Question: Two years back, by Lord’s grace, I got a chance to read Swami Vivekananda’s life and his Chicago speech. Since then I have been deeply interested in spirituality. But what is preventing my spiritual growth is what is know as “time sickness”. I always feel that I am at a lack of time. I can do everything in time and I also have lots of free time. But still I feel a serious lack of time, despite of my having no pending work. This keeps me always in a sense of anxiety. I used to feel that I should realise God in this very life itself but now this feeling also seems to be due to “time sickness”. I sincerely seek your help in this regard. I am a 22 year old male and am presently doing engineering in Chennai.

Question: I am living abroad. I am much interested in Advaitic philosophy and currently reading works of Vivekananda. I was blessed to have some good people around me to give guidance in this journey (Though the Law of the Land where I live does not allow any public religious activities). Also lucky to receive some great books from Ramakrishna Math. I wish to write many things to you and sure this will give me a good start. Currently I request you to help me on the following two items.
1. Though I read a lot books on Advaita especially from the works of Adi Sankara and Vivekananda, I find it very difficult to meditate. I tried with the audio cassettes from Ramakrishna Mission. The mind starts wavering and all other thoughts come to my mind. I do chant Vishnu Sahasranamam early morning almost every day, and a lot of other Slokas (Panchaksharms, Bhajagovindam, etc. taken from Sri Sankara’s collection) during the evening prayer. Since I am more interested in Advaitic philosophy where the Truth is above names and forms, do these chanting retard me in the Advaitic path?
2. This item is really disturbing me for the last few days and tried find an answer from many, but no clear answers. I am sure you will be able to help me in this.
This happened when I was talking to my friend who is a pure Krishna Bakta (a devotee of Lord Krishna), about my Advaitic views. I told him that I am Krishna / Vishnu Bakta but I wish to come out of the names and forms especially with the help of Adi Sankara’s teachings. His view / argument was that, there is nothing beyond Krishna and it is not possible to get rid of the forms and names, the highest is to surrender to him (Lord Krishna). Other than Krishna all others are demigods then he quoted a verse from Adi Sankara’s teaching itself as follows:
Sripad Sankaracharya writes the follwing in his Gita-Mahatmya (glorification of the Bhagavad Gita):
“Ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam
Eko devo Devaki-putra eva
Eko Mantras tasya namani yani
Karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva.”
“Let the world have one scripture: The Bhagavad-Gita. Let there one God be worshipped: Sri Krishna. Let there be one Mantra chanted: His holy names; and let there be only one activity: the devotional service of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.”
After reading this I am a little disturbed and confused, whether I am in the right path or not, because the above words are from Sankaracharya himself who talk about highest Advaitism. In Gita Bhagavan says that, “Those who worship demigods will reach them (demigods), but Mukthi is not possible till you reach me”. Here when he said pray me is that me stands for the Devaki-putra or the supreme Consciousness?

Question: The science today talks about heridity, genes, etc. to solve the problems of defects in birth, diseases etc. They are trying to talk tall about the DNA and chains, etc. But I do not understand how the theory will explain the different behaviour of the brothers born to the same parents both at different times and almost together (twins)? How one child is behaving differently from the other. I understand our philosphy states that “you choose your parents”.

Question: I have been practising meditation for few months, but I find after meditating for few minutes, the energy of both the mind & body diminishes so much that I have to discontinue. (I take nutrisitious food.) I find that lack of energy is a great obstacle to success. Please suggest something.

Question: It is said that Karma Yoga and Raja Yoga (the Path of Meditation) lead to the same end, but as in Raja Yoga one meditates and has certain expiriences to indicate his progress similarly do we have any bench marks to check progress in Karma Yoga.

Question: I am working as a Senior Software Engineer in Bangalore. I do practise meditation, Pranayama and Gayatri Japa daily. Kindly clarify me the following: How to develop desire to realise GOD. How I can move further in Sadhana (Spiritual Practice).

Question: Can females chant the Gayatri Mantra regularly?

Question: I have this curiosity in my mind. I have studied the Bhagavad Gita quite a lot. I have attended a lot of religious discourses. Certainly by observing Karma Yoga, etc., the world will be a better place to live in. What I am trying to say is that religion certainly without a doubt makes a man better. But is this the intended goal of religion, or is there certainly a Conscious & Watching Entity whom we call God? Is there a person in this year – say 2003 who can say without a single doubt in his mind that there is a GOD watching our activities. Also, since I am a Dvaitin, I will not be satisfied by an Advaitic answer.

Question: How to control our mind not to expect anything from others except doing our duty?

Question: I want to ask you a question I have always pondered on. Though I am a strong believer in God and the scriptures, sometimes I cannot but think that if man suffers or prospers according to his past karma, then why does one pray to God, I mean what could be the role of God? If he has committed a crime in his previous birth for which he is undergoing suffering, is there no way out for him? Surely, praying to God and asking his forgiveness for his previous sins (which he is not aware of in this birth) may help? Please guide me.
Another question I would like to know is that suppose A harms B. It is understood that it is the fate of B and ‘dushkarma’ (bad action) of A. Both seem to be contradictory to me, if it is the fate of B then how is it the ‘dushkarma of’ ‘A’? Again if the cycle of A harming B and vice versa goes on, does that mean that neither of them are at fault?. I do not know if I am able to frame my words and doubts properly. Still I expect guidance from you.