mind that whatever they advise will be for the best.  Thus act  totally according to the advice given, with commitment, complete faith and sincerity and your ego will be dissolved.  If you behave in this manner then it shows that you have acknowledged your ego to be your prime enemy.

Our mind is as sinister and corrupt as the devil, it is our enemy.  It will lead us to ask for guidance when we know we are 99% correct or innocent.  However, where our weakness is concerned and we have formed a habit of acting as inspired by our swabhav (ego) – we will not ask for guidance, or only ask in a clever manner which  will ensure that we can continue acting as we please.

May the Lord give us the guidance and strength to avoid such deception.  May he shower us with the gift of divine innocence and remove any self-deception so that we can all experience the peace, bliss and happiness of  ‘Gunatit Chetna.’