There are many seekers who keep on practicing for several years. But, they do not get any results. Whereas others experience good fruits. It is possible to acquire any knowledge if and only if there is total concentration on that. Else, even if one practices for several years, all of that will go in vain. Likewise, to progress further in spirituality, one must get rid of the worldly attachments. This does not mean that everyone has to become a saint. One has to become detached just like a water droplet does not stick to a lotus leaf. The behaviour must be devoid of the passion towards the world. Only then, such people acquire the eligibility to attain salvation. This can also be compared to the worldly matters. For instance, let us discuss this story.

Once, few drunkards drank heavily. That was a very beautiful full moon day. Hence, all of them went to the banks of a river for passing time. Since it was midnight, there were no people around. There was only one boat. Since it was already too late in the night, the ferryman left home by tying the boat to a pole. These drunkards sat in the boat and were propelling it with the help of oars. They felt extremely happy. Because of being drunk, the boat journey was a joyful ride for them. The boat was going on and on and they kept propelling it with the help of oars. The entire night passed away like this. When sun rose in the morning, all of them came out of intoxication. One of them wanted to know how far they were from the river bank. So, he got down the boat. When he observed, he realized that one end of the boat was tied to a pole. He laughed aloud. The others wanted to know the reason for his laugh. He said, "Come here and you will surely understand." All of them came out of the boat and observed. They understood the reality that the boat was tied and that nobody released it. In reality, they have not travelled anywhere. They were at the same place. This was their state!

Likewise, you will remain where ever you are till you have the worldly attachments and passion on trivial matters. It means that your boat named "Sādhana" (spiritual practice) is tied to a pole. You cannot attain salvation. So, while you do your worldly duties, you must practice to turn your love from the samsāra (worldly matters) towards God which implies that you must focus your mind on God. Only then, it means that your boat has moved forward and your sādhana has progressed well. Many people keep on doing japa (continuous chanting of hymns) They keep on chanting - Om Aim Hrīm Srīm Siva Rama Anaghā Dattaya namaha. But, the mind is not at all focussed. It is enough even if the mind is focussed for even a second on one name in the hymn. Many chant - Hare Rama hare Krishna and in between ask someone to pick up the phone call. While they chant, they ask for coffee or worry about the bus timings. What is the use of that? Where is the concentration? You are at the same place. Your spiritual practice has not progressed. You have experienced happiness. Your mind was not focussed on God. It did not travel towards God. The mind is like a boat. It is tied at one place only - the Samsāra. We must divert it from there. We must untie the rope. That rope indicated the attachment towards the samsāra. Only when untie it, it will fly away towards God. It will merge in the five elements. That is why, when we greet someone with "Jaya guru Datta", keep your mind on God for at least a second. We will reach him. The mind gradually becomes closer to God. Instead of that, what is the use if you say that you have chanted God's names when your mind is elsewhere, when you talk something, when you eat something, when you wear something and when you drive. It is just the physical strain. It is like kicking the air. What is the use for you if you kick air? It is just like that.

Jai Guru Datta! Sri Guru Datta!