One of the biggest mistakes that people make is they put the cart before the horse. It is a perpetual mistake in spirituality and thus no matter how much they desire to progress, they always remain stagnant or at best make a tiny step forward.
What do I mean by putting the cart before the horse? Let me give you a few examples
1) When we read about the life stories about great Saints, Jesus, Rama, Krishna, Ramkrishna, Yogananda, Vivekananda and read about their hardships, we automatically say “Well they had God or were God. So for them it was easier to endure the hardships”. The truth is because they endured without complaining and continued to pray deeper and deeper that they were in tune with God. It is true that initially when they endured it was in a “cast of clay” and later God made their endurance like iron. Thus, we have to learn to endure and ask God for strength and not ask God to solve our problems. So, we have to learn to endure to be closer with God and not think I want God to be with me before I endure.
2) When we endure, we often barter with God. We tell God, if I endure will you give me this and this and this? Again this is wrong. This is what is meant in the bible, “Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the temple” Money changers refers to the business men. This idea of telling God, I will endure or do this or do this rosary or mala and asking for something in return is Barter or being a businessman. God wants our unconditional surrender and love. This method of negotiation does NOT work.
3) In Shiv swarodaya or when we do the Sohum kriya or Hung Sau technique, the breathing slows down. We try to slow the breathing thinking we will get to God. The truth is when we get closer to God, the breathing slows down automatically
4) We tell and pray to God, show me that you love me so I can love you back. God answers, “I already love you, you just dont see it. Give me all of your love unconditionally and then my love for you which is hidden will become obvious every second of the day”
5) We tell and think, “God, I will be nice when I know for sure you exist” God says, “Be nice and then you will know for sure I exist”
One can have countless such examples. The bottom line is, we have to try OUR VERY BEST SINCERELY, then and only then will God show us all of his greatness and love in all its glory. He knows it is not easy for us and we have to struggle. But all we have to do is keep trying sincerely and with all our might!
Bhavin