Body, Mind And Soul Dharmas

Body, Mind And Soul Dharmas
Discourse: Shri Shri Nimishananda
Our life is classified into three vital areas to fulfil the purpose which is Self-realization. Sages collectively called these three vital areas as dharmic or principled obligations. What we must fulfil through the physical body in society is called bhoutika dharma or worldly obligations. That which is to be fulfilled through the mind and intellect is called mano dharma or mental obligation. The third one that enables us to activate and empower our soul is atma dharma or Self-realization. The following four steps could help us progress on this path.
We value our body for its beauty, youth, health or usefulness, without realizing that it is a walking miracle. From birth to death, it carries out innumerable life-sustaining activities. Our heart beat 86,400 times and our lungs breathe 21,600 times every day. All this is possible due to the inexhaustible power, the soul which is making life throb. When we are aware that we constantly carry this sacred energy. We will never misuse it to perform actions which are harmful, demonic, criminal or destructive in nature. Also, we become aware that our body is exposed to limitations of time and space governing our lives. So we understand every moment that is available to us.
Then we follow a strict regimen of niyama with a definite value of time for food, sleep and regular routine of sadhana. Our body will be healthy and we will be fit and in control.
Secondly, process the mind. Examine every thought and emotion scrupulously to check whether it falls within the framework of righteousness with great objectivity and vitality. Chanting Om which is the bija mantra or seed syllable of the soul energises the mind and transforms it into an impartial witness. This also churns the mind and draws out all thoughts and emotions hidden in its subconscious layers. This is symbolically depicted in churning the Kshirasagara or Ocean of Milk to obtain the nectar of immortality. Here, the mind is the Kshirasagara and the churner is Om, the sacred syllable from which the whole universe emerged. Our dharma or good thoughts represent gods and adharma or bad thoughts represent demons. As we begin churning the mind, cleansing of the mind begins and negativity within us is thrown out. Divinity is retained.
Thirdly, eliminate negativity. As we continue our sadhana by chanting Om with total faith and belief, Shiva as Guru removes all negativity as soon as it rises up from within us. All negative thoughts, tendencies and feelings we have accumulated over many life-times rise to the surface. This negative energy constricting the mind is eliminated through guru’s grace and our intellect, concentration and memory become razore-sharp. We make quick, accurate decisions and complete our tasks at lightning speed. Every day expands to give us ample time for further sadhana and we become more and more absorbed in its vibrations.
The fourth step is to create wealth. At this point you will begin to create nidhi of treasure. As we get immersed in sadhana, we transcend our senses and our mind blossoms. Our hearts expand to embrace all beings. We generate only selfless, dharmic desires which benefit the world and are instantaneously fulfilled by Cosmic Will. We develop selflessness which is one of the important characteristics of self-realization and our atma dharma is thereby fulfilled.

Wtiting Can Be Prayerful

Writing Can Be Prayerful - Janina Gomes
The information explosion and popularity of debates and talks in electronic media has perhaps reduced the are of writing to just another has-been activity. And yet, the more information we are exposed to, the more we are prone to introspection and reflection – which find sensitive expression in writing. We mull over things, integrate the lessons we have learnt from them, see the context in which they happened and finally use them to form a framework within which we operate.
Writing then becomes a kind of prayer, in which we come to understand ourselves better, learning, in the process, to change our attitudes and look for a deeper reality. Writing, as prayer, helps us know more about ourselves and progress on the spiritual path; it’s a prayer that reaches outwards in ever-growing concentric circles, becoming a way of relating our reality to God and to those around us.
Many seekers maintain a personal diary in which they sort themselves out by recording their daily experiences. The pace of life gathers momentum when these personal reflections lead us forward on the path to divine realization. When we write, the writing turns into a dialogue with God.
All writing is expression of life. Great literature, poetry, art and science are not ends in themselves. When they continue to make a social impact, it is because they have touched a deeper chord in our existence.
Frances Thompson’s poem ‘The Hound of Heaven’ begins thus: “ I fled him down the nights and down the days. I fled him down the arches of the years. I fled him down the labyrinthine ways of my own mind”. The poet seems to be wrestling with god. He transmits the experience of struggle and deeper longings of the heart to readers through verse.
One could argue that every human activity is prayer. But, in writing, we are plumbing the depths of human existence and at some point, whilst doing so, we inevitably meet with god. Writing can help make the mundane and the sacred meet. In writing we interpret our own experiences, dreams, successes and failings and by so doing we create a common language and common ground, where sharing becomes possible.
Some of those writers who reject the notion of God often unconsciously express a longing for an unknown reality in their lives. Whether they deify ideology or try to equate a secular reality with God, the inner drive to find everlasting reality is still omnipresent. A seeker would most likely reserve special lime for prayer that could take any one of the following forms; ritual, talking to God, satsang, the Eucharist or listening to a discourse. But when we write, we can go farther and create a worldwide network of prayer. Like the spider’s web connects the centre with the periphery, we also become part of a universal connected web of prayer. There have been instances when the combined prayers of several people have helped generate positive, healing energy.
Good writing propels thought and action. Faith as tiny as a mustard seed can move mountains. Similarly, heartfelt expression can create waves like sound waves, piercing the ether and spreading vibrations of peace and love.
Writing then can be a way of loving all creation. It can be a source of solace and support in difficult times. It can keep the flame of hope burning. It can rewrite and recreate for us, a world of human solidarity and love that overcomes the temptation to hate and violate, divide and destruct.

We Are Agitatied By Belief - Talk: J Krishnamurti

Your religion, your belief in God, is an escape from actuality, and therefore it is no religion at all. The rich man who accumulates money through cruelty, dishonesty and cunning exploitation believes in God; and you also believe in God, you also are cunning, cruel, suspicious and envious…. Because you collect sacred books and symbols of God, does that indicate that you are a religious person?
Religion is not escape from the fact: religion is the understanding of the fact of what you are in your everyday relationships; religion is the manner of your speech, the way you talk, the way you address your servants, the way you treat your family and neighbor, society and family, there must be confusion; and the mind that is confusion, problems and conflict.
A mind that escapes from the actual shall never find God; a mind that is agitated by belief shall not know truth. But the mind that understands its relationship with property, people and ideas, the mind which no longer struggles with the problems which relationship creates, and for which the solution is not withdrawal but the understanding of love- such a mind alone can understand reality.
We realise that life is ugly, painful, sorrowful; we want some kind of theory or doctrine which will explain all this, and so we are caught in explanation, words, theories, and gradually, beliefs becomes deeply rooted and unshakable because behind those beliefs and dogmas, there is the constant fear of the unknown. But we never look at that fear; we turn away from it. The stronger the beliefs, the stronger the dogmas. Beliefs divide people. Each dogma, each belief has a series of rituals and compulsions which bind and separate man. So, we start with an inquiry to find out what is true, what the significance is of this misery, struggle and pain; and we are soon caught up in beliefs, rituals and theories.
Belief is corruption because behind belief and morality lurks the mind, the self growing big, powerful and strong. We consider belief in God, the belief in something, as religion; that to believe is to be religious. If you do not believe, you will be considered an atheist; you will be condemned by society.
One society will condemn those who believe in God, and another society will condemn those do not. They are both the same. So, religion becomes a matter of belief and belief acts and has a corresponding influence on the mind; the mind then can never be free. But it is only in freedom that you can find out what is true, what is God, not through any belief, because your very belief projects what you think ought to be God, what you think ought to be true…
We are confused, and we think that through belief is superimposed on the confusion, and we hope that confusion will thereby be cleared away. But belief is merely an escape from the fact of confusion; it does not help us to face and to understand the fact but to run away from the confusion in which we are…. Belief only acts as a screen between ourselves and our problems. So, Religion, which is organized belief, becomes a means of escape from what is, from the fact of confusion. The Book of Life, KFI.

CAS In DYPIS

Yesterday Abhilash and Aditi had given this collage of cas picture’s. Children are really very creative and energetic. How much work they do?
CAS work is going on still some things are not clear to me, but I am trying my level best.
Getting information from occ forum, blogs and guide and of course Chiranjeet is biggest source of information for me. I wish soon everything will be clear for me. Anyway I am enjoying my work and this happy feeling is giving me energy to work more !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aaj Bhi Khare Hai Talab

Today I finish reading ' Aaj Bhi Khare Hai Talab'. It was revision for me. Long back I have read this book. That time also I felt we should revise our old water system, and today also same thought came in my mind. I know in Nagpur one person had good study about all pond system. Minti knows him very well. Mr. Sahatrabhojani had studied about it, and given a report to NMC. Nagpur's all ponds have interconnection and if we clean the ponds we can get a big chain of water source which will be helpful for water supply department of Nagpur and hole city will get sufficient water even in summers. But government is not paying attention and at last it must lying down somewhere in NMC office.

Teach Head, Hand And Heart

- Talk: Dada J P Vaswani

Date: 5^th September, 2011

“Judge a tree by its fruits,” said the great teacher of Palestine. Judged by its fruits, our current education system has failed miserably. A new type of education is needed, an education which should be related to life, real life.

Education must not be merely academic or abstract: it must not aim at stuffing the student with information acquired from dead books or a set of sterile moralities and superficial values. True education should equip the student to cope adequately with life, with what lies ahead of him so that he may become a worthy participant in the adventure of life.

Intellect has developed but reverence is lacking. Critical faculties are given free play and sympathy, the power that binds and builds, is receding. Knowledge without sympathy does more harm than good. It makes us suspicious and cynical.

Ideals that inspired education in ancient India must be rediscovered and introduced in our educational institutions, if we are to make our contributions to civilization and to the freshness of human life.

The number of schools and colleges and universities in India is multiplying. Graduates and holders of doctorates are increasing. Knowledge has spread. But have we grown in freshness, vitality and strength? Have we become more appreciative of the deeper values which alone give meaning and significance to life? Or do we feel bored, cut off from great ideals, hearts bereft of the song of sacrifice?

A new type of education is needed – an education which will not merely develop brain power, but an education which will give a triple training of the head, hand and heart.

Nation-building is character-building. What is wanted is not mere intellectual improvement but education that helps us become whole. The final end of education is not the gain of scholarship or education, power or financial independence. For all these without self-discipline and self-control could well transform to becoming anti-social forces. The object of education would be to form character.

Ancient Indic guru-shishya parampara was a beautiful blend of discipline and emotion. Today, students receive information but not much by way of training of emotions. Communion with nature was another part of ashram life. It developed the aesthetic side of the student’s life; it purified the heart.

True education is not dead knowledge; it is pulsating with life. Vidya or education is the search for the spiritual centre of life. Vidya is culture and this is possible with mental and physical discipline.

Today, knowledge has made us cynical. Education is analytical and critical, but lacks power for the creative life of society. It has made alliance with secularism, with utilitarianism, with “getting on”. The problem of education will not be solved unless knowledge is related to a Spiritual synthesis of Life, to what is called Adhyatma Vidya. There has been too much organization of the machinery of education. We have given too much time to study of processes and too much time to their ends and values. Organization has brought with it officialism, and officialism is the death of true culture.

A sound theory of education is a theory of ideals – the values and means by which they may be secured. The ideal is a vital idea. It is dynamic. The ideal shows the principle of infinite vitality. Thus ideals shape our lives.

From Times Of India (The Speaking Tree)

Conflict Necessary For Creativity

Raj Kachroo

When M K Gandhi was thrown out of a train in South Africa he had a choice to make – either to ignore the event and live in peace or enter into a conflict and face harassment, hardship and the possibility Why? Did he not have a guru who had taught him that living in peace and tranquility was the ultimate objective of life and the best way to achieve this objective was to avoid situations of conflict? Why did he not walk away?

The Dalai Lama chose to live in exile rather than live in peace in Tibet. He is a spiritual master himself. He preaches peace around the world. Does he not know that living in peace requires avoiding situations of conflict?

Aung San Suu Kyi did not have to stay in jail. Winston Churchill did not have to join the Word War. Nelson Mandela did not have to fight a war with Idi Amin. There is a long list of people who have embraced conflict despite standing for peace, otherwise. They had the courage to stand up against repression rather than submit to it.

Both the Ramayana and Mahabharata, revered Indic epics, are stories of war, not peace. Krishna did not tell the Pandavas to ignore the incident of Draupadi’s humiliation in court (the Draupadi vastraharan). He encouraged them to go to war. The Gita says engaging in war to uphold truth is not a matter of choice for a warrior; it is his duty. Islam says participation in jihad is the duty of a Muslim when the fight is to uphold justice when challenged by oppression, as a way of self-defense.

Most of us are confused between conflict and the method of resolving a conflict and the method of resolving a conflict. We assume, incorrectly that Gandhi, as a peace loving person, must have avoided situations of conflict. On the other hand, he faced conflict head-on. Bhagat Singh and Gandhi were both gearing themselves to deal with conflict, except that Gandhi tried to employ peaceful means while Bhagat Singh chose aggression.

The duty of a scientist, artist or professor is also to engage in conflict against repressive regimes of knowledge. Any kind of limited knowledge is a form of bondage. Albert Einstein advanced the boundaries of scientific knowledge. James Joyce did the same in the world of literature. He flouted rules of writing as he saw them as restrictions on creativity. Picasso and M F Hussain, for example, explored realms beyond accepted rules in visual art. Mother Teresa redefined the concept of caring. Every one of them faced criticism and controversy, yet they remained convinced of the nature of their work and the methods they used to fulfill their vision. They remained engaged.

One can only conclude from this that the people we admire and even those we worship have all rejected the existing as being adequate and have chosen to engage in conflict to expand the existing. They have redefined the purpose of our life.

The purpose of our life is not to live in passive acceptance but to engage with conflict in order to be creative. Creativity is the purpose of life. The purpose is to advance an individual soul and the collective Consciousness. The only word of caution here is that we must first settle ourselves spiritually so that we know whether a conflict is justified or not.