Growing in Relationship with God

Growing in Relationship with God

Now that we have established a relationship with God, let us see how to grow in that relationship and go close to him.

While we do pujas, bhajans, chant mantras and perform other rituals, the easiest way to go near God is by talking to Him very frequently. The more often we talk, the greater is our relationship with Him.

Scriptures talk about four kinds of relationships with god.

1. Relationship similar to that with parents or children (Vaatsalya Bhaava)
2. Relationship similar to that with a Guru, (Guru Bhaava)
3. Relationship similar to that with a Friend, (Sneha Bhaava) and
4. Relationship similar to that with a spouse (the Maadurya Bhaava).

While we can see god as our father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, guru or spouse, the easiest and the most open relationship is that of a friend, as friendship underlies every relationship.

We can choose any relationship but should talk to God in the emotion of that relationship. Talking emotionally is very important. Here, we should know that what we talk is not important. We can talk to God on any subject not necessary about scriptures or mythology or the so called god-related subjects. We can also talk to Him about office, relatives, the world economy, pollution, movies, film stars, stories, our girl-friends or boy friends, marriage, problems (any), our tastes, our beliefs, our interests, our perceptions – for that matter – anything. We should know and remember to talk anything and everything. In short, this is what we do in any friendship. This is what we should do with God too.

Unfortunately, most of us chose the subject to talk to God too (just as we chose subjects in other relationships to please others). It should not be so. We should be natural to talk any subject to God. Remember, God does not see what you talk. He only sees that you talk to Him. Here, talking is important and not the subject/content of that talk.

Next to talking comes the habit of relating things to Him. How do we relate to Him? We should remember that God answers our prayers and satisfies our needs through coincidences in our lives. Every small coincidence like getting a vehicle to transport you to the required destination or getting a good doctor or getting admission in a good institution, good profits or hike in a salary, promotion – every coincidence is Grace from God. Even the smallest occurrence in our lives like receiving a compliment for anything we are or we do, or a good thought to do a good deed, requires relating to God. The more we relate such simple things we get in life, the greater becomes our relationship with Him. This makes God think of us more often and shower us with more coincidences and even miracles. The more we understand that all the smaller things are given to us because God loves us, we receive more love from Him.

Many of us do not have the above habits. We should consciously practice these things in the beginning. Later on these things will come like a habit. The more you practice, the more closer you go to God.

Sri Bhagavan in His Mahavakyas says: “If you would realize that My Grace also comes to you as coincidences, then your love shall increase and the coincidences would become miracles”.


Question of a Devotee to Sri Bhagavan :

Bhagwan, in one of your Mahavakyas you said, ‘If you would realise my grace also comes to you as coincidences, your love shall increase and coincidences would become miracles’. How is that? (Nov 20)

Sri Bhagavan: See, I am helping you all the time throughout your life. You do not know how many times you have been saved, how many times you have been helped. But then if you manage to see it in a few occasions, then you would instantly start loving me because you love anybody who helps you. And the moment you start loving me, then you see I am giving you more grace. It is natural. When you see somebody is loving you, you give him something. So, the same thing happens here also. Since you are expressing your love, I also respond more. And as I keep responding more you will finally have Coincidences happen. It looks like coincidences…I have used the word coincidences because it is mild… it soon becomes big miracles. So, it depends upon how much is your bond. If you love me, I love you hundred times more, then, I will give you many things more and finally the big miracles. I function exactly like a human being does. If you love me – Oh! I feel very nice. If you praise me I loose my head. Even when it is false praise, even if you are taking me for a ride, I still fall. Happily fall! You can try this and see.