KARMA YOGA AND GNANA YOGA AS EXPLAINED BY LORD KRISHNA TO ARJUNA

In the 2^nd and 3^rd Chapters of Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna tells Arjuna about the importance of doing Karma Yoga and Jnana Yoga, which enables a person to attain Moksha (Liberation).

The 3rd Chapter begins with Arjuna’s complaint to lord Krishna. Arjuna tells the lord that his teaching was very confusing. We should know that any form of communication is a tough job where a teacher has to convert his thoughts into gross words. All the most it is a tough job to convert thoughts into words on the subject of ‘Atma’ which is an abstract one. The student (sishya) has to convert the words into his own thoughts. A television receiving station has to reconvert the transmitted waves into music or a movie. From the early ages Communication was always in the form of a dialogue between a Teacher (Guru) and a pupil (Sishya). All our Upanishads are in the form of a dialogue. What is in the mind of a guru and sishya is tallied by means of a dialogue (through communication). This spiritual dialogue is called Samvada.  

As per lord Krishna every spiritual seeker has to go through Karma yoga for preparing the mind. He is called a junior seeker or a preparing seeker for preparing his mind to go through Jnana yoga. Preparing seeker is called a junior seeker who prepares himself for Jnana yoga. After sometime he will be ready for Jnana yoga pradhana life in which one turns inwards enquiring about who am I. Prepared seeker is a serious seeker of Jnana yoga who does self enquiry. Once you go through Jnana yoga, you will discover; I am not the body. I am not the mind. I am the ‘Atma’. This discovery alone will give liberation (spiritual enlightenment) called ‘Moksha’. Liberation (Jeevan mukthi) is a state of mind in which I look upon human life as an asset and a blessing and is possible even when one is alive. On the other hand Samsara problem comes when you think that life is a liability, burden and boring. You start having negative attitude towards life. You curse yourself all the time and start doubting whether Bagawan is there at all.

The sequence is karma yoga> Preparation>Jnana yoga>Enlightenment>Liberation. Vedas existed long time ago. For a spiritual seeker Vedas are like a GPS (global positioning system as in a vehicle). In the 3^rd chapter Sri Krishna tells (Arjuna) that everybody has to go through karma yoga and Jnana yoga sequentially. A junior seeker has to become a senior seeker and prepares him for Jnana yoga. Arjuna mistakes that these two are independent paths towards attaining liberation. (Moksha, destination). Arjuna thought that Jnana yoga is superior. Karma yoga is doing one’s own duty. As an escape route Arjuna wanted to do Jnana yoga as doing karma yoga is painful. With this confusion Arjuna starts the 3^rd Chapter of Bhagavad Gita.

   

Spiritual purity comes by giving more and more and taking less and less. If Gita is told backwards it sounds tagi tagi and Thyagi (one who does not desire about the fruits of action). We have to learn to give more and more and take lesser than what we contribute. Krishna calls it as karma yoga nishta. We have to contribute in the 5 fields of pancha maha yagna. Krishna calls them as yogis or junior seekers. They are preparing their mind for Jnana yoga by following the karma yoga way of life. I should have infrastructure set up. Karma yoga sadana requires karma yoga nishta which is a conducive infrastructure (life style). It involves religious activities and social activities (Vaidiga and Logiga karmas). Vedic rituals require a man and a wife (couple). Just as an office requires different departments Vedic rituals require a family type of set up in which husband and wife should participate. Karma yoga requires earning (a person has to earn a lot) and Jnana yoga requires learning. I should work and earn lot of wealth for doing karma yoga. Infrastructure requires continuous earning and a set up.

Knowing what PORT is will help us doing our action properly.

P refers to Possession. You have to possess something in order to give it to someone. Possession is required for doing karma yoga. Starting point is your house.  

O refers to Obligation. You have to perform your obligatory duties to your Spouse, Children, Employees, employer etc; to the Priest who is helping you to perform the rituals.

R refers to Relationship. You have to maintain relationship with a lot of people like your Wife, Children, In-laws and others. You have to know as to how to maintain the relationship. Greater the relationship greater will be your contacts and you will be successful. You have to have the qualities of a PRO.

T refers to Transaction. A lot of transaction is required. I have to visit other person’s functions and also give gifts to them as reciprocation.

An expanded PORT is called Grihasta Ashrama. The 4 Ashramas are Bramachari, Grihasta, Vanapresta and Sanyasa.

Karma yoga infrastructure is not conducive to Jnana yoga. Jnana yoga requires a contemplative lifestyle. Jnana yoga infrastructure consists of: the study of ‘Atma’ (Nithya, Sathya, Akartha, Aboktha, Sarvagathaga, Nirvikara, and Aprameya). I will get to know the truth about myself through Jnana yoga and it requires study. For doing Jnana yoga PORT reduction is required. Reduce the no of relationships, no of transactions etc. PORT reduction is conducive to Jnana yoga. A reduced PORT is called Sanyasa ashrama. Jnana yoga says the whole world is in me which is ‘Brahman’. A temporary withdrawal is required from the society to assimilate the teaching and then you can come back again to your society. ‘Atma’ is also called Nishkarma.

Learn to be alone for some time now and then. Nobody is going to be with us all the time. Learn to be independent of them. Otherwise the shock will be so much that you will not be able to withstand. That requires tremendous maturity and also requires Karma yoga. Jnana yoga is impossible without Karma yoga. Karma yoga is incomplete without Jnana yoga.

While studying the nature of Brahman mankind has tried to grapple with the challenge of realising the Supreme Brahman since time immemorial. The question is; knowing the difference between the eternal truth and the unreal.  It becomes a fruitful exercise only if one has tremendous faith in one’s preceptor. Through inference we should be able to know that Truth is eternal while the universe is Maya also called “Maya Sakthi”. The observance of smoke leads us to infer fire’s presence. Similarly by inference we recognize or realise consciousness that is the cause of our existence.

Waker jevatma does 4 things.

1.    It projects the dream world.

2.    Enters the dream world.

3.    Disowns the waker jevatma status and

4.    Claims as Dreamer jevatma.

For a dreamer Jevatma the dream becomes a nightmare and not a dream. In fact I should drop the wrong notion that I am the waker Jevatma. Actually I am the Paramatma with a special power called “Maya Sakthi”. I should claim that I am the Paramatma with “Maya sakthi” and created this world, entire universe and the entire body mind complex. I am Brahman. I am Jagat Karanamasmi. Without the waker the dream cannot survive. I (waker Jevatma) am the Projection of consciousness. I am the consciousness principle. I am the Karanam. Everything else is the Karyam. Karanam alone is appearing as karyam. I am in the form of everything.

We can take wave as an example to explain Consciousness or Brahman. When a Wave mistook it as a wave it was humble, simple and worshipped the Ocean. ‘I am borne out of you. I will worship you’. Let us imagine the wave to shift its vision through Vedanta. It understands that ‘I am not a wave but I am Water’. After claiming that I am water the enlightened wave addresses the ocean and says that there is no such thing called ocean. Ocean is also the same thing called water. I the water alone am appearing as a wave and also as a large ocean. There is neither a wave nor an ocean separated from the water. Similarly Jevatma is the Bhakta and Paramathma is the Bagawan. Bagawan and Bhakta are one and the same consciousness principle. They are the same and one Ekathma. An enlightened Jnani proclaims that ‘I am everything’.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

SUMMARY OF THE SECOND CHAPTER OF BHAGAVAD GITA

The second chapter of Gita is entitled “The Sankhya Yoga”. Yoga means union. Yuj means to join. In Sanskrit it is called Yoga and in English it is called Religion. Each chapter of Bhagavad Gita is called Yoga and it helps you to unite. You are separated from something and you are asked to unite to something you are separated from. If you use physical body to unite with self it is Karma Yoga. If you use your mind to unite with self it is Bhakti yoga. If you use your knowledge/ intellect to unite with self it is called Gnana Yoga. The physical Body, Mind and Intellect are the equipments that you carry with you.

The 2^nd and 18^th Chapters are the most important in the entire Gita where lord Krishna condenses the entire Gita teaching. The first chapter is the preparatory ground. The actual teaching of the Gita begins from the second chapter. The second chapter contains the essence of entire Gita. 18^th Chapter contains the summary of entire Bhagavad Gita.

The eighteenth chapter of Gita is entitled “Mokshasanyasayoga” (The yoga of liberation through renunciation). You are completely attached to the external world. When you grow and go to a higher dimension the lower falls away. It is like a Child which is attached to a toy. As the child grows up and takes interest in a bicycle the child gives up the toy for the cycle. Thus it can be said that enhancing your knowledge is renunciation. You don’t renounce anything. You drop/ give up something and take up some other thing as your knowledge is enhanced. You have to perform your obligatory duties and responsibilities without craving for the fruit of action. The lord states that these ordained duties are of two kinds – daily routine ones (nithya) and occasional special duties (naimittika). These have to be done by all but it is the attitude behind the acts that matters. This is called renunciation in action. You have to develop the spirit of renunciation while acting. Whoever does obligatory duties without bothering about the fruit of actions is a Sanyasi (A person who does what he ought to do viz.Teacher, priest).

The 2^nd Chapter can be classified into 4 main topics as under:

1^st Topic – Arjuna saranagadhi (Verse 1 to 10).

2^nd Topic – Gnana Yogaga (verse 11 to 38) otherwise called Sankya yogaga.

3^rd Topic – Karma Yogaga (verse 39 to 53).

4^th Topic – Chitapragna Lakshanani (verse 54 to 72).

1^st Topic: Arjuna saranagadhi: Verses 1 to 10.

Arjuna chooses to surrender to lord Krishna as he suffers from the problem of samsara in the battle field. Samsara was intensely felt by Arjuna. The battlefield triggered the problem of samsara as he faced his own near and dear towards whom he was attached. Raga or attachment is an expression of samsara. Whenever I get attached to anything in this world Viz. a person or an object, I allow that person to determine my emotional state. Events in that person’s life determine my emotional state. I have become an emotional slave. My mind and my emotional state is no more under my control. The world will determine my emotional state when I am angry, happy etc. The precious gift of freewill that bagawan has given me has been lost by me when I am attached to something. I have lost control of my entire life. The quality of my Life, action, judgment depends upon my emotional quotient. At this point of time there is no difference between me and an animal.

Attachment is the most powerful expression of samsara as per Vedanta. Attachment is the loss of freewill – a slave of the world. Love is not attachment. The world today is infested with attachment which passes off as Love. Attachment is an emotional slavery. Love is, being available to the object of love whenever that person requires help. In the 1^st Chapter of Gita, Arjuna was in the intense grip of grief (anger, jealousy) which is a severe expression of samsara and also called as Soka. The 3^rd expression of samsara is when my knowledge, my intelligence and IQ are blocked when I am affected by samsara. I will not be able to take the right decisions in Life. Right decisions require right judgement. Right judgement requires discriminative power. My discriminative power is lost when I face samsara problem. There is delusion (confusion) called Moha. During this time feelings like my future is bleak and my current life is lost come in the mind. Samsara is Raga+Soga+Moga put together, which Arjuna experienced intensely. When the pain is mild you can either go to a doctor or take medicines by yourself and avoid going to a doctor. When the pain is intense you have to necessarily go to a doctor for getting a cure. Similarly Arjuna discovered the problem and wanted a solution. He discovered that he could never solve the problem by himself. He discovered helplessness. In the 2^nd Chapter, Arjuna rushes to a doctor (Krishna). Lord Krishna was available to him and that too very near to him.

3^rd Topic: Karma Yoga: Verses 39 to 53.

Krishna talks about vishesa karma yoga. Scriptures talk about specific spiritual exercises which are exclusively designed for spiritual growth. Preparation for Gnana yoga by doing special exercises is necessary. One has to do pancha maha yagna wherein I reverentially contribute in 5 areas of infrastructure.

They are: Deva yagna – doing all types of religious pujas (sandyavandanam, Temple visit etc.) meant for spiritual growth. Use all pujas for spiritual benefit.

Pithur yagna – Reverential contribution done for my parents, grandparents especially when they need my services in their old age. Ancestor worship in the form of shrardha/ tharpana will add to my spiritual growth.

Manushya Yagna – any type of service viz. a smile, to anyone is Manushya yagna.

Rishi yagna / Brahma yagna – Worship of rishis and scriptures. I contribute to the preservation of my religion.

Bootha yagna – Reverence to animals.

By doing all the above mentioned without any exception, the spiritual growth becomes faster.

Vishesha karma yoga / samanya Karma yoga talks about performing an action. We have to convert every action into worship be it any action that we do. The actions may be waking, eating, working in the office etc. Doing one’s work with a focused mind and with passion is considered worship. All action must be done cheerfully unmindful of the result which could be favourable or unfavourable. Failures are also an integral part of our life. It is necessary that you have to mentally prepare yourself to confront failure when it happens. Our mind cannot take failure in life so easily. You have to tell yourself that your job is only to perform up to your capacity. The result will be as per the law of karma. Keep telling yourself; ‘I want success but I am not afraid to take failure also as god’s will or eswara prasada. Failures will not disturb my mind (imaginary or actual failure)’. A reacting mind cannot learn from life experiences. Depending upon the world for peace, security and happiness is a risky proposal. Therefore I should learn to depend on myself for getting peace, security and happiness. I have to strengthen myself and Gnana yoga alone will strengthen me to depend on myself.

2^nd Topic: Gnana Yoga: Verses 11 to 38.

Gnana yoga is the pursuit of self knowledge and knowing who I am (my real nature). Atma itself is not the body, mind or sense organs. These are only the medium through which I the atma functions. Atma is different and is of the nature of consciousness principle. It is chaitanya swaroopa which is the invisible and innermost essence of every individual.

The 5 features of consciousness are as under:

- Consciousness is not a part, product, property of the body.

- Consciousness is an independent principle which pervades the body and makes the body alive. It is in the body and not of the body.

- It is not limited by the boundaries of the body. It is all pervading like space.

- Consciousness continues to exist even after the material body disintegrates. This is like the presence of electricity even after the removal of the bulb.

- The surviving consciousness after the death of the body is not accessible for transaction since there is no medium through which it can express itself. It is the ‘Atma’. We see the light on a paurnami night and call it moonlight. It is not the light of the moon. It is actually the sunlight. Sunlight is not a part, Product, property of the moon. Sunlight is all pervading and we mistake it as moonlight. Likewise Consciousness which you experience does not belong to the body and is an independent entity. Surya enlivens the Moon and “Atma” enlivens the body. ‘Atma’ is Nithya (everlasting), Sathya (truth), Akartha (non-doer), Aboktha (non enjoyer), Sarvagathaga (all pervading); Nirvikara (does not undergo any change). It is Aprameya; not an object that is perceived by sense organs (because sense organs can perceive only the material things). We have to understand atma separating it from the body. This is similar to Moon and light which are two separate things.

There are two ‘I’s. The first ‘I’ is the body and the second ‘I’ is the Chaithanyam (‘Atma’). Pure consciousness is an abstract entity like light. Light pervades the entire hall and space. One can neither touch it nor cut it. It is intangible and indivisible. Understanding the light concept more and more will help understand the ‘Atma’. I realize that ‘I’ am not the body and ‘I’ am the ‘Atma” which is eternal. I will understand that I have a temporary body which will be taken by god without giving any notice period. I become the user of the body and not the owner.

4^th Topic: Sthitapragna Lakshanani: Verses 54 to 72.

By Chitapragna Lakshanani is meant natural or spontaneous traits of a Gnani. One of the traits of a Gnani is being equanimous and having a samatvam mind. This is called abyasa. A gnani has discovered that he is the ‘Atma’ which is poornam and functioning through a finite medium called body, mind. Gnani can give up anything without feeling that he is missing anything. You can use the sense organs but never become a slave of the same. Use the mind but never become the slave of the mind. Do vedantic meditation and meditate upon the teachings of the gita. Do nidhidhyasanam which will be useful for receiving, retaining and assimilating the knowledge. A person can discover fulfillment in him or herself which is called poornatvam. Self fulfillment is poornatvam when you get freedom from binding desires. Freedom from attachment, freedom from fear, freedom from anger. You perform the duties of life. What happens is not in our control. Krishna concludes by comparing a gnani to an ocean. When rivers are full and pours water into an ocean the ocean is poornam.

Ocean is the same (poornam) when no water comes from the rivers. Sometimes we feel that rising sun shows prosperity and setting sun is adversity because it will disappear. We should treat both as the same. Wise people are those who have got a calm mind in prosperity as well as in adversity. This samatvam is the benefit of being a Chitapragna. Lord Krishna calls it Brahmisthiti. Krishna tells Arjuna that he should go through karma yoga and Gnana yoga to become Brahmisthiti.

What is retirement?

You are an expression of your own Vasanas (manifestation of desires). Everybody is helplessly expressing his own vasanas. A singer will be singing. An artist will be painting. He cannot renounce that. You should not be bothered about what you get out of your action. You have to relinquish the fruits of your action. Your duty is to do what you ought to do. There is no such thing as retirement. You continue to function and not worry about the result of your action. Never retire from action. You retire from the fruit of your action.

If you wish to live, there are ways to live. Even the deep sea will become a wonderland if you have a passion for swimming. We have to swim along the Ocean of Life (starting with our birth due to our previous janma karma) if we have to reach the feet of Lord; the almighty.

It will be useful to know the difference between intelligence and intellect in this context.

All of us are acquainted with intelligence. The most brilliant persons in this world deal with intelligence which is the knowledge gained from external agencies viz., School, College. You can improve your knowledge further and become more intelligent. The intellect has to be developed by oneself. A teacher can guide you but you have to develop by yourself. It is like developing your muscles. Developing the muscles from when you are born with what you have developed till now. The way to develop your intellect is not to accept anything for granted. We find that people everywhere take everything for granted. Questioning everything at every step right from your formative years (from the age of 6) will help develop your intellect. Life is how you relate to the world. It is not the world that distresses you but how you relate to it. Otherwise you have unreasonable expectations which cause you misery. You will find that success and peace are totally lacking because of the absence of intellect. You will find that there is no intellectual development at all in you. Buddhi is intellect. One should have a satvic buddhi which enables you to choose the right field of activity. You can choose an activity that goes with your personality. You can differentiate between what is to be done and what is to be avoided. Satvic intellect gives you the direction. It guides you to the path of liberation.

Beauty is for admiring; Knowledge is for giving; Mind is for thinking; Life is for living. Let’s enjoy every minute of living our life.

Living is not a science. We should understand that Living is an art, a skill, a technique. You need to learn and practice it as you would to play a game or a musical instrument. Let us appreciate this fact and start using our intellect and not fall prey to emotions.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

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