676. Insight always better to have when Knowledge is obtained.

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/insight-always-better-to-have-when-knowledge-is-obtained

Knowledge is the one which I receive from outer sources while Insight is that which I get from within me. Insight is to know that there is no knowledge. Knowledge inspires me to acquire, Insight whispers to me saying there is nothing to acquire at all. There is the vision of Duality (Dvaita) in Knowledge but Insight vanquishes that Duality to exhibit Non-duality (Advaita) to me.

Knowledge had made me efficient in seeing the differences and Insight has made me understand that there is no difference at the core. Knowledge had made me recognize waves in the ocean; Insight merged the waves with the ocean. Knowledge use to teach me while Insight is making me think.

Knowledge is an art of learning; Insight is the art of unlearning. Knowledge thought how to react to a situation; while Insight told me only to act to a situation and not to react. Knowledge was to understand; while Insight is to realize. Knowledge wanted me to be concerned of the past and future while Insight wants me to live for the present moment. Knowledge was like knowing about the mango that is in the branch of a mango tree and Insight is to consume it and becoming one with it.

Knowledge was like having the first hand information of the paths; Insight is to thread the path. Also Knowledge was to know that there existed a path to thread but Insight induced the sense of no separate path and everything is path in me. Knowledge was categorizing all that I see with Insight I was with those things being aware of only one-thing without a second.

Knowledge was to know that everything was an illusion and Insight is to have come out of the delusion. Knowledge taught to coagulate while Insight insisted me to get dissolved. Knowledge pushed me to know the Truth, Insight encourages me to merge with that Truth and be with it eternally. Knowledge trained me identify the ego in me and make me aware that that I am not the Truth and I have to seek the Truth; while Insight is Truth in which I am now dwelling.

This blog does not say that knowledge is of no use, but only wants to convey that if one has acquired the ability to solve the algebraic problems there is less use for him to carry a Abacus or a Table’s Book with him always.

Knowledge and Insight should never be looked at two different or opposite words. Knowledge is in fact one of the ways to get the Insight and express it.

675. Influence of Time, Space and Causation on daily events!!!!

http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-blogs/seekers/science-of-spirituality/influence-of-time-space-and-causation-on-daily-events

Yesterday on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri I had to go to bazaar to buy fruits and flowers to offer to the Lord in my altar. I was buying flowers and I asked the women to give Bilva Patre (leaf of Bel) for ₹ 10 as it is considered most auspicious to Lord Shiva. To my surprise the women picked a few not more that 10 leaves and added to my flower parcel. I just wondered how the demand and supply has caught up with pooja items also. As I was thinking so a Maruthi Swift car stopped near the payment and a young man came out of the car, he asked for Leaf of bel the women picked up a few and handed over to the young man. 

“hattu rupaayi” (Ten Rupees), she said.

The young man looked at her and then at me and said, “At festival times these vendors loots us.”

All I could do is just give him a smile.

He continued, “Two months back in my home town, we have this Bel tree in our compound we had the branches chipped and we had to beg the municipal authorities to clear the heap. Here in Bangalore everything has a huge price tag on it.”

I looked at the car number it read KA-14 registration suggesting it was not from Bangalore but from Shimoga district about 250 kms from Bangalore. So this Young man was from Shimoga working in Bangalore I thought.

Again I nodded my head and paid the women the money for the flowers and left. Meanwhile I started to think why the young man had connected to the heap of leaf of Bel which had been cut off from the tree in their compound in his home town Shimoga which was 250 kms from where he was purchasing the leaf of Bel.

Then I could conclude how the Time (Kala), Space (Desa) and Causation (Nimitta) influence in our life and create a sort of illusion (Maya). Now, the tree in Shimoga was trimmed two months back which was not near Maha Shivaratri day when the Leaf of Bel would be in demand. And the space where the tree stood was not a place where people were keen to buy the leaf. And two months back there was no occasion where leaf of Bel could be used expect for some devotees offering it to Lord Shiva on Mondays.      

Everything in our life seem to be like this we are not able to distinguish the importance and relevance of things which we use and we create our own assumptions and try to compare with the event which is not. This is one experience which Lord Shiva bestowed on me on this Maha Shivaratri Day. I came to know that what is in the present is more important than the past, as the past may not have the time, space and causation similar to the present..............What say????    

674. Shiva, my Eternal Spiritual Guru.

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/god-and-i/shiva-my-eternal-spiritual-guru

According to Hinduism Brahma creates while Vishnu protects and Shiva transforms. Shiva does not destroy, as energy cannot be destroyed He only transforms. The good and bad exist in this universe with slight balance between the opposing forces of good and evil. When this balance gets disturbed and continuation of life becomes unfeasible, Shiva dissolves the universe. This is known as “Pralaya” the Cosmic Deluge and it is done in order to make way for another cycle of existence.

Shiva has the unclad body smeared with ash symbolizing the transcendental aspect of the universe. The three matted locks of hair represent the assimilation of the mental, physical and spiritual energies. 

Three eyes represent the Sun, Moon and Fire. 

The three white-lined Bhasma (Ash) on His forehead reminds his devotees to annihilate the three Mala (Impurities), namely Aham (Ego), Kamya (Expectation), and Maya (Illusion), and avoid the three Eshana (Craving), desire for Stri (Woman), Sampatti (Property), Swarna (Gold), and shun the three Vasanas (Tendencies), Loka Vasana (Materialism), Deha Vasana (attachment to body-mind) and Shastra Vasana (boast of knowledge), and only then one can attain Him with a pure heart.

Snake around his neck symbolize the Jivatma (Individual Consciousness) resting on the Paramatma (Absolute Consciousness). The crescent moon on his forehead represents mind. It denotes that a seeker has to keep the state of his mind like the crescent moon. While the full moon represents “Know-it-all” mentality while the crescent moon depicts the humble state of mind wanting and waiting to know. This humble state of mind controls ego, when ego is controlled humanity and humility blossoms.

Shiva is the greatest Vaishnava always meditating on His SELF who is none other than Sri Hari. Shiva is the Eternal Spiritual Guru who has to lead me to Paramapada (Supreme Abode). He has done it at the start of Kaliyuga when He appeared as Sukhadeva to recite the glories of Sri Hari through Srimad Bhagavatam to King Parikshit in the kings last seven days. 

A spiritual master has to be “Ashutosha” one who is quickly satisfied and quick to give benedictions. There is none like Shiva who is “Nishkapata Kripalu” the one who is guilelessly compassionate. I find no Guru who can equal Maharudradeva and hence I bow to Maharudradeva to lead me to Murari.

673. How to use the Antahkarana to have Atma Darshana??

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/science-of-spirituality/how-to-use-the-antahkarana-to-have-atma-darshana

Humans are the only animals which yearn for Bliss. All the other animals are satisfied with the SEED (Sleep, Eat, Enjoy and Defend). The evolution process through Pancha Koshas (Ref: http://memyinnerthoughts.blogspot.in/2015/02/669-pancha-koshas-and-evolution.html) reveal that humans are bestowed with Intellect (Buddhi) which has to be utilized to excel in finding the Eternal Bliss. 

How can our Intellect be of help to find Bliss? 

To have Atma Darshana is to be in Eternal Bliss and to achieve that one has to use Antahkarana, the inner conscience. 

This Antahkarana comprises of

Manas: which always interacts with the world through the sensory organs and it is called Mind.

Buddhi: The realm of thoughts and faculty of Discrimination and it is called Intellect.

Chitta: the massive storehouse of inherent Impressions (Vasanas) and Tendencies (Samskara) formed as a consequence of repeated actions performed in the present as well as previous births and it is called Memory. And finally

Ahamkara: The predominant notion of one's own personality like “I am so and so” and it is called Ego.

These four faculties of the Antahkarna can be used as tool for experiencing the Reality (Atma Darshana).

Atma is subtle and pervades the entire Physical Body. Since it has not being stationed in a particular part of the Physical Body it makes us difficult to find it and have a look at it. By the help of the Antahkarna we have the possibilities of exploring the secrets of our inner world which in fact is the essential part in the spiritual search for Reality. Mind cannot be rubbished of as mere illusion in this approach. Yes, Mind is equated to illusion but only when it is subjected to exploring the outer world to annihilate avaricious materialism, to experience the Reality who dwells in the cave of the lotus heart, Mind is indeed the tool.

The Mind has such a powerful speed that it can travel from Bengaluru to New York in just a fraction of seconds and come back, since the both the place does find physical presence in the imagery mind as the places were reflections of the actual which exist very far away. A reflection is as real as the object even though the object is far away, so it would not be that correct to call the mind a mere illusion. 

Mind (Manas) borrows Consciousness (Chaitanya) from Atma just like the how moon which gets light from Sun, but behaves as if it is self-illuminating. Mind is the link between the Physical Body and the Atma. As it is Mind has its say on the Physical Body it also wants to be superior to Atma, forgetting that the source for its illumination is that very Atma. It is here that our Intellect (Buddhi) has to intervene and guide Mind to shun its illusion of superiority over Atma.

When Intellect peeps into the Mind it is welcomed by a numerous messy intricate webs of sentimental, rational, subliminal, paranormal emotions which are the initial raw materials for the thoughts that mind projects every now and then. This mess has to be cleaned by the Intellect by systematizing and disciplining the Mind. To discipline the Mind the Intellect can use either Nama Japa, or indulging the Mind in Attentive Work, or provide Self-Knowledge to the Mind.  

When there is discipline in mind without chaos the Antahkarna will automatically become Clean (Shuddha) as crystal, with a crystal clear Antahkarna, the veil of Ignorance (Maya) is lifted. With the veil of Ignorance gone Antaryami, the in-dwelling entity in every individual like water in the depths of the earth is sure to grace the Mind with His vision. 

672. Answers to the Three Questions…………

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/answers-to-the-three-questions

Once a King wanted to know answers to three questions which was haunting him a lot. He had been contemplating on these three questions for a long time. He had a host of learned scholars in his Kingdom; hence he thought they could answer them. One day the King raised those questions in his Sabha. 

The questions were thus:

How can scriptures justify that God is everywhere?

How can we know that He is casting His look on us?

What does He do that?

However the entire bunch of learned men in his court could not answer these questions appropriately. There was a Sage living in the forest at the outskirts of the Kingdom; the King went to him with the questions. He asked the Sage to answer these questions.

The Sage answered thus to the first question of the King: “Oh King, God is present in everything just like butter in the milk”. 

To answer the second question the sage lit up a lamp in his hermit. 

He and asked the King, “In which direction does this lamp shed its light?”  

The King answered, “The lamp is shedding its light in all the directions”.

The sage said, “Exactly in the same way God is self-illuminating and His vision is not directed to a particular place or person or a thing. He has His vision on all things equally”. 

The King asked, “Oh Sage, what does He do that?”

Sage said, “Oh King, I am giving you profound knowledge in spiritual matters. So I am in the position of a preceptor, you a disciple. Isn't it? So as per Shastras you have to give Guru Dakshina are you prepared to give me your Kingdom?”

The King agreed and asked for a water to give Arghya (offering) to the Sage. The Sage said with a twinkle in his eyes: “This is how God does. He brings down the mighty and elevates the humble. He takes the poor and humble to height and at the same time can push the rich and arrogant down. He is capable of doing anything and everything which a mere mortal like us cannot even imagine. He is all pervading, can see all and can do anything”. Oh King, just contemplate on these answers you will know much more interesting facts about Him. 

The King got the answer for all the three questions and was very much pleased. He expressed his gratitude to the Sage and honoured him. 

God is Omnipresent, Omniscient, and Omnipotent. If one has belief in this he will never try to search for Him outside instead he will try to find Him inside. It is very easy to find Him inside when compared to look at Him outside, as that which is outside is painted with name and form which conceal Him. Inside He is in His natural form and finding Him there is an experience and it is worth it.

Let us give a try……! 

671. If you know this you know something worth knowing..........!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/if-you-know-this-you-know-something-worth-knowing

If I know that I do not know, then I am at the threshold of gaining knowledge…….

If I know that my tongue is working faster than my mind, then I need to hold my tongue…….

If I know that I cannot change the past or worry about future, my present is not ruined…….

If I know that it is His choice that matters most, I have a bright future…….

If I know the language of smile, I do not have enemies…….

If I know that the music for the soul is laughter, I form an orchestra by laughing with others…….

If I know that humans look at content and Absolute is interested in intent, my intentions will be better……. 

If I know that the choice made by me today is not affecting others, then my tomorrow is not affected…….

If I know that a harsh word does not break bones but could break hearts, then I do not wag my tongue…….

If I know that it is only by going through the difficulties I can come out of it, I am a success…….

If I know that love does not diminished by spreading, then I never hesitate to love other…….

If I know that even though happiness gets enhanced by things outside it does not depend upon it, then I am at Bliss…….

If I know that it is the inner beauty which matters most, then I will be enchanted by every person I meet…….

If I know that by being frustrated for one minute I lost 60 seconds of my happiness, then I will never get frustrated…….

If I know that troubles and hurdles in life cross cut those who are surging forward, then I do not mind them…….

If I know that I have to love someone even if he does not deserve, I am a human…….

If I know that it is smartness to hold my tongue and saneness to let go my mind, then I am spiritual……. 

If I know that there is no use changing the world but changing self, then I am a sage…….

If I know that more the quieter I become the more I listen, then I am a saint…….

If I know that people are meant to be loved and materials are to be used, then I know how to live…….

If I know that comparing myself with others does not improve my status, then I am contented…….

If I know that material objects are just tools for me to enjoy life, then I do not hoard it…….

If I know I can’t improve any further, then I am just not aware of my areas for improvement…….

If I know that my life is limited and is little here on this earth plane, then I spend it very wisely with my near & dear ones…….

If I know that if I invest time with family and friends, then there is no need for me to sign up in social networking sites…….

If I know all this and thrive to excel the purpose of my life is fulfilled……. 

670. Without Equanimity in our thought the Democracy suffocates…!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/mysticism/without-equanimity-in-our-thought-the-democracy-suffocates

Vidya Vinaya Sampanne Brahmane Gavi Hastini
Shuni Chaiva Shwapaake Cha Panditaaha Samadarshinaha -BG 5-18

According to this verse from Bhagavad-Gita, a humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge is able to see with equal vision a learned scholar, a cow, an elephant, a dog or a low class.

A civilized society is the one which understands that every human as a part of that Supreme Soul. While a very few in the society look at their fellow beings as no more worth than machines. And for them machines are simply tools to be used for their benefit and if they do not need them they just discard them. In the Dharmic view of equality a human being is considerably more urbane, considerate, and ethical, than just materialist democratic personality. A person of Dharmic views will find his fellow human as himself with infinitely more than the mere bodily appearance. When we talk about “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (World is a family) where does the differentiation of the people of one region and the other arise at the first place. A truly civilized society comprises of citizens who aspire toward the subtler and nobler spiritual aspirations of life and hence view the world from a spiritual perspective. That nation which has leaders who serve the interests of its people without hatred as well as nepotism has the Dharma Rajya (Dharmic Rule). 

What is lacking to have such a thought? Samata bhava is needed.

Samatavada is a call to interrelate with the world in equanimity which needs a person to overcome the effects of the Sukha and Dukha (pleasure and pain) which are the byproducts of Raga and Dvesha (attachment and aversion). One has to learn to take care of the garden and be glad about all the flower bearing plants. He should never favor one plant over the other or only take care of one variety while leaving the rest to wither and wilt. If the compassion has gripped to attachment, intolerance, or discrimination, it becomes possessiveness.

Our love to others becomes limited when there is no thought of equanimity. A poet-saint equates mother earth to be personification of equanimity. He writes we should learn to be like the mother earth, because no matter what people pour on her, whether it is milk, water, urine, spit saliva, or throw out feces, she receives them all without discriminating whether it is from a high status or a low class person. This is because mother earth is colossal hence she has the capacity to receive, embrace, and transform all that she receives. If we do cultivate our heart to be open and colossal we can also embrace anyone or anything without feel of inferiority or superiority.

There is this experiment which is done in physics lab where if a handful of salt is put in a bowl of water and stirred, the water becomes salty and the water is inconsumable. But if the same quantity of salt is put in the water tank that is put up in the rooftop of the lab, there is no change in the taste of the water. Likewise if our heart is large like the water tank when compared to bowl, there is no suffering from small problems. The large heart is got from equanimity which comes when we look beyond perfect and imperfect angle. Thus we obtain the ability to see everyone as equal. This attitude makes us remain impartial even in a conflict as we are able to love and understand both sides. From this we shed all discrimination and prejudice thus demolishing the boundaries that we had erected between ourselves and others. Unless we see others and value them as more than ourselves and stop perceiving ourselves as elite and exceptional from others, we will never have true equanimity.

669. Pancha Koshas and Evolution.

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/pancha-koshas-and-evolution

Gurus from Vedanta tradition advise a seeker in search of Self to practice “Neti, Neti” contemplation (“not this” “not this”). If we look in to what they want us to negate we will have to know about the Pancha Koshas (The Five Sheath). 

The Pancha Koshas are described as five layers encasing the Self. Annamaya Kosha (Physical), Pranamaya Kosha (Vital Breath), Manomaya Kosha (Mental), Vigyanamaya Kosha (Intellect) and Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss). These are described as five doors successive opening of which leads the Jeevatma (Individual Consciousness) towards Paramatma (Absolute Consciousness) in other words from all bondage and ultimate merger with its Divine source. It is a routine to relate our Self with the Body, Mind and Intellect but the true identity is beyond all these.

All the creations (both living and non living) posses the first layer, the Annamaya Kosha, which is the symbol of existent stage of evolution.

Then next the layer is Pranamaya Kosha, the vital energy. It is connected with the breath, but also with the processes of digestion and growth and is related to the plant stage of evolution.

Then next is made up of feelings, thoughts and emotions as well as memory and imagination, comprising both faculties of Manas (Mind) and Chitta (Memory). The Manomaya Kosha is related to the animal stage of evolution.

The next Vigyanamaya Kosha is what sets human beings apart from animals. Though animals may also have feelings, emotions, thoughts and memory just like us, but only human beings have the faculty of discrimination between right and wrong, real and illusory. Many a times we confuse “trained mind” and “adoptable mind” to intellect. 

After watching Animal Planet and NGC we think animals are intelligent but they are not they have either got trained mind or have adoptable mind. Also we sometimes tell “he is intelligent to have made money and built a palatial house” it is not intelligence it is well trained mind. A weaver bird is in fact a best architect and builder both. Intelligence is only a discriminating faculty which is there in all of us, we are not aware or not using it. This Kosha also has an ego, a sense of identity or “I-Am-ness” (ahamkara) and stage of human evolution.

Last and final Anandamaya Kosha is the finest veil covering the Self. On this level, there is a strong awareness about the oneness of the individual and the Absolute. However, there is still some separation and unless this covering is transcended, individual existence and therefore rebirth, will continue. This Kosha contain the essence of that Jeevatma which has the experiences of countless lifetimes and stage of spiritual evolution.

After negation of all the Koshas, encased yet untouched by them and as clear as crystal, is the Self which is pure spirit and which is not different from the Absolute Reality (Brahman).

669. Mindfulness Most Required while Performing Puja to a Deity…!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/god-and-i/mindfulness-most-required-while-performing-puja-to-a-deity

While performing puja just close your eyes and imagine that the deity is sitting right in front of you. This imagination is very powerful as it takes you close to the Absolute you are worshiping. Puja is not a duty or a routine ritual but it is yoga, the exercise to unite with the Divinity. With that union the unwanted thoughts are vanquished. It is an easy means to control the mind from projecting too many thoughts.

The motive behind getting involved in puja or bhajans is to engage our self to reach that transcendental realm. Once there lived a miser who wished to perform puja but would not like to spend much on the articles required for puja. One day he approached a Sadhu and requested him to preside over the puja. But the Sadhu requested him to at least arrange for some milk and sugar to be offered as prasad to the Lord. The miser did not agree.

Sadhu Maharaj told him at least if he was aware of the puja being performed it would be more than sufficient and asked him to close his eyes and imagine that he is sitting on the banks of River Ganga with a beautiful idol of Sri Krishna in front of him. He is washing His feet and offering a decorated throne to Him. He asked him to imagine he is offering the Lord milk with sugar. In his imagination the miser put more sugar into milk. He being a miser wanted to take out extra sugar he had put in the milk. Suddenly someone stopped him and he was startled. He saw it was Sri Krishna Himself standing in front of him. The miser had the darshan of the Lord even though in a negative means. This is just to show how powerful it would be if one engages mind while doing puja. That is called Manas Puja and the ultimate goal in it is to realize the Absolute. Without engaging mind this is not at all possible.

There is another story in Mahabharata which depicts the necessity of be conscious while doing puja. Arjuna was an ardent devote of Lord Shiva. He used to perform puja to the Linga regularly pooja with Bilva leaves, but none of his other four brothers were seen doing puja. He felt very proud that he was doing puja daily and he was close to the Lord than his other brothers. Sri Krishna who came to know about this wanted Arjuna to know what the truth was. 

One day He took him to Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. On the way Arjuna saw large number of baskets of flowers being carried by the Bhutaganas (attendents) to Kailash. Arjuna asked Sri Krishna about it and Sri Krishna as usual asked Arjuna to checkout about it from those who were carrying the baskets of flowers. Arjuna stopped one of them asked about it. One Gana replied that the baskets of flowers were from Bhima, his brother.

Arjuna was astonished as he had never seen Bhima sit in front of Linga and pray as he did daily. At the same time he was overwhelmed that if someone who had never sat to pray could send so much of flowers what about him who was doing puja daily. Hence Arjuna asked the Bhutagana to show him his portion of the flowers offered to the Lord. They showed a small mound of flowers lying in one corner. Arjuna was surprised and he asked Sri Krishna to explain this disparity. Sri Krishna then explained him that even though Bhima did not step into any temple he was thinking of Lord Shiva at all times. If he were to sees a flowers that had freshly blossomed in the garden he would mentally offer those flowers to Lord Siva. Thus offered flowers were loads in baskets that were reaching the Lord on mount Kailash the very next moment. Thus, Sri Krishna explains Arjuna to be aware and conscious of the Divine while doing puja.

Spending money on the flowers, fruits, and decoration will not be of any use if mind is wandering elsewhere while doing puja, if done so it is sheer waste of time…….Do you agree??????

668. Naughtiness in Waves keeps the otherwise boring Ocean Lively!!!!!!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/mysticism/naughtiness-in-waves-keeps-the-otherwise-boring-ocean-lively

Inner core is always Achala (Motionless) just like the ocean depth, while the waves at surface are Chachala (Restless). But this Chanchalattva (restlessness) in the reason for the naughtiness which keeps the ocean lively. Hence it is important to be restless at the surface while motionless inside. This is how the formula works even in creation and procreation also. Motionless and restless are offspring of the same parent and can be looked as the pairs of opposites. Restless exists to glorify motionless. Restless is the kinetic energy and motionless is the potential energy.

Wherever there is restless, there is motionless also. One cannot expect motionless to be without restless in this relative world. Chanchalattva is only in the Purusha while Prakriti has both. From the viewpoint of the basic Reality the restless subsides into motionless and again resurfaces to cause the creation. And only at the end do they both diminish into an airy nothing of Reality. This is how it been happening in this relative world. From seed to sprout to plant to tree to again seed.

Yet, Vedanta says that Chanchala and Achala are mental creations and one has to transcend both to reach the abode of Supreme Bliss and Immortality. True, for a Jnani who has knowledge of the Self, there is neither restless nor motionless. The ‘Why’ of the restless can only be understood when Self-Realisation is achieved. There is no need to rattle our brain now. It is a transcendental mystery only Brahman knows. Our finite intellect which is conditioned in time, space and causation does not understand the intricacies of Restless. When one is fully established in Swarupa (True Nature) both restless and motionless vanish altogether. From Chanchala to Achala to Nischala (stillness). There is a subtle difference between being still and being motionless. To be motionless is to be without any momentum at all while there is a chance for renewal, but to be still, is a momentary rest between actions. Like a flow of river which looks to be motionless but there is slow water flow below but not so in case of a river which is frozen. 

There is no need to put the cart before the horse. Just transmute restless into motionless by changing the mental attitude or perceptions and observe that out of restless, motionless blossoms. There is no fault in restless as it a necessary part of renewal, restoration and re-enactment. Our limited knowledge fails to comprehend this. The play of Chanchala and Achala is the secret of the Absolute. There is no need for us to intervene as He knows better when the Achala has to gain Chanchalattva. We do not have the capacity to surge the motionless to become restless, though we do have the inner strength to make the reverse of it to happen.

667. Never expect change outside, just change your perception....

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/never-expect-change-outside-just-change-your-perception

It is a passion and fashion in recent times to expect a drastic change in the society. Unfortunately it is not right change to anticipate. Even if there is a change in society as anticipated in due course there are chances that the anticipated change may require to be changed again. So there is a continuous need to change something that is outside us. This seeking for change outside will not get us to settle down, instead if the perceptions in us changes then there is no need for the changes to happen outside us that frequently.

A Subhshitam proclaims “Paradheenaha prana sankataha” meaning depending on outside is distress to life. Depending on others is like being a puppet in the hands of a puppet master. In the sense we are handing out the bunch of keys to get us something that is outside us to keep us pleased. Is it possible to the objects outside us to satisfy us or even change eventually to keep us satisfied??

It has become so causal in society to compare our self with others much like kids standing against the wall to assess who is taller. If found inferior unwilling to accept it, it becomes simpler to take advantage of alternative measures of race, caste, religion or gender to prove “intrinsic” superiority much like a short kid using a stool and claiming to be taller. The problem is that the stool has to be dragged everywhere and also it is required to keep a constant vigil on those with smaller stools so that they do not cut the legs off our own stool in competition. And again there is this invariable fear which instigates a constant check on anyone procuring a bigger stool which could brings depressed and inferior feeling.

Instead of this misfortune to tab others, is it not worthy to appraise our own virtues and stand tall and high not worrying of what and how other do??? If there is one statement that I wish to make, it is that I have not traded the values in me which I have restored even in harder times rather than change it for what would have help my position in the society. If I would have altered my values bartering for the wellness and position in society I would have been not different from the biblical character “Esau” who exchanged his birthright to a mere “mess of pottage”*..........................

*According to the Bible, Jacob and Esau were twins. Esau, the first born is the father's heir. When the father was on the deathbed, Esau who had been on hunting trip comes home empty handed. Meanwhile Jacob had prepared soup of lentils and hungry Esau asked for some. Jacob wishes to trade the dish for inheritance. Esau replied “Of what use is this birthright to me? For behold, I am an-hungered and like to die.”, and he sells his birthright for a mess of pottage. Thus the phrase means to exchange something of great value for immediate gain.

666. Life’s a Stage: Play your Part and Leave Gracefully…….!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/lifes-a-stage-play-your-part-and-leave-gracefully

In a busy street there was a mirror shop in the corner and the workers were unloading a huge mirror. Accidentally the mirror slipped from the sweat hands of a worker and it fell on the road. The pieces were shattered all across the road and in each of the pieces there was the reflection of Sun. Thus there were numerous reflected beams and in each there was Sun. Though when the mirror was in one piece there was only one Sun now each mirror piece projected the image of Sun and one could look at many reflections of Sun in them.    

Now when each mirror piece had the reflection in it, each piece of mirror started identifying itself with the reflection, and began feeling and believing that it was a separate independent entity, which was not so just a minute back when the mirror was intact. When the mirror was intact the reflection of the Sun was only one. There was total harmony and the reflection was unanimous, but amazingly when it fell and broke, each piece of mirror started believing and acting as a definite entity separate from all the each other and started reflecting Sun separately.

If Sun is Atma or Brahman, the pieces of mirror are like different mental realm and physical bodies with different feelings and thoughts. There is no duality at all Atma is one and the only like the Sun but due to the identification of Self there are various forms which think and feel separately like the reflection of the shattered mirror.

This feel of separateness puffs up the Ego and from it raised divergence, annoyance, abhorrence and violence. In each expression of the mental realm there is an erroneous belief of separateness and this separateness triggers the spirit to fight for its existence. When these mental bodies mingle with each others with the similar thought of separateness a tribe or a community or a religion or a nation is formed.    

It is never easy to perceive everything as one, since the illusions of the life has veiled the Ego to such extent that it has become hard to accept the oneness but it is not impossible. If one stops to live on the surface but plunge deep inside to the core he is definitely will see no duality. Where is this separateness when we are in deep sleep? At that time Mind is not active or not so vibrant, to distinguish and feel separate. Mind is nothing but a projection of thoughts, when it is active in the wake state there is a series of unstoppable thoughts. Though in dream sleep state Mind does project all sorts of fantasy events, but in deep sleep the projection of thoughts is temporarily stopped and thus we are not sure of what happened in the deep sleep. It is as if there is no world and hence no worries, but ones the Mind gets activated and starts to vibrate the world and worries cling back on to us.

So it is this Mind and Ego creates the separateness and projects the world as different from me. If we are able to switch off the Mind and limit our Ego there are no illusions of the outside world. Now how to switch off the Mind and limit the Ego? Is there a switch provided in us? If yes, where is a switch?

It is near impossible to switch off the Mind if the seeker is in this worldly stage doing his part. Let us suppose in a drama I am donning a character whose wife and children are dead. I do cry and roll over the stage emotionally as a part of acting but when my part is over those emotions which were enacted by me in the drama have no value at all. Isn't it just like that if I regard this life as a big drama. I will automatically be indifferent what is happening in my Mind and to the ripples of my Ego. When my part is over I have to exit the stage gracefully……..!

665. Food which Causes more Damage to your Health than Non-Veg!!!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/wellness/food-which-causes-more-damage-to-your-health-than-nonveg

Do you know when rice grain loses its quality of providing life sustaining energy?

Is it the moment it is harvested?

No.

It is when it is dehusked?  

No.

Is it when it is packed into sacks?

No.

Is it when it is cooked?

No.

Is it when it is consumed?

No, it is going to lose its quality of providing life sustaining energy when it becomes stale after cooking. 

Staling is a chemical and physical process in rice and other foods that reduces their palatability and cause problem in digestion.

We discuss a lot over what we should eat and write that Non-vegetarian food has to be shunned. But more dangerous than Non-vegetarian food is stale food. Stale food is prohibited as it is unfit to supply life sustaining energy which Non-vegetarian foods do supply if it is not stale. 

Avoid refrigerated food if there is any leftovers please give it off to those who need instead of storing it in that Stale Box. Any food that is first offered to the Absolute and which is consumed with mindfulness and energy so generated is used for a constructive purpose it is not objectionable. One should not eat just for the pleasure or to satisfy selfish temptation. If done so it would be like as they say “Living to Eat not Eating to Live.”

Food has never being an essential part to a spiritual being, but spirituality has the capacity to change the food habits. Then why does scripture say you have to be a vegetarian? Scripture wants us to consume food as a means to obtain energy to sustain this physical body which is the chariot for the Mind and Soul. Many are strict vegetarians as they cite many reasons such as Dharmic Regulations, Karmic Outcomes, Spirituality, Health and Ecology.

There is an interesting incident which made some section of Buddhists to consume Non-Veg. Buddha had told his disciples, “Whatsoever falls into your begging bowl you have to eat it. You should not demand and become a burden on the society. You should accept whatever is given with gratitude.” One day a monk was begging food in a town and a crow that flew upon him accidentally dropped a piece of meat into his begging-bowl.

The monk was confused. Buddha had told “Whatsoever falls into your begging bowl you have to eat it.” He started thinking “Should I discard it or consume it?” he was in a dilemma so he when straight to Buddha and asked him what he was supposed to do. Buddha thought for a moment, if he asked the monk to throw it away then it will be a precedent and cunning mind will assume that Buddha permits to throw food that they don't like and waste it. This was a rare incident and crows seldom drop meat daily. So he said, “It's okay to consume it.” This was misquoted and the followers of Buddhism thereafter started consuming Non-Veg. If at all Buddha knew that his message could be twisted like this he would have strictly told them that Non-Veg consumption would be abetting Ahimsa.

To give my personal example, I grew up in a family where eating Non-Veg is acceptable. In my college days I was used to eating exotic Non-Veg food. There were times when I used to hit latest restaurant which served Non-Veg food. Then after some time it was more like yearning for exotic Non-Veg items as I had picked up one restaurant in every area in and around Bangalore to relish them. I soon noticed how much my eagerness for them disturbed me as I started carving for it. It was relentless desire and then I decided to say no to Non-Veg. Many asked me if I had stopped for heath reason or ahimsa or spirituality. I tell them it is only to stop my craving for a certain food. I should be ok with any food as long as it is not stale or junk......... I very well know that I have made the right decision at the right time!!!!

664. My views of what it is to Feel Happy…….

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/my-views-of-what-it-is-to-feel-happy

“Happiness is but a sporadic incidence in the general drama of pain.” says Thomas Hardy, the English novelist and poet. True to his words often we hear people complaining about life. Some say they find it difficult to make both ends meet while others say even though they have enough in terms of wealth they are not happy. Some are unhappy about the way the current affairs are going on like about corruption, lawlessness in society, unworthy leaders and shameless sycophants.

But every individual has his own definition of what it feels to be happy. In this venture some take up their passion as the lead to be happy, while some go spiritual, while some volunteer themselves for the service of mankind and few get out of the civic chaos and go into solitude. But it is not appropriate to say that all these things will suite any person who is searching for happiness. The secret is that happiness was already in all those people who had taken up those ventures but to relish it they have just stick to one endeavor so that their mind does not go flip flop always. 

If I go to the ocean I need to swim if the water is smooth and if it is rough I need to take my surfboard and try to surf over the rough tides. Importantly I should understand that happiness is in my thought. I believe that whatever I do in life which is of benefit to me in particular and public in general is worthy doing. So I need to feel that what I do is worth doing and it is the best possible way I have done. 

Happiness is in planning what I do and patiently working on what is planned. While planning the work I need to keep in mind that the plan does not upset any other person’s plans. Happiness is not about seeing to it that I alone have the experience of it, because the ones who are more inclined to being selfish are the ones who are not happy. Here the real essence of being happy is lost.

I could be happy by seeing others happy as well. This I can obtain by being pleasant, fair, honest, caring and sympathetic to others. If I cultivate the habit of slandering and backbiting I will soon end up making enemies and with enemies I lose happiness. Slandering and backbiting are the offshoots of my wantons and gratuitous behaviour. To keep away from those I need to keep my needs limited and not to desire all that my eyes looks at.

I know that happiness is an inside matter but I am a social animal with intellect and if my surrounding is in distress even the inner happiness becomes hard to relish. When I know that He is making me feel happy by being inside me I need to help others to find Him inside and experience the same happiness only then can I feel the happiness in me better.

If Happiness is viewed in this perspective it will remain always in me and it will not be a sporadic incident in my life instead it will become a permanent treasure……What say??????