Jay: Should we worship or meditate every day, Grandma, or just on Sundays?
Grandma: Children should do some form of worship, prayer, or meditation everyday. Good habits must be formed early.
Jay: You said that God is formless but also has forms. Should I worship God as Rāma, Krishna, Shiva, Durgā, or should I worship a formless God?
Grandma: Arjuna asked Lord Krishna the same question in the Gita (Gita 12.01). Krishna told Arjuna that worship of God with a form with faith is easier and better for most people, especially for the beginners. But a true devotee has faith in everything: the formless
God, and God with a form, such as Rāma, Krishna, Hanumāna, Shiva, and the Divine Mother Kāli, Durgā.
Jay: How should I worship, Grandma?
Grandma: Go to the worship or meditation room before going to school and pray. Sit straight, close your eyes, take a few slow and deep breaths, remember your IshtaDeva and ask his or her blessing. Focusing your mind on your IshtaDeva with eyes closed is called meditation. You may also silently repeat a mantra such as ‘OM’ or ‘Rām, Rām, Rām, Rām, Rām’ a few times.
Jay: When I start to meditate, I can’t concentrate my mind, Grandma. My mind starts to go everywhere. What should I do?
Grandma: Don’t worry, this even happens to adults. Try to concentrate or focus again and again. With practice, you will be able to focus your mind well, not only on God but also on your study materials. This will help you get good grades. You can also pray to God and worship by offering fruits, flowers, etc. to your IshtaDeva with love. Also, remember the Lord of learning, such as Lord Ganesha, Hanumāna, or Mother Sarasvati before starting your studies. Don’t be selfish. Work hard. Accept the results of your work without getting upset by bad results. Try to learn from your failures. Never give up and improve yourself.
Jay: Is that all I have to do, Grandma? Did Krishna say anything else?
Grandma: You should also develop good habits such as obeying your parents, helping others in need, not hurting anybody, being friendly to all, saying sorry or asking forgiveness if you hurt anyone, keeping your mind calm, being grateful to those who have helped you, and saying thank you. God loves and helps those who act in this way. Such people are called devotees or Bhakta (Gita 12.13-19). If you don’t have any one of these good habits, try to develop them (Gita 12.20).