Jiva's predicament (contd.)
In the Bhagavad-Gita (Ch.1, Verse 27 -32), the Bhagavan says,
In the Bhagavad-Gita (Ch.1, Verse 27 -32), the Bhagavan says,
"Winning the battle (of life) and gaining mukti is not easy for a jiva held in the grip of maya". "A hundred one forces (Kurus) overtake and defeat the resolve, determination, and drive of the jiva to attain liberation." To quote Paramahansa Yogananda here, (p. 141) "The devotee following the path of meditation in hope of complete emancipation, realizes that he has to destroy his material tendencies because they militate against the pursuance the superior soul pleasures."
"The reason few people seek God in earnest as do the saints is that millions believe they cannot do without evil, misery-producing pleasures. They are addicted as the alcoholics towards health-killing drink.... they even ask why were the senses given to man if he is not to enjoy them?" Further, Arjuna says "O Soul, I do not perceive any beneficial result to be gained by slaying my intimate sense habits. My mind loathes the idea of destruction of sense pleasures. ... I do not see any use in destroying all sense comforts."
"Renunciation is not an end in itself.... The divine state of final emancipation is not a state of blank nothingness or a condition of inner extinction; it is rather, the demesne of a positive conscious sense of eternal blessed expansion."(ibid, p. 144)
In fact, by giving up our worldly mundane existence, we are entering a higher level of consciousness- one of eternal all-fulfilling happiness, joy and peace. The levels of consciousness are seven from muladhara, svadhishthana, manipura, anahata, vishuddhi, ajnya and the sahasrara. Anybody can reach any of these levels by yoga in turiya prajnya.
As yogopanishad, the entire Gita is a suitable guide, a compendium of instructions on sane and sensible living. It shows us the way to bring out the hidden secrets of our inner being. It saves us from falling into the hands of tricksters and fraudsters. We see lots of people in search of peace, happiness not knowing that it is all within one's own inner self; what all is needed is to take to yoga. The method, the techniques of yoga are no where better explained as in the Gita. The first step towards this is to take to japa and dhyana. Om namh shivaya, Om namo narayanaya, or Hare Rama Rama nama japa, followed by Gayatree japa and Pranayama, are the preliminary steps.
Yogasu karma koushalah || says Krishna.
Although japa tapa, dhyana, and nidhidhyasana are advocated the practice of these spiritual exercises are not easy. The mind wanders like a mad monkey bitten by a scorpion. Its outgoing tendency cannot be curbed by normal householders with responsibilities; but, it is exactly for these people that these simple exercises are prescribed. The adepts can manage themselves i Ashrams or secluded places. But the householders who need peace of mind, tranquil atmosphere have to strive for it. Hence, some simple techniques are given here.,
1. Whenever the mind is disturbed it is advisable to sit in a comfortable position and take deep breath. 2. whenever the mind looks for some engagement and looks to entertainment, its tendency can be curbed by giving chant of God's name (ishta devata naama smarane).
the most beautiful technique is to enquire one self- "What do i want?" And, "Why do i need it?" Will it give permanent happiness or only temporary satisfaction? If the answer is the latter, simply drop it. And, then, every time the mind asks the senses to go on errands like talking, seeing, hearing, etc. the best thing is to ask it, oneself- "Is it necessary and in what way i am concerned? Even before one wants to blurt out, or feel like talking or talk something, it is better to ask is it necessary to talk, engage in gossip, join talks that are not worthy of my stature (spiritual nature).
When these sorts of self enquiry, introspection, and auto suggestions are practised the person becomes totally calm, energetic (saving all wasteful expending in mundane things) and peaceful. Such persons become very beautiful within and outward, and create joy and happiness wherever they go!
Yogasu karma koushalah || says Krishna.
Although japa tapa, dhyana, and nidhidhyasana are advocated the practice of these spiritual exercises are not easy. The mind wanders like a mad monkey bitten by a scorpion. Its outgoing tendency cannot be curbed by normal householders with responsibilities; but, it is exactly for these people that these simple exercises are prescribed. The adepts can manage themselves i Ashrams or secluded places. But the householders who need peace of mind, tranquil atmosphere have to strive for it. Hence, some simple techniques are given here.,
1. Whenever the mind is disturbed it is advisable to sit in a comfortable position and take deep breath. 2. whenever the mind looks for some engagement and looks to entertainment, its tendency can be curbed by giving chant of God's name (ishta devata naama smarane).
the most beautiful technique is to enquire one self- "What do i want?" And, "Why do i need it?" Will it give permanent happiness or only temporary satisfaction? If the answer is the latter, simply drop it. And, then, every time the mind asks the senses to go on errands like talking, seeing, hearing, etc. the best thing is to ask it, oneself- "Is it necessary and in what way i am concerned? Even before one wants to blurt out, or feel like talking or talk something, it is better to ask is it necessary to talk, engage in gossip, join talks that are not worthy of my stature (spiritual nature).
When these sorts of self enquiry, introspection, and auto suggestions are practised the person becomes totally calm, energetic (saving all wasteful expending in mundane things) and peaceful. Such persons become very beautiful within and outward, and create joy and happiness wherever they go!
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