RECEIVE WITH GRACE

For living a happy and peaceful life, one has to do his Dharma (duty). At the same time, we should become a contributor and not a consumer. The joy of giving is very much more than when you take from others. I gave chocolates to the young school going kids in my area and I got more joy when I saw them eating the same with happiness. Giving gives you more pleasure than taking and you have to experience the same by yourself.

 

At the same time, we should learn to receive things from others with grace. We need not feel inferior or diminished as receivers nor do the givers become superior in any way.

 

Khalil Gibran in his famous book The Prophet succinctly says that while it is the nature of a bee to suck honey from a flower, it is the nature of the flower to give the honey. Thus, neither is inferior or superior to the other.

 

Karna’s nature is always to give others and Seedhakkadi vallal (lived in Kilakarai) gave a golden ring to a poor man even after his death. As the legend goes, the great philanthropist Seedhakkadi the generous, is said to have donated his ring to a poor man even after his death. The poor man approached him a bit late when his body was in the burial ground and Seedhakkadi, the dead body, stretched its hand towards the poor man offering him the ring on its finger.

 

When we receive from someone, it is very likely that we begin to feel indebted. Thus, we either try to quickly give back and repay the obligation or continue to live with a sense of indebtedness. What we do not realise is that it is as much the giver’s need to give as it is ours to receive. We are not diminished by receiving nor does the giver become superior. When the fruit is ripe, it falls to the ground and does not ask the ground whether it is ready to receive. So also, we must recognize that the giver also has a need to share, to give and discharge his or her obligation.

 

As a receiver, we must learn that there will come a time when we will also have to give and if we only nourish the thought of indebtedness, we will never be able to give with a full heart. If we cannot receive with an open heart, with genuine thanks and belief that it is our right to receive, we will never give back with the same alacrity and gratitude.

 

Receiving therefore, does not make me less of who I am, nor does giving make me superior. Each role has a part to play in maintaining the balance of life, for if there is no one to receive who will we give to? Likewise, if there is no one to give us where can we receive from?

 

The next time we receive, let us recall Gibran’s wise thought and celebrate the reception, in so doing we will be able to rejoice when we give.

Perhaps one thing we can keep in our mind is that we should give more than what we take. Our thought may be oriented such that we try to give a lot more that what we get from others. The joy that you will get while giving has to be felt by you because ‘Joy’ cannot be measured and must be felt (experienced) by the person.

 

Can we say that let all of us “Give and Take” as the saying goes. May be giving more than what we take will be the appropriate thing to do for getting immense Joy and maintaining the balance of life.

 

Be blissful.

 

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com 

SEEK THE COMPANY OF SPIRITUAL THERAPISTS

Ordinary perception allows us to see only the separateness. It takes extraordinary perception to see oneness.

If a drop of water falls on a hot surface, it will instantaneously evaporate. Similarly, if you come into intimate contact with people who are hot with anger, jealousy, hatred and the negative feelings of lust and greed you and your peace of mind will vaporize. That is the effect of Satsang, association.

 

सत्संगत्वे निस्संगत्वं,
निस्संगत्वे निर्मोहत्वं।
निर्मोहत्वे निश्चलतत्त्वं
निश्चलतत्त्वे जीवन्मुक्तिः॥9॥

In Bhajagovindam Adi Sankara says, from Satsanga, company of Good people comes non attachment. From non attachment comes freedom from delusion or confusion, which leads to self-settledness. From self-settledness comes Jivan Mukti. Sankara says don’t get attached to nonsense things like alcohol, bad friends. Company of good people leads to non attachment (Nitsangathvam). Over influence of anything is bad. When we are free, we are not overpowered by desires. Sanchala is that which Moves. Nishchala is not moving, which is settled.  From Nischala comes Jivan Mukthi and we feel happy at the end of our life. Our life will be good and peaceful.

The most desirable type of association is Satsang with Uttama Purusha, association with the excellent. An Uttama purusha, illustrious person, is one who shows highly evolved tastes and immense strength of character under all conditions.

Think of the water drop as if it had been trapped inside an oyster. The water drop would get inexplicably transmuted into the most lustrous object, a pearl. If you are in touch with the right people for the right period of time, you will experience a similar transformation.

Nothing in the external environment, no amount of marine pollution, for example, is going to affect the purity of the pearl. The company of the excellent similarly has a protective, elevating effect on you.

Be blissful.

S.Sekar

Contac: sekrajc@yahoo.com

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME SELF – REALISED

 

We are not the body because our body is continuously changing. Body cannot be true. Truth does not change continuously. Just as a man casts off his worn out clothes and puts on new ones, so also the embodied-Self casts off its worn out bodies and enters others which are new. The Jiva removes the outermost layer (Physical body) at the time of death. At the time of death the body dies but the Soul remains. The Soul is the eternal Atma. This is the truth.

 

When we see the world with our eyes, the world around us becomes seen and our eyes the seer. But without the aid of mind, eyes cannot see. So now the eyes along with the world around become seen and the mind becomes the seer. Bu if there is no existence of consciousness or Self, the mind is non-living. So the Self is the main subject without which the existence of the mind along with the eyes and world around us is non-living and worthless. So the consciousness is the ultimate seer and all other matters are seen. The consciousness is the ultimate cause of all effects.

 

During Durga Puja, murtis of the goddess are made from clay and during immersion, the murtis become clay again. Similarly, originally we have come from consciousness. We are different in colour, shape, and name. But when we merge with our origin (consciousness) we become one.

 

Thoughts about worldly matters make us restless and thoughts about Spirituality make us calm and quiet.

 

By continuous thinking about the Self, our mind becomes silent and stops thinking. When you filter your thoughts, you will come to a single thought. When that single thought vanishes you stop thinking. This is the point when we will realize the Self. It may take a long time, or it may happen within a fraction of a second. The light can come within us removing all ignorance. This is called Self-realization. It does not matter how much time we pass in front of the murtis of god and goddess. The main thing is whether we can think about the Divine or not, whether we have realized him or not. Then and then alone Oneness will be achieved. You will merge with the Divine.

 

Be blissful.

 

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Date: 07-01-2023

SECRECT TO PERFECTION

 You go through the cycle of births and deaths (Punarabi Jananam and Punarabi Maranam) until you find the truth yourself. Everyone wants to go to his natural state of Happiness. For this, you have to set the right direction. One has to seek the truth. Think what might me beyond this world? It is difficult to project what is beyond. Only a Human being can project what might be beyond this terrestrial world. There has got to be something beyond this terrestrial word and there is no doubt about this. Think who is responsible for all this? This is unknown to an average human being. Only when you gain wisdom there is a transformation. You will be then free from mental agitation (unfulfilled desires in your mind). You are born with ‘Vasanas’ which are unmanifest desires. As you grow up, it starts expressing in the form of desires. If you decrease your desires you move to a state of Perfection which is a desireless state.

Consciousness is a pure knowledge, which is pure awareness. It is a knowing principle that enables you to be aware (conscious) of. It makes you aware of what you are aware of. That is pure knowledge, pure awareness, and pure consciousness. You are aware of something Viz., “Object”.

He who knows not and Knows not he knows not. Leave him.

 

He who knows not and knows he knows not. Avoid him.

 

He who knows and knows that he knows. He is wise. Follow him.

You have got to struggle and find out the truth by yourself only. It is by following the right path which will take you to the truth. You will have inner energy which will give you the ability to follow the path. Ultimately you will get to know the truth.

Knowledge will release you from your binding. If you don’t understand that there is something beyond this world, you will suffer from Samsara. You will be subjected to all sorts of fluctuations. If you develop knowledge, you will enjoy life with full of energy. You will be light hearted when you have a cool, calm and a positive attitude. In your own life, because of entanglement, you will not enjoy your life. Marriage is like a deck of Cards. In the beginning it is a Heart and deck of Diamond. Later it is a Spade. Develop this objective view of Knowledge. Ask yourself, what is my real dharma? Dharma makes things what it is without which it is not what it is. Dharma of Sugar is sweetness. Sweetener makes sugar what it is without which (sweetness) Sugar is not what it is. Ask questions like who am I? Why I have come into this world? What is the purpose of my Life? You have to address these questions and you will get to know the truth by yourself.

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Humility is the way to Succeed in true devotion to god

 

The Vedic scriptures greatly expound humility as the only way to succeed in true devotion to God.

The lives of great Indian Saints are the ultimate examples of this concept. 500 years ago, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu instructed us to be humbler than a blade of grass. 

The Bible has more than twenty verses about humility while the Quran has more than a dozen.

If all the scriptures discuss humility, the questions that naturally arise are:

what exactly is humility? How can we identify it? Why is it important and how can we practice it?

Humility is being Calm, Cheerful and Confident at all times in our life. 

Be like a Stitapragna treating the pair of opposites alike and accepting the experience as Bhagavan's prasada

Lead a simple Satvic life even when you go higher up in the ladder of your career or life

Be aware of what you are aware of.

There are many more explanations which you can get to know from the Scriptures. 

S.Sekar - On a spiritual path 

Cat has nine lives but I have only one 

Email : sekrajc@yahoo.com 

Blogsite : ssekar.blogspot.com

NICE STORY AND A LESSON

 

A Brahmin (Priest), whose profession was singing the glories of the Lord, was reciting Srimad Bhagavatam in the house of a Big Landlord.

 

A thief broke into the house where the recital was going on and hid himself in the deep corner. Perforce, he had to listen to Srimad Bhagavatam (Beautiful stories & Miracles of Lord Krishna).

 

The singer was now describing the ornaments worn by little Krishna. He described the various ornaments Mother Yasodha decorated on little Krishna before sending Him out with the cows.

 

The thief was excited and thought that he should meet that lad and rob all the ornaments at one stroke instead of struggling every

 

day with petty stealing. He waited till the entire chapter of Srimad was recited and left the place.

 

The thief wanted to know where this boy was. He, therefore, followed the Brahmin and waylaid him. The Brahmin was frightened and feared that he would lose even the small amount he had received as dakshina and told the thief, “I do not have anything with me”.

 

The thief replied that he was not keen to have any of his possessions but wanted some information about that lad he claimed to have the best ornaments and who used to go out for grazing the cows. He beseeched him to take him to that place where the lad was grazing those cows.

 

The Brahmin was in a fix now. He said, “In the town of Brindavana, on the banks of Yamuna river, in a green meadow, two boys come every morning. One is dark like the clouds with a flute, and the other fair, clad in white silk. The dark one will have all the ornaments I had described.”

 

The thief believed the Brahmin and set out for Brindavana immediately. He located the beautiful place, climbed up a tree and waited for the boys to arrive.

 

The sun rose. Faint melody of the flute wafted along the morning breeze. The enchanting music could then be heard closer and the thief spotted two boys coming.

 

He got down from the tree and went near them. The moment he saw the most beautiful appearance of the little Krishna, he forgot himself, folded his hands and shed tears of joy. The tears were from his heart and it was chilling.

 

He wondered which wretched mother had sent these radiant boys, chiseled to perfection, loaded with ornaments to the riverbank.

 

He could not take his eyes off from the divinity.

 

The transformation started.

 

He approached the boys shouting, “Stop,” and held Krishna’s hand. 

 

The moment he touched Lord Krishna, all his previous karmas were wiped out like a ball of cotton getting burnt in fire and with all humility he inquired lovingly, “Who are you?”

 

Krishna looked at him, innocently and said, "I am frightened by your looks. Please leave my hands”. 

 

The thief, now full of remorse, said to Krishna, “It is my evil mind which is reflected in my face. If you are frightened, I shall go away. Please don't say, I must leave you".

 

The Natkhat (Divinely naughty) Krishna reminded the thief the purpose of his coming there and mocked him, "Here, take these ornaments”.

 

Confused, the thief replied, “Will not your mother scold you if you gift away all your ornaments to me?”

 

Krishna with a smile said, “Do not worry about that. I have plenty of them. I am a bigger thief than you.

 

But there is a difference between you and me – however much I steal, the owners do not complain. I am lovingly called “Chitta Chora”.

 

Though you are not aware of it, you have a previous ornament in your possession, the “Chitta (Heart)”. I shall steal it now and take the same with Me”. So saying both the boys vanished.

 

To his surprise, the thief found a bag full of ornaments on his shoulder. 

 

He brought it to the Brahmin’s house and told him what had all happened.

 

The Brahmin was now frightened and took the thief inside and opened the bag.

 

To his utter amazement he saw all the ornaments described by him as being worn by Krishna in the Bhagavatam, in the thief’s bag.

 

Shedding tears of joy, the Brahmin asked the thief to take him to the place where he saw the dark boy. The thief obliged and both of them waited in the same place where the thief accosted the boy the previous day.

 

Suddenly the thief exclaimed, “Look, here they come!”

 

However, the Brahmin could not see any one.

 

Stricken with disappointment, he said, “Lord, when You decided to give darshan to a thief, why not me?

 

Lord Krishna, out of abundant compassion, replied,

 

“You are reading Srimad Bhagavatam just as another story, whereas the thief actually believed what you told him about me.

 

I manifest only for those who have full faith in me.

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Date: 06 - 09 - 2022

BELIEF AND FAITH

 

If you ask most people, they will tell you that faith and belief is the same thing. They are interrelated which makes them very close in meaning. There is a thin line between belief and faith.

 

Belief –an opinion or judgment in which a person is fully persuaded, whereas faith includes our beliefs, but it is bigger than that.

 

Faith=Belief+ Action +Confidence. Faith requires action. If it does not move us to do something or say something it is not faith. Until we take action our faith is just bunch of words.

 

Belief is the product of the mind where is faith is the product of spirit. In belief there are questions, but in faith there is only acceptance.

 

Let me quote an incidence from Mahabharata.

 

When Draupadi was disrobed in the courtroom of Kauravas, she looked up to Pandavas and other brave warriors like Bhīma, Dhronacharaya, Kripacharya for her rescue but her wails went in vain, till she turned to Lord Krishna, There was a difference in her approach while she sought help. She had belief in Pandavas and other brave warriors present at the courtroom. But she also had doubts if they would rise to the occasion under the grim circumstances and hence she put up meek resistance by herself on the onslaught of Dushasan, by tightly holding a part of her part of the saree.

 

On the other hand, she had absolute faith in Lord Krishna, although he was not physically present at the courtroom, when the incident happened. As she had faith in Lord Krishna, she had no doubts about her safety and hence did not offer any resistance; rather she held hands high towards the sky and diverted all her energy in praying Lord Krishna. The result of her faith is well known.

 

Belief is the truth held in mind, faith is the fire in the heart.

 

Belief is passive, Faith is active.

 

Be blissful.

 

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com