Daily Readings from the Works of Swami Venkatesananda


Venkatesa Daily Readings Vol 1 — Devotion

November 12, 2023

 Devotion

      How must I worship? Must I kneel down, bang my head on the floor? Must I fall flat on the ground, or offer a large donation? Do anything you like. What is demanded here is "with love in your heart". Whatever you give, whether it is just a fruit or a flower or a little water, it does not matter. What matters is love, devotion.

     What is devotion? It is being completely self-forgetful in some Scriptures, descriptions are given of great devotees of God who, in a strange state of ecstasy, have tears flowing down their faces. These are beautiful descriptions that are only external marks of ecstasy. How does one distinguish devotion from emotion? Look at the words. Emotion is externalized motion "I love him, I love her, I love it." When my consciousness flows outwards it is emotion.

     What is devotion? It is motion in depth within me. There should be no externalization. The opposite of emotion is devotion or depth; the fountain which sees the truth, which loves the truth which loves God deep within, not only here but everywhere, deep within. When I reach the depths of the image I suddenly realize that in the depths of all beings, including this being, there is God. How shall I worship God? In any manner I like.

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