The Hindu society is a duty-based society. In
Europe, we can see right based society. The duties of the husband become the
right of the wife and vice-versa. A karma yogi does not bother about others who
may not do their duty, as they are not under his control. Appreciating others
is our duty but expecting appreciation from others is not our duty. Performance
of duties will elevate me spiritually.
Ideal preparation for meditation is karma
yoga way of life. Doing karma yoga is ideal for Upasanam and Nithithyasanam. We
use our mind for worldly activities and for meditation. A good sleep is a
medical exercise. I have a control over action and not have control over the
consequences. I am ready for any consequences for which I prepare my mind. Mind
is ready to live in the present. Karma yoga helps us to live in the present
during meditation. Krishna talks about meditation exhaustively in the sixth
chapter of Baghavad Gita. When disturbances are milder, they do not stay
longer. When disturbances are more, they alone come to the mind when I close my
eyes. Samatvam/ equanimity of mind is required. In spite of provoking the mind,
you should have equanimity of mind and maintain the mind to be calm. Krishna
taught karma yoga in the 2nd and 3rd chapter of Gita. In
the 6th chapter, he praises a karma yogi householder so that it
serves as an incentive to him and for others to follow him. He hypes a Grihasta
by saying that though he is a householder externally, he is a Sanyasi. Krishna
says traditional Sanyasi (sit still and close eyes) is not a real Sanyasi. A
householder who performs karma yoga is a Sanyasi. As per Krishna, he who is engaged in
performance of duties as a karma yogi is a Sanyasi. Arjuna should be a karma
yogi and fight a righteous war.
How can a householder karma yogi be called a
Sanyasi? A Sanyasi has to renounce something. Krishna says that a karma yogi
also has renounced. Because of that, he deserves the title Sanyasi. He is a
Sankalpa Sanyasi. He has renounced Sankalpa (Obsession with the future). He
does not think I am doing all the duties to my family. Will they take care of
me in the future? Dharma is the real security. Dharmo rakshati rakshitaka
(Dharma protects those who protect it). One who does not renounce Sankalpa is not
a Karma yogi. Whoever wants to practice Atma Dhyanam should follow Karma yoga
way of life and practice Shravanam and Mananam. A person who wants to do
Vedantic meditation should be a karma yogi. When he learns to dump worry about
his future and learning to maintain equanimity in all pairs of opposites
(Life’s ups and Downs) he will be ready and the mind will be available for
meditation. Mind can withdraw unwanted things by following karma yoga way of
life. You have to reform your mind enough for meditation and thereby you can
concentrate on teaching. Develop a love
for something (Concentration Meditation). Repeatedly listening to Vedanta as a
source of Joy, Security and Happiness will give you peace of mind, which will
gradually gravitate towards that.
In the 6th Chapter of Gita
Baghavan is discussing exhaustively on the topic of meditation. (Bhagiranga Sadana). It is a preparatory meditation. Our day-to-day
transactions will go smoothly. The best emotional cushion that a person has is
dedicating all our actions to the lord. Whatever experience I have been forced
to go through will be readily accepted by me. It is having an equanimous mind. Initial
Spiritual growth is by doing an activity (Contributory activity) and by
following karma yoga way of life (Doing Pancha maha yagna). Spiritual
philosophy says giving is success. Material philosophy says taking is success.
We have to do this (giving) initially when our physical body is fit and I can
contribute with ease. Our sense organs are also fit in our initial years. We
should remember that contribution leads to purity. Bhagirmuga life to Antharmuga
life is required. All of us have Icha Sakthi (desire to take). Humans only have
Icha Sakthi, Gnana Sakthi and Kriya Sakthi and not animals. Animals go by their
instinct only. A human being has the capacity to explore things. The growth of
a human being is in the refinement of his desire. Desire for taking will be
replaced by the desire for giving. Initial desires are Artha and Kama (Wealth
and Sense pleasures) just as a child’s desire for toy, which is only natural.
As we grow spiritually sense pleasures also to be outgrown (withdrawn). When a
human being grows out of worldly petty desires and gets interested in spiritual
life, he starts to say I have better things to do in life. When fancy things
come he starts nipping them in the bud. When he has renounced all thoughts,
which generate various sorts of desires for the objects of this world and of
the next, then he is said to have become a Yogarudha.
Four types of grace that are important in
life are eswara kripa (grace), guru kripa, sastra kripa and atma kripa.
Eswara grace is possible with a culture that values spirituality. Brain is a
machine through which the mind operates. Electricity operates through visible
fan. Mind operates through visible brain. Brain perishes. Mind survives. Religion
tells us the way of life; How to live? (Karma yoga, Upasana Yoga). Spirituality
tells us the purpose of life. Why we are born? (Gnana Yoga). Guru Kripa offers
an opportunity to get guidance from someone. Sastra kripa offers an opportunity
to study the scriptures and understand what spiritual life is. Atma kripa is
the grace of ourselves. We require learning from ourselves. It is in the form
of self-confidence. I should tell myself that I can follow the spiritual path.
I can attain spiritual Success. If I do not have self-confidence, eswara kripa
can do nothing for me. I /You should believe in my/ your freewill. As a human
being, we have freewill and with freewill, we can change our life.
The first thing in spirituality is to
renounce fatalism. Fatalism believes that faith is the only factor that
determines our future life. Krishna negates fatalism. Faith determines our
future. It is not the only factor but it is one of the factors. We can use the
freewill and change our future by the contribution of freewill. Have faith in
freewill. Self-will is value number
one. Having Self-confidence and with
available freewill, I can influence my life confidently. Self-effort in self-integration
of the personality is required. Always say I will be able to uplift. Never down
grade yourself. Say I can do it with the grace of the lord. In kathopanishad,
Krishna compares life with a journey. Integrate them for accomplishing Artha,
Kama, Moga and Dharma. Healthy mind is the best friend.
Be blissful
S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com
