http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/god-and-i/from-the-form-to-the-formless
The
various visual forms of all deities in Hinduism are imaginary concept
of ancient saints and sages. We human beings are the most mystifying and
multitalented creatures. Naturally, visualizing the Absolute in the
human form is quite natural. By chance if any other creature had the
intellect as we humans had, even they would have visualized Absolute in
their form.
Ancient inhabitants who were following Sanatana Dharma were Nirgunopasakas, the worshipers of Formless. After the advent of Bhakti Movement the worship of Form, Sagunopasana became more prominent. In fact it was after the start of Kaliyuga the worship of a form started. In Srimad Bhagavatam we can see that Lord Krishna would meditate in the Brahma Muhurtam (approximately one and a half hours before sunrise) and He would meditate on Self. In Rig Veda there are indications of Aaditya (Sun) and Agni (Fire) Upasana (worship) and then after many many years down their visual forms were worshiped to represent them symbolically. This visualization was only for meditation purpose and it would assist the mind to concentrate.
When and how did we lose the ability to concentrate? Even in ancient times people would go to work and earn, if that was the cause.
Think what could have lessened the capacity in us to concentrate? Is it our lifestyle????... Donno.....
Concentration comes only when the mind is not polluted with lots of jumbled thoughts. Dharana as it is called in Astanga Yoga. To have concentration one has to first purifying the mind with practice like self-restraint, self-control and discipline. Concentration without purity in mind does not happen. There are many ways to induce concentration but they do not talk of clear mind. That is the reason why those kinds of concentrations do not help in spiritual path. Ethical excellence is of vital importance to concentrate. An individual whose has his mind filled with passion and fantasy can hardly concentrate as his mind will always be jumping like a drunken monkey bit by a scorpion.
There can be no concentration without something upon which the mind may rest. And since the ancient saints and sages could visualize Absolute in human forms they provided us a base to concentrate upon. Mankind also believes that the human form is the most precious and highest form of creation. The entire creation from a unicellular organism to Homo sapiens has life in them. Life has no form, but will take the form of the being that it resides in. This was the logical trump card for the ancient saints and sages to defend their point; they testify that Absolute could take the form of the human being as He resides in them.
Hinduism does not restrict one to worship one particular form alone. There are many who worship even a stone stump without any facial features to represent their Deity. If one does not have the image of Ganesha we have seen a lump of cow dung would be a substitute for the image. All these only point out the fact that it is not the “Form” that matter; it is the mind which is needed to concentrate upon that which is considered as a Deity. That is treading from the “FORM” to the “FORMLESS”………am I right????
Ancient inhabitants who were following Sanatana Dharma were Nirgunopasakas, the worshipers of Formless. After the advent of Bhakti Movement the worship of Form, Sagunopasana became more prominent. In fact it was after the start of Kaliyuga the worship of a form started. In Srimad Bhagavatam we can see that Lord Krishna would meditate in the Brahma Muhurtam (approximately one and a half hours before sunrise) and He would meditate on Self. In Rig Veda there are indications of Aaditya (Sun) and Agni (Fire) Upasana (worship) and then after many many years down their visual forms were worshiped to represent them symbolically. This visualization was only for meditation purpose and it would assist the mind to concentrate.
When and how did we lose the ability to concentrate? Even in ancient times people would go to work and earn, if that was the cause.
Think what could have lessened the capacity in us to concentrate? Is it our lifestyle????... Donno.....
Concentration comes only when the mind is not polluted with lots of jumbled thoughts. Dharana as it is called in Astanga Yoga. To have concentration one has to first purifying the mind with practice like self-restraint, self-control and discipline. Concentration without purity in mind does not happen. There are many ways to induce concentration but they do not talk of clear mind. That is the reason why those kinds of concentrations do not help in spiritual path. Ethical excellence is of vital importance to concentrate. An individual whose has his mind filled with passion and fantasy can hardly concentrate as his mind will always be jumping like a drunken monkey bit by a scorpion.
There can be no concentration without something upon which the mind may rest. And since the ancient saints and sages could visualize Absolute in human forms they provided us a base to concentrate upon. Mankind also believes that the human form is the most precious and highest form of creation. The entire creation from a unicellular organism to Homo sapiens has life in them. Life has no form, but will take the form of the being that it resides in. This was the logical trump card for the ancient saints and sages to defend their point; they testify that Absolute could take the form of the human being as He resides in them.
Hinduism does not restrict one to worship one particular form alone. There are many who worship even a stone stump without any facial features to represent their Deity. If one does not have the image of Ganesha we have seen a lump of cow dung would be a substitute for the image. All these only point out the fact that it is not the “Form” that matter; it is the mind which is needed to concentrate upon that which is considered as a Deity. That is treading from the “FORM” to the “FORMLESS”………am I right????
With the agitated and restless mind it is very difficult to concentrate without any form.The mind goes chattering and we dont even Know !! So scriptures introduced form for meditation.Once it gets used to it the form is not necessary.
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