Baba says, “You have to “pass with respect.” Lakshmi and Narayan “passed with respect.”

When asked, everyone says they want to become Lakshmi and Narayan. God says, “That takes effort; To be Lakshmi and Narayan, you have to pass with respect.”

Every single day, we are faced with exams, both big and small. How well I do on these exams determines whether I am on the path to attaining my goal of becoming Lakshmi and Narayan. Sure, it is the final moments that lead us to the final destination but how well I do in those final moments is determined by how well practiced or prepared I am. If I am passing the daily exams with respect, then I am well positioned to pass with respect in the final too.

So, what does it mean to pass with “respect”? It means to face any situation or handle any circumstance while situated in my self-respect. As a child of God, I am a victorious soul, a carefree emperor, a jewel of contentment. I am meant to enjoy my life no matter what the situation or circumstance because His knowledge provides answers to all questions and His constant companionship ensures I am never alone in any storm. “Constantly have the intoxication in your intellects of being Shiv Baba’s children and studying Raja Yoga and claiming your inheritance of heaven from Him.“, He says. This intoxication comes from faith and where there is faith, there is victory, there is freedom from fear and worry, there is contentment. When I have faith that I am a child of God, not an orphan, I cannot help but be intoxicated. When I have faith in what He is making me, I will be obedient and follow His directions. If I simply say ‘Baba, Baba..’ but don’t really believe deeply in my bones that He is indeed my Father, then I will not experience His presence or His closeness, and as a result will lack the power to follow through on His directions for my life. Without following His directions, I cannot reach my goal.

His first direction is: Consider yourself a soul and remember Me alone. But if I lack the faith that I am in truth an incorporeal soul, then I will continue to identify as a name, social status, job title, education, nationality, religion, beliefs etc. These identities, because of being temporary and false, bring fear, worry, stress, bitterness and resentment and thereby take me away from victory, freedom and contentment. Similarly, God says, “Don’t give sorrow or take sorrow.” While most of us do well on the first part- don’t give sorrow’, we don’t do as well on the second part. When we feel insulted, betrayed or maybe find ourselves in a difficult circumstance such as a financial crisis or illness, we complain: “Why me!?, How could they do this to me after all I’ve done for them!?, When will this circumstance change?” Baba says, “Whatever happens in the drama, it is filled with benefit. Those who are sensible cannot have questions such as, “Why?” or “What?”. Benefit merged in any loss. When you have the Father’s company and His hand, there cannot be any loss. Stay seated on the seat of your self-respect and you will not become distressed.” To allow myself to be distressed is not passing with respect. To sing the praises of Baba when everything is going well is easy. But can I keep the faith and sing His praises even during the storm? Can I still enjoy my life, remain light knowing He is in control even during the tough times? If I can, then I am already operating from a place of victory. That, is royalty. That, is passing with respect.

Baba says, “Giving respect is receiving respect. Give respect and regard to all.” We understand that intellectually but putting it into practice takes power which comes from experiencing the deep love of God. Similarly, He asks me to forgive that person who betrayed me. If I respond with “Them? After what they did to me?” or “Is this really God telling me…”, then I have failed. Meera didn’t have to be told to forgive her opposers – she was falsely accused, banished, poisoned, betrayed and yet she forgave. She realized that people were acting out of ignorance and so all she felt toward them was mercy- not anger or bitterness. She didn’t allow any incident or person to come between her and the Beloved. Father Brahma was the same way- He too forgave those who opposed him. “Where there are other matters, there cannot be the remembrance of Father.“, says Baba, “always remember that you are a charitable soul.” Most of us don’t face nearly as much opposition as Meera or Baba and yet, we allow ourselves to hold onto grudges, feel bitter and resentful. This is not a victorious attitude; this is the mindset of a victim. This is not the sign of an emperor; it is the sign of a beggar.

The final exam is near. Am I going to allow trivial matters and people to distract me from my goal? “It is when you don’t keep the honor (shaan) of your self-respect that you become distressed (pareshaan). It may be a small paper tiger that comes, and yet you become distressed. Therefore, remain constantly stable on the seat of self-respect and you will never become distressed.”, explains Baba.

I receive the kingdom of heaven by studying Raja Yoga- the study to become an emperor. But whether I actually become an emperor – Lakshmi and Narayan or a subject in their kingdom depends on whether I simply pass through the confluence age or if I pass with respect.