REMOVAL OF IGNORANCE AND PATH TO LIBERATION

Ignorance is caused due the lack of knowledge or education. Hence you start to assume what you think is right and you tend to do the wrong thing. This in turn makes you to face unfavorable situations in life. This may lead to anger, frustration and depression.

Everybody has to go through Gnana Yoga to get liberation. Krishna starts with Gnana Yoga to Arjuna. Krishna wants to talk about the nature of ‘Atma’ which is the spiritual component of everyone. Material part of everybody is called ‘Anathma’. Physical body, mind and world come under the material part ‘Anathma’. Behind the body mind complex is the invisible component for everyone which is ‘Atma’. Gnana Yoga portion can be grasped well if we grasp the following:-

- Success in Life is not only part of communication skill but requires listening skill which is called Shravanam in Sanskrit.

- Thinking and clearing your doubts or reflection on what you listen is required. This is Mananam.

- Dropping the false notion / misconception is called Nithithyasanam. Most powerful misconception is I am this body.

In slokas 12 and 13 in the 2^nd Chapter Krishna talks about “Atma” and “Anathma”. “Atma” is a changeless principle and is immortal. “Anathma” (Body mind complex) is a changing principle both at micro and macro level and is mortal. We can see things are changing continuously and they bring favourable and unfavourable experiences. They are uncontrollable. Success in life is not controlling the world. It is nothing but preparing the mind for the flow of favourable and unfavourable experiences. We should use our freewill to contribute and not control. Keep doing what you can do. Mentally be prepared for both types of experiences coming and going. Even when an unfavourable experience is coming the silver lining is that this will also pass away.

Once you face a helpless situation tell Bhagawan; O Lord give me the willingness to go through without any resistance. Give me the serenity to accept what cannot be changed. ‘Titiksha’ is accepting deliberately where action has to be done and accepting what can’t be changed and avoiding impulsive reaction/ responses. Our stand is that we want double standard with regard to life.

Light alone can remove darkness. We have to remove ignorance by the light of knowledge. Krishna tells Arjuna that wise people do not grieve towards any human being and in any situation. We are contributors and we are not controllers. Grief immobilizes any one and makes him more and more inefficient. The essence of “Gita” is that sorrow is caused by ignorance. Wisdom is the solution to the problem of sorrow. From being ignorant one has to seek and go towards the path of knowledge. From samsara to Moga. Darkness to light.

“Bhagavad Gita” tell us the path for the removal of ignorance. It is like doing a surgery with a special needle dipped in Gnanam. Preparation is done by doing Karma yoga. Surgery is done by Gnana yoga. By this way we can remove ignorance or Attachment in our life.

Be blissful.

S.Sekar

Contact; sekrajc@yahoo.com

POINTS ON KARMA YOGA

Aham Brahmasmi is the essence of all Upanishads. We get to know this by doing Sravanam, Mananam and Nidithyasanam.

Can we use the knowledge gained from Upanishads in solving our day to day problems? It is difficult to receive, assimilate and implement this knowledge. It requires our internal refinement and a lot of preparation. Gnana yoga is pursuit of spiritual knowledge. Karma yoga is a preparatory discipline.

Principles of Karma Yoga

We are unable to accept ‘Brahman’. In Karma yoga we are changing from Atma No. 1 to Atma No. 2. ‘Atma 1’ alone is popularly known as Paramathma. There are three layers in a human body as given in ‘Tatva Bodha’. They are ‘Stula Sariram’, Sukshma Sariram (invisible body) and Karana Sariram (storehouse of past karmas i.e. punyam and Pavam). Everyone is a mixture of Stula, Sukshma and Karana sariram. Body, Prana and mind are matter and material in nature and are inert. They don’t have sentiency (sensory faculty) of their own. They borrow consciousness from Atma No 1, which is paramathma and is eternal and all pervading. It can be called as the ATM (from where we borrow/withdraw money) of consciousness. This borrowed sentiency (the faculty through which the external world is apprehended) is called borrowed consciousness or reflected consciousness. Sarirathrayam plus reflected consciousness is called Atma No 2 or Jeevatma. Thus Body, mind, prana, all stored up karma plus borrowed Consciousness is “I” the Jeevatma. I am a ‘kartha’ and ‘Boktha’ at Karma Yogi level. I will have several punniyam, pavam earned through past actions. ‘I’ am paramathma at Gnana Yoga level. The body will survive till punniyam and pavam is exhausted. Jeevatma will become invisible after death and will take another body which is ready. The journey ends only in Moksha. Without knowing the law of karma, karma yoga is impossible.

Unfolding punya pava palan is prarabdham which is called fate or destiny. This is already determined by me by my own past actions. (I have to pay the price for my own actions). Is my future determined by Prarabdha only? Fate is one of the influencing factors and is not the only factor. The second factor which influences our future is our effort or freewill or our prayathna. What I produce is called Agami (Punniyam and Pavam) and is based on my present effort. The question will be raised as to what will be the status/ Condition of my physical body 5 years later. This is decided by prarabdha and agami. We should remember this in order to become a healthy Karma yogi. No human being can handle this part of Karma and only Eswara / Bhagawan maintains the punniyam and pavam of everyone. Eswara also maintains the law and order of the Cosmos and he is the Karma Pala Padha. Thus every event is a resultant of agami and prarabdha. A karma yogi must be a devotee of God. A karma yogi is involved in continuous activity both secular and sacred activity.

We have to remember 4 points (four principles of Karma Yoga) while performing our actions. I use the word RIDE to explain this.

R – Reduction of all adharmic actions gradually. By adharmic is meant what I don’t want others to do to me. Start living alertly and avoiding the avoidable.

I – Increase Dharmic activity. The activities which involves our contribution, our service to infrastructure around us by helping others. Become a socially responsible citizen. Do pancha maga yagna. I should learn to look at others reverentially. If possible contribute to their maintenance and growth. Worship and respect our parents. Do prithru yagna for the departed soul.

D – Dedication of all the activities and worship to the lord. I visualize every action as a flower which is used for remembrance of the lord and dedication. Bhagavan is the invisible examiner called karma pala dhadha. A Happy mind is a generous mind and an unhappy mind is a stringy mind. When I remember the lord my anxiety regarding my future comes down. Future is unknown and the unknown causes fear. Follow the principle that work is worship and dedicate all actions to God.

E – Experiencing the future as it unfolds as my own karma pala and as prasada coming from the lord.

Four benefits that we get starting with “S” from Karma Yoga are as under:-

1. Self respect. I will get out of my low self image. Low self image (freedom from inferiority complex) is removed if I contribute more.

2. Serenity. I don’t have anxiety regarding my future. When I work I accept the result with humility. I enjoy a non reacting mind. That is samathvam which is freedom from stress.

3. Harmony of the setup. Start contributing by taking less and giving more. Balance taking and giving.

4. Spiritual growth. An increased desire to come to gnana yoga from Atma No 2 to Atma No 1. Moving from “I” am jeevatma to “I” am Paramathma. From Dasogam to sogam.

Be blissful.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

THE ACT OF FORGIVING

When we apologise for the mistakes done by us, we expect the other person should forgive us no matter how big our mistake was. But have we ever thought that had it been us in that place would we forgive and forget the same way we want them to forgive us? Most people will not, simply because they do not know the real meaning of forgiving.

We should develop the quality of forgetting what has happened and forgiving others mistakes. This is the only way of building relationships. There is a saying which goes thus; man gets and forgets where as god gives and forgives. Forgiving is a great virtue that one can possess. Thus by forgiving we no longer hold anger toward a person who has wronged us and by forgetting we no longer associate the person with the offence.

To learn to forgive requires a person to be extremely strong and powerful. Forgiving and forgetting are emotional acts that occur only when you are ready and this is also a way to build personal character.

The way to forgive a person is to throw out the incidence from your heart and mind. Forgiving is an action and the next step is to consciously stop all thoughts of revenge, of hurting the other person in return. Actually you are not supposed to forget what has happened to you rather you are supposed to forget the pain that was associated with that act. Anyone can commit a mistake and forgetting those mistakes is an integral part of being a good natured human being.

The benefits that accrue to you by the act of forgiving is immense. If you can bring yourself to forgive and forget, you are likely to enjoy optimal blood pressure, a stronger immune system, and a drop in the stress hormones circulating in your blood. The act of forgiving induces calmer feelings and physical responses which further helps to suppress the stress of anger and resentment.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved. Life’s experience gives you the strength and confidence where you really stop to look fear in the face… You must do the thing you cannot do.

We should remember that the finest steel gets sent through the hot furnace. Every one of us should be a winner always. A winner is not the one who never fails, but the one who never quits.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Sekras – turning your aspirations into Success. Call us. We care for you

SEKRAS >>>>>>HIGH PERFORMANCE ALWAYS

^

< SS > LIMITLESS

V

PASSION

Passion is the trigger to success. It is a great driving force to achieve success. If you don't love what you do, where are you going to get the energy to keep moving forward?

Passion is the inner strength or the spirit that keeps you moving forward from crises to crises or from success to success. Most of the time we must learn to encourage ourselves in whatever we do.

Observe the most successful business people you know.....a common characteristic you will find is that successful people are passionate about what they do.

Without passion for what you are doing, you might as well stay in a job you don't like. Business ownership gives us a new freedom. Freedom to choose what we want to do, where we want to do it, and work with the people we want to work with. It gives us an opportunity to raise the bar in our income level and build our own dream, rather than employers. This is all fantastic, but, if you are not passionate about what you are choosing to do, it will be a struggle.

I observe success. I observe what other business owners do to create success. This is a basic success principle...."learn what individuals do that is getting the results you want, and do what they do". This is where a lot of people steer wrong.

Musicians are a great example of passion. Make it a point to watch a live musician.....watch how their whole body gets into the groove of the song...they close their eyes, sing from the heart, sway to the music and just give it everything they've got. Musicians are such a great example of passion! They follow their dream and do what they love! We can learn from musician's passion, and implement this same principle into business ownership. M.S.Subbulakshmi, a great Carnatic Musician of south India is phenomenal. She went into ecstasy during her performances. She is a Karma Yogi.

Many times people struggle in business because they are doing something they don't like, don't believe in, or, have no background or interest in. It seems logical, but many miss this point:

When you do what you love, the money follows. Unfortunately, many people work a job or start a business just for the money. They have no passion or belief in what they are doing. Success always leaves clues - if, you observe and follow them......

The important thing to be noted is not being afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is not to try. Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it. Don’t worry about others remarks.

I often tell people that when they find their true life purpose, they will feel passionate about it, and that if they don't feel passionate about what they do, they have not yet found their true life purpose. Be it business or anything else you should have a liking in what you do in order to achieve your full potential. When you have a passion your dedication is hundred percent and your action ends in fructification.

Every successful effort begins with the first step and a focused leader. “When you enjoy doing something it becomes a passion and you don’t treat it like a job that needs to be dealt with. I have always enjoyed doing what I do. I am very passionate about my work. I have always tried to get totally involved with my work and the people I work with”.

Everybody feels passionate about something. Sometimes it takes a while to figure out exactly what that is, but when you have big dreams inside you that are driven by your deepest values and convictions, discovering this passion will dramatically increase your sense of joy, happiness, and confidence in every area of your life.

Experience the power of finding your passion today. All it takes is a few minutes of solitude, an open mind, and a determination to live a joyous life.

Grab a piece of paper and a pen, and ask yourself a few questions. What stirs your emotions? How do you enjoy spending your time? What bothers you about the world around you? How can you make it better? What makes you smile? What recreational activities do you enjoy?

As you explore, you’ll discover the passion that burns deep within your heart. Ask yourself how you can pursue that passion, starting today, even if it’s only on a small scale. Your life will never be the same.

I used to think that I was no good at "Singing." Now I realize that I just didn't have anything that I was truly passionate about until now ... once I found my passion, no real training was needed.

If you can dream it, you can do it. All you need is the confidence and the determination to make a start and there’s no one more qualified to do this than yourself provided you believe in yourself.

Love what you do and do what you Love. Success is yours. Stop thinking and start acting right now. The best day to start is today.

Be Blissful…

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Sekras – turning your aspirations into Success. Call us. We care for you

SEKRAS >>>>>>HIGH PERFORMANCE ALWAYS

^

< SS > LIMITLESS

V

Birth and Death; “Atma” the consciousness explained

Beginning from the verse 27 in the second chapter of “Bhagavad Gita”, Lord Krishna points out that not understanding about what Birth and Death is will cause problems to us. Logically there cannot be birth or death. Creation is nothing but a form of change from one state to another. This can be extended to death or destruction. The world is Anadhi (No beginning). The world is Ananthaga (Infinite, Endless). There is neither creation nor destruction. We can see Water in 3 states. Solid (ice), Liquid (water), and Gas (vapour) which is invisible. What is invisible is called Avyaktha Avastha. It is an eternal process. Thus lord Krishna tells Arjuna, nothing is born and nothing is dying and asks him why he is then crying.

Matter cannot be created or destroyed as per the law of conservation of matter. By the law of conversion of energy, the total energy created is constant. For example, we can see a substance which is transforming from one condition to another. Ice gets transformed into Water and water gets transformed into Vapour and Vapour condenses into water. When stars explode it is converted into energy. i.e. matter gets converted into energy. Similarly Birth (Janma) is unmanifested in the beginning and becomes (transforms) manifested later. An understanding of this process will lead to acceptance of the process. Emotional resistance directed towards a natural process is called sorrow. A wise man who knows “Atma” will not grieve in life. (Chandokya Upanishad 7^th Chapter).

The three things that Vedanta says are very important to all of us. Vedanta alone says ‘I’ am immortal (Wonder 1). As per Vedanta, you are all pervading “Atma” (Wonder 2). As per Vedanta you are not in the world; the entire Cosmos including the entire Galaxy and including time and space are born in you. They rest in you and gets resolved in you (Wonder 3). (Thaithreya Upanishads). ‘I’ am the eternal all pervading consciousness principle. To realize this you have to do Sravanam (Listening to the truth of Vedanta), Mananam (contemplation or reflection upon the truth) and Nidhithyasanam (Meditation, Undergo orientation program).

Consciousness is different from body mind complex. We can see the 5 features of consciousness which is our own real nature as under:-

1. Consciousness is not a part or a product or a property of the body.

2. Consciousness is an independent formless principle which pervades the body and enlivens the formed body.

3. Consciousness is not limited by the boundaries of the body and extends beyond the body infinitely and is all pervading.

4. This formless Consciousness principle will continue to exist even after the body dies or disintegrates and has no date of birth and date of death.

5. After the fall of the body, the surviving pure consciousness is not accessible to us because there is no body medium. Hence consciousness is not available for transaction.

As per Vedanta, this consciousness is my real nature. ‘I’ am the consciousness with a temporary body. The body is renounced at the time of death. ‘I’ the formless consciousness will eternally continue. ‘I’ the eternal consciousness is my real nature called ‘Atma’. In the second chapter of Gita 6 words are used in the verses from 12 – 15 describing the “Atma”.

Atma is 1. Nithyaga (eternal without birth and death), 2. Sathyaga (that which lends existence to matter), 3. Akartha (not the doer of any action, good or bad), 4. Aboktha (non receiver of the result of an action), 5. Sarvagathaga (that which is all pervading) e.g. Space which is all pervading and accommodating all of us, 6. Aprameyaga (that which is never an object of experience. It is an observer. The observer cannot be observed).

We should know that nature cannot be changed because what cannot be changed is nature. Wisdom or intelligence is preparing the mind to accept the choiceless or helpless situations without any resistance. By repeating to ourselves (meditation) and repeating to our own mind that I am willing to undergo the choiceless situations we get freedom from stress. Examples of choiceless situations are Old age, incurable disease, separation from someone etc. The only one who can be changed by me is myself. Pray to the bagawan; O lord give me the courage to change what can be changed i.e. myself. O lord give me the serenity to know the difference i.e. Others cannot be changed and I should change myself which is the only thing possible.

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Sekras >>>>>>>High Performance Always

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

What is your View about doing nothing?

I have learnt a Lesson on what happens if we do nothing.

Read and Enjoy!!!!!!!

A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day. A small rabbit saw the crow, and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?"

The crow answered: "Sure, why not." So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested.

All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Management Lesson: To sit and do nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

We can see an Analogy as given under:-

I wish to clarify the word 'Nothing' to all for better understanding.

If one has to reach the top he has to put in enormous effort and stretch himself over and above what he can do and be focused and be passionate about what he is doing. This will take time and effort and thereafter after some point one reaches the top. By now he is thorough with the understanding of the organization and the environment he is working with and also gets to know the people around him.

After one reaches the Top slot he will not do any work by himself but will think, think and Think all the time and also Take Decisions which will cost the organization heavily if any wrong decision is taken. Hope you understand better.

By nothing is meant less or no physical work and more of work in the mind.

Thank you for your kind understanding.

Best,

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Working together Works - Aligning Capabilities

LIFE AFTER DEATH

We should know about “ATMA” in order to understand what happens to our Life after death. ‘Atma’ is all pervading and it enlivens the body. Atma is ekam (one). Bodies are many. For example Fans are many; bulbs are many. Electricity is one. So also ornaments are many but gold is only one.

We should know that non perception (of atma) is not a proof for non existence. Atma itself doesn’t die. It pervades all objects like ether. Even God cannot destroy this Atma. Atma is Changeless and permanent. Atma is eternal and Atma is Satyam (truth) and is only one. Gold by itself has no utility. Gold ornaments are useful than gold itself. On analysis we find that there is no such thing as ornaments at all. Ornaments do not exist separately from gold. Ornaments do not have weight of their own. They are nothing but different forms of gold. They depend on gold for their existence. Gold can exist independently and is called Satya. Similarly Atma can exist independently and due to the blessings of Atma the body functions. We can get uninterrupted Peace, Security and Happiness only from Atma. It is foolish digging a well when the house is on fire. You have to prepare yourself. You can use the body but never mistake the body as yourself.

Death is not the destruction of the body. Matter cannot be created or destroyed. What does death or destruction mean? The body will get converted into pancha bootha. (Three handful of ash). Death is a total transformation and a form of change. The changeless, homogeneous Atma or the self always exists. This phenomenal world of names and forms is ever changing. Hence it is unreal. For example we say that I am a Youth. I am middle aged. I am old. There is one thing which is continuing i.e. “I am”. If ‘I’ continue during the modifications then this should continue during death also. What is changing must be unreal. What is constant or permanent must be real. Thus if Atma is nithyaga body is anithyaga. If atma is nirvikaraga (Changeless) anathma is Savikaraga (Changing).

Kartha is a doer of action and is associated with Karma. As long as I am a kartha I will produce punniyam and Pavam. Sanchitha punya pavam is associated with our past janma (birth) which we may not remember. Non remembrance is not non existence. Prarabhda karma and Agami are also connected with our punya pavam. Boktha is an enjoyer of actions. As long as you are a Kartha and Boktha your life is bleak and you get into Samsara problem.

Life and death will be a mystery. Both are caused by mysterial spiritual chaitanya thatvam. As explained before Atma is eternal and Body is temporary. Atma exists in the present and will continue to exist in the future. Atma exists independently and does not depend on matter principle. Space pervades the entire universe and Atma the consciousness is only one. Atma is Akartha and Aboktha and doesn’t have connection with Karma or Karma Palan. Atma is the safe centre eye of the cyclone. Anywhere you go, the cyclone will affect you.

Atma is the spirit and anathma (Body) is the matter. Matter or material is subject to continuous change. Physical body is also a material product and is subjected to the onslaught of time. Physical Body has got Date of birth (DOB) and Date of death (DOD). Unlike Atma, the physical body undergoes six types of transformation or Bhava – Vikaras such as potential existence (mother’s womb), birth, growth, change, decay and death. Atma is not born, nor does it ever die; after having been, It again ceases not to be; unborn, eternal, changeless and ancient (ever remaining the same). It is not killed when the body is killed. Birth and death cannot touch the immortal, all-pervading Self (atma).

Other than Physical body there are two more components in an individual. Physical body is called Stula sariram that which is visible to us. Another body is the inner body a subtle body which is called sukshma sariram which has invisible mind and the invisible prana. Another body is causal body called Karana sariram which is also invisible. Karana sariram is the store house of all our punya pavam. This is also finite in nature. Sukshma sariram and Karana sariram put together is invisible body. Then we also have the Atma the spirit which is the real nature of our self. Thus an individual consists of the visible body plus the invisible body and the Atma. The invisible Atma is infinite and all pervading. Visible body and invisible body are made of matter and energy. Both are inert in nature. Atma is consciousness principle.

When death occurs we kill the visible body alone. The invisible Atma or Atma1 (absolute reality and spiritual) will survive. Atma1 which is infinite does not travel after death. Atma2 which is finite travels after death. Atma2 is different from one individual to another.

From the above we can see that the visible and invisible bodies or otherwise Atma2 borrow consciousness from Atma1 and therefore the body becomes a living sensation principle. Atma is of the nature of consciousness itself called spirit. Atma is neither matter nor energy nor material. Atma is inert.

What happens at the time of death?

The visible body dies/ perishes. It is cremated or buried and it merges into pancha butham. The invisible body (mind+Pavam+punniyam) goes in search of another visible body. The definition of death is separation of the invisible body from the current visible body and going in search of another visible body. Atma blesses the invisible body with the consciousness. The invisible body (mind+ Prana+Punya pavam) is also named as Atma because it is blessed by the Atma and borrows the consciousness from the Atma. The invisible Atma that is not pervading and which is finite and travelling is also called Atma. When a person does shrarddam and performs prithruyagna the benefits will go to the forefather. The second benefit by doing this karma yoga which will help in our own spiritual growth.

Atma pervades all bodies and enlivens all bodies. Electricity pervades all gadgets and makes them function. Even though the gadgets are many and endured with form, it will not function unless electricity blesses it. Atma is a consciousness principle. Krishna defines Atma to Arjuna in the second chapter of Bagavad Gita. Death is defined as the separation of the body and Atma2 (Soul). Atma will take up another physical body. Birth and death are only the change of costumes. The jeeva continues. Death is entering the green room and birth is coming back to the cosmic drama enacted by the Bagawan.

The world has got beauty, variety and novelty but no stability. You cannot hold on to what is unstable. It is foolish to rely upon name, fame, position, people, money etc. You can use the world for everything but for security you should depend on something else which is stable. Anathma is unstable. The one and only thing which is stable is “ATMA” which is abstract and invisible. It is described in scriptures as Bhagavan which is a symbol. Rama is a symbol of Atma. Krishna is a symbol of Atma. What I mean to say is that, we can use the world but hold on to God. Atma is your inner essence. Hold on to Atma and enjoy life.

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com