The easiest and the most difficult means of God realization

A disciple asked the spiritual master, “Dear Sir, what is the most difficult and the most easiest means of God realization?”

“Naam jaapa, chanting the God's name is the easiest and at the same time, the most difficult means of God realization,” answered the master.

After a brief silence, the master continued, “Chanting the God's name seems to be difficult to those who attempt it without gaining the proper understanding of the spiritual knowledge of the Self and the God. It seems challenging to those who are still indulged in the worldly pleasures from within, but try to chant the holy name in futile. It seems tough to those who have not yet experienced the peace associated with the selfless service and whose actions are only focused on the material gain. It seems difficult to those who have never met a Self realized saint, never listened to the words of inner wisdom and who are ignorant about the inner peace.”

After glancing at the nod from the disciple, the master continued, “It's like the son of a sheppard who told his school teacher, “Sir, please don't ask me to write one to hundred. I would do anything for you. I would herd a hundred sheep for you whole day. I would do all your household chores for whole day. But, please don't make me write one to hundred. Its very difficult for me.””

“Once he learned how to write and after some practice, he repented that, “How foolish was I, when I used to consider herding a hundred sheep easier than writing one to hundred.””

After a brief pause, the holy man continued, “After listening to the deep words of wisdom from the Self realized saints, after gaining proper understanding of the Self and the God, after purifying the heart by means of selfless service and meditation, a true seeker begins to relish the peace and bliss associated with the remembrance of the holy name. With practice of chanting the holy name, his affinity towards the inner peace increases and his viewpoint of the outer world begins to change. Such a pure hearted seeker, whose intellect begins to shine with the true spiritual wisdom, begins to repent just like that son of the sheppard, “ How foolish was I when I used to consider chanting the holy name difficult. Now, after realizing the peace and bliss associated with the chanting the holy name, I can't even live without it.”

While describing the highest form of chanting, Saint Kabirji recited in hindi:

     Haath se japu, na mukh se japu, na ur se japu mai Ram;

     Ram sada mujh ko jape, mai pau vishram.

     Translation: Neither by hands, nor my mouth, nor by mind, I chant the name of God;

     God continuously chants me, and I rejoice in peace.

To read more about the types of chanting, please read by earlier blog: What do I gain by chanting?