(from The Technique of Maha Yoga.)
4. GRACE:
Sri Bhagavan once said, 'What is Grace? It is a function of God.' Like rays of the Sun, Grace is always functioning. There is not a
moment when it is not. But it is dependent on the receptivity of the individual to partake of it. What contributes to the receptivity
of Grace in the individual? It is Suddha Chittam (pure mind), caused by several factors namely, love for fellow human beings, and sympathy
to human suffering, resulting in charitable acts to the extent possible, pilgrimages, bath in holy waters, worship of God by singing
praise of Him, japa, pranayama, meditation etc,, Like a schoolboy moving from a lower to a higher class, by qualifying himself for it,
this chitta suddhi of varying nature, develops the spirituality of the individual, step by step, and Grace aids him by guiding him. Grace is
very manifest, when there is sraddha (earnestness). With increase in bhakti, japa, and meditation, the individual becomes very
receptive to Grace. He experiences it and attributes every good, material and spiritual, to this overwhelming Grace. This in turn,
induces absolute surrender and immediate rejection of any thought of conscious planning.
One engrossed in worldliness is impervious to Grace.
concluded.
Arunachala Siva.