Keep Out the Five Thieves

We try to protect our homes from intruders, but are we taking care to keep the five thieves of negative qualities from entering our inner home? They sneak into our being, causing us to be angry and be deceitful. They make us greedy and selfish. They cause us to be intolerant. They make us egotistical. They rob us of spirituality. How do we get rid of these thieves? When all else fails, prayer succeeds. Prayer is an act of humility. Simran, or repeating the name of God, can help chase away the five thieves. It can prevent anger from sneaking in. We will become calm and peaceful. The desire to be selfish will be replaced with an urge to help others. We will be filled with humility. Being in the presence of one who radiates spirituality can also change the tendency of our mind. Not only do we gain when we are in the company of saints, but through meditation on the inner Light and Sound of God, our mind is stilled and the soul remains unperturbed by wayward thoughts. It can stay concentrated on the inner Light and Sound long enough to transcend physical body consciousness. From there, it can soar into the divine regions within. We can find security by attending satsang. The benefit of satsang is that it is a place where we can leave our worries by the door. It gives our soul a chance to connect with the God-power within. The atmosphere in a satsang is so charged and wonderful that we can carry it back with us. It becomes an inner retreat where we can return to and find that still place within.

Source: Economic Times, 4/01/2019