689. The very nature of Atma is Ananda…………..

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/science-of-spirituality/the-very-nature-of-atma-is-ananda

According to scriptures Atma is always at Bliss. This Atma which we are referring is the source for our Consciousness and is called Witness Consciousness. But for the Jeevatma which is the Individual Consciousness, Bliss is made to be a distant reality by our Mind which is always unsatisfied and restless. Mind is both a boon and bane for us to be a witness and thus experience Bliss. Ananda is the very nature of Atma. If we find a person who is sad we ask him the reason for being sad as it is not the nature of humans.

Mind does have a role to play let us understand by looking at the mental state of a Jnani (Enlightened Soul). Very often a Jnani is compared to an Infant, or to a Lunatic or to an intoxicated person. But are the three states similar to that of a Jnani??? If so how???? 

Infant is not much dependent. It is engrossed in playing with toys and when it feels hungry it cries and its mother feeds it and then it is all Bliss. Its Mind is free from likes and dislikes and is ready to accept any kind of situation. With all these qualities there is innocence in it which is the pinnacle. Its Mind does not have to worry of the past, present or future since it is assured that its mother is present. With such a free, innocent, trusting mind the infant is naturally at Bliss always. A Jnani like an infant keeps his trust in Absolute, and is ready to accept what is in store for him in his Prarabdha Karma.  

Lunatic on the other hand is unaware of what is happening around him and is totally unmindful of any kind of mental contract with him and the world. As his Mind has no contact with the world he is blissfully happy in his own world and also exhibits it. This Bliss he is experiencing arises out of his Self being centered with his own mind and not being aware of anything else. This psychological disability to grasp the world and its state of affairs helps him from getting liked or dislike to the situation that usually a common man might experience. Exactly in the same way a Jnani will not get attached to the state of affairs even if involved like the water on the Lotus leaf.   

For an Intoxicated person mind becomes light and is revealed of its burdens. The Mind is not active it is numbed for the period of his intoxication so there is no question of his worries or problems. In this condition there is no chance of the problem to surface in his Mind, so he has his mind in temporary Bliss state. 

Then is it good to be a drunkard? Alcoholism is just an escape route for a certain period not for ever. The problem resurfaces again once the intoxication is wane out. There is no permanent solution and moreover the vehicle of his soul that is his body gets damaged. A Jnani gets intoxicated by chanting the name of the Absolute which puts out the worries and totally destroys the Doer-ship. He has insight-fully understood that he is not the Body or the Mind but is Atma which is infinite storehouse of Ananda. He is aware that happiness is neither to be found in objects outside nor it is a state of mind, because Ananda is in HIM and he is IT.

Lord Krishna tells Arjuna, “Prajahati yada kaman sarvan partha manogatan Atmanieva Atmana tushtah Sithitaprajnah tada uchyate” 

meaning -- when an individual completely casts off all the desires of the Mind, and is satisfied in the Self (Jeevatma-Individaul Consciousness) by the Self (Sakshi-Witness Consciousness), then he is said to have steadfast wisdom.

688. Is Perfection only a Perception??????

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/is-perfection-only-a-perception

Perfection is not a word that we should restrain from using. Every action we do is aimed at finishing it perfectly, if I set myself a goal and achieved it in the best way then that is perfection. Though the same job could appear to be a shabby to some one else, it doesn't matter. Every one can have a chance to be perfect. Aiming for perfection stretches my abilities to be in the best way it probably can be.

Everybody in this world would want to listen from others that they are perfect in so and so field. In the positive sense I thrive hard just to be perfect. It is a good attitude because I will be working harder till the end because I will never be satisfied with what I have done and just for perfection I will aim at working a little more hard and hard. This is because nobody knows what perfect is. 

Perfection is a very funny thing because the more I aim for it the more elusive it seems to be. For example, let's say I am aiming at doing something at the absolute best and I perfect it according to my standard but as soon as I have accomplished that it ceases to be perfection and something else appears ahead that I intend to aim for the very same perfection again. So it is just a magical word that pushes me to do my best if I take it in positive sense.  

If perfection is a positive trait why is it got a bad reputation? Why is it considered to be a myth?

This word perfection has a negative tinge when I look for it in others. Perfection is a tool for self-evolution, but a bad yardstick to count on others. Accepting others as they are and thriving for perfection is what a wise man does.

Once an intelligent, attractive, self-sufficient woman in her late thirties decided that she wanted to settle down and find a man to share the next part of her life. She searched for a perfect man in her field. She met a perfect man at a party.  He was handsome and well spoken. But after only a short time of interacting with him, she broke things off. “We just didn't share the same views,” she said. So she continued her search and very soon she met another guy in a flight.  He was an entrepreneur who owned a successful business. And she learned, during the course of their interaction that not only did they share the same views; he could also make her laugh for hours. “But I just wasn't emotionally attracted to him,” she said and drop that choice and continued the search. 

Some days later she was introduced to a doctor by her friend. “He will be your perfect match.” her friend suggested. “But we didn't hang in the same social circle, and his career consumed too much of his time,” she said. So she cut things off and continued on her search. Finally, at a corporate business conference, she met the perfect man.  He possessed every quality she had been searching for he was intelligent, handsome jovial, similar social circles, and a strong emotional connection – perfect. She was ready to spend the rest of her life with him. But unfortunately, he was looking for the perfect woman, which according to him she did not match. 

687. Energy is all that matters even in Matters…………….

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/mysticism/energy-is-all-that-matters-even-in-matters

Energy is the order of the universe. The modification that is happening externally to this universe is attributed to the Cosmic Dance of the Lord. Recurring of Kalpa (Aeon) according to the Hindu mythology is the projection of the world by the Lord who emanates Himself and become the manifested universe. Leela is the creative play of the Lord and for it the universe is the stage and the living and non-living beings are the puppets donning the roles in the play. Lord is the Sutradhara, holder of the string of those puppets. The Sutradhara is very well versed in pulling the right string, but the puppets should also co-operate with Him for the play to go on uninterrupted. The play has many many many episodes and chapters.
 

To the Seers the play conducted by the Sutradhara is the advancement of the Brahmanda (Cosmos) in the course of countless periods. Hence infinite is the roles in this infinite play and infinite time span. The infinite time span is termed as Kalpa by the Seers to understand which relates to beginning and the end of one such play. Thus they understood massive and astounding scale of the each Divine play. 
 

The rational mind still juggles to understand the scale of the Kalpa as it does not believe in the infinity existence or eternity. According to the practical mind all that is created has to be destroyed, but it failed to comprehend the way in which a Seer clearly perceived that the most elementary characteristic of this perplexing design was that it is a continuous state of movement, flow and change. This Divine play goes on unstoppable from “Excited State” to “Ground State” in cycles, the Single becoming the many, and the many returning back to being the Single. 
 

Quantum physics has come to the conclusion that Mass is nothing but a form of Energy. It would not be an overstatement to say that the basis of the theory of relativity, and the space-time character of the universe, were perceived by the ancient Seers as they knew that Absolute was the source of not just material universe but also of our Consciousness.

“Yatha Brahmande Tatha Pindande” meaning “As is the Universe so is the Living Body”. The Consciousness stretched out in the universe is the same as in the living being. Then if Absolute is the source of the material universe, it means that He must also be the source of our Consciousness, the purest form of Energy.

Then what happens to the physical body when the Prana (Breath) leaves the body?? The Prajna (Consciousness) also leaves the body. When the Prana and Prajna are no longer present in the body the physical body is lifeless agreed but there is still the energy in it hence it starts to decay and decompose and help in putrefaction and justify the Law of Conservation of Energy. According to this law, energy is neither created nor destroyed it just dissipates into another form and it cannot just vanish in thin air.    
 

After all it is the Energy that matters even in Matters........What Say?

686. Women ………… Child's Window to the World.

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/women-childs-window-to-the-world

If man is the head of the family the woman is the neck which turns it. A happy house is a combined effort of both man and woman, but she has more emotional part to play in it. It is she who takes care of the family and in doing so she may be tend to become possessive of her family but, it is her intelligence to balance the harmony and encourage bonding in the family circle. A peaceful family is the one which has broadmindedness, patience, and let live attitude in it. Women must jump too many hurdles to win in life and it would be appropriate if she takes the advice of her parents, her sibling, her in-laws and friends and use her intellect to decide which may favour her and her family. She need them and she has to be in good terms with all of them.   

In recent times we hear that there is need to empower women, but women are already empowered we lack knowledge to recognize it as it is a male dominated society. In ancient times we had women philosophers like Ghosha, Lopamudra, Maitreyi and Gargi who alongside all their male counterparts did take part in discussion and put forth their views to have a harmonious society. Indian society is now having a better face than it had decades back we have started accepted women to play multi roles as a professional, as a wife and as mother. But having said that we even now encounter the primitive barbaric acts like dowry death and female foeticide in our society for which women have to ensure the end of it.     

In some families women have to work to support the family financial, it is not wrong, but in some cases women who are financially healthy like to work as they feel that their education would go waste, this is a myth, a women has to be well educated not only in the intention of getting a good corporate career, but she can use her academic intelligence to nurture her children better. She can pour out all the knowledge she has in her and mould her child to have a better personality. She should never limit her intelligence to serving a corporate company she is work in. The trick to make a happy family is women in the house should learn to accommodate all the needs of the family within what she has got to spend. Just thinking that the family need more financial support and that she has to work for it does not work, it may help financially but emotional bonding with her child is what she pays for it.   

685. When we have the Lord on our Side who can be Against us!!!!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/god-and-i/when-we-have-the-lord-on-our-side-who-can-be-against-us

Lord Krishna while giving the sermon in the midst of the battle field to Arjuna says “Yogakshemam Vahamyaham” meaning I shall ensure the safety and well-being of my devotees!

Arjuna has in fact seen and experienced this act by the Lord throughout his life, say in the wax house episode or this particular incident... It so happened that at the time of the great Kurukshetra war when Bhishma was the Commander-in-chief of the Kauravas army and the Pandavas side was having the upper hand at the war, Duryodhana went to Bhishma one evening. He accused him of not retaliating against the Pandavas because of his affection towards them. Bhishma was taken back hearing such an accusation and was angry also. He took out five arrows from his quiver held it near his eye brows and chanted some mantra and declared that he would kill all the five brother tomorrow with it. Duryodhana who was a person of many doubts did not believe Bhishma he asked for those five arrows for safe keeping until tomorrow morning and requested Bhishma to give it to him. Bhishma smiled and give the arrows to Duryodhana. 

Meanwhile Lord Krishna hurried into the camp of Pandavas and reminded Arjuna of the unsatisfied boon that Duryodhana had given him. Arjuna recalled the incident when Pandavas were in exile they spent some time at the Dvaita Vana (Forest of duality). Duryodhana who came to know about it wanted to visit the forest and show off his luxury and prosperity to the Pandavas who were living a life of austerity and thus cause further pain to them and feel happy seeing Pandavas sink in misery.

Duryodhana got a palatial house built on the shores of a lake nearby to display his lavishness to the Pandavas. He did not know that the lake and the surrounding area belonged to a Gandharva King by name Chitrasena. Chitrasena lead by a force attacked Duryodhana, seeing the huge army Karna fled. Duryodhana and his brothers were held captive by the Gandharva. Bhima was very happy but Yudhisthira explained to both Arjuna and Bhima that Duryodhana and his brothers were after all own family member and hence they have to be rescued at any cost.

As requested by Yudhishtira, Bhima and Arjuna fought against the mighty Gandharvas. Looking at the display of warfare techniques by Arjuna and Bhima, the Gandharvas were pleased and agreed to release Duryodhana and his party. After being let out free Duryodhana was in the pangs of shame and did not want to continue living with the life that was saved by Arjuna. He wanted to commit suicide, it was then Karna came from nowhere and advised him not to take extreme step and instead grant Arjuna a boon. Duryodhana granted a boon to which Arjuna replied that he would ask for the boon later when he needed it.

Lord Krishna who knew about this incidence suggested Arjuna to use the boon now and get those five arrows from Duryodhana. When Arjuna came and asked for the five arrows, Duryodhana was shocked, he was a kshatriya and should not go back against his own word. He said, “I will give you the five arrows. First I want to know who told you about the five arrows.” Arjuna smiled and said, “Who else other than my Lord Krishna.”

After handing over the arrows to Arjuna, Duryodhana ran to Bhishma and informed him everything and requested for another set of five arrows. Bhishma laughed and replied, “That is not possible, you stupid fellow. I had aggregated all the merits of my life as a celibate to induce strength to those arrows which would have turned as missiles tomorrow to destroy the five brothers. However, I guess Lord Krishna might have foreseen it and arranged this leela to get those five arrows from you. I cannot replicate those five arrows. You have lost them and I am helpless. O, foolish Duryodhana, When Lord Krishna is standing on their side who can dare go against them.”

When the Lord is on our side there is nothing to worry. Will He help us as He helped Arjuna? Yes, He may not come personally instead will provide distinctive suggestions through intuitions. But one need to have Him on his side…..Does it not make sense to have Him on our side?????

684. Distinguish between Parabrahman and Aparabrahman …..!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/god-and-i/distinguish-between-parabrahman-and-aparabrahman

Sri Sri Sankara while writing the summary to Brahma Sutras elaborates on Brahman talking about Parabrahman and Aparabrahman. According to Sri Sri Sankara, Parabrahman is denoted to that Consciousness which is beyond all limitations while Aparabrahman is that which is associated with Naama and Roopa (names and forms). This differentiation is only for the matter of comprehending and it is not the ultimate. Naama and Roopa have never had any reality they are mere illusions superimposed on that Reality. The ring or the necklace is the illusion on the reality called gold. Likewise various names and forms is only an illusion on Brahman. This is explained very well in Chandogya Upanishad through examples of gold, mud and iron.

Upanishads defines Brahman in many ways but also tells that it is very hard to comprehend Brahman. Upanishad uses Lakshanaas (Characteristics) to make the seeker understand Brahman. Upanishads says Brahman can be defined using three Lakshanaas depending on the level of our perception.

Three Lakshanaas are as follows:

1. Vyavritta Lakshanaa – The unobjectifiable subject is Brahman Brahman is distinct from the various bodies of gross, subtle and causal. Upanishads introduces the process of Neti, Neti (Not this, Not this) here everything starting from the gross to subtle to subtler is negated. Anything that can be objectified as “This” is not Brahman. When we remove all objects, what will remain behind is the subject which cannot be negated further. Let us suppose I see a mountain if I negate it, I have the eye which is seeing it again if I negate it, it is the mind which is knowing about it again if I negate it, it is the Consciousness which is reached at last I cannot negate my Consciousness which is the basis of my pure existence. That consciousness which remains at last never to get negated is Brahman.

2. Tatastha Lakshanaa – Knowing Brahman by looking at the evident attributes. Suppose a person is searching for a particular person in a village. He does not know in which house the person resides and hence he asks a bystander. The bystander replied that the house on which a crow is now sitting is the house of the person. The crow will not sit on the house eternally it will fly away anytime; here crow is just a relative medium to suggest the house. This definition is a relative one but not real as it depends on the relative medium. Brahman is defined as the creator-protector-destroyer of the world. When world itself is not real, and then this definition is also not real. Brahman as Consciousness is Avasthatraya Sakshi, the witness to Wake State, Dream State as well as Deep Sleep State.

 

3. Swaroopa Lakshanaa – Comprehending Brahman by Intrinsic Nature. The above two definitions were relative, while this characteristic is the very nature of an entity. The intrinsic nature of fire is to burn the combustible object which comes into its contact. Burning is the very nature of fire and it is ever present in it. This is said to be the Swaroopa Lakshanaa of fire. Like wise Brahman is explained by the intrinsic nature of Existence, Consciousness, Bliss (Sat, Chit and Ananda) and Infinitude (Anantha).

To conclude I understand that Para is Brahman and Apara is Brahman with Maya. When I look at a gold ornament I see it through the design to make out if it is a necklace or a bracelet, but for a thief or a robber it is only gold. Also no one will comment on the lump of gold which is like Parabrahman when it is designed as a necklace or bracelet to be Aparabrahman, the likes and dislikes get attributed to it. 

683. Are we losing Tolerance towards other Faiths, because of EGO

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/god-and-i/are-we-losing-tolerance-towards-other-faiths-because-of-ego

When I was a kid my grandmother used to take me to the mosque nearby on Fridays just after the Salat was performed and we would stand in a queue and the Fakirs would blow air from their mouth on us. I would ask my grandmother why they were blowing air on us from their mouth. She used to tell they had just now recited Quran and had so much power that just by blowing out air from their mouth they can eliminate ill and negativity in us. I studied in convent school and to go to my school I had to go past the church of Saint Mary and I used to stroll inside the church and light a candle. Like all others there I would kneel before the beautiful stucco statue of Virgin Mary holding infant Jesus in her arms. I really did not know what to recite while kneeling on the wooden platform before the altar yet had closed the eyes for a few minutes and stayed quite and trying to do what others do there. This is how I spent my childhood days.

Even from my history lessons I came to know of Akbar, the great had so much tolerance towards other faith. Akbar not only tolerated religions other than Islam, he encouraged interfaith discussion and debate. After listening to many religious scholars from the prominent religions of his empire including Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and, to a lesser extent Jainism, Christianity and Judaism he decided that no one faith was entirely and exclusively able to portray the Truth and hence founded a syncretic religion which he called Din-I Ilahi, “the Divine Faith” and encouraged his subjects to follow it.

And how the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana being a Hindu had set a precedent of religious tolerance in his kingdom by allow his queen Shantala Devi a devout Jain to built Jaina Basadis with huge soapstone statues of Bhagavan Parshwanatha, Bhagavan Adinatha and Bhagavan Shantinatha housed in the sanctum sanatorium, which are a major tourist attraction even today in the famous architectural capital of India, Halebidu in Karnataka.

May be the way I had brought up or my keen interest in religion and philosophies has made me tolerate to all faith, though if not as tolerant as Akbar and Vishnuvardhana. The word tolerance would stir up the ego as to assume the superiority of the practicing religion over the other, but it would be better if we entertain the same respect for all the faiths.

Off late we have failed to realize religion in its perfection in the same way as we have not realized Absolute. Religion of our conception as is imperfect has given rise to a process of advancement towards finding a much better religion and this has caused just a re-interpretation of the same ideologies in a different mould. Just like the saying old wine in a new bottle. Human ego has concluded that progress towards Truth or Absolute is possible only through such new advancement. But it is so unfortunate we are unable to recognize that the concept is same but it has got the different flavor depending on the either the region or culture of that region.
 

Tolerance provides us spiritual insight and annihilates fanaticism. Jnana of that spiritual insight breaks down the barriers between faith and faith. Nurturing of tolerance towards other faiths conveys to us authentic perception of our own faith. Truth can be comprehended very easily if one has the knowledge of different faiths and he starts relating each other instead of comparing each other.

When the Absolute is happy by the way in which He is being adored by the followers of different faith who are we the mere mortals to object it.

682. We are Spiritual Beings with Human Experience…..!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/we-are-spiritual-beings-with-human-experience

We are all spiritual beings with human experience, but due to dominant human experience our spiritual reality is suppressed. Lord Krishna tries to advice Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita on how one need to reduce the domination of that human experience. As soon as the domination of human experience is reduced the spiritual being in all of us will shine.    

How to reduce the human experience? Is it necessary to wear orange robes and live in isolation?  Or do we need to add a prefix of “Swamy” and suffix of “dasa” or “ananda” to our name? By shunning family, friends and avoiding comforts and only thinking of well-being of society do they help? Though we do all this there is no guarantee that it can reduce the dominance of human experience. Amazingly they increase it.  

Then how can we reduce the domination of human experience? The most common factor that we find in all people who are on spiritual path is the quality that is so charming and enticing which we find on their faces due to – Tranquility!  To reduce the dominance of human experience the only abet is quintessence of Tranquility. Spirituality is a way of life which brings tranquility within and Bliss is experienced. The human experience may give us the ability of face the society and live in it happily.

Happy living in society has never given the guarantee of peace of mind. Peace of mind can be retrieved back if the dominance of human experience is reduced. Peace of mind is within us it is the quality of the Self. All we need to do is to dust the layers of ignorance which cover the Self and we will find peace of mind.

Tranquility is attained when our potentials are used to the maximum and work for ourselves, our family, society and nation. The work should never be aimed at getting the resultant reward for our selfish needs. We need to dedicate our talents and efforts to higher cause and doing so we experience tranquility within which provides peace of mind. To reach this level of understanding we need look into the lives of saints like Swamy Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa and other people who experienced tranquility within them. Each one of us has the unique ability to achieve and we do achieve but unfortunately due to the human experience dominance we are unable to channelize them for the higher cause.

Dedicating our talents and efforts to Absolute gives us the highest level of Tranquility. That Absolute Consciousness of the Universe is the one that supports our every breath and gives life to every cell in our body and makes us move and think. When that Consciousness is responsible to make us move and think what is wrong in attributing that thought and deed to it back like what our Puranadara Dasa said, “Kereya Neeranu Kerege Challi Varava Padedava Rante Kaanero” (This is a analogy, when doing Sandhyavandana there is a gesture of lifting the water from the water body by cupping the palms and again pouring the water thus collected in the palm back to the water body. Puranadara Dasa wants us to offer the wealth we got by the grace of Absolute to back to Him and be blessed.)

Reducing the dominance of human experience is a slow and gradual process and we need to shift our thinking and sense of values in a manner which does not shake or shock our family. There is no need to return all those we earn and deprive our family of their share and happiness. All we can do is to earn in limit and not amass a lot for our fourth generation. When the human experience is domination we tend to make wealth to the fourth generation unmindful………..Am I thinking right???

681. Silence is not just the absence of External Sound………………!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/science-of-spirituality/silence-is-not-just-the-absence-of-external-sound

Silence from the external sound is easy achieved I can just switch of the music system or I can lock myself inside a room or even go to a solitude place. Have I achieved the silence I was looking for? No, It can happen only if the volume of rattling of the thoughts in my mind is lowered. It is not possible to stop the murmur of the thoughts, but I can lower the pace of the thoughts and minimize the flip-flop of the thoughts. 

When the flip-flop of the thoughts are reduced the sound of the heartbeat (Anahata, the unstuck sound) is audible. This subtle sound is only heard when the external sound is reduced and the Mind is projecting the thoughts at a very very very slow speed. Upanishads says when one sits in the seat of silence the primordial sound of the eternity “AUM” is clearly heard. But it needs extensive practice, though the unstuck sound of the heart beat is clearly heard if one stays clam and is concentrating on the breath.    

It is amazing to know how powerful and enchanting silence can be. We humans have an intimate connection with silence. Somewhere deep down beyond the layer of consciousness in the subconscious level there is our connection with the silence. This silence is the charger of the energy and in the deep sleep it is this silence which provides us the vigor to face the next day with zeal. It is unfortunate that we are unable to know it or understand its importance, maybe because we have introduced a barrier between us and silence.

We always try to avoid silence as we are so obsessed with sound that even when we are struck at the traffic signal we need the radio to be playing music we cannot do without sound. We feel left out or lonely if there is no sound. But in reality it is silence that is our best companion. It remains with us even if the external sound has ditched us. We feel heroic by defeating silence. Even at birth we announce our arrival with a shrilling noise and amazingly we continue to be noisy in our entire life span. Sound is never a hindrance there are vibrations in music. Nada yoga prefers music to elevate from the conscious level to merge with the Absolute. Just as the light is perceived well in the pitch of darkness, the silence is audible clearly if the sound is the divine music.  

Lord Dakshinamurthy, the Lord of Jnana uses silence to express his views to His disciples. It is known that when our senses, mind and intellect is unable to comprehend the expressed theme the easiest channel to grasp it is silence. Even today many scientists, writers, creative professionals get the ideas when they are in seat of silence. If the teacher like Lord Dakshinamurthy communicate through silence, His disciples can grasp it silently. Silence is the most powerful way of communicating. And in spiritual word it is silence which teaches more than discourse and sermon. Discourse and sermon is like the initial push if one sits in the seat of silence and contemplate on those words of the discourse, and then the conveyed thesis is understood clearly. 

         

Why is it important for a guru to teach in silence? It is due to the difference in the bandwidth of the students. When the Guru explains in a quite communication, it become simple to  understand for the students who are loaded with different Sanskaras (impressions) and Vasanas (tendencies) due their bondage with it since past. The power of a word or the emotions behind it reflect differently to different sanskaras and vasanas, however subtle the words may be, but the realm of silence is same to all.

680. Bhagavad-Gita has taught me to ponder thus..................

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/mysticism/bhagavadgita-has-taught-me-to-ponder-thus?track=cntshem

In a seminar organized on the topic “Bhagavad Gita, Indian assumptions and Conversions” in Mysore on 15th February 2015, The so called Intellectual an English Prof. K.S. Bhagavan, tried to burn the Holy Scripture. He said “Bhagavad Gita is the worst, imbalanced, unholy book on earth. It has to be burnt here itself” saying so he tried to burn it but was stopped doing so by the organizers...... (No debate or even mention of this by Indian Media).

Bhagavad Gita has made me understand that obtaining knowledge is better than performing ritual. Better than knowledge is contemplation. Better then is to put the contemplated knowledge to practice, but still much more better is to surrender the results of the practice, because it is then there is immediate Bliss.

Through Bhagavad Gita I understood never was there been a time when I have not existed, nor will there be a time when I will cease to exist. I am not deluded as I have comprehended that the same person inhabiting the body through childhood, youth, and old age, so too after death attains yet another body. So, I am neither the Body, nor Mind nor Intellect. I am pure Consciousness.

Bhagavad Gita tells me delusion sprouts from anger and cause confusion in my mind. My confused mind fails logical reasoning. Without logical reasoning I cannot have a wise conclusion. So it is better for me to remain calm even if I am in a worst situation.Mind is always restless and difficult to restrain, but I can subdue it by continuous practice. Practice, without break just like the flow of melted ghee when poured to another container. 

From Bhagavad Gita I know that I cannot restrain from action, as action is better than inaction. Even if a sit idle my mind is active by thinking. Once a thought appears it is the start of an action. Refraining from action does not get me freedom from action, but convincing my mind to abstain from the results of the action can relieve me from bondage. So, I am not the Doer.

Bhagavad Gita explains to me that there is nothing in this entire universe that can make me happy unless I am contentment with what I have. Without contentment there is insecure feel. Fear is an outcome of insecure feel. I should not feel insecure of what is not real as it never was and never will be. And what is real is always there and cannot be eliminated. If I am contented with Self to serve the Self and am satisfied within the Self then there remains nothing more for me to accomplish, so no insecure feel and nothing to fear also.

Bhagavad Gita illustrates that whether it be Karma marga (path of action), Jnana marga (path of knowledge), Raja marga (path of meditation) or Bhakti marga (path of devotion) all are the ways to lead to Divinity. None is inferior or superior. I have to choose the path which gets along with my nature. I need not criticize those who are threading other paths and at the same time boast about my path before them. It is irrelevant as to how I thread the path to attain divinity. If my focus is right and intentions are great and without attachment, I will arrive at the light and become one with it.

Bhagavad Gita assures me that I might not get more than what I desire but I won’t get less than I deserve. Knowing this I need not step out of Dharma to acquire anything which is not mine. If I am entitled to possess something and even if I am not pursuing it, it falls on my lap. At the same time if I do not deserve it how much ever I try to acquire it I fail to lay my hands on it. So, I am non-Doer. If I search for an answer to know how as a spiritual seeker I should behave with my fellow beings, I find it necessary to be truthful, tolerant, compassionate, and modest. With all such qualities no work stains me and He is there to help me always. 

Bhagavad Gita reveals to me that making my mind single-pointed towards the Absolute and with a heart that is pure, all my fears get dissolved in the vicinity of the Self and all my desires get dedicated to Absolute. With all my desires dedicated to Him my mind and senses are controlled, there is no hindrance for the union of the Self within so that I attain a state of abiding joy and peace within me.

And most important of all...... In this scripture He promises me that He always comes to destroy the evil and protect the good, so I have to never be evil or even stand by it……!

Why is it that some so called “Intellectuals” target this wonderful Scripture without understanding it....... I wonder???  

679. Miracles happen Daily but Ironically we Pay no Attention....

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/mysticism/miracles-happen-daily-but-ironically-we-pay-no-attention

A miracle is the word which is used to an event or an occurrence which is contradictory to the law of nature. Although in general terms it is also used as an exclamation to something which is marvelous, incredible, and unbelievable. As a theist I do not agree with talks such as “against nature” as I firmly believe that Absolute is much more potent than nature. So as far as miracles are concern it may be astonishimg to me but for Him it is all just in the game. I need not depend on the miracles to consider Him a super power and to have faith in Him. When I have experienced Him as Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent, there is no need of such miracle.

For some a miracle is a pragmatic event that triggers awareness of Absolute’s existence and power. Does the Absolute, who is Himself Omnipotent, need such striking outside influences to make the immortals like us to believe in Him? For example, the coming out of Narasimha from the pillar could have been like a miracle for mighty Hiranyakshayapu or for the matter even to an ignorant person who is listening to this story, but it was never so for little Prahalada who was sure that Lord had the capacity to emerge from anything and everything. Prahalada believed that everything that is in this universe is emanating from Him and He permeates in all of them. It is all in our mindset, we need a miracle to happen, a strong proof to make our belief even stronger. In this sense, at least, there are many miracles happening every day but are we not so fortunate to observe them? Could material avariciousness be the hindrance for it, I wonder?
 

We need miracles like the idols of Ganeshji Maharaj drinking milk when feed from a steel spoon, or the photos of Shirdi wale Baba ji spilling out honey or scared ash, or the portrait with the heart of beloved Jesus bleeding, or the name of Mohammad on the scales of a fish, or a talking bronze Buddha statue. There is so much Ego in such miracles just wanting to confine the Absolute to certain sect and religion. While He is making it felt to every creature in this universe about His grace through the smile of a newborn babe which is no less than a “miracle.” No egoistic and fanatic religious head can claim it to be act of his personal deity.  

Not that I do not believe in miracles, my argument is that Absolute does not need to exhibit His existence through such cheap acts. Also if He is one and only for the entire universe there is no sense in Him appearing only to certain sect by the way of miracles?  I do experience His miracles every day in the form of the vast painting on the canvas of the sky at sunrise and sunset. I feel miracles happening when I see the calf coming out of its mother’s womb, or the sight of the first two leaves that sprout from a seed, or the spectacle that occurs with the full blossomed flower that was a little bud yesterday.

Universe is filled with such miracles; we need not depend on miracles to develop faith in Him, He is the Himself a biggest miracle. He answers us with His natural loving response if we attentively, constantly, truthfully pursuing Him and deposit our trust in Him. Believing in Him to the utmost level will take out the interest in yearning for His miracles there will be nothing to wait for as we become insightful of all that He is done and doing in and around us.

It is time that we step out of our limited boundaries to view the miracles that happen daily in subtle things. I feel that we must unchain the Absolute from the confines that we and our religion has put Him in. This will make us experience the enormous power of the Absolute in totality and our fear of losing Him to other sects or religion also will fade off. Never wait for a miracle to happen to make you believe in Him, as there is enough proof of His existence already.

The greatest and much needed miracle has to happen in us, in order to get aligned with that Absolute Consciousness ….. Right ?

678. Avoid the Lower Desires to Accomplish the Higher Desires....

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/avoid-the-lower-desires-to-accomplish-the-higher-desires

Maa Saradadevi, wife and spiritual counterpart of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa has said we have to shun lower desires to have higher desires in spirituality.

As we go along exploring our world and start perceiving the reality around us, our mind projects several desires depending on its plane of maturity and knowledge. It is known fact that every individual has a desire to experience joy in life. Those who have the plane of maturity and knowledge in the lower level seek joy from the objects outside them and this is called yearning for lower desires. 

To fulfill this desire their mind tries to spin the yarn of opportunity around several experiments hoping to make it possible. This process of hit and miss goes on nonstop as the mind has limited knowledge. Amazingly for them even when the joy from the desired object is experienced it does not stay for long as it starts longing it from another. This process of trail and error goes on nonstop as the mind is never satisfied with objects outside. These lower desires also deliver happiness only just by experiencing it not by accumulating. 

Another unbelievable power of this lower desire is that it does not allow the individual to aim for higher desires. Higher desires are those which help in putting ego aside. With ego subdued there is a desire to seek the Universal Truth and know the purpose of this life and wish for the welfare of other. It is not like the lower desire of wishing for self as in possession but it wishes for others as in contribution.Higher desire is an attitude of giving not wanting. 

There is no need to develop higher desire the moment the lower desires are dropped the mind get fixed in the higher desires automatically. There is a need of sincere effort only in letting the lower desire go and the whole exercise is to see that they are dropped.

How to know if the desire is lower or higher???

Mind projects a thought which contains a desire. At the first instance make sure if the desire is fulfilled is it going to make you happy or will it make you as well as other also happy. Find out if there is any compulsive behavior in you to fulfill that desire which is going to keep you alone happy. Observer if fulfilling that desire is going to cause harm to anybody else. If it is a lower desire it might give you instant happiness which will not retain its validity for long. In case of lower desire, the more intensely there is desire to get what is wanted, the more intensely our unhappiness is felt at not getting the object of that desire. Lower desire is an attitude of wanting not giving.

Most importantly if we live for higher desires we are living for now and present not perturbing about future. As in lower desire there is a tagline “I do not have it now” which is an obvious statement to yearn for it and earn it. That which is not making you happy when it is not with you, will never make you happy when it is with you. Realization of this truth is simplicity.

Organize your desires and categorize them. Lower the lower desire to transcend to higher desire. Higher desire is just way of life which when accomplished will fade away and it is then an individual will be experiencing what is in store without yearning for any….!

677. Why should I focus on the Thorn when Flower is Attractive??

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/why-should-i-focus-on-the-thorn-when-flower-is-attractive

What a beautiful picture of rose, so nice are the petals and look at the dew drops over it. I can experience the beauty of the flower and hope the picture is pleasant to you also and even you are experiencing its beauty. The flower in the picture is providing a soothing effect on my mind. I am able to rejuvenate by the sight of the flower, so enchanting it is. Had I been a poet I would have scribbled a few lines on its beauty. Had I been a connoisseur I would have presented it to my beloved. Had I been a devotee I would have place it at the feet of my Absolute. Had I been a nature lover I would have left it in the plant for other to have a glimpse of it and enjoy the sight.

Every individual who has set his sight on the picture of the rose and is praising the flower amazingly does not talk of the thorns. But the thorns are very much visible in the picture, then how come we never talk of it? Did we miss looking at it? The thorn and the flower are very much visible in the picture but our mind had been preoccupied by the charm of the flower. If our mind is occupied with the goodness of a thing there is a slight chance of it to deviate and think of the bad in it. Generally we say that we humans tend to look for the negative aspect in every object. But it not true we do so only if we do not like that object we search for the loop holes in it, try to criticize it and want to bring it down, as against if we like it we skip see the faults it. 

Appreciation is an art if I am engrossed in appreciating the rose in the picture my mind never talks of the thorns in it. In reality the thorns are also an integral part of the flower. Without thorns I am sure the flower will be gulped by the goat or sheep nearby. Thorns as protection for the rose they are just servants serving the rose, helping the rose to be there; they are not against it, they are not enemies. Thorn is the survival mechanism provided by the Absolute to the rose plant. Who am I to object its presence? If I like the flower I have to appreciate it the thorn comes in a package with it is for me to accept it or reject it.

Likewise every religion & philosophies has rose and thorns. If I have the will to appreciate the rose then I should have the broadness to accept the thorn also. There is no use in comparing with the other flowers from other plants and writing about the thorn and its disadvantages. Every religion & philosophies have lots of good to say, is there any benefit in finding for the lapses and debating on it and writing blogs in sequel about them. If I need to spiritually evolve I need to know about every religion & philosophies and try to gain from each of them, if I relates one to one another instead of comparing it I will definitely understand them properly. 

Once I start looking at the positive, all negativity just disappears. Though the things around me are same the way I look at it, will matter most. This new perseverance will do a lot well; it opens my mind to receive a lot that is not known to me.............. Am I Right?