'Attainment'-Transcending the Boundaries.

  As we are all children, we would love to play. We first lay down the rules of the game. We mark the boundaries and then cry foul. We mark the boundary of the cricket field only to shout a 'four' when the ball rolls out of it, or shout a 'Six' when the ball flies high and crosses beyond! We mark the foot ball or tennis field and cry 'out'. It is we who have created the boundary lines where there was none. Those who are fed up with this play, eraze all lines of boundaries and go home!

   'One' vast unlimited deep expanse of Space (akasha) is filled with material objects like the stars, galaxies, the sun and its planets,including the varied life forms. This is in totality. This 'One' is identified as each one, separate, and this and that by the intelligence. Where there is 'none' comes the 'one' and the one only appears as one more, one more and the 'many'.  In all reality, it is one only. It is like the bachelor who becomes one more with a wife and one more and  one more like the children; all are one, one family, progeny! The human mind is ingenious in identifying, imagining, and creating things which do not exist! All that exist here is transitory and 'do not really exist' as the eternal!

  So also, the ingenious mind marks the boundary where there is none. It can create, divide, dissect, disseminate and do all sorts of tricks. These thresholds, the boundaries, rules and regulations, etc are all creation of the mischievous mind. We write down a Constitution and becomes out-dated, obsolete, and we cry foul when we do not follow it! So also, we create dos' and don'ts and castigate those who do not follow them. This problem prompted the great social thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, Rousseu to proclaim that "we are born free and we are in chains everywhere". 

   This boundary, the threshold, the limitations are thus either self-imposed, or may be, even divine. For instance, we have the sapta lokas- bhu,bhuvah, svah, mahah, janah, tapah and the sat. So also, we have seven levels of Consciousness from muladhara at the base (basal plexus) to sahasrar over the head running through svadhishthana, manipura, anahata, vishuddhi, and the ajnya; so also, there are seven levels below the waist/seat- atala, vitala, sutala. . . patala. One who is an adept yogi can transcend these levels in yogic trance (samadhi) and reach the highest. When one reaches the highest level of consciousness, that is pure and clear (without any blemishes like mada, matsarya, krodha, etc.) he, the yogi, realizes the 'oneness'. This is attainment in the real sense.

    

The Threshold

   The threshold comes in between the two- the 'in' and the 'out'. Actually, it is a bench mark. It is the imaginary line that separates that which is 'one'only. It is like an earthen pot that separates the space within and without and the difference of being in and out ceases to exist when the separating earthen wall breaks! The threshold marks the the external and the internal. As humans we are all made of the five fundamental principles, pancha mahabhuta tattva. These are water (70%) followed by earth (28-29%) or soil/food, fire, air and space (remaining 1 or 2%). Since we are within the threshold of the gross water, soil and food we live just by eating, drinking and sleeping. There is air (we breath), heat, and space within us all. These same principle are also there outside of us. What separates us from the outside is the earthen shell supported by food- breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. We indulge in merry-making unconcerned about the main purpose of life. Some even question as to what is the purpose! 

   The threshold separates us, as the human bodies, from the external and the internal only insofar as we think as a physical body. The Mind works both inside and outside and thereby keeps us engaged with the outside world. When the Mind stands still, stops functioning, the jiva rests in peace with itself without bothering about the world. This stillness of the mind is obtained by laya yoga- manonasha or manonasha as in Samadhi. The physical body is only an accessory and it works on the advice of the mind, buddhi, ahankara with the help of the ten sense organs, indriyas. These are provided only to keep the body engaged- eat, drink, sleep and recreation. These are in no way helpful for the larger purpose of attainment of liberation, salvation. This salvation is attained once the jiva erases the borderline, the threshold and the inner and the outer becomes one! This happens in samadhi.

    The threshold is an imaginary self-imposed border line due to avidya of the jiva. This avidya is not the lack of knowledge, but 'knowledge shrouded by selfish interests'. The ari-shadvarga, such as, ego, jealous, attachment, pride, anger, and greed. Once the jiva gets rid of these qualities and raises above all the  attachment, dependence, and realizes its true nature, the threshold is erased. This merger of the inner and the outer is symbolically practiced by breaking a water-filled earthen pot at the time  of cremation of the dead body. However, a yogi does this even while he/she is living by discarding all the acquired qualities.

   Hence, it is important that we get rid of all these attachments to the sensuous world and remain happy and contented with what we get on its own. The Bhagavad-Gita has explicitly stated this point of view. sarvarambha parityagi is very dear to Me. We get into problems by our indulgences in worldly affairs. It is not necessary to indulge ourselves, unnecessarily go out and get into trouble, or poke our nose everywhere. Each jiva should strive to get rid of the shackles that bind us to this mrutyu loka where every thing has to deteriorate and disappear only to reappear in another form. Humans are the worst sufferers- with old age, sickness and death or bereavements. These sad states of affairs are the result of attachment. Wisdom lies in closing all accounts of good and bad results (papa and punya) and be liberated once and for all.

Surrender to the supreme Lord, a higher force and be liberated, even while living. 

Evolution

   Evolution of life on earth is an enigma. Darwin tried to make some sense by arranging the different species and giving it some sort of a sequential order. When the theory of 'Monkey became Man' was  brought into text books it went into lots of arguments and discussions.Is there a sequential development, order of succession in evolution is the question. However, the ancient sages had already presented a very simple Vedic doctrine of  creation that holds good for all times. The principles of creation are enunciated in the Sankhya.
    The scientists try to deduce from what is seen and the defect lies in the fact that we cannot see and know everything, all at once. The Vedic doctrines, on the other hand, are very clear about Creation. It says, "the Lord Willed". In fact, what we call the Veda is not some thing like Rks, Saman, or Yajus. It is 'vid', the very 'Knowledge'! It is this 'Knowledge' (jnyan) only that exists. It is the first manifest function of brahmn. This 'brahhmn' is 'Knowledge'. Knowledge is 'chit'. What all we find in this world is some sort of a knowledge only. Each one of us is a 'faculty' and go by a profession we adopt for most part of our life. When when we do not profess anything, or when we are recognized as 'so and so', it is a specialized knowledge like doctor or engineer or lawyer!
    Everything emanates from 'brahmn' and this includes all that we find here including the living beings and non-living things. The Vedic doctrine is that things manifest from elements, the pancha mahabhuta, and this includes all living-forms. Life is a form of energy, force. There is nothing that can create or destroy life here since this life-force (prana) always exists, and may or may not take a formal body! The fundamental principles of creation, sustenance, development, and dissolution are enunciated in all the epics. There are no controversies or ambiguities in this regard.  

    Although, different life-forms exist on earth, there is no uniformity and standardized model here.  Each living being is a universe by itself! Every living being exhibits its state of existence at any time and there are many states such as germs,viruses, insects, animals and birds in different ecosystems and humans. All these are the gross aspects of energy and the subtler aspects have to discovered. Most of the gross forms emanate from subtler, invisible forces, vibrations and waves of sounds! The invisible forces are visualized by the saints who contemplate them in a transcendental meditative mode. These forces are given names and forms by artists and called gods! There are just thoughts, images and even knowledge in subtle forms. These are experienced and personified as sages and saints, whereas, they do not exist at all! Seer or a sage is an embodiment of knowledge, with or without a formal body. A person transcends all limtations of body, mind, senses, intellect and ego before becoming a Sage (rishi), Seer (drushtara). For instance, Vishva Mitra, the name of a sage, is just Light, Knowledge, Bliss! So also, the Rishis who are just visionaries, Seers.
    We have wrong notions of these and do not understand unless and until an attained 'Guru' teaches us. Here again, the Guru is one who is fire of knowledge within us all and not a person who lives like us! Bhagavan Shree Krishna says, "I am the Self of all". Atma eva guru | So, one should go into meditative trance and visualize and become a Seer. 

Should We indulge in Worldly Affairs?

The Bhagavad-Gita is a handy guide book to take us step by step to kaivalya.  Here, the first doctrine enunciated is work, action, karma. None can keep quiet without doing any work. So, one has to work and this includes eating, drinking, breathing and earn a livelihood. This may or may not include your indulgences in marriage, family, society and national interests! However, whatever one does attracts results of action, karma phala. These will be the seeds for the next lives and one has to be careful about this. In fact, Blessed Lord reveals the secret as to how to get rid of these karmakleshas. He says, "Do whatever you like, but do it in my name and offer it to Me. Say, 'Krishnarpanamastu'!" This will absolve the doer of action from being afflicted by karma kleshas."

   Second doctrine is that of Yoga which enables one to concentrate and contemplate. Method of performing yoga is also explained in the Gita. Yoga will also help to transcend time, space, and causality. Yogins can stay unperturbed under all grave provocations and thereby be always happy and peaceful. The doctrines of bhakti (devotion), jnyana (Knowledge), and dhyana (concentration on the higher self) are given as the essential steps to attain liberation. When one exhausts all these and fails to attain salvation, the doctrine of self-surrender, sharanagatim principle is advised. This will certainly bring total solace and eternal joy and happiness since the self or the ego is erased and the devotee rests peacefully with the Bhagavan. This Bhagavan is none else but the Self, the Atman, who breathes and holds us day and night till our body deteriorates to the point of stopping breathing! This state of being with one's self is really the ultimate one can expect in this world. 

   Hence, the question is whether one should go on in an endless search for happiness indulging in sensuous life and suffer dualities? Yes and No. This depends on the age factor. One can enjoy as long as one is not aware of the true nature of the world. Once the true nature of the  transient world is realized nobody will go after it. One should realize the self before one leaves one's last breath.
  There is another problem with the jiva indulging in worldly affairs. It is the fickle mind that keeps him busy with the external world. It is, first, to go out to  get food and then seek recreation. Most of the time we spend time in matters that do not concern us, at all!  Since mind has no intelligence, it acts foolish and the person fails to use the intelligence bestowed to it. May be some are unaware of it, or may be, do not have it at all due to early stage of evolution? However, this problem can be solved by taking recourse to yoga and silence. There is no meaning worrying about anything and foolishly seeking pleasure and happiness from people and things outside. One who is established in one's self is the happiest since the self is the fountain of happiness. 

Can Man Become God?

   The Biblical statement is : "I and My Father in Heavens are One"|
   The Vedic Doctrine is : ayam Atmaa brahmn | Atma eva brahmn ||
  In the beginning I was with the Lord and now also I am in the womb of my Mother Earth. Bhu. Bhu Devi gives me birth, food, shelter and wants me to be happy and joyful. I am within the gravitational force and cannot escape unless my soul, blemished with unending desires, and action ti fulfill these sensuous desires, becomes pure enough to become a particle of Light, light enough  to escape gravity. So, I am ignorant of my true nature and suffer due to ignorance.
  Can I become God? Yes. if a plant like Tulasi or a tree like Oudumbara (fig tree), Banni or Ashvatha (banyon, peepul), or birds like falcon, swan and peacock, or even reptiles and other animals like rats, serpent and cow can rise to the level of Gods by becoming their vehicle of transport and get worshiped by us, why not we become God and be worshiped. What is so special about these plants and animals that they get the attention of people? Is it due to their good quality or any other commendable nature that they are deified and worshiped. It may seem strange to those who do  not know the secret of creation if we say that all creation are divine only, but some forget and other remember their true self. Besides, Bhagavan Shree Krishna says, "I am the Self of all". It is now clear that "Divinity rests within us and we must manifest that through meditation". Shree Krishna says, "One can reach Me by discarding what all that has been acquired as qualities. so give up everything and surrender to Me".  Constant meditation on the divine will automatically manifest the divinity within us and we too will be deified and worshiped. There are a million such manifest divine souls amidst us and we worship them!

    Why not we emulate the divine souls that are pure, unblemished, and shine in the glory of the Lord? What one has to do to attain to this divine stature is nothing but to just 'keep quite'. This is what we do once the plane takes off! We do not run here and there during the flight. We just tighten our belt, sit and close our eyes. But, we should not forget that there are certain prerequisites before getting the boarding pass. We have to make the flight booking well in advance, get clearance from customs after a very careful body-check, luggage is dropped at the check-in (not even cabin luggage in this case), and finally allowed to get in after security check, again. So also, the ashtanga yoga sutras are prescribed as preliminary exercises like yama, niyama, pratyahara and Ishvara pranidana as the first four necessary steps, followed by asana, pranayama, dhyana and finally, samadhi. This last step is what is stated as the "just keep quiet" principle in our advice above.  Remember, we are taking a space craft, not a jet flight! It is imperative that all the outer shells are discarded and only the capsule, the Atman, flies off, never to return to this death knell (mrutyu lok) where old age, sickness and death are certain!
     When the soul is pure and pristine, mind and intellect are merged in consciousness and the senses are reverted to the soul, the jiva shines in the glory of the Lord. Thus, one is deified! It is others who recognize this, not the jiva; the jiva is just unaware of its state! 
 Just surrender to the supreme Lord, rest will be done automatically by the higher self, paramatman! 

Are We Humans, As Yet?

The so called homo sapiens, the human beings found on this earth are yet to evolve into the state of fully developed humans! This is just the beginning of the stage of development of primates- monkeys becoming man! There are four more intermediate stages like the gibbon, orang utang, chimpanzee and gorilla, between the apes and the man we find walking on two legs with free hands. The problem is that the evolutionary process is a very very slow process. It has to evolve from the primary stages of gathering food and surviving with whatever manas (the Mind) and little intelligence (buddhi) that has developed, so far. The intellect ( 'buddhi'), not the perverted intelligence, has to develop and the mind is still in its adolescent stage, fickle and mischievous !  This is the reason why one can excel in any faculty, but cannot become a real human being with true love, compassion, selfless action and look for spiritual development. Even who pose as spiritual gurus have become merchants and use some tricks like yoga without ever bothering to promote the inner self to divine self!

  Thus, it is inevitable that we take some time off from our busy schedule and think about our spiritual development. All progress depends on one becoming more humane than rich and famous?  

Let's ponder over!

1.  The Universe, so far known to us ,consists of innumerable galaxies , each  one of them consisting of billions or trillions of stars- some of these having planets and satellites of their own! Some planets like the earth are supporting life due to the presence of ideal conditions such as heat. temperature, water, air,and soil. The entire universe exists in a vast undefined space of no known dimension and it is also not clear whether it is yet another matter like air and clouds. The galaxies  that contain millions, or may be even trillions, of stars are said to be mere clouds of gaseous masses of stellar dust that may condense into stars. It is said that these stars may collapse under their own weight and burst or explode (as in the case of neutron stars) bombarding the space with stellar dust particles and heavy metals like gold, platinum, mercury. These are scientific explanations given by astronomers and physicists. However, these observations are subject to constant review and restatements. We are getting new facts and figures, as and when new discoveries are made, and, hence nothing is certain about these. Moreover, all these are mere postulations, hypotheses, theories ,subject to change!

2.   The scientific version of the universe is supported by what the scientists have seen through powerful telescopes and a study of  the pictures obtained from  the electronic telescopic cameras . These are mere collages of colours of waves and splashes of  light ! The scientists have presented their observations based on these and have clearly stated that these are mere speculations and probabilities. The artistic impression is presented and this may not present the reality. The Vedantins, on the ther hand, have boldly stated that the observations are visions that are personally experienced and can never go wrong. Anybody at that heightened level of consciousness will envision or visualize the same truth! Hence, what they state is the ‘whole truth’- "evam veda", an indisputable statement, at that!  

       Thus, we have the views of both the scientists and the Vedantins for a comparative study. The interested seekers of ‘truth’ may wade through the literature available and make a practical effort to realize the truth through yoga sadhana. Thus, a perfect view of the true nature of existence and the place of man in the entire system can be understood! Once this is clear to the seeker, he/she needs no further effort, whatsoever!

3.   The ancient Indian astronomers and mathematicians like Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Bhaskara II, and many Sage-seers, spiritualists, visionaries have given detailed accounts of their experience and these are in manuscripts that await detailed study and  publication.