Realization is spontaneous. There is actually nothing any one does or can do to "attain" Realization. For, in reality, there is no individual entity apart from the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient ONE. So, where is the question of a separate entity if all is ONE. In that case, the topic of today's discussion is an oxymoron, isn't it? It seems to be a total contradiction of what is just said above. So, why is it important to have devotion even after so-called Realization?
While Realization of one's own True Nature is effortless, becoming established or abiding in the Reality is not so. The pull of Maya (illusion) is very strong. All of this is Maya. This discussion and the quest for Realization is all part of Maya. The Ego is a ghost but a strong ghost. It has established its identity and strength over time and there is no way the Ego is giving up without a fight. In fact, this is well established in all ancient mythological stories as the fight between the good and the evil. The evil in this case would be the Ego. Strangely, it is the ego fighting the ego, since this entire play is happening in the mind (which is nothing but the ego itself!). Confusing? Well, this is where the ego eventually wins over if not guarded against. The mind will create all types of thoughts which will doubt the very Realization. While one may have an Understanding, the trap of the Ego is ever present. True Realization comes when the Ego does not rise up anymore.
This is where the Guru comes to the rescue as always. Constant devotion to the Guru is a must to remain established in Reality. Constant devotion is no different than constant attention to the Guru. Even though the Guru may be thought of as a form (Saguna), it is intuitively known that the Guru is the formless Light who is within all (Nirguna). Remember that all forms and manifestation arise from the formless Unmanifest. There is no difference between form and formless. The formless is the Satguru. For the mind, it may be easy to express devotion to the Guru with a form. It does not matter so long as devotion is directed towards the Guru. Praying to the Guru and having one's attention directed towards the Guru at all times is absolutely essential in remaining established in one's own Reality.
May the Satguru pull you within into the Ocean of Bliss and Peace.
The author remains eternally grateful and pays his obeisance at the feet of the Satguru, who in the manifest form appeared as Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj to reveal the Truth.
