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Friday, March 2, 2012
Guru Punch!
You are being loved very dearly. This reminder softens you, brings about miracles around you and changes your life ~ Sri Sri
Wisdom from Guruji !!
Q: Guruji, sometimes you tell us, ‘Karmanye Vadhikaraste’ (action) and sometimes you tell us ‘Vishraam mein Ram hai’ (rest). Should I be resting or should I be performing action?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Opposite values are complimentary. If you work, you will be able to rest well; if you rest, you will be able to work well. Without doing any work, if you just lie around, you will not even be able to rest, and if you keep working without taking rest, you will not be able to do your work either. So rest and activity both go hand in hand.
Q: Guruji, does one attain knowledge according to his karma?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: For attaining knowledge the desire for knowledge should be awakened. Now if you ask me, is the desire for knowledge based on one’s karma? Yes! But knowledge eliminates karma.
Q: Guruji, what all should be done to maintain discipline in one’s life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First thing is there should be a desire in the mind to be disciplined, once that is there then consider it already done.
Discipline is there because of three reasons:
First is love. Although in love there is no need for discipline, but through love, discipline can be achieved.
Second is fear. Suppose you say to someone, ‘If you don’t observe discipline, you will fall sick,’ then that person will become disciplined out of fear of sickness.
Third is greed. Suppose you tell someone, ‘If you don’t observe discipline, you will incur a loss,’ that person will become disciplined out of greed.
So it is better to have discipline out of unconditional love; that is the best.
Q: Guruji, it has often been seen that the very news of your arrival to a particular city starts a fight. Why does seva instigate so much controversy?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First a fight has to start, only then the Gita begins!
Yes, before my arrival in any city, a fight begins. I have also heard about this before.
‘Where will Guruji stay, in whose house will he stay?’ And each one will say, ‘my place’. I will do like that and I will do like this… that is how it all starts. What to do? I wonder!
There is no love without conflict and there is no conflict without love. Somewhere or the other, the two must come together.
Q: Guruji, to retain the state acquired in meditation, what should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just keep doing what you are doing now. You have to continue doing it, again and again. ‘Baar baar Raghuveer samai’: Again and again meditate.
So do meditation, sadhana and satsang and talk about it as well. Anything that is in your speech, the mind and in action gets firmly established.
If you do your sadhana and the rest of the time you keep talking about petty things, whatever juice you got after your sadhana will start fading away. That is why in speech also, let that state find expression. Whenever you talk, talk about knowledge, talk about love. Then you will see it gets more firmly established in you. This is the importance of satsang.
In satsang we talk about the good things, we talk about knowledge, meditation and miracles.
You talk about miracles happening in someone’s life – isn’t this what you discuss? How many of you talk like this, only about miracles? What happens when you talk only about miracles? Every day something new happens in your life and so many new lessons are learnt.
So the mind becomes strong with these kinds of discussions.
Q: Guruji can I be in silence whenever I want? I feel it will benefit me a lot.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! Ask others and see; ask your family members!
But do not keep silence that will cause inconvenience or suffering to others. Speak less and speak only as much as is needed.
You must speak ‘Meeta Bhaashi’ (friendly speech), ‘Geeta Bhaashi’ (melodious/pleasant speech), ‘Priya Bhaashi’ (loving speech)’ and ‘Satya Bhaashi (Truth)’ – speak less, speak beneficial, speak pleasant and speak the truth.
Q: Guruji, what should one ask for from a Satguru? Is there a need for prayer when a Satguru is there?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Whatever need arises, you ask, that is why it is called ‘need’. You can’t sit and think what I should ask. Whatever is your requirement, whatever is your need that will come as a question, as a request, yes!
Q: Guruji, when consciousness is formless, should we have faith in the forms also or just have faith in the formless?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If you have reached the formless, it is fine! Forms are just part of the formless.
You can’t relate to the formless, so you relate to the forms when your eyes are open. But when you close your eyes and go deep in meditation, then only you can relate to the formless.
That is how you begin, but later on you will find whether eyes are open or closed, you are with the formless.
Q: Guruji, when I focus on my work or sadhna, my relationships suffer. I want to focus on my sadhna, yet want people around me to be happy. How do I achieve this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Skillfully! You have to do both. It will come spontaneously.
Q: Guruji, sometimes I don’t have time to do seva. Is donation also considered as seva?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! That is also seva.
See, whatever is possible for you, that is what is seva.
Suppose, you cannot lift a stone, you don’t need to do it. You shouldn’t do what you cannot do. If someone else can do it, you can make them lift the stone that is also part of seva. In the same way, if you cannot go and teach a student yourself, you can help through another teacher. They can teach.
So seva is that what you can do, yes!
If you have time, you can give time. If you have money, you can give money. In whichever way you help, it is called seva.
Q: Gurudev, you have so many disciples. How do you keep track of each disciple’s spiritual progress?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is my trade secret! (Guruji says laughing!)
Q: Dearest Guruji, any valentine in the world pampers his partner, reciprocates the love, etc. How can we find the same satisfaction in the Divine Valentine?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The Divine has already pampered you enough. Know that you are already pampered so much. And it will continue.
Q: Guruji, how do we avoid ‘Karma Bandhan’ (bondage due to actions) in our daily life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Karma Bandhan is when there is some craving or there is some aversion. Both craving and aversion we call as ‘Karma Bandhan’.
So when you do an action without aversion or craving, with a smile, with a free mind and a clean heart, then there is no bondage. Such kind of action brings that inner freedom too.
Q: Can you please say something for the people who are visually impaired?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! Being visually impaired is not an impediment for growth. You all should remember this.
Surdas, a great saint of this country was visually impaired. Dhritarashtra was an emperor who ruled India and he too was visually impaired. So there are many examples.
Swami Shraddhananda, one of the greatest saints of this century was visually impaired. Just few decades ago, he attained his final abode.
Swami Shraddhanandaji used to go to Brindavan to see the temple every day. Someone asked him, ‘Swamiji, you can’t see, and there is a big rush in the temple, why do you go there? What do you see?’ He smiled and replied, ‘If I don’t see, at least the Lord is seeing me. He wants to see me, that is why I am going there. So it doesn’t matter if I cannot see. Do you think He is also unable to see me? Let Him see me. He feels happy by my going there.’
So, this is the depth of devotion, depth of love and the confidence – that the Divinity loves me. You should not ask proof of Divine’s love for you. You should never ask that. Always know that the Divine loves me, that is it! Full stop! No question mark in front of that.
Same with everybody in your day to day life also, don’t question others love for you.
Does Guruji love me? This question should not be there at all. Similarly, my friend loves me or not, my husband loves me or not, or my wife loves me or not - don’t put question marks in front of love. Simply believe they love you and move on. Whatever their behavior is immaterial.
Q: Guruji, God is the operator of this creation and God is our Father. Then why does misery, poverty and ignorance exist?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Someone asked a saint this same question, ‘Why does sorrow exist in this world?’ The saint said, ‘God has kept it for me. Why? Because in spite of there being sorrow I am unable to renounce this world, how would I renounce it if there was no sorrow? And if I don’t renounce it, how will I be able to turn my attention towards God?’
The attention never turns to God.
So the saint said, ‘Sorrow exists so that I do not get caught up in the world. Even after there being so much sorrow, I am so caught up here, and I do not turn towards God. That is why God made this (world) sorrowful, so that one can enjoy it for a little while, and then renounce it and turn back towards God.’ That is why it is said, ‘Dukh mein sumiran sab karen, sukh mein kare na koye, sukh mein sumiran jo kare, dukh kaahe ko hoye.’
Q: Guruji, what is the difference between Guru, Dharma Guru and Satguru?
The other question is, it is believed that in this universe, in any given era, there is only one Satguru; so who is that Satguru, and if it is you, please answer?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is said, ‘Mere Guru hi jagat Guru hain – mere naath hi Jagat ke naath hain’ (My master is the master of this Universe) – this is what one should believe, and this is the truth.
Dharma Guru, Jagat Guru or Sat Guru, these are just different names - what is it that you need – take it and move ahead.
One who speaks about the truth is Satguru. Satguru cannot be someone’s name. Who is a Satguru? One who shows you the truth.
Just as there is a Sangeet Guru (music teacher), there is a Satguru (Guru of truth). Satguru is one who makes you aware of what is truth, what is untruth, what is this world, what is the soul. The one who teaches you to understand these distinctions is called Satguru.
Q: If everything is pre-destined then why does a human being need to do anything?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Though everything is destined, man has to make efforts to get what he likes and what he wants. For example, if you want sunlight in your house, you need to open the windows and doors to see it. You cannot shut the windows and expect the sunlight to come into the house. At the same time you cannot open the windows and doors at midnight and expect the sunlight.
So you need to make efforts towards your goal and what has to happen will happen. Your efforts and destiny, both go together.
Q: Dear Guruji, no matter how much I meditate, I cannot control my temper. What do I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Do not try to control your temper, do pranayama regularly. Try to accept people as they are in this world, never try to change them but accept them.
Keep meditating, if you cannot control your temper even after meditating, imagine the kind of temper you will have without meditating. So meditate and do pranayama and it will gradually decrease.
Q: Guruji, I am following you with all my heart for the last 4 years and I have started growing a beard and wearing white clothes. My parents and wife are very unhappy with me.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You don’t need to do all that. Shave off your beard and wear normal colored clothes and be normal.
Role model does not mean you have to wear the same type of clothes and everything. No! Be compassionate, be loving and do all the good work you need to do.
Q: Guruji, could you talk on Shivratri and its importance?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Mahashivratri is the day when the Shiva tattva touches the ground, touches the earth. The consciousness which is always ten inches above the material ground; the aura, the ethereal world which is ten inches above the surface, touches the earth element on Mahashivrathri day.
So, it is very useful for people to keep awake and meditate on that day.
Do not eat too much, eat very light and do more meditation, then it helps in fulfillment of desires. This is the ancient belief. It helps you to grow stronger in your being. It is like a new year for a saadhak (seeker), for spiritual growth, spiritual attainment and worldly attainment, so it is considered auspicious.
The night on this day, when the constellations are in some particular position, is very auspicious for meditation. That is the ancient belief.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen on any other day. Any time your heart is open, your mind is calm and steady, prayers do get answered. But Shivratri day is celebrated with the singing of the ancient vedic chants and a ceremony is done, and it is considered a very auspicious time for a spiritual aspirant.
It is the wedding of the material with the spiritual.
The material which is eight fold came close to the ethereal which is also eight fold.
So what the eight fold prakriti (nature)? Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect and ego; all these come in contact with the subtle eight, i.e., the Shiva Tattva.
People usually eat very light, some fruits or something and fast. I don’t recommend you fasting without anything. Take some fruits or some light easily digestible food and spend the day awake and at night meditate. You don’t need to do meditation all night. Meditate for some time.
We will have satsang and some celebrations. That’s it!
In fact every day is a very auspicious day because we do satsang every day.
In ancient times, people used to say okay, if you cannot do every day, at least one day in a year, on Shivratri day, do meditation and keep awake.
Wake the Divinity that is deep within you. That is the message. The Divinity is within you, let it wake up!
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Opposite values are complimentary. If you work, you will be able to rest well; if you rest, you will be able to work well. Without doing any work, if you just lie around, you will not even be able to rest, and if you keep working without taking rest, you will not be able to do your work either. So rest and activity both go hand in hand.
Q: Guruji, does one attain knowledge according to his karma?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: For attaining knowledge the desire for knowledge should be awakened. Now if you ask me, is the desire for knowledge based on one’s karma? Yes! But knowledge eliminates karma.
Q: Guruji, what all should be done to maintain discipline in one’s life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First thing is there should be a desire in the mind to be disciplined, once that is there then consider it already done.
Discipline is there because of three reasons:
First is love. Although in love there is no need for discipline, but through love, discipline can be achieved.
Second is fear. Suppose you say to someone, ‘If you don’t observe discipline, you will fall sick,’ then that person will become disciplined out of fear of sickness.
Third is greed. Suppose you tell someone, ‘If you don’t observe discipline, you will incur a loss,’ that person will become disciplined out of greed.
So it is better to have discipline out of unconditional love; that is the best.
Q: Guruji, it has often been seen that the very news of your arrival to a particular city starts a fight. Why does seva instigate so much controversy?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First a fight has to start, only then the Gita begins!
Yes, before my arrival in any city, a fight begins. I have also heard about this before.
‘Where will Guruji stay, in whose house will he stay?’ And each one will say, ‘my place’. I will do like that and I will do like this… that is how it all starts. What to do? I wonder!
There is no love without conflict and there is no conflict without love. Somewhere or the other, the two must come together.
Q: Guruji, to retain the state acquired in meditation, what should I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Just keep doing what you are doing now. You have to continue doing it, again and again. ‘Baar baar Raghuveer samai’: Again and again meditate.
So do meditation, sadhana and satsang and talk about it as well. Anything that is in your speech, the mind and in action gets firmly established.
If you do your sadhana and the rest of the time you keep talking about petty things, whatever juice you got after your sadhana will start fading away. That is why in speech also, let that state find expression. Whenever you talk, talk about knowledge, talk about love. Then you will see it gets more firmly established in you. This is the importance of satsang.
In satsang we talk about the good things, we talk about knowledge, meditation and miracles.
You talk about miracles happening in someone’s life – isn’t this what you discuss? How many of you talk like this, only about miracles? What happens when you talk only about miracles? Every day something new happens in your life and so many new lessons are learnt.
So the mind becomes strong with these kinds of discussions.
Q: Guruji can I be in silence whenever I want? I feel it will benefit me a lot.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! Ask others and see; ask your family members!
But do not keep silence that will cause inconvenience or suffering to others. Speak less and speak only as much as is needed.
You must speak ‘Meeta Bhaashi’ (friendly speech), ‘Geeta Bhaashi’ (melodious/pleasant speech), ‘Priya Bhaashi’ (loving speech)’ and ‘Satya Bhaashi (Truth)’ – speak less, speak beneficial, speak pleasant and speak the truth.
Q: Guruji, what should one ask for from a Satguru? Is there a need for prayer when a Satguru is there?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Whatever need arises, you ask, that is why it is called ‘need’. You can’t sit and think what I should ask. Whatever is your requirement, whatever is your need that will come as a question, as a request, yes!
Q: Guruji, when consciousness is formless, should we have faith in the forms also or just have faith in the formless?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If you have reached the formless, it is fine! Forms are just part of the formless.
You can’t relate to the formless, so you relate to the forms when your eyes are open. But when you close your eyes and go deep in meditation, then only you can relate to the formless.
That is how you begin, but later on you will find whether eyes are open or closed, you are with the formless.
Q: Guruji, when I focus on my work or sadhna, my relationships suffer. I want to focus on my sadhna, yet want people around me to be happy. How do I achieve this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Skillfully! You have to do both. It will come spontaneously.
Q: Guruji, sometimes I don’t have time to do seva. Is donation also considered as seva?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! That is also seva.
See, whatever is possible for you, that is what is seva.
Suppose, you cannot lift a stone, you don’t need to do it. You shouldn’t do what you cannot do. If someone else can do it, you can make them lift the stone that is also part of seva. In the same way, if you cannot go and teach a student yourself, you can help through another teacher. They can teach.
So seva is that what you can do, yes!
If you have time, you can give time. If you have money, you can give money. In whichever way you help, it is called seva.
Q: Gurudev, you have so many disciples. How do you keep track of each disciple’s spiritual progress?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: That is my trade secret! (Guruji says laughing!)
Q: Dearest Guruji, any valentine in the world pampers his partner, reciprocates the love, etc. How can we find the same satisfaction in the Divine Valentine?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The Divine has already pampered you enough. Know that you are already pampered so much. And it will continue.
Q: Guruji, how do we avoid ‘Karma Bandhan’ (bondage due to actions) in our daily life?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Karma Bandhan is when there is some craving or there is some aversion. Both craving and aversion we call as ‘Karma Bandhan’.
So when you do an action without aversion or craving, with a smile, with a free mind and a clean heart, then there is no bondage. Such kind of action brings that inner freedom too.
Q: Can you please say something for the people who are visually impaired?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Yes! Being visually impaired is not an impediment for growth. You all should remember this.
Surdas, a great saint of this country was visually impaired. Dhritarashtra was an emperor who ruled India and he too was visually impaired. So there are many examples.
Swami Shraddhananda, one of the greatest saints of this century was visually impaired. Just few decades ago, he attained his final abode.
Swami Shraddhanandaji used to go to Brindavan to see the temple every day. Someone asked him, ‘Swamiji, you can’t see, and there is a big rush in the temple, why do you go there? What do you see?’ He smiled and replied, ‘If I don’t see, at least the Lord is seeing me. He wants to see me, that is why I am going there. So it doesn’t matter if I cannot see. Do you think He is also unable to see me? Let Him see me. He feels happy by my going there.’
So, this is the depth of devotion, depth of love and the confidence – that the Divinity loves me. You should not ask proof of Divine’s love for you. You should never ask that. Always know that the Divine loves me, that is it! Full stop! No question mark in front of that.
Same with everybody in your day to day life also, don’t question others love for you.
Does Guruji love me? This question should not be there at all. Similarly, my friend loves me or not, my husband loves me or not, or my wife loves me or not - don’t put question marks in front of love. Simply believe they love you and move on. Whatever their behavior is immaterial.
Q: Guruji, God is the operator of this creation and God is our Father. Then why does misery, poverty and ignorance exist?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Someone asked a saint this same question, ‘Why does sorrow exist in this world?’ The saint said, ‘God has kept it for me. Why? Because in spite of there being sorrow I am unable to renounce this world, how would I renounce it if there was no sorrow? And if I don’t renounce it, how will I be able to turn my attention towards God?’
The attention never turns to God.
So the saint said, ‘Sorrow exists so that I do not get caught up in the world. Even after there being so much sorrow, I am so caught up here, and I do not turn towards God. That is why God made this (world) sorrowful, so that one can enjoy it for a little while, and then renounce it and turn back towards God.’ That is why it is said, ‘Dukh mein sumiran sab karen, sukh mein kare na koye, sukh mein sumiran jo kare, dukh kaahe ko hoye.’
Q: Guruji, what is the difference between Guru, Dharma Guru and Satguru?
The other question is, it is believed that in this universe, in any given era, there is only one Satguru; so who is that Satguru, and if it is you, please answer?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is said, ‘Mere Guru hi jagat Guru hain – mere naath hi Jagat ke naath hain’ (My master is the master of this Universe) – this is what one should believe, and this is the truth.
Dharma Guru, Jagat Guru or Sat Guru, these are just different names - what is it that you need – take it and move ahead.
One who speaks about the truth is Satguru. Satguru cannot be someone’s name. Who is a Satguru? One who shows you the truth.
Just as there is a Sangeet Guru (music teacher), there is a Satguru (Guru of truth). Satguru is one who makes you aware of what is truth, what is untruth, what is this world, what is the soul. The one who teaches you to understand these distinctions is called Satguru.
Q: If everything is pre-destined then why does a human being need to do anything?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Though everything is destined, man has to make efforts to get what he likes and what he wants. For example, if you want sunlight in your house, you need to open the windows and doors to see it. You cannot shut the windows and expect the sunlight to come into the house. At the same time you cannot open the windows and doors at midnight and expect the sunlight.
So you need to make efforts towards your goal and what has to happen will happen. Your efforts and destiny, both go together.
Q: Dear Guruji, no matter how much I meditate, I cannot control my temper. What do I do?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Do not try to control your temper, do pranayama regularly. Try to accept people as they are in this world, never try to change them but accept them.
Keep meditating, if you cannot control your temper even after meditating, imagine the kind of temper you will have without meditating. So meditate and do pranayama and it will gradually decrease.
Q: Guruji, I am following you with all my heart for the last 4 years and I have started growing a beard and wearing white clothes. My parents and wife are very unhappy with me.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You don’t need to do all that. Shave off your beard and wear normal colored clothes and be normal.
Role model does not mean you have to wear the same type of clothes and everything. No! Be compassionate, be loving and do all the good work you need to do.
Q: Guruji, could you talk on Shivratri and its importance?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Mahashivratri is the day when the Shiva tattva touches the ground, touches the earth. The consciousness which is always ten inches above the material ground; the aura, the ethereal world which is ten inches above the surface, touches the earth element on Mahashivrathri day.
So, it is very useful for people to keep awake and meditate on that day.
Do not eat too much, eat very light and do more meditation, then it helps in fulfillment of desires. This is the ancient belief. It helps you to grow stronger in your being. It is like a new year for a saadhak (seeker), for spiritual growth, spiritual attainment and worldly attainment, so it is considered auspicious.
The night on this day, when the constellations are in some particular position, is very auspicious for meditation. That is the ancient belief.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen on any other day. Any time your heart is open, your mind is calm and steady, prayers do get answered. But Shivratri day is celebrated with the singing of the ancient vedic chants and a ceremony is done, and it is considered a very auspicious time for a spiritual aspirant.
It is the wedding of the material with the spiritual.
The material which is eight fold came close to the ethereal which is also eight fold.
So what the eight fold prakriti (nature)? Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intellect and ego; all these come in contact with the subtle eight, i.e., the Shiva Tattva.
People usually eat very light, some fruits or something and fast. I don’t recommend you fasting without anything. Take some fruits or some light easily digestible food and spend the day awake and at night meditate. You don’t need to do meditation all night. Meditate for some time.
We will have satsang and some celebrations. That’s it!
In fact every day is a very auspicious day because we do satsang every day.
In ancient times, people used to say okay, if you cannot do every day, at least one day in a year, on Shivratri day, do meditation and keep awake.
Wake the Divinity that is deep within you. That is the message. The Divinity is within you, let it wake up!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 - Verse 8
Verse: bhavan bhismas ca karnas ca
kripas ca samitim-jayah
ashvatthama vikarnas ca
saumadattis tathaiva ca
kripas ca samitim-jayah
ashvatthama vikarnas ca
saumadattis tathaiva ca
Translation: There are personalities like you, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa, Asvatthama, Vikarna and the son of Somadatta called Bhurisrava, who are always victorious in battle
AOL Knowledge Sheet!------RECYCLING and HYGIENE
Everything here is recycled. The earth is 200 million years old - the Alps, the water, the air. Billions of people have breathed the same air. All the particles in your body are old, you are recycled. Your thoughts and emotions are recycled, mind is recycled. You are a recycled person.
Everything here is recycled. Consciousness is recycled - its the same old consciousness. Remind yourself that everything here is recycled material - so relax! Everything goes to where it came from. Recycling brings back purity and hygiene. Knowledge recycles the mind.
Tarah says : Recycling makes everything new and therefore a mind that is recycled by knowledge finds everything fresh.
Knowledge keeps everything fresh. That is why you can keep recycling the same creation. A mind in Knowledge finds everything fresh. If you dont put Knowledge to the mind, the mind gets rotten. Knowledge brings the mind back to purity. Recycling brings purity and hygiene.
Hygiene supports health, and too much hygiene destroys health. In a too hygienic situation the immune system in the body becomes like lazy, unequipped soldiers. People who live in slums often dont get sick, because their immune system becomes like a well-trained soldier. Often people who are too fussy about hygiene have poor health. Sometimes unhygienic conditions create health. It keeps your immune system active, alive and strong, while Knowledge keeps your mind fresh.
Everything here is recycled. Consciousness is recycled - its the same old consciousness. Remind yourself that everything here is recycled material - so relax! Everything goes to where it came from. Recycling brings back purity and hygiene. Knowledge recycles the mind.
Tarah says : Recycling makes everything new and therefore a mind that is recycled by knowledge finds everything fresh.
Knowledge keeps everything fresh. That is why you can keep recycling the same creation. A mind in Knowledge finds everything fresh. If you dont put Knowledge to the mind, the mind gets rotten. Knowledge brings the mind back to purity. Recycling brings purity and hygiene.
Hygiene supports health, and too much hygiene destroys health. In a too hygienic situation the immune system in the body becomes like lazy, unequipped soldiers. People who live in slums often dont get sick, because their immune system becomes like a well-trained soldier. Often people who are too fussy about hygiene have poor health. Sometimes unhygienic conditions create health. It keeps your immune system active, alive and strong, while Knowledge keeps your mind fresh.
Patanjali Yoga Sutras
Patanjali Yoga Sutras - Knowledge Sheet 9
(Continues from previous post: Dealing with modulations of the mind.)
Is practice alone enough? Patanjali says “No”. There are two oxen, which pull a cart. The two wheels of this cart areabhyasa (practice) on one side and vairagya (dispassion) on the other.
What is vairagya?
Drishtanu shravikavishaya vitrush’asya vashikara sanjna vairagyam
Dispassion is that state of supremacy of consciousness in the one free from the thirst of the perceptible and celestial enjoyment.
- Patanjali Yoga Sutra #15
- Patanjali Yoga Sutra #15
The mind gallops towards the world of passion. You just keep quiet, close your eyes or open your eyes or do anything. Where does your mind go? It travels towards the sense of sight. You want to see something somewhere.
Or the mind runs towards the sense of smell, taste, sound and touch. Do you see that? Or it gallops towards something it has heard. It has never seen but it has read some thoughts. This craving for any of these experiences in the mind can stop you from being in the present moment.
Even a few moments of retrieving our senses, the craving or thirst for objects and going back to the Source is vairagya. Are you getting this? This is another basic requirement for meditation. Whenever you want to meditate, your mind should be in dispassion. Without dispassion, your meditation is no good and cannot provide the rest that you are longing for.
Your mind is tired and bogged down by galloping through desires
It is so tired. Just turn back and see all the desires you have had. Have they given you rest? No. They have only created a few more desires and the few more desires, which come, have they given you rest? No. They have given you more, for you to achieve more and have another trip on the merry-go-round. You are not just here, you just go round. You know, the merry-go-round has horses, which do not go anywhere. They just go round in the same place.Stuck in this illusion, you travel miles and miles but go nowhere. This is what desire does to you.
There are two types of arguments even in this. “The sage has said that you should not have desires; so I will not desire anything” is one argument. Now, saying “I do not want any desire” becomes another desire. Some people do this and that is beating around the bush. Some people are on a trip to destroy their desires.
Guru Punch!
We are tiny and sweet; delightful like sesame seeds with jaggery. So stay small and sweet and you will truly become big. And if you think you are very big and important in any field or aspect then the downfall will begin ~ Sri Sri
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 - Verse 7
Verse: asmakam tu visista ye
tan nibodha dvijottama
nayaka mama sainyasya
samjnartham tan bravimi te
tan nibodha dvijottama
nayaka mama sainyasya
samjnartham tan bravimi te
Translation: But for your information, O best of the brahmanas, let me tell you about the captains who are especially qualified to lead my military force.
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