Category: The Satsang Life
Power of Repentance: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
“If a person has performed the prescribed atonement, then whoever still considers him a sinner should himself be known as a sinner.” – Gadhada Section 1, Number 10 We all make mistakes, but Bhagwan Swaminarayan emphasizes the power of repentance. When a person has performed the prescribed atonement, they should no longer be seen as a sinner. Holding onto their past and continuing to judge them makes us the real sinners. Forgiveness and acceptance are divine qualities. True wisdom lies in freeing ourselves from judgment and seeing others through the lens of compassion. When we embrace this mindset, we cultivate inner peace and uplift [Read More…]
Ignorance and Suffering: Lessons from Gunatitanand Swami
“There are two miseries in this world, the lack of food and clothing, or that they cannot be digested or used. Apart from these, all miseries are due to ignorance.” Swamini Vat Section 2, Number 71. There are two true miseries in this world: the lack of food and clothing or the inability to use and digest them. These are fundamental needs, essential for survival. Beyond these, most sufferings arise from ignorance. Misunderstandings, unnecessary worries, and emotional burdens are often the result of a lack of awareness. When we fail to see things clearly, we create struggles that could have been avoided. [Read More…]
The Power of Self-Reflection: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
“The jiva looks at objects externally, but it does not look at its own self.” – Gadhada Section 1, Number 20. The jiva (soul) constantly looks outward, seeking material objects and judging others, yet it rarely turns inward to examine itself. Bhagwan Swaminarayan calls this ignorance. True wisdom begins with self-awareness. How often do we pause and reflect on our own thoughts, actions, and purpose? We search for answers in the external world, but the real clarity lies within us. When we take the time to understand ourselves, we unlock the wisdom we have been seeking all along. Let’s pause, reflect, and embark on the journey [Read More…]
Avoid Judging Others: Lessons from Gunatitanand Swami
“Serve according to one’s own faith, but never do disservice. What is that disservice? To perceive faults in others.” Swamini Vat Section 2, Number 132 Service is a reflection of our faith and devotion. It is not just about actions but the intent behind them. True service comes from humility, not superiority. One of the greatest disservices we can do is to perceive faults in others. When we judge, we shift our focus from serving to criticizing. This weakens our spirit and derails our purpose. Instead, let’s cultivate a mindset of upliftment. Service is about love, kindness, and devotion. When we let go of judgment, [Read More…]
Purity Through Service: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
“If the senses are engaged in the service of God and His devotee, then the inner self is purified, and the sins that have been attached to the soul since time immemorial are destroyed. Serving others by seeing God in them can be a spiritual cleanse.” – GadhadaSection 1, Number – 8. In a world where stress, negativity, and emotional burdens seem to accumulate endlessly, finding true inner peace can feel like an impossible task. Yet, Bhagwan Swaminarayan offers a profound yet simple solution—purity through service. By engaging the senses in the service of God and His devotees, the inner self undergoes a transformative purification, [Read More…]
Mastering the Mind: Lessons from Gunatitanand Swami
“Some are controlled by the mind, while some control the mind.” – Gunatitanand Swami (Swamini Vat 4.119) This powerful statement serves as a daily reminder to introspect: Are we allowing our mind to dictate our actions, or are we guiding it with discipline and wisdom? The mind is a constant force—either a master that leads us astray or a servant that empowers us. When unchecked, it can drag us toward distractions, impulses, and fleeting desires. But when disciplined with wisdom and spiritual insight, it becomes a tool for clarity, purpose, and true inner freedom. Mastery over the mind is not [Read More…]
Transforming Jealousy into Growth: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
Jealousy—it’s a feeling we all encounter. It creeps in when we see someone else’s success, virtues, or accomplishments. But Bhagwan Swaminarayan offers us a profound way to deal with it: transform jealousy into an opportunity for personal growth. In Gadhada Section 1, Number 4, He says, “One should imbibe the virtues of the person towards whom one is jealous.” Instead of letting jealousy fester into resentment, we can use it as a mirror to reflect on ourselves. What is it about this person that evokes envy? Is it their discipline, kindness, or resilience? Focus on learning from them, adapting their [Read More…]
The Power of Words: Lessons from Gunatitanand Swami
In our day-to-day lives, the words we choose carry a weight that we often overlook. Every interaction, every conversation, holds the potential to uplift or to harm. Gunatitanand Swami, the first spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, shared a profound insight on this subject in Swamini Vat, Section 5, Number 163: “Speak truthful, beneficial, and affectionate words, and speak without contempt, but do not speak with insistence.” This simple guidance is a reminder of the impact that our words can have on others and on ourselves. Words, when spoken truthfully and with kindness, have the power to heal and uplift. Gunatitanand [Read More…]
Choosing Light Over Darkness: Lessons from the Vachanamrut
A Fistful of Sand: The Power of Positivity and Self-Reflection Imagine standing on a sunlit beach, the warm sand under your feet. You gather a fistful of sand and hurl it toward the sun, only to find it falling back into your eyes. This vivid imagery, used by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, captures a profound truth about human behavior. When we insult or demean others, we are not harming them—we are harming ourselves. Just as the sun’s radiance remains unaffected by the thrown sand, a person’s true light and worth remain untouched by negativity. The act of criticism or insult is like [Read More…]
Power of Repentance: Lessons from the Vachanamrut