Mystic Mantra: The ocean of God's love surrounds us

Whenever we swim or sail in the ocean, the beautiful blue waters of the sea surround us on all sides. Just as while swimming we are surrounded by the ocean, every second of our lives we are also surrounded by the ocean of divine love. The ocean of God’s love surrounds us. It is not only around us, but within. It is to the right of us, the left of us, above us, below us and in us. If we could only have the eyes to see, we would find we are perpetually swimming in the ocean of God’s love.

What does life look like when we experience God’s love all around us?

First, our attention is absorbed in a state of love when we are in satsang. Satsang no longer becomes a place to which we go and sit for an hour and think about other problems or spend time criticising others. It is a place where we can rest our weary self and bask in a state of love. It is like taking a vacation to sit by the seaside and enjoy the ocean, free from the cares of the world. Satsang should be our vacation from the problems of life. During that time we should relax and bask in the spiritual waves of love lapping against our soul, like the gentle ocean waves at the beach.

The love of God is pouring out to us through the eyes of the Master. If we could open up, without any thoughts to distract us, we would feel that love flows to us. Any thoughts will block out the love flowing to us from God. That hour of satsang would recharge us with love to help us stay focused on God through the rest of the day or week.

Second, our attention should be absorbed in a state of love when we meditate. Meditation is not a dry chore in which we go through certain steps mechanically. It is a process of sitting in silence to bask in the love within. The silence helps us receive the love that is innate in our soul. We can then witness the light and sound of God within, which is also love. The current of light and sound is God’s love flowing out from God. When we see and hear the light and sound current, we are connecting our soul with a river of love that leads us back to the ocean of all love. Meditation should be a time in which we are connected with love. We should stay open to that love, without any distracting thoughts. Then, when we come out of meditation to do our worldly chores and responsibilities, that love stays with us. We then radiate our own love to others.

Third, our attention should be absorbed in a state of love when we do selfless service. Selfless service should be a time of sweetness in which we are serving the Lord in love. We can serve the Lord in love whether we are helping our brothers- and sisters-in-God, doing volunteer work for an organisation dedicated to helping people, or taking care of those in need. If we serve with an open heart as if serving God, then we will experience God’s love flowing through us while doing the sewa. If we catch ourselves having negative thoughts while doing selfless service, we should pull them back like we pull back a wayward dog trying to run when we want it to walk. In this way, we can enjoy the sweet fruits of sewa by experiencing the love and light of God within.

Fourth, our attention should be absorbed in a state of love as we go about our worldly life and work. We can remember God while doing our worldly tasks, experiencing love no matter what job we do. If we are doing physical work or mental work, we can stay attuned to the love within. That will help us work in a loving, cheerful manner and bring joy to others.

We should sit still in meditation with a still mind and total receptivity to receive the love of God pouring on us at all times. In this way, we will not be struggling to find the ocean of God, but instead will be consciously bathing in the bliss of full immersion in God’s ocean of love.