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Lesson VII: Bhakti Yoga.371
himself into a closer touch with the Absolute. No word may be uttered, but
the mental condition of prayer brings man into a form of union with God,
and allows the strength and wisdom of the Infinite to flow freely to him. And
yet most of us prefer to use words, and find them a great help in producing
the proper condition of mind. But the words are merely helps to that end.
God does not need to be spoken to in words—when the finite mind calls to
the Infinite Mind its message is heard and understood.
Prayer to be efficacious must not be mere lip-service—mere parrot-like
repetition of words, for such performances do not tend to open up the
mind to the inflow of the Divine Strength and Wisdom. One must have a
heart-to-heart talk with God. Not that God needs to be told what we want—
He knows far better than we do—but by a heartfelt confession and talk we
open up our mind properly—we uncover the empty vessels needing filling,
and the Divine pours into the void. The Divine Power and Wisdom is ours,
if we but open ourselves to it. That is all there is to it. It is as free as the
air and sunshine, but we must remove the barriers that we have erected.
We have imagined God to be afar off from us, and we must cultivate the
consciousness that he is right Here—Now. Talk to God as you would to
your Father, or Mother, or loved Child, or Friend, or Husband or Wife, or
Lover. He is all this and more, and whatever form represents to you the
closest relationship, that is the form to use. Realize the sense of the nearness
of God, and He will be near. Fine words are not necessary—use the same
words that you would in addressing the person dearest to you and who
loves you the best. God does not sit as a king on his throne, expecting you
to prostrate yourself at his feet and stammer out your message. He bids you
seat yourself beside Him, and He places His arm around you—makes you
feel at home—and you forget your fear and bashfulness and tell him your
story in your own words.
Do not imagine that God needs your advice or suggestions. You must
have the utmost confidence in Him, and know that He will abide with you,
and guide your steps. Your mind will be filled with the knowledge that will