HIGHROADS TO GOD

 
In an important sense, all walks of life and all paths ultimately lead but to the one Goal, meaning, God. All rivers enter into the ocean, in spite of the diverse directions in which they flow, and in spite of the many meanderings which characterize their paths.

However, there are certain highroads which take the pilgrim directly to his divine destination. They are important, because they avoid prolonged wanderings in the wilderness of complicated byways in which the pilgrim is often unnecessarily caught up.

The rituals and ceremonies of organized religions can lead the seeker only to the threshold of the true Inner Journey which proceeds along certain highroads. These remain distinct from each other for a very considerable distance, though toward the end, they all get merged in each other.

In the earlier phases, they remain distinct owing to the diversity of sanskaric contexts of individuals and the differences of their temperaments. In any case, it should be clear from the very beginning that, although the roads may be many, the goal is and always will be only one, meaning, attainment of Union with God.

The quickest of these highroads lies through the God-Man, who is consciously One with the Truth. In the God-Man, God reveals Himself in all His glory, with His infinite power, unfathomable knowledge, inexpressible bliss and eternal existence.

The path through the God-Man is available only to those fortunate ones who approach him in complete surrender and unswerving faith. Complete surrender to the God-Man is, however, possible only to the very advanced aspirants. But when this is not possible, the other highroads which can eventually win the grace of God are:

1. Love for God and intense longing to see Him and to be united with Him.

2. Being in constant company with saints and lovers of God and rendering them wholehearted service.

3. Avoiding lust, greed, anger, hatred and the temptations of power, fame and faultfinding.

4. Leaving everyone and everything in complete external renunciation, and in solitude, devoting oneself to fasting, prayer and meditation.

5. Carrying on all worldly duties with equal acceptance of success or failure, and with a pure heart and clean mind, and remaining unattached in the midst of intense activity.

6. Selfless service of humanity, without any thought of gain or reward.