On Receiving Real Satsang, Change is Inevitable

Ram Ram
Hare Krishna
Radhe Radhe
A manager or owner of a business at the end of day takes stock of all sales/income/expense/stock in/stock out etc...
Likewise, the spiritual path also requires the serious sadhaka (Spiritual aspirant) to take stock of their progress...even more so ...in the twilight of the new year approaching one needs to introspect and reflect on where we are compared to before.  
Spiritually....
        it does not matter how materially richer we have become in the past year
        It does not matter how many promotions we have had in the past year
        it does not matter how many friends we have made in the past year
        it does not matter how much donations we have given in the last year
        it does not even matter how many "religious" programs we have attended in the last year
What does matter is...
        has the love for the LORD increased in the past year?
        have I lovingly chanted more and more names of the LORD in the past year?
                have I done more selfless service at the feet of Thakurji and Shri Guru in the past year?
                have I improved as a person.?
Would like to share a nice writing by Swami Shri Ram Sukhdasji on this occasion.       
Question:  Inspite of hearing many things in Satsang (gospel, truths from exalted souls), in our relationships during our associations and dealings, we become pleased (raag)and displeased (dvesh),  what to do? 
Answer:  In relating with others, if you become pleased and displeased, it is childishness.   When children play they collect dirt and create mounds , little hills and houses etc, and then they draw a line in certain areas indicating this land is mine and that on the other side is yours.  
If another child takes a little piece of land out of that, then there is a fight over it.  Why did you take away my land?  This is not yours, it is mine.  Some grown-up arrives at the scene and asks the children why are you fighting?  The child says,  I first drew the line in this area,  therefore it is mine.  Now the grown person suggests they should divide the land in a particular manner, and then both children become happy with the proposed solution.  In the mean time the mother calls out,  "Children, lunch time is here!"  Both the children leave the land to go for lunch.  They have now nothing to do with that land! 
Similarly we too say,  this wealth is mine,  this property is mine.  As such it is neither mine,  nor yours.  It is a play, it is a show.  One day you will have to leave everything and go away.  There will be no remembrance at all of these things. Not in the least bit.  In previous life,  what was our house like,  what was our family, do you remember it now?   In the world, not a single thing is personal "vyaktigat".  Just like a dharmashaala is for everyone.  Therefore the houses stay right there, the land stays right there, but the persons keep changing. 
Your attention should go towards these points.  If one who is engaged in satsang,  if he does not pay attention to such things then who will?   On one hand you are doing satsang,  and on the other you have likes, dislikes, become pleased and displeased (raag-dvesh), then true satsang (company of truth, exalted souls) has not taken place, you have not understood the satsang,  even a whiff (trace, smell) of satsang  has not reached you!  If getting pleased-displeased (likes-dislikes), having desires-anger are not reduced after satsang, then how else will they be reduced?  If there is no change, no improvement in the outlook, the sentiments, in the behavior and conduct, then what type of satsang have you done ! 
You have simply wasted your time!  It is impossible that on engaging in satsang,  that there is no change whatsoever.  If you do satsang,  there will definitely be a change.  If there is no change, then you have not received real (asli) satsang.  On receiving real satsang (association of Truth or exalted Souls),  change is inevitable (one cannot remain without being changed). 
From "Manav Maatre Kalyaan ke Liye"  in Hindi pg 67-68 by Swami Ramsukhdasji.
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TIll the next time we meet in the name of LORD!
ys Deepak
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
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