Super-conscious mind is the cosmic mind. We humans are always connected to it but are unaware of it. Our mind which is developed more on animal instincts and relay on logic and reasoning is Conscious mind. Behind this Conscious mind free from unrest and agitation, there is a Super-conscious mind, the enlightened intellect which is the faculty of Spiritual perception. When the Conscious mind is stilled by discipline with the divine grace and instruction of the Guru, this higher faculty called Super-consciousness can be tapped and used. This Super-conscious mind is infinite, universal, and a very powerful gift to mankind.
All the creative activities are first developed in this Super-conscious mind and used by all great explorers, painters, lyricists, actors, writers, businessmen, scientists, and sculptors on a regularly basis. The Super-conscious mind helps in assisting us for the fulfillment of our goals by provide us the continuous flow of ideas and positive energy. This is called “Dhi Shakthi.” But the catch is that our mind is assisted by this Super-conscious only when we possess a confident and calm mindset. We would have experience that at a time of deep contemplation we get a spark of inspiration or a drive towards the direction of the goal which pushes us to act on it immediately. This is the exact time when our Super-conscious is directing our mind.
Mahatma Gandhi use to say “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” If a person thinks and talks always of what he wants he will definitely achieve it as he is always contemplating it. Here his consciousness is always in connection with the Super-consciousness which will help him achieve it. For the Super-conscious mind to yield results the other two, Conscious and Subconscious mind has to freeze.
Conscious mind is always updated by our Subconscious mind called Chitta which is a bunch of submerged experiences, memories, and unfulfilled ambitions thrown into the cellar room but recoverable. The Subconscious mind is like a calm lake and thoughts are waves upon the surface of this lake that is updating the Conscious mind periodically. The only possible way is to sit in the seat of silence without thoughts and open our mind to receive the “Dhi Shakthi.” The Super-conscious mind is very powerful and is working all the time it is our fortune to tap and utilise it at the time of need.
In the great Gayatri Mantra this "Dhi Shakthi" is that we ask for!!!!
"OM BHUR BHUVA SVAHA
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI
DHI YO YONAH PRACHODAYAT"
In Vedanta School of philosophy we are regarded as Atman. But our nature of Atman is made unknown to us by Maya.
What is this Maya????
Maya is a power which has two dimensions:
1. Avarana Shakti (Veiling Power)
2. Vikshepa Shakti (Projecting Power)
This dual power of Maya acts on us simultaneously. With its power of veiling it keeps the truth that we are Atman away from us and makes us ignorant of our original nature and through its projecting power we are mesmerised as having name and form with mind and body concept. We start identifying with our body and mind not Soul.
Now which of it is Chetana (living) and Achetana (Non-Living)???
Atman is Chetana Vastu. It is eternal, does not decay. But our Body is Achetana Vastu it is perishable and subjected to decay as it is made of Pancha Maha Bhutas (Five Elements like: Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth) which are themselves Achetana.
What is Mind then?? Is it Chetana or Achetana?????
Mind is Achetana, but since it is in contact with a Chetana Vastu called Atman it gets superimposed to be a Chetana Vastu.
In the text Atma Bodha Sri Sri Shankara gives a beautiful example on how superimposition of characteristics takes place. Sri Sri Shankara points out the transformation of Red Hot Iron Ball. Iron ball is by nature black, and cold. And fire is clearly known to be red, and hot. When an iron ball is put into a furnace for some time, it is noticed that the black and cold iron ball is transformed into red and hot ball. With the association of fire the iron ball has acquired the redness and heat of fire. This transformation that has happened is not permanent once the iron ball is taken out of the furnace, the iron ball will retain its true nature of black and cold.
Similarly, if we look at the forests or a green paddy field we are made to believe that the earth is full of life but the fact is that the vegetation is full of life not earth. The life of vegetation is superimposed on the inert soil and this makes us feel the life in it. Likewise our mind which is Achetana becomes transformed into Chetana vastu and starts dominating the body.
Therefore we consider ourselves as limited individuals, and experience the problems, happiness, pain, fright, sense of insecurity etc. that is related to the body and the mind. While if we observe properly we can make out that it is the body mind complex that thinks, does action, enjoys and suffers and hence it is the doer and enjoyer, not the Atman. To distinguish between Chetana and Achetana we need to use Buddhi (Intellect) and this is Viveka (the human faculty of Discrimination).
Our purpose in the world, with this view, result in acquiring a commitment to get rewards or punishments for good or bad thoughts, words, and deeds respectively in future births. In the wake of enjoying and suffering of reward and punishment, we again connect ourselves in further transactions and gain further compulsions for the discharge of which we have to be born again and again. Thus, we are caught up in the cycle of births and deaths and enjoyment and suffering. This entanglement is because of “Maya.”
Humility is colossal power which is acquired if one distances oneself from having supremacy over others. The adamant desire in us to have control on others will hamper the ability to organize, focus, and implement our own actions. The illusion that we already know everything is the hindrance which crop up due to lack of humility and stop one from excelling to higher levels of enlightenment.
The habit of passing judgments on others and jumping to conclusions is the signs of lack of humility. Total new world of prospect will unfold before us, if the thought that we are better than everyone else is gone. With humility we start to accept the situation as it is, rather than demanding for the best. In this way we experience highest level of true abundance that we never could have imagined before.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna declares humility as the prime quality of a saint. The bird that soars on high sky builds the nest on the ground. Some of us are arrogant because we are proud of our knowledge, power, and status and think that we are rich, famous, and powerful. It is because we are always identifying ourselves with the material richness that we possess. It is an erroneous belief to identify with our body, mind, and intellect. All these are susceptible to damage and decay.
Once King Yudhishthira wished to perform Rajasuya Yajna and as per the rites of the Yajna all the five brothers had to take part in it. Yudhishthira was in a dilemma since there were none to take care of the guests if all the five brother took part in the rituals.
Messengers were sent out to invite all the kings and rulers of the land for the great Yagna. Thousands and thousands of them came with joyous hearts to the city of Hastinapura. Now to receive the guest in honour was the problem for the Pandavas as they were unable to leave the place of rituals. In the assembly of vast gathering Lord Krishna who understands the situation volunteers to do the job and sets example by showing his greatness in humility, and He washes the feet of the guests. What a beautiful lesson Lord Krishna teaches us as a gentle server that we must never disrespect any service, however humble it may be and that service of others is the highest duty.
In Ramayana, Hanuman is the icon of humility. At the time of search for Sitadevi when the group which had headed south stops at the ocean, and when all of them are worried about who could jump 100 yojana to reach Lanka. Hanuman who was capable of doing so does not boast that He could jump, but humbly waits to find if Angada or Jambavan could jump. Again when Hanuman was asked as to who He was, at the court of Ravana, king of Lanka, He proudly proclaimed in that he was the servant of Lord of Kosala (Sri Rama) “Dasoham Kosalendrasya.” Humility is such a strange emotion that the moment we think we have got it, we lose it.
Humility can be developed by submitting to the Supreme and legitimate authority and also by recognizing the values and talent of a person who has surpassed us and giving him due credit. By living each moment with humility, modesty, and gratitude the whole of life that surrounds us is wonderful. And we are sure to have found a treasure that is infinite.
A Young woman was waiting for her flight in the boarding room of an airport. Her flight was delayed and she had to wait for few hours and so she decided to buy a book and read to spend her time. Along with a book she also purchased a packet of cookies. She sat down in an armchair, in the VIP room of the airport, to rest and read in peace.
Besides the armchair where the packet of cookies lay, a man sat down in the next seat. He opened his magazine and started reading. When she took out the first cookie, the man took one also. She felt irritated but said nothing but gave a cold stare at him. She just thought: “What a nerve! If I was in the mood I would punch him on his face for this!” For each cookie she took, the man took one too.
This was infuriating her but she didn’t want to create a scene. When only one cookie remained, she thought: “Ah... What would this crazy man do now?” Then, the man, taking the last cookie, divided it into half, giving her one half.
Ah! That’s was too much! She thought. Her anger had reached high level!
In a huff, she threw the half cookies he had given her and asked him to go to hell and took her book, her things and stormed to the boarding place. After an hour or so they announced that the flight was ready. When she sat down in her seat, inside the plane, she looked into her purse to take out her eyeglasses, and, to her surprise, her packet of cookies was there, untouched, unopened!
She felt so ashamed!! When she realized what had happened and knew what went wrong….. She had forgotten that her cookies were kept in her purse. The man shared his cookies with her, without feeling angered or bitter.
All the while she had been angry, thinking that she was sharing her cookies with him. And now there was no chance to explain herself. Nor to apologize to the man.
There are TWO things that WE CANNOT RETRIEVE.....!
WORD……! After it’s UTTERED!
TIME……! After it’s GONE!
“When the Shishya (Student) is ready, Guru (Master) appears,” says scriptures. At times we hope of having a Guru so that our spiritual journey will be easy to thread with his guidance and blessings. There is a need for a Guru who can clear our doubts on Universe, Reality, Truth, and so on. One may wonder why ignorance cannot be dispelled by just reading religious scriptures like the Bible or Quran or Guru Granth Sahib or Vedas or the Gita.
Swami Shivananda of The Divine Life Society has answered this question in the following quotation: “The scriptures are like a forest. There are unclear passages. These passages appear to be contradictory and may have obscure meanings, diverse connotation, and concealed explanations with cross-references. You are in need of a Guru who will explain to you the right meaning and remove doubts and ambiguities. Guru can place before you the essence of the scriptures.”
We have seen many who read the Vedas, the Gita and other scriptures for some years but still remain ignorant and restless. It can be from a Guru one can attain peace of mind and learn to unshackle from the chains of material bondage so that his concentration is on the path. Hence Guru occupies a prime place in spirituality.
However is it possible for a genuine Guru to appear if we are ready for spiritual initiation, is the question????
We are aware from media that there are so called Gurus who are robbing people of their money and trust. In a way it has become a very lucrative business as the Gurus are sure that we don’t ask any questions about their credibility. The main point for this to happen is either we are afraid or ignorant or have the belief that in the name of Dharma no one will cheat us. Hence there is confusion as to know if the Spiritual Guru whom we “follow” is capable of lifting us from this ocean called Samsara. This following therefore is a funny affair. Guru is not the one who has many followers.
In “Vivekachudamani” one of the greatest works of Sri Sri Shankara there is a description on the qualities of a Sadguru as follows:
Guru is one who is versed in the Scriptures, sinless, untouched by desire and a experiencer of Brahman par excellence, who has united himself with Brahman; who is calm, like fire that has consumed its fuel, who is a boundless reservoir of mercy that knows no reason, and a friend of all people.
To have a genuine spiritual Guru is a true requisite and an exceptionally rare lucky thing. If we are true seekers, we become intelligent and sharp enough in being under someone who is a Guru. We have to use both our sensibility and worldly wisdom to know if that Guru has an eminent conduct.
Always we have to remember that a Guru can guide us but to move towards the goal it has to be our own effort and no one can possibly do it for us. It is easy to say for example, the words of Guru like ‘I am not this Body’, but to realize and apply it in daily life is an unusual experience all together. It calls for a change in perception, a transformation in the way one looks at the world around him.
Guru Dattatreya proclaims that he had 24 Guru and names them as: 1. Earth, 2. Air, 3. Space, 4. Water, 5. Fire, 6. Moon, 7. Sun, 8. Dove, 9. Snake, 10. Moth, 11. Ocean, 12. Butterfly, 13. Fish, 14. Honeybee, 15. Deer, 16. Elephant, 17. Phyton, 18. Prostitute Pingla, 19. Eagle, 20. Child, 21. Young Girl, 22. Arrow maker, 23. Spider, 24. Wasp.
Guru Dattatreya goes on to explain what he had learnt from them. Sometimes a Guru can appear in a form of a friend, wife, book, experience, and so on.
The question is are we ready???
JOB to some is popularly believed to be Just-Obey-Boss or Just-Over-Bend! Those who do job with such intentions trade their life time for a mere survival. Survival is considered animal-instinct and not typically human!
We human beings are social beings who can obtain experience of life through Body-Mind and Soul. Hence we are supposed to rise above a mere physical survival. A holistic integration of Body-Mind-Soul demands one to ask questions to oneself and find answers to this! Amazingly if observed it boils out to the thriving for the wellness of society.
Lord Krishna talks to Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 50 about “Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam” – Yoga is excellence at work. This verse advices us to perform our allocated duty in an excellent manner. Kaushalam signifies doing work with devotion and without attachment i.e. without becoming a workaholic. Such detached attitude enhances its values and improves the concentration and skill of the worker. If we work with elegance, fortitude, and skill our Body-Mind-Soul will co-operate with our hands. By becoming a tool in the hands of Supreme one has to perform the work. Any work becomes valuable if carried out with full concentration, dedication, and abilities and also helps us to become valuable to others as well as to society. We should never yearn over the fruits of action. The extrinsic incentives e.g., money, other bonus, etc. play a very minor role as motivators. The reward of a thing well done is to have done it. Says Ralph Waldo Emerson.
There is a story of Chuan and Jing in a Chinese inspirational stories which highlights the point that attitude of approach to the work can yield in different results. The story goes something like this……… Chuan and Jing joined a wholesale company together just after graduation. Both worked very hard.
After several years, the boss promoted Jing to sales executive but Chuan remained a sales rep. One day Chuan could not take it anymore, tender resignation to the boss and complained the boss did not value hard working staff, but only promoted those who flattered him.
The boss knew that Chuan worked very hard for the years, but in order to help Chuan realize the difference between him and Jing, the boss asked Chuan to do the following. Go and find out anyone selling water melon in the market? Chuan returned and said yes. The boss asked how much per kg? Chuan went back to the market to ask and returned to inform boss the 120 yuan per kg.
Boss tells Chuan, I will ask Jing the same question? And put the same question to Jing. Jing went, returned, and said, boss, only one person selling water melon. 120 yuan per kg, 1000 yuan for 10 kg, he has inventory of 340 melons. On the table 58 melons, every melon weighs about 15 kg, bought from the South two days ago, they are fresh and red, good quality.
Chuan was very impressed and realized the difference between himself and Jing. He decided not to resign but to learn from Jing.
A person who is immersed in the job is more observant, thinks more, and understands it to the depth. For the same matter, he is able to sees several years ahead, while for some who look at job as just bread earner see only tomorrow. There is a vast difference between a year and a day that is 365 times. We have to think! How far have we seen ahead in doing our job? How thoughtful in depth are we in doing the job right the first time?
The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it. - Pearl Buck (1892 - 1973)
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)
Once all feelings and emotions went on vacation to a coastal island. According to their temperament everyone were having a good time. Suddenly, a warning of an approaching storm was announced and everyone was advised to vacate the island.
As soon as the announcement was made there was a sudden panic. All of them started rushing to their boats. Everyone thought of getting out of the place as quickly as possible.
Love did not wish to leave as it found the place enchanting. But as the clouds started rushing towards the island, Love realised it had to leave. Alas, there were no boats to spare. Love looked around but could not find one.
Just as it was wondering what to do Prosperity passed by in a luxurious boat. Love shouted, “Prosperity, could you please take me in your boat?”
“No,” replied Prosperity, “my boat is full of precious gems, gold and silver. There is no place for you.”
A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat. Again Love shouted, “Could you help me, Vanity? I am stuck and need a lift. Please take me with you.”
Vanity responded arrogantly, “No, I cannot take you with me. My boat will get soiled with your muddy feet.”
After sometime Sorrow passed by. Again, Love asked for help. But it was in vain. “No, I cannot take you with me. I am so sad because of this storm. I want to be left alone for myself.”
When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it escaped the fury of the storm and was so engrossed in itself that it did not look around, hardly heard the voice of Love.
Love was growing impatient and crestfallen. Just then somebody called out, “Come on Love, I will take you with me.” Love did see who it was, but jumped on to the boat, very much relieved that she would reach a safe place.
On getting inside the boat, Love met Knowledge who was also travelling in the same boat. Puzzled, Love inquired, “Knowledge, do you know the owner of this boat who generously gave me a lift just when no one else wished to help?”
Knowledge smiled, “Oh, It was Time.”
“And why would Time stop to pick me and take me to safety?” Love wondered.
Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and replied, “Because only Time knows your prominence and what you are capable of. He knows that only you can bring peace and great happiness in this world. Hence Time does not wish to lose you at any cost. ”
The important message from this is that when we are prosperous, we overlook love. When we feel pride, we forsake love. Even in happiness we neglect love and in sorrow we forget love. Only with passing time do we realize the importance of Love.
A common belief in some is that for a good relationship in a family the man has to impress his wife and children every now and then with goodies. In fact at this juncture a person even losses his intellect to rethink if he on the other side of the law in doing so. He very slowly gets into the whirlpool of corruption before he can recall what he was up to. Once if he is caught he justifies that all that he had done is for his family. Is it acceptable?????
A male Bower bird builds and decorates an elaborate nest to impress his partner. This is the way its nature has allowed it to display its care for the partner but it does hard work for that. It picks up all bright coloured soft materials such as feathers, leaves, ferns and creeper curls. It never grabs from the nest of others. Agreed man has to prove his ability to keep his family in comforts. In enjoying the comforts the wife will never want her man to earn unlawfully and get into trouble. Let him be a Govt servant or a public / private sector employee or for the mater has his own business a person should always stick to what he has to do in a righteous manner as living respectfully is what the ultimate wish of a caring wife is. Generally she can be contented with what is earned by her husband and tries to run the family and keep it happy, if not all at least our Indian women are so.
We know Valmiki as the great sage who wrote the Ramayana, but he was not so in his early life. In his youth he was a highway robber. He was then called Ratnakar. Young and strong, he attacked travelers going by lonely roads and stole their money and valuables. He knew this was wrong, but he thought it was the only way he could make his livelihood. Moreover, his father, mother and wife were there at home, depending on him.
One day Ratnakar caught hold of a traveler who had nothing. Angry, he asked him how he could wander around like that. “I am the Narada,” said the traveler. “I travel freely even between heaven and earth.” After knowing the intentions of Ratnakar, Narada asked him whether his family would share his sins as they enjoy his share of booty. Without battling the eyelids Ratnakar they would, but did not sound too sure of himself. Narada asked him to go to them and find out. So the robber tied Narada securely and went to his family.
His father, his mother and even his wife refused to share his sins. They told him that it was the duty of the man of the house to feed the family and in doing so if he has accumulated sin that was unconcern to the family members. Ratnakar was shocked that all these years he had been doing this entire sinful act because he wanted his family to be happy but now he realized that what he had done was foolishness. His eyes were opened. Going back to the tree where Narada was tied, he told the sage what had happened. He begged forgiveness and asked Narada how he may atone for his sins. Narada taught the young man to righteousness and told him to go into the forest and do contemplation. He went into solitude and began to practice meditation and prayer. And then he wrote Ramayana the great epic.
It can be noticed that mostly (% wise) it is men who are more willing to pay or take bribes compared to women who are more reserved to pay or recieve bribe. This does not mean that men are more corrupt than women. The fact is that men are more inclined towards paying bribe because they are more in touch with this horribly rotten system and compared to women, they have this notion that things won't work without bribing. Men deal with corruption more often than women. It has been also noticed that when a woman wants to pay bribe or take bribe it is en-routed through a man. In both the cases if it is men or women ultimate idea of taking bribe is to amass money intentionally to keep them happy but what is the use if they are to spend rest of life behind bars or lose peace of mind. There are many instances we see around us including the active participants of CWG, 2G, Coalgate, Railgate, Choppergate, Adarsh and so on..
A happy wife can be proud of being happy but will a proud wife feel happy?????
