Page 18 - Imperience Beckons

same state prevails during all his worldly engagements without the least disturbance or interruption. "I do not ask you to detach yourself from the world but only to attend to everything with a conscious idea of the Divine." (A poet's view.) If a person develops that state of mind he is constantly in a state of prayer, which implies he has realized his own serfdom and the Lord's Mastership and has established a permanent link of devotion. Everyone can attain this state but only after sufficient practice. He who acquires it abides in the state of supplication permanently. He is at liberty to put up humbly before the Master anything he likes. Everyone has to assume that state at the time of prayer; then alone is the prayer accepted. This is the relationship of love which having been established in the sphere of self extends up to that of the Master. This is the link which once established is never severed. But still the final destination is far off, though the power of thought, which is enormously great, makes it easily accessible. Remembrance brings a lover close to the beloved. There is no limit to this closeness. The greater the love or affinity, the more does one advance towards Him. This relationship comes to us by inheritance. Now it is up to us to develop it as far as to secure utmost nearness to Him. The state of prayer is that of a devotee and it is strengthened by love. This constitutes the first step in the ladder which helps us to climb up to the Ultimate. All stages or states of spiritual advancement are within it.
No particular time is fixed for the prayer. One can do it when he feels inclined to it or else he should try to create a disposition for it when required. One should always pray to Him alone who is the Master in the true sense. I do not think it proper to pray to the slaves, i.e., to those powers which are subordinate to man and which are potentialised by him. The ravages of time have now reduced them to a consumptive state. It is also sheer folly to pray to the Great Master for worldly gains except in most special cases. Of course it is right to pray to the Master for that which is ordained. This comes under the rule of true etiquette and signifies our acceptance of Him as the Master, entrusting to Him our entire self.
Now for the form of prayer which may ensure the greatest good to everyone. I may say that one should be brought to the same state of mind which is usually developed at the time of prayer. The feeling that he as a true servant approaches the Great Master in the humble capacity of an insignificant beggar must be engrossed upon his mind. He may put up everything before his Master, resigning himself completely to His will. In other words he may assume his real form after surrendering everything to the Master. He should withdraw himself from all sides and turn completely towards Him losing all worldly charms. The