Our Upanishads describe it as SATVASYA ESAH PRAVARTAKAH. (The Lord is the guide of the essence of all beings)

The power of this realization of constant presence of God beside us, has been recognized by all forms of sadhana and in all forms of spiritual philosophy. As soon as the mind recognizes His presence by the natural process - its own svabhava - the divinity within us awakens as if from slumber. The feeling is some what akin to as if a pleasant and uplifting euphoria starts creeping into us. It starts influencing our very nature and behaviour.

No great effort is required. Only willingness is needed.

And then what happens? When we are in the presence of our children for example, our behaviour pattern takes a form conducive to parent child relationship. We behave automatically like a parent. Similarly in the presence of your wife or husband you do not behave like a parent. The most conducive conjugal relationship governs your behaviour. If we are in the presence of our employer in the office our behaviour pattern changes into something further different. In the same manner the very thought of The Lord beside us, will shape our behaviour that will befit His presence and prohibit us from doing something improper. We all have experienced it when we visit a temple, a church or a mosque. The very idea that we are in the presence of God has a benevolent effect.

The effect is quite positive. As soon we imagine ourselves feeling his touch, sitting in his lap, engulfed in his arms, the very nature of divine scheme of things works. We voluntarily surrender and The God gladly accepts our offering and takes over to guide us in all our actions. In subtle ways instructions from him starts flowing in every conceivable situation.

You do not have to make an effort to listen to the inner voice. The inner voice makes itself audible to us. There is a bhajan (religious song) whose meaning is something like this. As you entered into me, you lit up my entire being. I glowed like a lantern. All the darkness around me vanished. I was lost and now I see my way by the light that is you within me.

So the key to the question is God awareness. To be aware of God's presence this moment beside me, next moment and all the moments of my life. Not for a fraction of time he is away from me. Right now I feel him, right now I touch him, I hear him all the time.

The potency of this medicine is so strong that many of our religious practices are built around this. Many of our religious acts often appear to be trivial, even ridiculous and criticized unnecessarily by those who do not know. But there is always a greater profundity hidden within.

The effect is quite positive. As soon we imagine ourselves feeling his touch, sitting in his lap, engulfed in his arms, the very nature of divine scheme of things works. We voluntarily surrender and The God gladly accepts our offering and takes over to guide us in all our actions. In subtle ways instructions from him starts flowing in every conceivable situation.

You do not have to make an effort to listen to the inner voice. The inner voice makes itself audible to us. There is a bhajan (religious song) whose meaning is something like this. As you entered into me, you lit up my entire being. I glowed like a lantern. All the darkness around me vanished. I was lost and now I see my way by the light that is you within me.

So the key to the question is God awareness. To be aware of God's presence this moment beside me, next moment and all the moments of my life. Not for a fraction of time he is away from me. Right now I feel him, right now I touch him, I hear him all the time.

The potency of this medicine is so strong that many of our religious practices are built around this. Many of our religious acts often appear to be trivial, even ridiculous and criticized unnecessarily by those who do not know. But there is always a greater profundity hidden within.

Why do we hang pictures of Gods and Goddesses on the walls of rooms in our house? It is to serve as a constant reminder to the presence of The Lord. Why do we name our children after the Gods and Goddesses ? It is for the same purpose. Why every house has a puja room or a worship corner? Why we build so many temples, mosques, gurdwaras or churches in every road corner? Why do we have so many religious functions every week? Every month? Why we are urged to do three times a day sandhya? Why five times a day Namaj. Why do we go to temples, churches, mosques or gurdwaras?