From the Letters of Swami Yatishwarananda

(The following are the excerpts from the letters, Revered Swami Yatishwaranandaji Maharaj wrote to Swami Brahmeshananda when the latter was a student. We are thankful to Swami Brahmeshananda for making the letters available to Prabuddha Bharata.)

From the letter dated 24 August 1963 from Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bangalore

About your spiritual practice, please do it regularly, though it may be for a short time. At other times, during your spare moments, try to keep the thought of the Supreme Spirit with you with the help of the Mantra or a Shloka or a simple prayer or a devotional song that appeals to you. This will gradually lead you towards the inner transformation which is essential for attaining spiritual progress. The Supreme Spirit is Sat-Chit-Ananda. The more you think of Him, the more you imbibe His Divine Presence, love and knowledge.

You have asked a very pertinent question. Does everyone following the spiritual path feel lonely? This may happen in the beginning when one is following the negative practice of trying to give up one’s attachment for worldly relation and things. However, true renunciation not only includes this negative attitude but also positively it means love for the Supreme Spirit and Its manifestations. What is important is the elimination of attachment and spiritualisation of all forms of love. This becomes possible as our love for the Lord becomes deep and we learn to connect all other loves with the Love Divine.