OUR LIFE - Part II

Learning can stop when breathing stops; not even a breath before.

Life is something of what happens to us and everything else of how we respond to it. Every event that we encounter in life offers infinite learning possibilities and it is up to us to discover from it, its intrinsic wisdom. If we learn from the event, it becomes an experience and our maturity expands; else, the event simply passes by meaninglessly. Even insignificant events when translated into a learning opportunity can create experiences that are very significant to our life.

Robert Bruce after six consecutive defeats learnt about resilience of seeing a spider not giving up its pursuit to spin its web. He went ahead and won the battle while fighting it for the seventh time. Einstein, Archimedes and Newton gave the world great discoveries that changed the course of human lifestyle by merely experiencing the experience of insignificant events’ yet unfolded significant discoveries.

Our maturity level is always one leg below the new events we encounter in life. If we learn and mature from them, only then we move higher to take the next challenge of life. If we just go through them by being upset, worried, tensed, scared and disturbed, then we have learned nothing from them and similar events will keep recurring until we learn the lessons they had to offer. The very purpose of any event that we encounter is to provide us with the maturity that is needed for us to take up the higher challenges of life.

Be blissful.

S.Sekar
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

OUR LIFE

Our life will be either an example or a warning to others. So is the life of others; either an example or a warning to us. Essentially, every human life, yours and mine and that of others, is either a lesson on how to live (example) or a lesson on how not to (Warning).

It is true that a lot can be learnt from reading books, but nothing compares to how much we can learn out of studying people. Every human life is living encyclopedia. A human life and the associated experiences are a living testimony to the otherwise theoretical understanding of life.

• Observe your father to learn discipline. 
• Observe your granny to imbibe Willpower. 
• Observe your mom to situational leadership. 
• Observe your granddad to learn delegation. 
• Observe your sibling to learn to Forgive and Forget. 
• Observe your child and learn to live in the present. 
• Observe your Guru to inherit selflessness. 
• Observe your servant to understand contentment. 
• Observe your employee and learn to go the extra mile. 
• Observe your boss to understand the power of vision.

We can learn that the “Messenger is the Message” from the life of Christ. We know “Holistic Abundance” is possible from life of Krishna. We realize “Compassion to every form of life is the way “from the life of Mahavira. We learn Faith from the life of Prophet. We learn selfless love from Radha, Bhakti from Meera, Surrender from Hanuman, Resoluteness from Mahatma Gandhi, Resilience from Lincoln, The power of dreams from Martin Luther King , Impossible is possible from Steve Jobs, the Power of ne from Mother Teresa, Humility from Dalai Lama, Altruism from Bill Gates, Persistence from Edison and so on… every human life is learning opportunity.

The key is to keep the student within us alive. The key is to be like blotting paper’ ever ready to observe and absorb. The seeker within you should keep seeking. From anybody, from anything, from any situation we can learn. For most people learning stops when schooling stops. Then, they just stagnate and vegetate. If you wish to actualize and maximize our potential, then learning is a lifelong quest.

Learning can stop when breathing stops; not even a breath before.

Wishing you most and more

Have a great day

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

GURU SHISYA PARAMPARA

Parampara (Sanskrit: paramparā) denotes a succession of teachers and disciples in traditional Vedic culture and Indian religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism. It is also known as guru–shishya tradition ("teaching from guru to disciple").

The teaching is given in the form of a dialogue (Samvadey) between a Guru and a sishya. Spiritual knowledge requires our effort and the guidance of an acharya and cannot be gained independently. Spiritual knowledge is a systematic education programme where doubts are cleared by way of dialogue. 

Vedanta is the essence of the scriptures. Vedanta enunciates the eternal principles of life and living. In Upanishads, we see these principles by way of a dialogue between the Guru and the student where the Guru talks about the unknown god to the student. Upanishads contain the philosophy of Vedanta. Veda means knowledge and anta means end. Thus, Vedanta means end of knowledge. It will take you to the ultimate of self-realization or god realization. Upanishads talk about your life and the very purpose of your life.

The first chapter of Uddhava Gita is preparing the ground for the Udhhava Gita teaching to take place, which will start from the second chapter of the text. In the 1^st chapter, the developments are presented in which Uddhava a relative and devotee of lord Krishna is going to Krishna and surrenders to him. Uddhva the lord becomes Uddhava the disciple. Krishna becomes Guru the teacher. Always the teaching is between a Guru and a Sishya. In no other relationship teaching can take place. It will not be an education otherwise. 

In Guru – Sishya relationship, one should become a disciple, show the reverential attitude in the form of Bhakti and Shravanam, and imbibe the teaching in a consistent and a systematic manner. In Bhagavad Gita, teaching takes place between Krishna and Arjuna in 18 Chapters. In Uddhava Gita, the systematic teaching takes place between Krishna and Uddhva in 24 chapters. Therefore, consistent and systematic teaching is required by way of involvement on the part of Guru and learning is required on the part of the disciple. Guru has to accept to play the role of Guru and Sishya also likewise. This kind of involvement alone opens up the communication channel between Guru and Shisya.

Brahma and other devatas have come to Dwaraka and requests Krishna to come to Vaikunta. Krishna says that he has one task, which is incomplete, and it is the destruction of Yadava kula. Brahma and Rishi Sabham is the cause for Yadava kula’s destruction. Ultimately, yadavas have to quarrel among themselves and kill each other. Krishna says until this happens successfully he cannot quit the world. He says, “I will arrange for the destruction of yadava kula to happen”. Krishna addresses all elderly people “let us go to Prabhasa thirtha (holy place) and remove our papam for our next janma. Krishna gets ready for this action during which time Uddhava comes to Krishna for help. Uddhava approaches lord Krishna when he along with elderly gets ready to leave for Prabhasa thirtha. Uddhava at this juncture is associated with Krishna. Krishna also belongs to Uddhava family. 

Uddhava talks about the glories of Bhagavan, which is the reason for Uddhava not able to quit Bhagavan. 

Thus, Lord Krishna starts teaching Uddhava from 2^nd chapter of Uddhava Gita in the 11^th Skanda of Bhagavatham. 

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

28-02-2018

       

PREPARING THE MIND FOR SELF KNOWLEDGE IS THE ONLY WAY

In the Uddhava Gita in the beginning of the teaching itself lord Krishna summarizes the Vedanta from the 6^th Verse to the 12^th verse in the second chapter. The essence of Vedanta is given here. One has to go through initial spiritual sadana Viz., karma yoga and Upasana yoga and through this, a person has to prepare his mind for Self-knowledge, which is called Gnana yoga. It is a systematic spiritual education program consisting of Shravanam, Mananam and Nidhithyasanam and through this Gnana yoga, one has to gain Self-knowledge. Our idea about our Self is a total misconception. It is a false Self or a pseudo Self which is Jivatma which is a misconception. I have to gain the knowledge of my higher real Self, which is Paramatma, through Gnanam.

It is very similar to waking up from my dream. When I wake up from my dream, I claim myself to be the waker, from which alone the dream came, which I identified with my dream body and which is not real. As a dreamer, I support my entire dream universe. When we are in dream, we never understand dream as a dream. Similarly, Vedanta says you are in a dream world, which you are refusing to understand. Gnana yoga is a method of Self-awakening, as your Self, as a super waker. Then I will understand that from me alone the dream came, from me alone the universe came and from me alone the universe is resolved. This alone is the knowledge for attaining liberation. Vedanta says “Uthista Jagradha” which means that you have to wake up (spiritual awakening) to your higher nature. Uthista means waking up and Jagradha means being aware of your Self. Vedanta says may you expose yourself to spiritual education program; may you wake up to your higher nature. This is the ultimate spiritual sadana. All the three yoga Viz., Karma yoga, Upasana yoga and Gnana yoga are required for gaining Self Knowledge. All the three types of yoga put together is Bhakti Yoga. Thus, lord Krishna concluded in the twelfth verse of the 2^nd chapter of Uddhava Gita. Similarly, in the 2^nd Chapter of Bhagavad Gita from 12^th verse up to 26^th verse, Lord Krishna summarized Gnana yoga.

Self-knowledge is not possible if you have a strong attachment to your body, family and near and dear ones. Attachment is the biggest obstacle, which you have to overcome in life. As long as I am attached, I will be interested in Artha (creating wealth) and Kama (desires). I think about earning and settling my family. Attachment to family and possession will keep me busy. Waking up to your super higher nature is the only way, which will make you confident and successful in life. A Gnani after spiritual awakening will say the world is not outside of me. The world is inside me and resolved in me.

For handling the mind, I should practice Yogabyasa, which is Chitta, Shutta virthihi. Mind should be able to obey your commands. Astanga yoga is useful for mind obedience. Enjoying the benefit of knowledge requires a disciplined mind.

Receiving Knowledge requires a Good Mind

Retaining Knowledge requires a Disciplined Mind

Assimilation of Knowledge requires a prepared mind.

By practicing yoga, an undisciplined mind can be disciplined.

Mind should be there for thoughts to happen. We never attempt to go to a thoughtless state. We engage our mind also during meditation; a state in which Vedantic thought continues effortlessly without my will. During Shravanam, Guru and Shastra generates the thought “that tvam asi” (you are that Brahman). After the student receives the knowledge, he does not require the assistance of Guru or Shastra. Nidhithyasanam is recollecting the knowledge, which has been collected during Shravanam. We don’t go to a thoughtless state. Our thoughts are undistracted by other thoughts during Nidhithyasanam. A prepared mind receives the knowledge easily without any effort.

Let us prepare our mind by the process explained above and attain Self-knowledge in the days to come.

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

02042018

VEDANTIC MEDITATION

We are discussing here the text from panchadasi.  In the topic of Gnana palam, Vidyaranya points out that a Gnani will continue to experience the world as before (before he became a Gnani). He has a physical body and mind also. He also has prarabdha. He will have experiences brought by prarabdha directly. Other experiences are created by the icha of a Gnani. A Gnani will have bhoga or experiences. Bhoga is a Sanskrit word that means “indulgence,” “enjoyment,” “consumption,” “experience” and “sensual pleasure.” In yogic philosophy, bhoga is a term used in several ways. Some see bhoga as the enjoyment of earthly pleasure that prevents self-realization. Gnani’s desires are different from an Agnani. Agnani’s desire is a binding one while Gnani’s desire is not.

In Brigadharanya Upanishad, it is said in the state of a Gnani’s knowledge, there is no duality or plurality. Pramada, Pramanam and Prameyam are negated in the state of a Gnani. For triputi, Pramada, Pramanam and Prameyam have to be there. There is either no observer or the observed. Triputi negating statements are analyzed in Bramhasutra. The conclusion is that a Gnani will not have Triputi. It is referring to a Gnani after he attained “Videga Mukthi”. After attaining Videga Mukthi there is no Stula sariram, No Sukshma Sariram and No Karana Sariram as Karana sariram is merged into Brahman. Gnanam Avasta is Nirvikalpa Avasta (no duality). In Samadhi (total absorption in meditation) Avasta, triputi is absent. Gnana Avasta is state of Knowledge. A Gnani has an absent of Duality.

The equation is

Non-perception of duality + Knowledge of Adwaida Gnanam = Aparoksha Gnanam. This combination is in Nirvikalpa samadhi, which is a unique state.

If mind is present then it is Savikalpa Samadhi.

For attaining Gnanam (scriptural knowledge) one has to do systematic study of the scriptures under the guidance of a competent Guru who himself is well versed in the same and has practised the same for a length of time. Benefit of gaining knowledge is that a Gnani is free from desires. This should not be literally taken as a Gnani will have a desire because of prarabdha karma. Because of Vasanas different Gnani’s do different things after gaining Gnanam. A Gnani is free from binding desires. A Gnani has poornathvam if a desire is either fulfilled or not fulfilled.   

Vedantic meditation is not a thoughtless state. We never attempt to go through a thoughtless state. We engage our mind also during meditation. This is a state in which Vedantic thought continues effortlessly without my will. Mind should be there for thoughts to happen. We have to come to the thought “Aham Brahma asmi” which is required. During Shravanam Guru and Shastra (scriptures) generates the thought “That Tvam Asi” (that you are, Atma/Brahman). Guru’s assistance is required. After the student receives the knowledge, he does not require the assistance of a Guru or Scriptural teachings. Nidhithyasanam is recollecting the knowledge, which has been received/collected during Shravanam. We don’t go to a thoughtless mindless state. Our thoughts are undistracted by other thoughts during Nidhithyasanam.

For handling the mind, I should practice Yogabyasa, which is Chitta, Shutta virthihi. At this point, mind is able to obey me. Doing Astanga yoga is useful to me for mind obedience. I have to control the mind since mind has involuntary thoughts. Guru and Shastra upadesa is required for gaining spiritual knowledge. I have to listen to “that tvam asi” mahavakyam from the Guru. By practicing yoga, even an undisciplined mind can be disciplined. Capacity to withdraw the mind at my will is a wonderful thing. Meditation is when the mind is withdrawn from the external world. In the Sixth chapter of Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna talked about Yoga. Yoga is useful for disciplining the mind and not for gaining Gnanam.

Now and then, I should learn to withdraw from the world, withdraw from my family and mentally take Sanyasa and live in my higher nature. I have to donate all my family members to Bhagavan.  I should involve in the world at my will and withdraw from the world at my will. I should enter the drama at will and go to the green room at will. A Gnani desires but not like Agnani. Agnani desires may go along with worry, stress, tension etc. A Gnani’s desire may not go with any of these disturbances.

If mind accepts a loss, it is a non-binding raga (desire). Binding Kama (desire) nivirthi is the benefit of Atma Gnanam. The 4^th capsule of Vedanta says, “I am never affected by any event that happens in the material universe or in the material body mind sense complex. This is another benefit of Atma Gnanam.

Study of Panchadasi is generally done after a course on Upanishads. Panchadasi is an analysis of various portions taken from the Upanishads.  

By doing Vedantic meditation

I have to receive knowledge – Should keep a good mind

I have to retain knowledge – Have a disciplined mind

I have to assimilate knowledge – Have a prepared mind.

Enjoying the benefit of knowledge requires a disciplined mind.

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

UDDHAVA GITA PRILIMINARY VERSES

The entire first chapter of fifty verses of Uddhava Gita gives us the background story similar to the first chapter of Bhagavad Gita. Preparation of the background story is always to bring the Guru and the Sishya together. In Uddhava Gita, Krishna the Guru and Uddhava the Sishya come together. Spiritual scriptures should be studied only under the guidance of an Acharya who is proficient in the same. Main teaching starts from the second chapter only.

From the 7^th Verse up to 19^th Verse lord Krishna is glorified. We can look upon the Lord from three different angles. This is because scriptures define the Gods in all the three versions. The first version is bhagavan is a particular deity with a finite form. Your Ista devatha can be lord Krishna, Vishnu, Saraswathi, Brahma, called as eka rupa eswara as per Agama sastra. Thus, we have many forms representing one infinite God. This is for beginners who have started to read scriptures, who do pooja and so on. The second version of eswara is the lord who includes all forms of creation called Vishwa Rupa Eswara. The entire universe is Aneka Rupa Eswara. The third is the absolute description of God who does not have any attributes like form, colour and is defined in Upanishads. A God who is free from all attributes and is not available for organs of perception and generally named in the Upanishads as Brahma. Thus, we have Eka rupa eswara, Aneka rupa eswara and Arupa eswara. Our knowledge of Eswara is complete only when we know all the three versions. Brahman activates everything in the universe.

Bhagavan activates the entire universe in three stages. The first stage is Maya, Prakriti or Avyaktam. Avyaktam is unmanifested universe in inert version. All Jivas were in dormant form in the previous shristi because of Sanchita karma acquired in the previous Shristi. We don’t know about the first creation. It is called Anadi (beginningless). All Jivas including us were in dormant form then. From the Maya the first one born is Mahat tatvam or Brahma. Brahma is given the power to create the rest of the universe. Brahma is the Kala tatvam. He is the activator or director. Kala tatvam, which was in unmanifest form takes form after the creation. Sunrise and Sunset determines the day and night. Movement of Moon determines thithi, paurnami and amavasya.  Earth's revolution around the Sun takes much longer than its rotation on its axis. One complete revolution takes 365 days, or one year. The Earth revolves around the Sun because gravity keeps it in a roughly circular orbit around the Sun. The Earth's orbital path is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse, which means that it is like a slight oval in shape. Chaturmasya is considered inept. Sanyasi has Chaturmasya during rainy season. Grihasta has Chaturmasya every four months. During Vedic times, Chaturmasya yaga was very very popular. On our birthday, we become older by one year. Our life span is decreased. Time and tide do not wait for anyone.

The layer for universe is prapancha or Virat. Mahat or Hiranyagarba is a subtle layer, which consists of total mind total prana, which is the invisible layer of creation. Before Mahat, all were in unmanifest form. Both cause and effect fall within this principle. Brahman is beyond cause and effect. Cause and effect are subject to time. Karanam becomes Karyam and Karyam becomes Karanam. Karana eswara is Maya with borrowed consciousness. Turiya becomes the Eswara who is the Karana tatvam (creator) that blesses (creates) Hiranyagarbha. He creates Brahma. In Brahma all the 14 lokas and all living beings are there. Krishna is looked at as Turiya tatvam. Maya is like a mirror and Chaithanyam is reflected in the Maya. Eswara holds hiranyagarbha (Brahma) within himself. From Hiranyagarbha (mind principle) he produces the next stage of creation. It is like a mother who carries a baby. Likewise, Bhagawan carried hiranyagarbha with himself. Bhagavan is omniscient and omnipotent and governs the universe and all the infinite number of laws. All our research work is only for understanding the power of the numerous cells, which gives life to us and are within us. Bhagavan gives the power.

There are two powers for Maya. One is creating power and other is concealing power. In the case of Bhagavan, he employs the creating power, through creating power he creates Hiranyagarbha, and through Hiranyagarbha he creates the Universe. Bhagavan with his power creates everything and Maya Sakthi does not conceal him. He knows his real nature Turiya tatva. He knows “Ahambrahmasmi”. He doesn’t get carried away by the attraction of Maya. In the case of Jiva, Avarna Sakthi of Maya is operating and the Jiva does not know the higher nature of Brahman. This ignorance is creating problem for us. We can never get permanent security if we hold on to anything in the universe. In the case of Bhagavan, this problem is not there (4^th Ch of Gita). Bhagavan takes the avatar of a human being.

Ajopi sannavyayaatmaa bhootaanaameeshvaropi san |
prakritim svaamadhishthaaya sambhavaamyaatmamaayayaa || 6 || BG Ch IV

At the time of death, my physical body alone disintegrates. Taking a body is called Janma. Jiva can express the freewill only in a human body. Jiva requires a conducive body to express the freewill. A child cannot express the freewill. Eswara has got Maya as his body. Eswara creates this world. Eswara is the creator, maintainer and resolver of this whole creation. Human society is healthy only when there is Dharma. Dharmic way of life maintains harmony. Sometimes humanity forgets Dharma and Adharma becomes predominant. Bhagavan has to bring in his defensive mechanism. That is Eswara avatara a cosmic defensive mechanism for the benefit of humanity. The type of avatar will depend upon the type of problem. He took Narasimha avatar for killing Hiranyakasupu who is Prahaladha’s father. Prarthana becomes the cause for Avatara (material in which the body is created). Eswara can create a body instantly by means of Maya. In the case of Jivas body out of Maya, pancha boothas are created. Jiva sariram is called Bhowthiga sariram, which is made up of Pancha boothas. Eswara avatara is like sublimation. For Bhagavan there is no self-ignorance. He is not tempted by the powerful attraction of Maya.

A householder life is important for doing service to his family and being not attached to anything. Not only my likes and dislikes are taken into account but also my spouse’s likes and dislikes are important for the sake of my spouse. Serving the family, serving the parents and serving the society are meant for my spiritual growth. Serving the family without attachment is required in Grihastrasramam (6^th Chapter of Gita). We have to go to the next stage of Vanaprasta. Don’t get attached to your spouse. Do not get attached to your children. You have to serve them only. Spiritual life is a journey alone to the alone all alone. Krishna was a maha Grihasta. He has 16 thousand wives. These are all symbolic things to convey the idea that they are patthinis. None of them could cause any attachment. The message is that lord is not attracted to anyone. He made everyone of them happy. You were never emotionally dependent on any one of them because of Self-knowledge and the absence of self-knowledge alone is the cause for attachment.

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

TALENT AND OPPORTUNITY

Most of us enjoy the IPL season and the matches! Time to enjoy the daily fix of nail-biting excitement. Time also to take a leaf out of the book of one of the biggest stars of the IPL. The man they call AB de Villiers!

There is an interesting little story that AB shares in his autobiography, which holds a valuable lesson for leaders. Even if you are not a cricket fan, it's a story you must hear. A story of two men. De Villiers. And French.

AB says there were several people who had a hand in his development as a cricketer. His parents, his coaches, and senior cricketers notably Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher - all of whom had a strong influence on AB. And there was one other name in that list, not quite as well known. Francois Geldenhuys. The man they called 'French'. AB says that French was the guy who backed him when he was most in need. The man who had a pivotal influence on AB's life and career. So what exactly did French do?

Flashback then to the year 2000. French was captain of the North Transvaal team in a local inter-school tournament. AB was in that team, and the coach had put him down to bat at No. 7. French spoke to the coach and said AB should be given a chance to open the innings. The coach agreed, even if somewhat reluctantly. AB grabbed the opportunity with both hands, and scored a century. That hundred resulted in AB getting picked in the South Africa Colts team. In addition, he then got picked for the South Africa schools team a year later, and so on. And on.

This begs the question. Would AB have made that kind of progress had French not spoken up? What might have happened had AB been left to languish down the order? We will never know.

However, as AB himself says, what we do know is that there are several exceptionally talented sportsmen and women out there who never get to realize their full potential, who languishes in obscurity simply because they don't get a chance to show off their skills and capabilities. AB got his chance, because someone spoke up. And that made all the difference.

That's true for sport. And for business and life too. For every rising star, we hear of in the corporate world, there are several others - equally talented, as capable - who unfortunately don't get a chance to prove their worth. Success is not just about talent. It's about talent and opportunity. When talent meets opportunity, history gets made.

If you think about it, you will see that your own success, your achievements in life, is thanks to a mentor or a boss who took a chance on you and gave you a break. A break that allowed you to show what you were really all about. Maybe they made you a General Manager - even when there were other more experienced candidates, and people were saying you were not ready for it. Or perhaps someone promoted you out-of-turn to Vice President to head a function or business, which you then rapidly grew. So even as you take pride in your talents and your achievements, take a moment to thank the men and women who gave you that opportunity. 

Now it is your turn to return the favor. Take a bet on raw talent. Bet on unripe fruit.

If you are a team leader secretly wishing you had an AB de Villiers in your team, you need to pause and think. Maybe there is already an AB in the team - but he or she hasn't got an opportunity to show what he or she is capable of! Give him or her a chance, please. Don't focus only on your established stars. Give talent an opportunity.

As a leader - and star performer - you might wish you were an AB de Villiers: scoring runs, dazzling fans and winning games. But really, you owe it to yourself to be a French. Become the kind of person who gives the young ABs in the team the opportunities to show their mettle. 

As you sit back and watch an IPL game on your TV screen, enjoy the fireworks from

A B De Villiers. Nevertheless, spare a thought for French too. He made a difference. He gave talent an opportunity. 

You should, too… 

Have a great day!

Be blissful.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com