How can I rise above selfish desires and develop true devotion?

[Shri Ganesh V. asked: Dear Swamiji! I am Ganesh V. from Mettur. I have read a couple of Your divine discourses. You have mentioned that one should worship the Human Incarnation without any selfish desire. Only then will the Lord be pleased and grant you His grace. Now, I’m helpless because I cannot think about anything other than my selfish needs. How do I develop true devotion towards You?]

Swami replied: You can attend to your selfish needs, which are also justified in this field of pravṛtti (worldly life). Pravṛtti stands as the basic foundation for nivṛtti (spiritual life). When you develop natural interest in the Human Incarnation, you will naturally develop devotion, which is both theoretical and practical. The practical devotion alone gives the practical fruit. The practical devotion is the sacrifice of the fruit of one’s work for God’s work and doing the service of propagating this wonderful spiritual knowledge. When you contribute to establishing peace in the world, in your little capacity, God will be pleased with you. Most important point is that you should sacrifice and serve without aspiring for anything in return. If God is pleased with you, you will be benefited here as well as there (hereafter). The aspiration for anything is unnecessary because it hinders the flow of God’s grace on you.

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| Shri Datta Swami | How can I rise above selfish desires and develop true devotion? |

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