Read Book - Avatar Meher Baba Trust

62 THE PATH OF LOVE
Some persons may be so constituted that they can readily
take to the second stage of Bhakti Yoga, without having passed
through the first stage. But whether the devotee has or has not
passed through the first stage, in the beginning of the second
stage, he has to make vigorous efforts in thinking about the
Almighty as much and as often as possible. The efforts must be
continued until he becomes above efforts; and he becomes above
efforts only when worship from the heart becomes his second
nature. He who can naturally worship from the heart without
finding it necessary to make artificial efforts, may justifiably be
said to have attained to higher Bhakti.
Let it be noted that it is not necessary for a man to stop
carrying out his worldly duties and obligations, to achieve or to
practice this higher Bhakti. He may conduct his business or follow
his profession, he may lead the family life and look after all
his necessary external requirements; but amidst all his worldly
engagements he should ever be alert on the Lord. The more he
can remember the object of the heart-worship, along with the
routine work of his everyday life, the better for him. Besides reiterating
the name of the Almighty in the ordinary manner, the
seeker of the subjective, spiritual sidelights in the second, more
advanced stage of Bhakti Yoga should make it a rule to retire into
a dark room all alone for about a couple of hours every night.
During this period of retirement he must try to avoid all
thoughts save that of “I want You, O Lord,” and repeat continuously
any one of the names of the Almighty which he has
adopted for the purpose of Nam-Smaran.
This is the best course open for those who neither feel satisfied
with objective worship, nor can afford to renounce all for