How to Study in the University of Life?
What are the tips which help me study my lessons more effectively, and reach my final “destination” sooner, and with the least trouble?

The following are tips which will help me learn my lessons better. I believe they are the essence of the teachings of all religions of the world.

1. The belief that this world or the University of Life has a Master, and He is in total control of every event in His University. Furthermore, He has designed every program of study, every lesson, every class schedule, and all instructional materials. He has even appointed specific teachers for each student.

2. Because of the Master’s total and absolute involvement in all affairs on this University, everything operates by Divine Order. There is absolutely nothing bad, ugly, or wrong in this University, and thus we need not be in judgment of the curriculum or the people. This includes the lessons, the schedules of classes, the way the teachers teach their subject matter to the students, the way each student has chosen to learn his lessons, and even the way the teachers and students (including myself) behave, think, or look. From this perspective everything becomes acceptable, understandable, systematic, and orderly.

3. The belief that every person in my life is performing the valuable task of teaching me lessons to attain my High – God –Awareness (or HGA) Degree sooner. I acknowledge the work of my teachers, and thank and love them for their role in teaching me what I need to learn. I realize that they go through a great deal of hardship, particularly when they teach me tough lessons, and that this requires time, effort, and dedication on their part.

4. Realization that the hard and painful lessons I am learning are really part of the University’s “honor’s program” and by my willing participation I will be eligible for a major award. This happens when my performance is reviewed by the University Master during my summer vacation.

5. Trust in the University Master that everything is just fine in the University. That trust is appropriate, even though I may temporarily feel unhappy about a teacher, a program of study, particular lesson, classroom setting. Or anything else.

6. Giving my total and unconditional love to other students and faculty. My love therefore embraces the way they are: the way they behave, think, study their lessons, or even look. I will remain non - critical of myself and love myself as well. I come to realize that, after all, everything is created by God, the University Master. Since everything is a face or manifestation of God, it can not be anything but beautiful. I learn to behold beauty everywhere and in everything.

7. A relationship with the University Master permeates my life. I constantly keep in touch with Him, begging Him to show me how best I may teach my students, and perform my duties in His University. I beg Him to give me the ability to totally submit and surrender myself to His plans, knowing that “I, by my own self, can do nothing.” I ask Him to help me just follow His wishes. I request Him to give me the ability to love Him, love myself, and love my fellow students fully and unconditionally.

It is such a beautiful experience when one “hears and receives” God’s messages. These messages do not have to (and often do not) come in the form of a letter, telegram, or telephone call. They do not advertise as, “this is God talking, responding to your request.” This may come, if God so wishes, in the form of a feeling, thought, vision, voice, and in many other ways. One has to be aware, open, and trusting for the message to come. If nothing comes immediately, we must not get impatient, but wait. All things come in time. Patience, receptivity, and a true humility are our spiritual doors to success.

You may have heard or read about a pious man who always trusted God to take care of him and protect him against dangers. One spring when the rainfall was more than city sewage system could handle and the streets were being flooded, the city officials decided to evacuate the people to higher and safer grounds. They first informed every one of the expected rainfall and the forthcoming flood, asking people to leave their homes. Many did. This man believing that God would take care of him, did not leave, and stayed behind. The rain flooded the streets, and those who were left behind were evacuated by boats. The man refused to go along with the plan and stayed behind, saying that God has promised to save His pious servants. The water reached his roof and he had to climb to the top of his house to avoid drowning and to wait for God’s miracles to save him. A helicopter came to his rescue, but he still refused to go along, saying he was awaiting God’s help.

When the flood finally drowned him, he met God with anger, accusing Him of promising to save His servants and not following through. God told him, “I sent you the warning to evacuate, you refused; I sent you the boat to take you away to a safer ground, you refused; I sent you a helicopter to save you, you still refused. What else did you expect me to do?”

God speaks to us through the medium of events and human interaction. This occurs through people. We can say, then, that God’s messages reach us through all the avenues of life. As we become more aware, we sense the unseen hand of God behind all events in the physical world.