Dedicated to the lotus feet of the divine Guru Shivabalayogi Maharaj

Personal Effort, Grace and Satsanga – Q&A, No. 245

Recorded on 23 August 2025 with worldwide participants

0:00 Intro
0:15 Babaji’s comment on the quote from Yoga Vasistha: “In the whole of creation, there is no force more powerful than personal effort in the present.”
8:36 If that peace is the mind’s natural state, why does it take effort to attain it?
14:43 If one puts in efforts, is there a danger you will develop a false spiritual pride?
17:44 Is grace something which is a Divine blessing, a gift which is not earned, not because of efforts?
23:16 Are there certain qualities you can associate with a person who is receptive?
27:00 What does Babaji mean when He uses the word satsanga?
28:34 Is satsanga a form of sadhana?
30:37 Some people say that when in Babaji’s presence, their mind settles and their questions go away. Can we have that same experience when not in Babaji’s physical presence?
33:16 Shri Ramana, using his grace and power, confirmed his mother had attained Self Realisation despite not completing Tapas, the same with Lakshmi, the cow at the Ashram.
37:15 How do we know when we have put in enough effort and when to surrender and let god carry on; Divine will versus one’s own egotistic will.
38:40 What is the meaning of ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’?
39:44 If you speak truth all the time, can one experience god?
41:06 To attain grace do you need a personal deity or mantra? How does grace unfold simply by watching in meditation?
42:28 Can one do Tapas and attain silence while chanting a mantra?
45:24 A devotee asks who to take as a Guru, Shivabalayogi or Babaji.
46:22 While sitting for mediation, is there any particular hand mudra to adopt?
47:30 Is patience during sadhana a self-effort which will grant grace?

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