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Beyond the Material Chase: Finding the Eternal Self

If you have ever wondered why your pursuit of success never feels like "enough," or why your soul seems to carry the weight of invisible sorrows, this discourse is for you. We often ask: How do I find contentment in a world that always demands more? Why does the soul suffer even if it is eternal? And how do I fix a broken present while being haunted by the past?


Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj addresses several spiritual questions from devotees. Here are the questions asked and the summaries of his answers:

Key Themes Explored:

  • The Contentment of the Soul: Why the pursuit of material wealth has no end and how to find peace in what you have.

  • The Reality of Suffering: Understanding how the soul experiences pain through the subtle body.

  • The Power of Positive Thought: How a pure heart naturally fosters optimism and divine connection.

1. I want to become a very rich and big person because there is no value without money. How can I manage this desire?

Answer: Maharaj Ji wisely points out that the desire for wealth has no finish line. If you become the richest person in India, you will want to be the richest in the world; if you reach that, you will want the power of the gods. The only way to win this race is to stop running. True wealth is Santosh (Contentment). When you are satisfied with what God provides, you become richer than any billionaire. Chanting God's Name is the only "wealth" that actually removes your inner poverty and protects you through every crisis.


2. What is Spirituality (Adhyatma) and how do we bring it into our daily lives?

Answer: Spirituality is the direct experience of your own Soul (Atma). It means becoming free from the influence of anger, greed, attachment, and ego. It is the realization that there is nothing in this universe but the Divine Brahman. To bring this into your life, you must stop acting on your own whims and start following the Agya (Instructions) of a true saint or Guru. By walking the path carved out by great souls, you avoid the traps of the mind and naturally reach the goal of self-realization.


3. If the Soul is beyond joy and sorrow, why do we experience pain in hell or pleasure in heaven after the body dies?

Answer: Maharaj Ji explains this using the analogy of a dream. When you sleep, your physical body stays in bed, yet your subtle body (Sukshma Sharir) experiences vivid joys or terrifying nightmares. Similarly, after death, the soul provides "power" to the subtle body, which then undergoes the results of its past karmas. While the Soul itself is never burned or cut, it continues to experience these "dream-like" sufferings until it is fully awakened through spiritual practice and purified of all sinful impressions.


4. How can I stop worrying about the past and the future?

Answer: Most people waste their lives dwelling on the past or fearing the future, thereby destroying their Present (Vartaman). Maharaj Ji teaches that if you improve your present, your past and future will automatically become pure. The only way to fix the present is through constant Naam Jap (Chanting). Chanting acts as a "guard" that prevents new sins from entering your heart. By focusing on God's Name right now, you clear the negative energy of your past and secure a divine future.


5. I have physical disabilities; should I pray for a healthy body in my next birth?

Answer: Seeking a healthy body in the next birth is a misguided goal. Maharaj Ji warns that a healthy body often leads to a life of worldly indulgence and further bondage. Instead, use this current body—regardless of its condition—to attain God in this very life. Devotion happens in the heart and through the tongue, not the limbs. He gives the example of Ashtavakra, who was physically deformed in eight places but became a supreme master of wisdom. Focus on your inner light, not your outer shell.


6. Why do I feel more lonely as I start walking the path of truth?

Answer: This "loneliness" is actually a sign of progress; it is Asangta (Non-attachment). A true seeker loves everyone but remains internally detached. Maharaj Ji encourages you to turn this loneliness into a companionship with God. In this world, everyone eventually leaves us, but God never does. By making the Divine your only true friend and confidant, you move from the pain of isolation to the bliss of solitude. You are never truly alone when you are with the Lord.


7. I have been studying Vedanta but I'm not progressing in meditation. Why?

Answer: Mere intellectual study of Vedanta is not enough to clear the "garbage" of lifetimes of impressions. Maharaj Ji explains that Naam Jap (Chanting) is the only way to purify the heart. Without a pure heart, the profound truths of Vedanta remain just words. All great saints attained self-realization through the power of Bhajan. First, cleanse your internal space with God's Name, and the realization of "Aham Brahmasmi" (I am Brahman) will naturally blossom.

Watch the full video here:


The Next Step: From Listening to Living

Maharaj Ji teaches that while thousands may hear the truth, true transformation only begins when we stop being passive observers and start applying these principles with surgical precision. Spiritual progress isn't about grand gestures; it’s about the fierce, quiet consistency of aligning your inner compass toward the Divine, breath by breath.

You don't need to change your clothes or your location to start your journey. You only need to change your direction.


How to Apply This Today:

  • Practice Contentment: For one full day, refrain from making any material demands. Tell yourself, "What I have is a gift, and it is enough."

  • Focus on the Present: Whenever your mind wanders to a past regret or a future worry, immediately bring it back to the present moment with three repetitions of God's Name.

  • Audit Your Inner Thoughts: Purity starts with what you think about others. Today, catch yourself before you criticize someone and replace that thought with a silent prayer for their welfare.


When you feel lonely on your spiritual path, how do you reconnect with the Divine presence in your life? Share your story below.


"The soul is not something to be earned; it is the truth to be remembered. Stop identifying with the temporary shell and the spark of the Divine within you will naturally become a flame."

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