13 Apr 2004 @ 17:00, by Raymond Powers
In Jai Uttal's recent Bhakti Files newsletter he had this to say:
Recently, some friends and I have been discussing the subject of 'grace': god's grace, guru's grace......... Of course, everyone has their own ideas. Some think grace is a result of effort. Some say it's a matter of karma. To me it seems that grace is an expression of the unconditional, causeless love of the guru or god for his/her children. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with karma. Guru's grace can eradicate karma in an instant. It is beyond cause and effect. Nor does it seem to have much to do with effort. We read about great yogis with supernatural powers falling into the endless mire of ego. Grace is god's gift to us, regardless of who we are or what we've done. It is a gift that brings us closer to him. It is an unending stream of blessings coming from the great heart of the universe. It is the glance of the guru. It is a smile from the beloved. Perhaps all that is asked of us is to be grateful, to simply say "thankyou", to appreciate the blessings in our own lives........ Of course, this is just my opinion. The only one who really knows what grace is is the one who bestows it. Only the sun truly knows it's own radiance, it's own heat. Only the moon truly knows the gentleness of it's rays. But through grace, we get little tastes, little reflections of the infinite splendor of god......
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