What does one see? Either we see nothing or we see selectively. I read a story about Swami Sivananda and I was completely silenced. Swami Sivananda practiced what he preached.

He was self-aware and conscious about each and every creature on this earth. Whenever he saw a girlchild or woman, he would chant Devi’s name. It was his second breath, or if not first breath. His ashram flourished and yet he did not ask anyone for anything.

A scholar visited him from the south of India and commented on the wealth and comfort in the ashram. He said to Swami Sivananda that he must be worshipping Tripura Sundari. Swami Sivananda said that he chanted a few names of the Goddess in his prayers daily. He never did any special pujas. And yes, he recognized the Goddess in every female, he saw.

The other most extraordinary thing about Swamiji was that he acknowledged the presence of God in everything. He would take great care with his possessions because there were God’s creations. Nothing of his ever broke as he was so careful. He was always full of joy.

Dear ones, we can try to emulate him and recognize the divine all around us.

Aim Hrim Klim