The problem with spiritual preaching is that most often the preacher lacks authority of enunciation as evident in his weak verbal assertions, the lack of conviction in his voice. Apologists attempting to speak spiritual truths merely confirm the doubts of the sceptics instead of dispelling them.
Householders usually lack the power to convey deep spiritual truths as they have not lived the truths in their lives. Even monks lack the power to effectively transmit verbally the lofty principles into the minds of the listeners, for these very monks themselves have not realised the truths and merely articulate their intellectual understanding of it, fraught as it is with misconceptions in the absence of 'anubhuti', which fails to make the impact intended. Thus, realisation is the key to both the spiritual life of the preacher and to his preaching thereof without which mere miscarriage of the mighty words of the Vedas results.
Swami Sumedhananda of hallowed memory had once told me, ''If you wish to preach the Word, then live the Life.'' These words ring in my memory, loud and clear, of one who had approximated the grace of the Holy Trinity of Thakur-Ma-Swamiji and whose grace in turn I with gratitude carry. Sumedhanandaji is no more with us but abides in peace in his celestial sphere whence he inspires me still.
Written by Sugata Bose
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