184.Be a Yogi Always…………….

What really is Path of Spirituality? It is repeatedly heard that one has to thread the path of spiritual living to attain Divinity. Spiritual living is the only means to attain liberation. Such words do encourage the individual to do Sadhana, but what exactly has to be done is not known properly. Some take Sadhana to be meditation and try to sit for hours in the seat of silence. 

Our mind is not that easy to be controlled. Arjuna argues with Lord Krishna in Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 6 Verse 34-35, that “Making the Mind sit still is like trying to control wind.” Lord Krishna tells, “It is true, Arjuna that the mind is all that you say that it is. However, I assure you, by routinely meditating on the oneness of the Infinite and by not becoming confused in the manifestations of desire, hatred, and fear, the mind can be controlled. 

Now with all the confusions in the manifestation of desires, likes and dislikes, fear, can the mind be controlled???

On the first day of meditation an individual sits at the seat of silence physically but his mind is else where, either it is on the pleasure side or on the misery side depending on the situation of that day. At this level thought goes to nook and corner of imagination and seldom live the mind to focus on the self. So the prerequisite to meditation is concentration. 

 To concentrate we are given Nama Japa as a medium. 

Here again if the mind is wandering while our lips are continuously uttering Nama Japa it would be of very little help. So what has to be practiced first???

“Sathatham Yoginah” Always be immersed in Union with Me, advices Lord Krishna. Being a part time Yogi will never serve the purpose. It is not donning the role of a Sadhaka; it is becoming a Sadhaka which matters. There is no point in sitting for a few hours a day in a meditative posture and mood would make you a yogi. It has to be a constant endeavour just like our breathing non stop. 

Sadhana is not just Dharana (Concentration) or Dhyana (Meditation) or Japa (Chanting the holy name) or Bhajana (Singing the divine glory) or Seva (Selfless Service). It is all this and much much more than all this. In brief it is to integrate Absolute into our life. Some feel that by Sadhana we get closer to Absolute, it is a misconception. Sadhana is not coming closer to Absolute, it is only becoming aware that Absolute is close to us as always. 

Sri Sri Sankara in Shiva Manasa Puja writes thus:

Atma tvam Girija matih Sahacharah Pranah Shareeram Grham 
Pooja te Vishayopabhogarachana Nidra samadhi sthitih 
Sancharah Padayoh Pradakshinavidhih Stotrani Sarvah Giro 
Yadyat Karma karomi Tattadakhilam Shambho Tavaradhanam! 

You are my Self, Parvati is my intellect.
My vital breaths are Your attendants, 
My body is Your house, and all the pleasures enjoyed by my senses are materials for Your puja. My sleep is Your state of samaadhi. 
Wherever I walk, I am circumambulating You, Everything I talk is a hymn of praise to You, Every work I do is worship to You, Oh Shambho! 


There can never be a better thought for a Sadhaka than this......................What Say???