Role of Abhyasi - I - Bed Time Prayer

Bed Time Prayer

It is not necessary that we should repent everyday even though we do not feel any wrong done during the day. But we should feel repentant in having missed our Homeland and now caught up in a lot of messy situations from which we are not able to extricate. Please do note that prayer is the live link we have with our Master. I have found night prayer yields better results.

10th Commandment better compliance is required as Repentance and seeking forgiveness are the very foundations for developing the states of Devotion and Surrender later.

Clarifications on Bedtime Prayer

Q) I did not do this. I did not spend any time to think about this mistake and its correction. I will spend much more time in Bed Time Prayer.

A) Prayer ensures that we have a stable connection with the Master. It enables us to develop humility. That is the first sign of development of devotion. Please NEVER forget to offer prayer before going to bed.

Q) I feel my bedtime prayer is not effective, as I am not getting that helpless attitude. Is it because my surrender is not complete?

A) 'Pray that you pray and continue to pray so that prayer may continue' is my reply. It is good to feel helplessness- do not try to find why you are helpless- you will lose the game.

Q) I am getting a feeling in my bedtime prayer that I am volunteering for Master's service. I think I am saying "Master, Please use this servant in anyway useful"

A) The bedtime prayer should lead us to a state of submissiveness to the Master. It may not be proper to offer any prayer seeking Him to utilize our services separately. Humility when perfected leads to a state of Silence. And if this silent submissiveness is maintained after the prayer this naturally continues through the night and the time spent in sleep also becomes useful in our sadhana.

Q) Most of the times I was doing my Bedtime prayer or say the 10th commandment right after 9pm prayer and was going to bed after 10/15mins or some times may be after 30/45mins because of Kids or some times due to phone calls.etc.

A) Regarding the night prayer before going to bed it is the spirit of the commandment rather than the period of time spent on the prayer that is the criteria for evaluation. From that point you will find yourself better evaluated. While attending to the needs of children or others at home and elsewhere if you develop the attitude that the Master himself is attending to them the state of Prayer becomes easily established.

Q) If everything is based on Karma, What should I pray to Master during bedtime? Last time when I was at a gathering, I saw a small child wearing thick lenses, I really felt sorry for that. I thought I can pray to Master for helping the child. But I am confused?

A) Regarding the prayer the Commandment is clear that we repent for the wrongs done and seek forgiveness from God and we should resolve not to repeat such lapses. You seem to entertain an idea that prayer means asking something from God. If you read our prayer you will understand that we only seek oneness with Him. Articles on Prayer are there in our books and you may read them when time permits. It is true that law of Karma always operates. Master is clear on these matters as you can read from the Commentary on Ten Commandments.

Q) Sometimes waking up between 2am and 3am as if I have been woken up. In such cases I am trying to get lost in to the prayer on the bed to wait for the morning meditation time.

A) When we get remembered of Master, we should ensure our physical and mental purity and then pray.

Q) My sadhana/abhyas took a little sine curve over the past months. Due to my sloth (loss of viveka) and environmental pull I missed some mornings so the feeling of missing was very heavy on me. But there was this strange connection I felt with the Master even though I slipped in my abhyas some times. Something like a child knows parents always love and he loves them even though he commits mistakes sometimes; there was this unshakable faith in bonding with Him. I sought forgiveness for failing in my duty.

A) Yes. Environment particularly when it is shared with near and dear ones can cause such lapses. You are right that Masters love is always there but that should not lead us a state of complacency. Every lapse needs to be placed before the Master during night prayer and a strong determination has to be made that such lapses would not be allowed to happen.