Prayer versus Introspection

Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

Viswam: Swamiji, then 'praying to God, as though He were an external entity' and 'thinking deliberately with earnestness and depth' have the same effect –  is it? What then is the difference between the two?

Swamiji: In actual fact, the two processes are exactly identical. You may wonder how. I shall explain. Herein lies the supreme synthesis between all the religious points of view and the spiritual philosophisation.

The effect of prayer made by any one is directly proportional to the nature and depth with which the devotee prays. Nature and depth are both features, which belong to the subject part of the individual. These, in turn, depend upon the composition and expression of one's individuality.

Prayers are always addressed, by those who pray, to the same God. Yet the outcomes they produce widely differ. The difference cannot be ascribed to the source to which they are offered. Naturally the variance can rest only with the other sources, namely those who pray. Individuals always differ, which fact gives rise to differences in their prayerful expressions. These differences of theirs are alone responsible for the different degrees and kinds of fruition, which prayers bring about, sooner or later.

Now, we have come away from God, to the devotees, individuals, themselves. God, remaining uniform or neutral in all cases, the individuals alone are the significant contribution in both making the prayers and ensuring their effectiveness.

Compare now this position with the other, in which one thinks deliberately with keenness and depth. Whether it is deliberate, feelingful thoughts raised by you, or earnest prayers offered to God, the factor which originates the processes and the factor which determines their efficacy, both, are yourself – your earnestness, feeling, depth and the like. So where is the emphasis then?

Those who feel like praying, let them pray. Those who wish to think in their own subjective manner, let them do so equally. God, on His part, has nothing to be resentful, competitive or jealous about. Limitations and particularities are solely mankind's, not the Creator's. All that He wants and looks to is the rightness of behaviour, by which the individual human will be helped, delighted and fulfilled. He has given ample freedom for every one to make his choice, evolve his process, and realize the beneficial fruition.

Viswam: Why then exist the two methods – subjective introspection and devoted prayer?

Swamiji: Well, you should have instantly felt the answer too. If only one method was there, was available, it would have been an imposition on the great human dignity and potential. As God is free, He means His intelligent creation too must be free. The freedom in both cases is circumscribed to a measure and in a manner. God always operates within the framework of His creation. Does He not?

In the same way, mankind too has to work freely no doubt, but within the specific nature in which they find themselves.

Observe the world, understand its variety in every sphere, assess properly your own individual status and structure and then decide the manner of your pursuit, in any walk of life. By using your understanding powers, thereupon utilizing them to pursue your specific path, you will not be doing any injustice or offence to any one, much less to your Great Good Creator.

If the path of prayer, of utter humility, of dependence, is what suits you, use it well and be governed by it every time. But in this you are not saved from your own subjective compulsions. The prayer has to be earnest, timely, full-ranged – all these are qualities, which relate to you. Once these are there, then your effort, namely prayer, will become fruitful. If there is delay, be more earnest and patient alike. Leave the fruition to take care of itself!

The actual course is that of invoking your own deeper resources against the sudden, superficial and fleeting temptations or urges. The confrontation is from your own body, personality. Prayer is only a medium through which the process is sought to be worked.

[This Question-Answer session is an extract from the article titled ‘Sannyasa – Further Insight’
that appeared in April 1983 issue of the monthly journal ‘Vicharasetu – The Path of Introspection’]

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