Prarabdha karma exists. But there is also a state of achievement which is beyond prarabdha, where the question of capacity and incapacity does not occur. When the flood comes, it washes away everything.
As you watch your mind, you discover your self as the watcher...when you stand motionless, only watching, you discover your self as the light behind the watcher...the source of light is dark, unknown is the source of knowledge...that source alone is...go back to that source and abide there...
Jai Maha Lakshmi! ૐ
Namastestu Mahaa-Maaye Shrii-Piitthe Sura-Puujite
Shangkha-Cakra-Gadaa-Haste Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||1||
Meaning:
1.1: I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi, Who is the Mahamaya (the Primordial Cause of Creation); And Who is Worshipped in Sri Pitha (Her Abode) by the Devas.
1.2: (I Worshipfully Salute Her) Who is adorned in Her Beautiful Form with Shankha (Conch), Chakra (Disc) and Gada (Mace) in Her Hands; I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Namaste Garudda-[A]aruuddhe Kola-[A]asura-Bhayangkari |
Sarva-Paapa-Hare Devi Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||2||
Meaning:
2.1: I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi Who is mounted on the Garuda, and Who is the Terror to Kolasura,
2.2: I Worshipfully Salute the Devi Who Removes All Sins (when we Surrender to Her); I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Sarvajnye Sarva-Varade Sarva-Dusstta-Bhayangkari |
Sarva-Duhkha-Hare Devi Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||3||
Meaning:
3.1: (I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi) Who is All-Knowing (Knowing even our Innermost Thoughts), and Who Gives All Boons (When Her Compassion is Awakened); (I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi) Who is the Terror to All the Wicked (Destroying our Evil Tendencies),
3.2: (I Worshipfully Salute) the Devi Who Removes All Sorrows (When Her Grace is Awakened); I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Siddhi-Buddhi-Prade Devi Bhukti-Mukti-Pradaayini |
Mantra-Muurte Sadaa Devi Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||4||
Meaning:
4.1: (I Worshipfully Salute) the Devi Who Bestows Accomplishments (When She becomes Gracious) and Intelligence (to direct our Lives properly with those Accomplishments); (I Worshipfully Salute the Devi) Who Bestows both Worldly Prosperity as well as directs our lives towards Liberation (Merging in Her Lotus Feet),
4.2: (I Worshipfully Salute) the Devi Who Always Abide as the Subtle Form of Mantra (behind Everything in Creation and Within our Hearts); I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Aadya[i-A]nta-Rahite Devi Aadya-Shakti-Maheshvari |
Yoga-Je Yoga-Sambhuute Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||5||
5.1: (I Worshipfully Salute) the Devi Who is Without Beginning (Aadi) and End (Anta), being the Primordial Shakti (behind Everything); I Worshipfully Salute that Great Goddess,
5.2: (I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi) Who is Born of Yoga (out of the Great Consciousness) and Who is always United with Yoga; I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Sthuula-Suukssma-Mahaaroudre Mahaa-Shakti-Mahodare |
Mahaa-Paapa-Hare Devi Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||6||
Meaning:
6.1: (I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi) Whose Power is present behind both Gross and Subtle Forms as well as behind the Most Terrible Form of Rudrani; (I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi) Who is the Great Womb of Mahashakti (from where every manifestation of Power arises),
6.2: (I Worshipfully Salute) the Devi Who Removes Great Sins from our Lives (when Her Great Power passes through our Lives and Cleanses us) (maybe during adverse circumstances); I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Padma-[A]asana-Sthite Devi Para-Brahma-Svaruupinni |
Parameshi Jagan-Maatar-Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||7||
Meaning:
7.1: (After Her Great Power Cleanses us we feel the Peaceful Form of) the Devi Who is Seated on a Lotus (Lotus of Kundalini) (with a Gracious Face); And Who is abiding as the Supreme Brahman (behind all Impurities),
7.2: She is the Supreme Goddess and the Mother of the Universe; I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Shveta-[A]mbara-Dhare Devi Naana-[A]langkaara-Bhuussite |
Jagatsthite Jagan-Maatar-Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||8||
Meaning:
8.1: (I Worshipfully Salute) the Devi Who is Adorned with White Garments (representing our Inner Purity); (I Worshipfully Salute the Devi) Who is Adorned with Various Ornaments (representing our Inner Beauty),
8.2: (I Worshipfully Salute the Devi) Who Abides within the Universe as the Mother of the Universe (directing our Lives and all Activities); I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Mahaalakssmy-Assttakam Stotram Yah Patthed-Bhaktimaan-Narah |
Sarva-Siddhim-Avaapnoti Raajyam Praapnoti Sarvadaa ||9||
9.1: He who recites this Mahalakshmi Ashtakam Stotram with Devotion (surrendering to Her Power), ...
9.2: ... Will attain all Accomplishments (including final Liberation) and Prosperity (both Inner and Outer), always (when She Herself directs our Lives).
Eka-Kaale Patthen-Nityam Mahaa-Paapa-Vinaashanam |
Dvi-Kaalam Yah Patthen-Nityam Dhana-Dhaanya-Samanvitah ||10||
10.1: Reciting this Once Every Day (representing the first outcome) will Destroy Great Sins (first our gross Sins need to get destroyed by Her Power for the Purity to emerge),
10.2: Reciting this Twice Every Day (representing the second outcome) will bestow Wealth and Foodgrains (by our effort in the path of Dharma).
Tri-Kaalam Yah Patthen-Nityam Mahaa-Shatru-Vinaashanam |
Mahaalakssmir-Bhaven-Nityam Prasannaa Varadaa Shubhaa ||11||
11.1: Reciting this Thrice Everyday (representing the third outcome) will Destroy Great Enemies (including our powerful subtle Inner Enemies which form the final hindrance from progressing towards Liberation),
11.2: (Finally nearing Liberation with a Pure Mind we find) Devi Mahalakshmi in Her Eternal Gracious Form; In Her Eternal Boon-Giving Grace and Auspicious Presence (within us).
~ Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
Namastestu Mahaa-Maaye Shrii-Piitthe Sura-Puujite
Shangkha-Cakra-Gadaa-Haste Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||1||
Meaning:
1.1: I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi, Who is the Mahamaya (the Primordial Cause of Creation); And Who is Worshipped in Sri Pitha (Her Abode) by the Devas.
1.2: (I Worshipfully Salute Her) Who is adorned in Her Beautiful Form with Shankha (Conch), Chakra (Disc) and Gada (Mace) in Her Hands; I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Namaste Garudda-[A]aruuddhe Kola-[A]asura-Bhayangkari |
Sarva-Paapa-Hare Devi Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||2||
Meaning:
2.1: I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi Who is mounted on the Garuda, and Who is the Terror to Kolasura,
2.2: I Worshipfully Salute the Devi Who Removes All Sins (when we Surrender to Her); I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Sarvajnye Sarva-Varade Sarva-Dusstta-Bhayangkari |
Sarva-Duhkha-Hare Devi Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||3||
Meaning:
3.1: (I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi) Who is All-Knowing (Knowing even our Innermost Thoughts), and Who Gives All Boons (When Her Compassion is Awakened); (I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi) Who is the Terror to All the Wicked (Destroying our Evil Tendencies),
3.2: (I Worshipfully Salute) the Devi Who Removes All Sorrows (When Her Grace is Awakened); I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Siddhi-Buddhi-Prade Devi Bhukti-Mukti-Pradaayini |
Mantra-Muurte Sadaa Devi Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||4||
Meaning:
4.1: (I Worshipfully Salute) the Devi Who Bestows Accomplishments (When She becomes Gracious) and Intelligence (to direct our Lives properly with those Accomplishments); (I Worshipfully Salute the Devi) Who Bestows both Worldly Prosperity as well as directs our lives towards Liberation (Merging in Her Lotus Feet),
4.2: (I Worshipfully Salute) the Devi Who Always Abide as the Subtle Form of Mantra (behind Everything in Creation and Within our Hearts); I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Aadya[i-A]nta-Rahite Devi Aadya-Shakti-Maheshvari |
Yoga-Je Yoga-Sambhuute Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||5||
5.1: (I Worshipfully Salute) the Devi Who is Without Beginning (Aadi) and End (Anta), being the Primordial Shakti (behind Everything); I Worshipfully Salute that Great Goddess,
5.2: (I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi) Who is Born of Yoga (out of the Great Consciousness) and Who is always United with Yoga; I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Sthuula-Suukssma-Mahaaroudre Mahaa-Shakti-Mahodare |
Mahaa-Paapa-Hare Devi Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||6||
Meaning:
6.1: (I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi) Whose Power is present behind both Gross and Subtle Forms as well as behind the Most Terrible Form of Rudrani; (I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi) Who is the Great Womb of Mahashakti (from where every manifestation of Power arises),
6.2: (I Worshipfully Salute) the Devi Who Removes Great Sins from our Lives (when Her Great Power passes through our Lives and Cleanses us) (maybe during adverse circumstances); I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Padma-[A]asana-Sthite Devi Para-Brahma-Svaruupinni |
Parameshi Jagan-Maatar-Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||7||
Meaning:
7.1: (After Her Great Power Cleanses us we feel the Peaceful Form of) the Devi Who is Seated on a Lotus (Lotus of Kundalini) (with a Gracious Face); And Who is abiding as the Supreme Brahman (behind all Impurities),
7.2: She is the Supreme Goddess and the Mother of the Universe; I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Shveta-[A]mbara-Dhare Devi Naana-[A]langkaara-Bhuussite |
Jagatsthite Jagan-Maatar-Mahaalakssmi Namostute ||8||
Meaning:
8.1: (I Worshipfully Salute) the Devi Who is Adorned with White Garments (representing our Inner Purity); (I Worshipfully Salute the Devi) Who is Adorned with Various Ornaments (representing our Inner Beauty),
8.2: (I Worshipfully Salute the Devi) Who Abides within the Universe as the Mother of the Universe (directing our Lives and all Activities); I Worshipfully Salute Devi Mahalakshmi.
Mahaalakssmy-Assttakam Stotram Yah Patthed-Bhaktimaan-Narah |
Sarva-Siddhim-Avaapnoti Raajyam Praapnoti Sarvadaa ||9||
9.1: He who recites this Mahalakshmi Ashtakam Stotram with Devotion (surrendering to Her Power), ...
9.2: ... Will attain all Accomplishments (including final Liberation) and Prosperity (both Inner and Outer), always (when She Herself directs our Lives).
Eka-Kaale Patthen-Nityam Mahaa-Paapa-Vinaashanam |
Dvi-Kaalam Yah Patthen-Nityam Dhana-Dhaanya-Samanvitah ||10||
10.1: Reciting this Once Every Day (representing the first outcome) will Destroy Great Sins (first our gross Sins need to get destroyed by Her Power for the Purity to emerge),
10.2: Reciting this Twice Every Day (representing the second outcome) will bestow Wealth and Foodgrains (by our effort in the path of Dharma).
Tri-Kaalam Yah Patthen-Nityam Mahaa-Shatru-Vinaashanam |
Mahaalakssmir-Bhaven-Nityam Prasannaa Varadaa Shubhaa ||11||
11.1: Reciting this Thrice Everyday (representing the third outcome) will Destroy Great Enemies (including our powerful subtle Inner Enemies which form the final hindrance from progressing towards Liberation),
11.2: (Finally nearing Liberation with a Pure Mind we find) Devi Mahalakshmi in Her Eternal Gracious Form; In Her Eternal Boon-Giving Grace and Auspicious Presence (within us).
~ Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
Sometimes you feel you know less and less, but being more and more. You are being more of yourself although you didn't become anything at all. These are paradoxes that cannot be easily explained.
Trust.
You are coming to the edge of your personal self. You are falling into the abyss of your own Self. Say inside your Heart: I am up for this. I choose to be free forever.
Trust.
You are coming to the edge of your personal self. You are falling into the abyss of your own Self. Say inside your Heart: I am up for this. I choose to be free forever.
You're either
doing something or
you're doing nothing.
You're either working on your freedom or you're accepting your bondage.
This is the freedom you've got.
This is the free choice you've got,
to accept your freedom,
or to accept your bondage.
This is where karma and predestination does not interfere with you.
You have the freedom to make a choice,
to go deep within,
as most of you are doing,
or just be part of this world,
which is always changing,
changing,
changing.
~ The Collected Works of Robert Adams Volume 1
doing something or
you're doing nothing.
You're either working on your freedom or you're accepting your bondage.
This is the freedom you've got.
This is the free choice you've got,
to accept your freedom,
or to accept your bondage.
This is where karma and predestination does not interfere with you.
You have the freedom to make a choice,
to go deep within,
as most of you are doing,
or just be part of this world,
which is always changing,
changing,
changing.
~ The Collected Works of Robert Adams Volume 1
Learning per se is always liberating. What is frustrating is when it is imposed.
If you think it's more "spiritual" to become a vegetarian, buy Organic Foods, practice yoga and meditate, but then you find yourself judging those who don't do all these things, you fell into an ego trap.
If you think it's more "spiritual" riding a bike or public transport at work, but then you're judging those in the car, you fell into an ego trap.
If you think it's more "spiritual" to stop watching tv because it cancels your brain, but then you're judging those who still look at you, you fell into an ego trap.
If you think it's more "spiritual" to avoid reading newspapers and gossip magazines, but then you judge those who read them, you fell into an ego trap.
If you think it's more "spiritual" listening to classical music or sounds of nature, but then you're judging who listens to commercial music, you fell into an ego trap.
You always have to be careful about the feeling of "superiority". it is the most important clue we have to realize that we are dealing into an ego trap. The ego is cleverly hidden in noble thoughts like to start a vegetarian diet or use the bicycle and then turn into a sense of superiority towards those who do not follow the same spiritual path."
If you think it's more "spiritual" riding a bike or public transport at work, but then you're judging those in the car, you fell into an ego trap.
If you think it's more "spiritual" to stop watching tv because it cancels your brain, but then you're judging those who still look at you, you fell into an ego trap.
If you think it's more "spiritual" to avoid reading newspapers and gossip magazines, but then you judge those who read them, you fell into an ego trap.
If you think it's more "spiritual" listening to classical music or sounds of nature, but then you're judging who listens to commercial music, you fell into an ego trap.
You always have to be careful about the feeling of "superiority". it is the most important clue we have to realize that we are dealing into an ego trap. The ego is cleverly hidden in noble thoughts like to start a vegetarian diet or use the bicycle and then turn into a sense of superiority towards those who do not follow the same spiritual path."
75. Since the universe is only a projection from and in the mirror of consciousness, its unreal nature can become clear only on investigation, and not otherwise.
76. Truth can never change its nature, whereas untruth is always changing. See how changeful the nature of the world is!
77-78. Distinguish between the changeless truth and the changeful untruth and scrutinise the world comprised of these two factors, changeful phenomena and changeless subjective consciousness, like the unchanging light of the mirror and the changing images in it.
79. The world cannot stand investigation because of its changing unreal nature. Just as the owl is dazzled and blinded by bright sunlight, so the world parades in glory before ignorance and disappears before right analysis.
~ Tripura Rahasya (Chapter XI, verses 75-79)
76. Truth can never change its nature, whereas untruth is always changing. See how changeful the nature of the world is!
77-78. Distinguish between the changeless truth and the changeful untruth and scrutinise the world comprised of these two factors, changeful phenomena and changeless subjective consciousness, like the unchanging light of the mirror and the changing images in it.
79. The world cannot stand investigation because of its changing unreal nature. Just as the owl is dazzled and blinded by bright sunlight, so the world parades in glory before ignorance and disappears before right analysis.
~ Tripura Rahasya (Chapter XI, verses 75-79)
When hormones play up, they distort your whole vision. You don’t have to withdraw to a cave, but you must be able to see through this.
Everything that happens in the material world is essentially a certain kind of wave. If you are a good sailor, every wave is a possibility.
All desires aim at happiness.
Their shape and quality
depend on the psyche.
Where inertia predominates,
we find perversions. With
energy, passions arise. With
lucidity the motive behind
the desire is goodwill,
compassion, the
urge to make happy
rather than be happy.
But the Supreme is beyond
all, yet because of its infinite
permeability, all cogent
desires can be
fulfilled.
Their shape and quality
depend on the psyche.
Where inertia predominates,
we find perversions. With
energy, passions arise. With
lucidity the motive behind
the desire is goodwill,
compassion, the
urge to make happy
rather than be happy.
But the Supreme is beyond
all, yet because of its infinite
permeability, all cogent
desires can be
fulfilled.
One who has lost the need for security is truly secure.
Будьте гибкими. Живой человек всегда мягок, а после смерти твердеет. Гибкость - это жизнь, отвердение - смерть и для тела, и для духа, и для ума.
Moojibaba’s Words Before Entering His Silent Retreat:
Many years ago, when these profound changes began taking place in my life, I suddenly found myself spending a lot of time on my own. I had the opportunity, in those days, to just sit by myself in undisturbed peace and silence. It was not my intention or decision to do this. I just went along with what felt right inside my heart and being. It all felt as though God had arranged it like this. Quite a long time passed in silent introspection and self-awareness. Little attention was left for anything else. I lived in a kind of timeless state cocooned inside this silent, blessed feeling of being.
Over 25 years have passed since, and I realise I have not taken any time to just sit by myself. I know that it was absorption in the power and continuous flow of grace from the Supreme Being that makes all this possible here and now. This time of deep immersion in the Self made all these years of travelling around the world sharing Satsang possible. It is still here today in service to your own awakening. I have shared with some of you that an urge has been steadily arising within to rest again inside my own heart-retreat. I do not have any grand ideas or projections about the fruits it will yield.
Here I am extending this invitation to you, my Sangha, to enter into your own inner retreat over this coming month or so. Most of you, of course, have activities and work that must continue, but at the same time I encourage you to be in this inner state and to stay very conscious of the Self even while the outer activities go on. Spend time really sitting and imbibing what I have pointed to as your true nature and position as the unchanging, unmoving awareness. It is not difficult. The pointing is very straightforward, very clean, very clear, but you need to sit with it and not be impatient. And watch…not only the things which keep coming and going but That which does not come and go—the awareness Self. Be one with That for it is not separate from you. Notice that your work and daily activities are spontaneously flowing even better as you keep your mind inside your heart.
This invitation is for all who seek the Truth and are in the hearing of this, wherever you are. Take this chance to keep your attention inside the heart of being. Each time the mind drifts away bring it back to silent, formless awareness. Inside, you must remain, know and confirm yourself as the unmoving One. And this harmony between the unmanifest and the manifest as one integral wholeness will reveal itself as your fundamental nature. Gradually, pure understanding will transmute into final awakening.
Nothing learnt in this world stays with you profoundly if it only stays in your mind as concepts. You must drink my words and pointers in deeply. It is like when you are in love, you welcome and embrace love totally inside so it becomes one with your being. This falling in love-ness, this internalising of the attention, is a very natural thing. It is not a wasteful movement. It is not a personal attainment. It is a universal impulse expanding and expressing itself as blessedness and love to the world.
Being aware of the Self compels and propels us out of the ignorant role and state of personhood and into Universal Consciousness. So while daily life unfolds, I am encouraging you to keep your attention immersed in the source which is your true Self.
Finally, please give this your full-hearted attention: continue growing in your love, respect and service to one another. It is a very mature and illumined Sangha that learns from and inspires each other towards full awakening to the timeless Truth. A true Sangha supports and encourages this truthfulness and integrity to face what is true and what is false without sacrificing the love, harmony and deep respect that are the perfume of the One Self. Without love, there is no Sangha and no real life. I do not know if there is anywhere else on this planet where love, wisdom and Truth are so profoundly alive and venerated as here inside the Sahaja-Heart.
Beloved ones, don’t waste your life pursuing the ephemeral. Transcend ego. Don’t miss your chance.
Timeless love
Moojibaba
Monte Sahaja, Portugal.
Many years ago, when these profound changes began taking place in my life, I suddenly found myself spending a lot of time on my own. I had the opportunity, in those days, to just sit by myself in undisturbed peace and silence. It was not my intention or decision to do this. I just went along with what felt right inside my heart and being. It all felt as though God had arranged it like this. Quite a long time passed in silent introspection and self-awareness. Little attention was left for anything else. I lived in a kind of timeless state cocooned inside this silent, blessed feeling of being.
Over 25 years have passed since, and I realise I have not taken any time to just sit by myself. I know that it was absorption in the power and continuous flow of grace from the Supreme Being that makes all this possible here and now. This time of deep immersion in the Self made all these years of travelling around the world sharing Satsang possible. It is still here today in service to your own awakening. I have shared with some of you that an urge has been steadily arising within to rest again inside my own heart-retreat. I do not have any grand ideas or projections about the fruits it will yield.
Here I am extending this invitation to you, my Sangha, to enter into your own inner retreat over this coming month or so. Most of you, of course, have activities and work that must continue, but at the same time I encourage you to be in this inner state and to stay very conscious of the Self even while the outer activities go on. Spend time really sitting and imbibing what I have pointed to as your true nature and position as the unchanging, unmoving awareness. It is not difficult. The pointing is very straightforward, very clean, very clear, but you need to sit with it and not be impatient. And watch…not only the things which keep coming and going but That which does not come and go—the awareness Self. Be one with That for it is not separate from you. Notice that your work and daily activities are spontaneously flowing even better as you keep your mind inside your heart.
This invitation is for all who seek the Truth and are in the hearing of this, wherever you are. Take this chance to keep your attention inside the heart of being. Each time the mind drifts away bring it back to silent, formless awareness. Inside, you must remain, know and confirm yourself as the unmoving One. And this harmony between the unmanifest and the manifest as one integral wholeness will reveal itself as your fundamental nature. Gradually, pure understanding will transmute into final awakening.
Nothing learnt in this world stays with you profoundly if it only stays in your mind as concepts. You must drink my words and pointers in deeply. It is like when you are in love, you welcome and embrace love totally inside so it becomes one with your being. This falling in love-ness, this internalising of the attention, is a very natural thing. It is not a wasteful movement. It is not a personal attainment. It is a universal impulse expanding and expressing itself as blessedness and love to the world.
Being aware of the Self compels and propels us out of the ignorant role and state of personhood and into Universal Consciousness. So while daily life unfolds, I am encouraging you to keep your attention immersed in the source which is your true Self.
Finally, please give this your full-hearted attention: continue growing in your love, respect and service to one another. It is a very mature and illumined Sangha that learns from and inspires each other towards full awakening to the timeless Truth. A true Sangha supports and encourages this truthfulness and integrity to face what is true and what is false without sacrificing the love, harmony and deep respect that are the perfume of the One Self. Without love, there is no Sangha and no real life. I do not know if there is anywhere else on this planet where love, wisdom and Truth are so profoundly alive and venerated as here inside the Sahaja-Heart.
Beloved ones, don’t waste your life pursuing the ephemeral. Transcend ego. Don’t miss your chance.
Timeless love
Moojibaba
Monte Sahaja, Portugal.
If I take you as a person, I cannot serve you.
I can only help you because I don't believe you. I don't believe the things you say to be true, when you speak from personhood...
And this is why I can look at you because if I saw you to be something other than what I know in my heart, I could not look at you in the face. I could not love you as I do.
I pray soon you will know that.
I can only help you because I don't believe you. I don't believe the things you say to be true, when you speak from personhood...
And this is why I can look at you because if I saw you to be something other than what I know in my heart, I could not look at you in the face. I could not love you as I do.
I pray soon you will know that.
Why do you think Zen Buddhism has become so popular all over the world, But Advaita vedanta hasn’t? Originally, Zen is from Advaita vedanta. It has evolved from the Advaita philosophy. But Zen has become popular, but not Advaita. The reason is that Zen emphasizes on the truth of declaration. The decision is enough. The cognitive shift is enough! Unfortunately, we advaitis are somehow stuck with some form of practice, without making people understand the importance of cognitive shift. The cognitive shift itself will make you live the principles. It is unfortunate that we do not understand the importance of cognitive shift. We think that some form of practice is required. I do promote spiritual practices like kriyas, yoga and pranayama, for the purpose of purifying your bio-memory, purifying your body and to cure some diseases. But I tell you, that is not the first priority in spiritual
life. It may be like a pickle, but it is not the main meal! The main meal is cognitive shift! Shift in your cognition, shift in your perception, shift in your decision!'
(The Science of Living Enlightenment)
life. It may be like a pickle, but it is not the main meal! The main meal is cognitive shift! Shift in your cognition, shift in your perception, shift in your decision!'
(The Science of Living Enlightenment)
If we really think about it, do we really need a new reason for celebrating? Life and being blessed with human birth is cause enough. On top of that, there are birds, trees, rivers, the all-expansive sky and the infinite stars. Aren’t all of these things ample cause for rejoicing?
Q 1) : How can we remove thoughts of lust while we are studying?
A: Not only while studying, but all the time! Lust is lust; it is harmful. Love should be pure love. Pure love is one-way traffic; you don’t expect anything in return. Dharma, Vipassana, will help this lust to turn into pure love—pure love is without a trace of passion. Pure love is full of compassion.
Q 2) : Isn’t this technique self-centred? How can we become active and help others?
A: First you have to be self-centred, you have to help yourself. Unless you help yourself, you can’t help others. A weak person cannot help another weak person. A lame person cannot help another lame person. You have to become strong yourself, and then use this strength to help others and make others strong also.
Q 3) : After learning Vipassana, how much time daily should we spend on meditation?
A: Ultimately it will become a full-time job, and you will be aware every moment. But initially, if you practise for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening, it will help you. It is a mental exercise. Just as you do physical exercise every day to keep your body healthy and strong, so you do this mental exercise every day to keep your mind healthy and strong.
Q 4) : What about corruption, which is increasing day by day?
A: People have forgotten the law of nature. If these very people start observing the truth within themselves, it will become impossible for them to live a corrupt life.
Q 5) : Can we combine two or more techniques?
A: You can combine as many techniques as you like, but don’t combine them with Vipassana. Vipassana is a unique technique and combining it with anything else will not help you. It may even harm you. Keep Vipassana pure. Other techniques only give a veneer to the surface of the mind. But Vipassana makes a deep surgical operation; it takes out complexes from the depth of the mind. If you combine it with another technique, you are playing a game which may be very harmful to you.
Q 6): Can kuṇdalinī be awakened by the practice of Vipassana?
A: What is kuṇḍalinī? Kuṇḍalinī is the activation of nerve centres on the spinal chord. By the practice of Vipassana, every atom of the body gets activated. Kuṇḍalinī is just a small part of that. Practise Vipassana and you will easily understand the difference between the two.
(The Gracious Flow of Dharma - by S.N.Goenka)
A: Not only while studying, but all the time! Lust is lust; it is harmful. Love should be pure love. Pure love is one-way traffic; you don’t expect anything in return. Dharma, Vipassana, will help this lust to turn into pure love—pure love is without a trace of passion. Pure love is full of compassion.
Q 2) : Isn’t this technique self-centred? How can we become active and help others?
A: First you have to be self-centred, you have to help yourself. Unless you help yourself, you can’t help others. A weak person cannot help another weak person. A lame person cannot help another lame person. You have to become strong yourself, and then use this strength to help others and make others strong also.
Q 3) : After learning Vipassana, how much time daily should we spend on meditation?
A: Ultimately it will become a full-time job, and you will be aware every moment. But initially, if you practise for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening, it will help you. It is a mental exercise. Just as you do physical exercise every day to keep your body healthy and strong, so you do this mental exercise every day to keep your mind healthy and strong.
Q 4) : What about corruption, which is increasing day by day?
A: People have forgotten the law of nature. If these very people start observing the truth within themselves, it will become impossible for them to live a corrupt life.
Q 5) : Can we combine two or more techniques?
A: You can combine as many techniques as you like, but don’t combine them with Vipassana. Vipassana is a unique technique and combining it with anything else will not help you. It may even harm you. Keep Vipassana pure. Other techniques only give a veneer to the surface of the mind. But Vipassana makes a deep surgical operation; it takes out complexes from the depth of the mind. If you combine it with another technique, you are playing a game which may be very harmful to you.
Q 6): Can kuṇdalinī be awakened by the practice of Vipassana?
A: What is kuṇḍalinī? Kuṇḍalinī is the activation of nerve centres on the spinal chord. By the practice of Vipassana, every atom of the body gets activated. Kuṇḍalinī is just a small part of that. Practise Vipassana and you will easily understand the difference between the two.
(The Gracious Flow of Dharma - by S.N.Goenka)
(Part:9) A small biography on Sadhguru
Around the age of thirteen, Sadhguru came across Raghavendra Swami, a yogi popularly known as #Malladihalli_Swami. He caught Sadhguru's attention because he was faster and more agile than Sadhguru was, despite being over eighty years old!
When sadhguru was very young, he used to come to his grandfather’s place. He was just twelve or thirteen years old and he was about eighty-one. At the time, he was made in such a way that he could climb anything. In the house where his grandfather lived in the village, there were wells in the backyard which were just six or seven feet in diameter and about 120 to 130 feet deep.The water would be sixty feet below the surface. One of the sports among boys was to jump into this well and climb back up. If you made one mistake, you would hit the rock walls and that would be the end of you. None of the kids could climb as fast as me but then one day, this eighty-one-year-old man came and did it faster than sadhguru. When sadhguru wanted to know how, he said “Come and do yoga with me.” That is what set sadhguru off initially to go to him and learn some simple yogic practices.He is Sri Ragavendra Swamiji.
Sri Raghavendra Swamiji of Malladihalli ( Kannada: ಮಲ್ಲಾಡಿಹಳ್ಳಿ ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ) (1890–1996), popularly known as “Malladihalli Swamiji”, was a founder of Anatha Sevashrama Trust, Malladihalli. He taught Yoga to more than 4.5 million people all over the world keeping his base as Malladihalli Chitradurga District, a tiny village in Karnataka, India, approximately 250 kilometers from Bangalore, India.
Raghavendra Swamiji was born in Kerala, to parents Anantha Padmanabha and mother Padmambal, happens to be only ailing child to his parents, even he is not conscious till the age of fifteen. His original name was Kumaraswamy.
The majority of the Kerala Hindu community are the devotees of Sri Mookambika of Kollur. So his parents decided to undertake a pilgrimage to Kollur to pray to the Goddess for the speedy recovery of their ailing son. The swamiji of temple assured his mother that she need not to worry herself for the ailing boy, who had every chance of being a very famous person in the days to come. The very words of swamiji’s blessings had filled every drop of her blood with new enthusiasm and fresh life. But after a few days of joy and emotions, his mother, died. Later, this ailing boy was adopted by the family of Smt. Puthali Bai and Shri. Narasimhaiah when Bhirthi Shri. Ramachandra Shastry advised the couple. Shri. Anantha Padmanabha, later went on a pilgrimage to Himalayas. Due to the blessings of the God, Raghavendrs’s health gradually improved both physically and mentally and later, he was admitted to a primary school. He performed well in every subject except English. He was very fond of music, and learnt Carnatic music till Varna and Kirtan and singing Bhajans and devotional songs. As a school boy he participated and acted in many dramas, Yakshagana and Thala Maddale.
When the boy was in high school at kundapur, the incident which brought about a metamorphosis in boy’s life, was the blessings of Sri Nityanand Swamiji with Taraka Yoga (Shakthipatha Yoga). After this rare incident, his life entirely bent on spiritualism. So, he started meditating in lonely places like forests, hillocks and temples, to have the vision of God.
Association with Siddharudha Swamiji of Hubli, and Shri Shivarama Karantha:
Sri Siddharudha Swamiji was a famous saint, running several educational institutions and hostels for the poor and weaker sections of the society in Hubli, Karnataka. As he explained his mission to have a vision of God to Swamiji, he said, I was too young to accomplish this mission. After staying some days at Siddharudha mutt he left for Tumkur, as swamiji told to look after some other Guru to accomplish his mission.
He started his association with K. Shivaram Karanth, when he met him at a Drama company called Amba Prasaditha Nataka company, at Tumkur. Shri Karantha, took Raghavendra to Shri Ranganatha Thamankar and introduced him. Shri Thamankar offered a job as a clerk at this drama company and he was entrusted with the sales of tickets and disbursement of salaries and wages to the staff of the drama company. Later during this period, he received Yoga instruction from #Shree_Palani Swamigal a great Hathayogi(our Sadhguru's guru).Again at this juncture he left his job, to accomplish his mission, to have a vision of God and went barefoot from place to place but no result! He reminded the words of Sri Siddharudha Swami, as I was too young to accomplish this mission.
Association with Swami Shivananda and Baba Lakshman Das of Lahore a Break through:
He decided to meet Sri Swami Shivananda, a great seer, patriot, orator. This swami always infuriate the young minds with a burning desire to serve the motherland, irrespective of caste, creed, language and religion and says “heroes of our Nation should show their strength and prowess through their feats” by practising physical exercises and Yoga to save our motherland from external forces. When he met this swamiji and repeatedly asking his mission of searching a God, swamiji ‘astonished!’ and asked “have you understood the pain of hungry and ailing people?” You should try to wipe out the tears of those hungry and ailing, from your inner most heart, there you will find your true God.
So, he decided to wield his strong bond with this swamiji, as he brings major metamorphosis in his mind and personality. Later swamiji introduced to a Baroda professor Manekrao, a great Guru, where this Swamiji learnt physical exercises and using of military weapons, as a disciple. So, he decided me to join this professor to undergo the physical training at Baroda. Manekrao (1878–1954) had acquired knowledge and virtues of power from his preceptor Sri Jumma Dada, lived up to the age of one hundred and thirty six years. So, I learnt various arts of fighting: Lathi, Katti, Wrestling, Mallakambh, Hatyaronka, rope climbing and horse riding under the guidance of Manekrao. He also taught the art of recognising/solving the problem without seeing the object, and curing the ailments of patients by oral checking called Shabdavedi.
Manekrao and Sri Shivanand Swamiji, decided to send Rghavendra to Lahore to learn Ayurveda from Baba Lakshman Das, a versatile genius and an adept for both Yoga and Ayurveda and highly disciplined Ayurvedic practitioner. He was taught anatomy and metabolism on the basis of ancient scriptures written by Charaka, Sushruta, Vagbhata, Bhavamishra, Sharangadhara, Madhavacharya and so on. Baba’s instructions are on the lines of basic science and medicine are quite classical with strict lectures and practicals. He was taught medicinal herbs and natural vegetation and preparations of medicines in the workshop and the same medicines are used to cure the ailing patients visited to his ashram. As per the instructions of the Baba, Raghavendra has a chance to visit the hospital run by Germans, at Lahore, where Leprosy patients are serving with utmost care and love by German nurses and Doctors. All these work experiences with Baba, made Raghavendra strong, his skills were strengthened; this was later translated while administering Ayurvedic medicines at Malladihalli.
Malladihalli swami taught yoga and Ayurveda to thousands of his disciplines in his lifetime.At the age of 106,he collapsed while delivering a lecture in mysore.He admitted to hospital later shifted to his ashram.he died piecefully three months later in his ashram..
Around the age of thirteen, Sadhguru came across Raghavendra Swami, a yogi popularly known as #Malladihalli_Swami. He caught Sadhguru's attention because he was faster and more agile than Sadhguru was, despite being over eighty years old!
When sadhguru was very young, he used to come to his grandfather’s place. He was just twelve or thirteen years old and he was about eighty-one. At the time, he was made in such a way that he could climb anything. In the house where his grandfather lived in the village, there were wells in the backyard which were just six or seven feet in diameter and about 120 to 130 feet deep.The water would be sixty feet below the surface. One of the sports among boys was to jump into this well and climb back up. If you made one mistake, you would hit the rock walls and that would be the end of you. None of the kids could climb as fast as me but then one day, this eighty-one-year-old man came and did it faster than sadhguru. When sadhguru wanted to know how, he said “Come and do yoga with me.” That is what set sadhguru off initially to go to him and learn some simple yogic practices.He is Sri Ragavendra Swamiji.
Sri Raghavendra Swamiji of Malladihalli ( Kannada: ಮಲ್ಲಾಡಿಹಳ್ಳಿ ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ) (1890–1996), popularly known as “Malladihalli Swamiji”, was a founder of Anatha Sevashrama Trust, Malladihalli. He taught Yoga to more than 4.5 million people all over the world keeping his base as Malladihalli Chitradurga District, a tiny village in Karnataka, India, approximately 250 kilometers from Bangalore, India.
Raghavendra Swamiji was born in Kerala, to parents Anantha Padmanabha and mother Padmambal, happens to be only ailing child to his parents, even he is not conscious till the age of fifteen. His original name was Kumaraswamy.
The majority of the Kerala Hindu community are the devotees of Sri Mookambika of Kollur. So his parents decided to undertake a pilgrimage to Kollur to pray to the Goddess for the speedy recovery of their ailing son. The swamiji of temple assured his mother that she need not to worry herself for the ailing boy, who had every chance of being a very famous person in the days to come. The very words of swamiji’s blessings had filled every drop of her blood with new enthusiasm and fresh life. But after a few days of joy and emotions, his mother, died. Later, this ailing boy was adopted by the family of Smt. Puthali Bai and Shri. Narasimhaiah when Bhirthi Shri. Ramachandra Shastry advised the couple. Shri. Anantha Padmanabha, later went on a pilgrimage to Himalayas. Due to the blessings of the God, Raghavendrs’s health gradually improved both physically and mentally and later, he was admitted to a primary school. He performed well in every subject except English. He was very fond of music, and learnt Carnatic music till Varna and Kirtan and singing Bhajans and devotional songs. As a school boy he participated and acted in many dramas, Yakshagana and Thala Maddale.
When the boy was in high school at kundapur, the incident which brought about a metamorphosis in boy’s life, was the blessings of Sri Nityanand Swamiji with Taraka Yoga (Shakthipatha Yoga). After this rare incident, his life entirely bent on spiritualism. So, he started meditating in lonely places like forests, hillocks and temples, to have the vision of God.
Association with Siddharudha Swamiji of Hubli, and Shri Shivarama Karantha:
Sri Siddharudha Swamiji was a famous saint, running several educational institutions and hostels for the poor and weaker sections of the society in Hubli, Karnataka. As he explained his mission to have a vision of God to Swamiji, he said, I was too young to accomplish this mission. After staying some days at Siddharudha mutt he left for Tumkur, as swamiji told to look after some other Guru to accomplish his mission.
He started his association with K. Shivaram Karanth, when he met him at a Drama company called Amba Prasaditha Nataka company, at Tumkur. Shri Karantha, took Raghavendra to Shri Ranganatha Thamankar and introduced him. Shri Thamankar offered a job as a clerk at this drama company and he was entrusted with the sales of tickets and disbursement of salaries and wages to the staff of the drama company. Later during this period, he received Yoga instruction from #Shree_Palani Swamigal a great Hathayogi(our Sadhguru's guru).Again at this juncture he left his job, to accomplish his mission, to have a vision of God and went barefoot from place to place but no result! He reminded the words of Sri Siddharudha Swami, as I was too young to accomplish this mission.
Association with Swami Shivananda and Baba Lakshman Das of Lahore a Break through:
He decided to meet Sri Swami Shivananda, a great seer, patriot, orator. This swami always infuriate the young minds with a burning desire to serve the motherland, irrespective of caste, creed, language and religion and says “heroes of our Nation should show their strength and prowess through their feats” by practising physical exercises and Yoga to save our motherland from external forces. When he met this swamiji and repeatedly asking his mission of searching a God, swamiji ‘astonished!’ and asked “have you understood the pain of hungry and ailing people?” You should try to wipe out the tears of those hungry and ailing, from your inner most heart, there you will find your true God.
So, he decided to wield his strong bond with this swamiji, as he brings major metamorphosis in his mind and personality. Later swamiji introduced to a Baroda professor Manekrao, a great Guru, where this Swamiji learnt physical exercises and using of military weapons, as a disciple. So, he decided me to join this professor to undergo the physical training at Baroda. Manekrao (1878–1954) had acquired knowledge and virtues of power from his preceptor Sri Jumma Dada, lived up to the age of one hundred and thirty six years. So, I learnt various arts of fighting: Lathi, Katti, Wrestling, Mallakambh, Hatyaronka, rope climbing and horse riding under the guidance of Manekrao. He also taught the art of recognising/solving the problem without seeing the object, and curing the ailments of patients by oral checking called Shabdavedi.
Manekrao and Sri Shivanand Swamiji, decided to send Rghavendra to Lahore to learn Ayurveda from Baba Lakshman Das, a versatile genius and an adept for both Yoga and Ayurveda and highly disciplined Ayurvedic practitioner. He was taught anatomy and metabolism on the basis of ancient scriptures written by Charaka, Sushruta, Vagbhata, Bhavamishra, Sharangadhara, Madhavacharya and so on. Baba’s instructions are on the lines of basic science and medicine are quite classical with strict lectures and practicals. He was taught medicinal herbs and natural vegetation and preparations of medicines in the workshop and the same medicines are used to cure the ailing patients visited to his ashram. As per the instructions of the Baba, Raghavendra has a chance to visit the hospital run by Germans, at Lahore, where Leprosy patients are serving with utmost care and love by German nurses and Doctors. All these work experiences with Baba, made Raghavendra strong, his skills were strengthened; this was later translated while administering Ayurvedic medicines at Malladihalli.
Malladihalli swami taught yoga and Ayurveda to thousands of his disciplines in his lifetime.At the age of 106,he collapsed while delivering a lecture in mysore.He admitted to hospital later shifted to his ashram.he died piecefully three months later in his ashram..
2314 In Jiva-Siva Union All Fade
When that State is attained,
Where the Self becomes Siva,
The Malas, the Pasas diverse,
Gunas and experiences
That arose for the estranged Jiva,
Will all, all, fade,
Even as does the beams of the moon
In the presence of the rising sun.
2315 When Jiva Becomes Pervasive as Siva
Within them,
(Who have attained Siva-State,)
There is fire, water and air;
The sun and the moon are there seated;
Hari, Brahma and Rudra
Are also in their heart.
2316 Attain Jnana and Enter Heavenly Home
He who, the elephants of senses five subdues,
Lights the lamp of Jnana
And entering its radiance,
Drives the darkness within;
For him
It is easy
To ascend the Heavenly Home (Siva Loka).
2317 Dance of Siva Seen Within
The moving breeze
That the Dancing Feet wafts;
The vibrant sound
That the Damaruka drum emitts;
The celestial music,
That the chanting Vedas and Agamas produces;
All these in nadis within I experienced.
2318 Self-Knowledge is True Knowledge
The effect of goodly tapas
In past performed,
Can with knowledge
In present be discerned;
Self-knowledge is knowledge true,
The rest is but knowledge demented.
2319 In Actionless Contemplation Divine Message Comes
To be actionless is Siva's bliss;
They who are actionless
Seek not Siva Yoga;
They who are actionless
Will not in world merge;
Only to them who are actionless
Is the Divine message to be.
2320 In Samadhi Jiva Unites in Siva
They who attain Samadhi
They and He one become;
Sundered will be Malas,
Vanished the Jiva-State;
Their body (as Divine Light)
Will in Siva's World be;
They in Siva unite
Devoid of blemishes eight.
2321 Pedda or Jiva Mukti
At the eternal Feet of Hara,
The Sakti appears;
And as it appears
The interminable darkness
Of Jiva disappears,
And Light dawns;
And Jiva perserveres incessant
In the way of time-honoured Jnana
And thus reaches the State of Pedda (Jiva) Mukti.
2322 Jiva Knowledge is Doubt-Tossed; Siva Knowledge is
Light Divine
As the Sakti aids the Jiva
In Boddha as well as Mukti
Jiva that is doubt-tossed in the first,
Becomes doubt-free in the second;
And in that condition
Sakti grants its divine instrument
Of Jnana to Jiva;
That verily is the abiding Light
That transcends Jiva's flickering light.
2323 By Grace Jiva Becomes Knower
Devoid of knowledge
Are Tattvas thirty and six;
The Self that knows
I know not;
"You shall know"
Thus blessed Nandi;
Then I knew
That I am the Knower.
2324 Jnana Siva and Jnana Sakti Appeared
He who transformed me into Himself,
He, the Lord of Jnana,
The First of Celestials,
The peerless gem's
Light Resplendent;
And She, Sakti-Grace
Of Jnana Pure,
She, the Immaculate
--Them I saw in this fleshly body.
2325 Love, Jnana, and Bliss of Siva-Sakti
Light and Darkness
Are Parai (Sakti), and the Love within Parai;
Transcend the Self;
Beyond is Love that is Grace,
Transcend the Mala Darkness
Beyond is Light that is Jnana;
Transcend them too;
Then is the Gift that is Siva's-Bliss.
When that State is attained,
Where the Self becomes Siva,
The Malas, the Pasas diverse,
Gunas and experiences
That arose for the estranged Jiva,
Will all, all, fade,
Even as does the beams of the moon
In the presence of the rising sun.
2315 When Jiva Becomes Pervasive as Siva
Within them,
(Who have attained Siva-State,)
There is fire, water and air;
The sun and the moon are there seated;
Hari, Brahma and Rudra
Are also in their heart.
2316 Attain Jnana and Enter Heavenly Home
He who, the elephants of senses five subdues,
Lights the lamp of Jnana
And entering its radiance,
Drives the darkness within;
For him
It is easy
To ascend the Heavenly Home (Siva Loka).
2317 Dance of Siva Seen Within
The moving breeze
That the Dancing Feet wafts;
The vibrant sound
That the Damaruka drum emitts;
The celestial music,
That the chanting Vedas and Agamas produces;
All these in nadis within I experienced.
2318 Self-Knowledge is True Knowledge
The effect of goodly tapas
In past performed,
Can with knowledge
In present be discerned;
Self-knowledge is knowledge true,
The rest is but knowledge demented.
2319 In Actionless Contemplation Divine Message Comes
To be actionless is Siva's bliss;
They who are actionless
Seek not Siva Yoga;
They who are actionless
Will not in world merge;
Only to them who are actionless
Is the Divine message to be.
2320 In Samadhi Jiva Unites in Siva
They who attain Samadhi
They and He one become;
Sundered will be Malas,
Vanished the Jiva-State;
Their body (as Divine Light)
Will in Siva's World be;
They in Siva unite
Devoid of blemishes eight.
2321 Pedda or Jiva Mukti
At the eternal Feet of Hara,
The Sakti appears;
And as it appears
The interminable darkness
Of Jiva disappears,
And Light dawns;
And Jiva perserveres incessant
In the way of time-honoured Jnana
And thus reaches the State of Pedda (Jiva) Mukti.
2322 Jiva Knowledge is Doubt-Tossed; Siva Knowledge is
Light Divine
As the Sakti aids the Jiva
In Boddha as well as Mukti
Jiva that is doubt-tossed in the first,
Becomes doubt-free in the second;
And in that condition
Sakti grants its divine instrument
Of Jnana to Jiva;
That verily is the abiding Light
That transcends Jiva's flickering light.
2323 By Grace Jiva Becomes Knower
Devoid of knowledge
Are Tattvas thirty and six;
The Self that knows
I know not;
"You shall know"
Thus blessed Nandi;
Then I knew
That I am the Knower.
2324 Jnana Siva and Jnana Sakti Appeared
He who transformed me into Himself,
He, the Lord of Jnana,
The First of Celestials,
The peerless gem's
Light Resplendent;
And She, Sakti-Grace
Of Jnana Pure,
She, the Immaculate
--Them I saw in this fleshly body.
2325 Love, Jnana, and Bliss of Siva-Sakti
Light and Darkness
Are Parai (Sakti), and the Love within Parai;
Transcend the Self;
Beyond is Love that is Grace,
Transcend the Mala Darkness
Beyond is Light that is Jnana;
Transcend them too;
Then is the Gift that is Siva's-Bliss.
Should I Take the World Seriously?
===========================
October 6, 1991
You always believe you have to look about your interests, take care of your problems, your world. And you imagine all kinds of things will happen. There's some of you have been employed for so many years, and you are always worried about being unemployed.
You believe that's the worst thing in the world that can happen to you, and it's probably the best thing that could have happen to you, for it makes you move into a new venture, into new experiences.
The truth is you can never suffer. There is nothing in this universe that can make you suffer. If you're suffering it's your mind that is telling you things about someone, or about something, or about some place, or about some condition and this is why you suffer.
You have allowed yourself to think. You're believing your thoughts. Your thoughts control you thoroughly, completely, absolutely. Your thoughts are your worst enemy.
You learn therefore to grab a hold of your thoughts, by practicing self-inquiry, or by observing your thoughts, becoming the witness to your thoughts, watching yourself think.
As you continue practicing sadhana, you’re headed towards illumination. Yet the funny thing about this is that you are already there, and there’s nothing you have to do. You always believe you have to do something. You were brought up to believe that if you do nothing you’re a lazy bum. Yet you are nothing.
Nothingness is your true nature.
You are what you’re supposed to be. Everything is predetermined as far as your body is concerned, and you're going
through those experiences that are necessary for your fulfillment and your unfoldment.
As you become wise, and you begin to understand, you no longer react to your conditioning. Fear begins to melt.
There’s no longer anything to fight. You do not have to win any points. There’s really no one you have to overcome.
There’s no situation you have to heal.
You merely have to be yourself.
Be yourself.
How do you become yourself?
By understanding that there’s one self and you are that. There is only the one self. People call it by all kinds of names, nirvana, sat-chit-ananda, absolute reality.
It's called by all kinds of names, God. It makes no difference what you call it. You have to be it. You have to be that self that has always been and will always be. You have to lift yourself up to that place where there is no world, no universe, no body, no
mind.
It really makes no difference what sadhana you practice, whether you practice Zen, or Taoism, or mystical Christianity, or Cabala. What you practice makes no difference. But what are you doing with the practice? Are you really diving deep within yourself and finding your own reality? Or are you still reading many books, going to many
lectures, becoming totally confused?
Leave the world alone. Do not try to correct the world. When I say correct the
world, I mean correct people, places or things. Everything has a tendency to balance itself. There are certain laws in
this universe that take care of itself. There’s a power and a presence that knows the way, and you are told to surrender to this power, to this presence.
Complete surrender.
Not my will, but thine.
This is the highest teaching of any system.
When you give up your ego, totally surrender, and allow the powers that be to direct you, and guide you, and take care of you and unfold as you,
everything will work out.
~ The Collected Works of Robert Adams Volume 1
===========================
October 6, 1991
You always believe you have to look about your interests, take care of your problems, your world. And you imagine all kinds of things will happen. There's some of you have been employed for so many years, and you are always worried about being unemployed.
You believe that's the worst thing in the world that can happen to you, and it's probably the best thing that could have happen to you, for it makes you move into a new venture, into new experiences.
The truth is you can never suffer. There is nothing in this universe that can make you suffer. If you're suffering it's your mind that is telling you things about someone, or about something, or about some place, or about some condition and this is why you suffer.
You have allowed yourself to think. You're believing your thoughts. Your thoughts control you thoroughly, completely, absolutely. Your thoughts are your worst enemy.
You learn therefore to grab a hold of your thoughts, by practicing self-inquiry, or by observing your thoughts, becoming the witness to your thoughts, watching yourself think.
As you continue practicing sadhana, you’re headed towards illumination. Yet the funny thing about this is that you are already there, and there’s nothing you have to do. You always believe you have to do something. You were brought up to believe that if you do nothing you’re a lazy bum. Yet you are nothing.
Nothingness is your true nature.
You are what you’re supposed to be. Everything is predetermined as far as your body is concerned, and you're going
through those experiences that are necessary for your fulfillment and your unfoldment.
As you become wise, and you begin to understand, you no longer react to your conditioning. Fear begins to melt.
There’s no longer anything to fight. You do not have to win any points. There’s really no one you have to overcome.
There’s no situation you have to heal.
You merely have to be yourself.
Be yourself.
How do you become yourself?
By understanding that there’s one self and you are that. There is only the one self. People call it by all kinds of names, nirvana, sat-chit-ananda, absolute reality.
It's called by all kinds of names, God. It makes no difference what you call it. You have to be it. You have to be that self that has always been and will always be. You have to lift yourself up to that place where there is no world, no universe, no body, no
mind.
It really makes no difference what sadhana you practice, whether you practice Zen, or Taoism, or mystical Christianity, or Cabala. What you practice makes no difference. But what are you doing with the practice? Are you really diving deep within yourself and finding your own reality? Or are you still reading many books, going to many
lectures, becoming totally confused?
Leave the world alone. Do not try to correct the world. When I say correct the
world, I mean correct people, places or things. Everything has a tendency to balance itself. There are certain laws in
this universe that take care of itself. There’s a power and a presence that knows the way, and you are told to surrender to this power, to this presence.
Complete surrender.
Not my will, but thine.
This is the highest teaching of any system.
When you give up your ego, totally surrender, and allow the powers that be to direct you, and guide you, and take care of you and unfold as you,
everything will work out.
~ The Collected Works of Robert Adams Volume 1
You are here because there is a desire in you to realise the Self. This desire does not arise randomly or accidentally in some people and not in others. It is there because of the punyas you have accumulated from previous births, punyas that may have come from meditation, charitable work, and so on. These punyas will manifest as a desire for freedom, a desire to do earnest sadhana, a desire to find a good teacher in whose presence the truth will be taught and revealed. If someone is destined to be a jnani in this life, it means that he had come to this final birth with a mountain of punyas to his credit. These punyas will take him to the real Guru, to a real satsang, and in this environment he will do sadhana and achieve the goal.
If one does not have this mountain of punyas from the past, there will be no desire for freedom, no desire to look for a Guru who can deliver it. Such a person may meet a Guru and that Guru may even give him good advice, but the determined resolve to put that advice in to effect will not be there. The fierce determination to succeed and discrimination that allows one to ignore worldly entanglements only arise in those who have accumulated these punyas. Other people may hear the worlds of truth, but although they accept that they are true, the inclination to act on them will not be there.
Source: Final talks
If one does not have this mountain of punyas from the past, there will be no desire for freedom, no desire to look for a Guru who can deliver it. Such a person may meet a Guru and that Guru may even give him good advice, but the determined resolve to put that advice in to effect will not be there. The fierce determination to succeed and discrimination that allows one to ignore worldly entanglements only arise in those who have accumulated these punyas. Other people may hear the worlds of truth, but although they accept that they are true, the inclination to act on them will not be there.
Source: Final talks
You will miss what I am saying
It is not you that comes and goes or fades. It is the mind that comes and goes and passes away. Understand, know and be in your true position as the uninvolved witness of all phenomena.
You say you want to get rid of the noise, but you and the noise go together. You have to be you without ‘you’ and all noise will stop. The real You is the formless witness within. The person, the noisy one, is only imagined.
Your true nature is no distance from you. Just recognize what is always here, unconditioned and untouched. From the standpoint of human conditioning, there seems to be a journey.
But from the position of consciousness, this makes no sense at all. Change from the position of personhood to that of presence otherwise you will miss what I am saying.
When, inside your heart, you understand yourself to be consciousness, my words will be very easily understood and assimilated, and delusion will flee
It is not you that comes and goes or fades. It is the mind that comes and goes and passes away. Understand, know and be in your true position as the uninvolved witness of all phenomena.
You say you want to get rid of the noise, but you and the noise go together. You have to be you without ‘you’ and all noise will stop. The real You is the formless witness within. The person, the noisy one, is only imagined.
Your true nature is no distance from you. Just recognize what is always here, unconditioned and untouched. From the standpoint of human conditioning, there seems to be a journey.
But from the position of consciousness, this makes no sense at all. Change from the position of personhood to that of presence otherwise you will miss what I am saying.
When, inside your heart, you understand yourself to be consciousness, my words will be very easily understood and assimilated, and delusion will flee
The Goddess then asks,
If this is the nature of the universal self,
Then who is to be worshipped?
Who do I invoke, and who do I meditate upon?
To whom do I offer oblations,
To whom do I sacrifice?
If everything is divine,
And consciousness merges with that divine essence,
Then what happens to the distinction
Between worshipper and worshipped?
The Lord Who Shines Upon All replied,
Oh Goddess, the practices you are speaking of
Refer only to the externals,
When you enter into the great Self,
All prayers go on inside you spontaneously
Without ceasing.
In reality, all songs of gratitude
And ecstatic lovemaking are resonating in
Every particle of creation at every moment.
When you are established in this recitation
You are listing, and you hear them.
~ Vijnanabhairava Tantra
If this is the nature of the universal self,
Then who is to be worshipped?
Who do I invoke, and who do I meditate upon?
To whom do I offer oblations,
To whom do I sacrifice?
If everything is divine,
And consciousness merges with that divine essence,
Then what happens to the distinction
Between worshipper and worshipped?
The Lord Who Shines Upon All replied,
Oh Goddess, the practices you are speaking of
Refer only to the externals,
When you enter into the great Self,
All prayers go on inside you spontaneously
Without ceasing.
In reality, all songs of gratitude
And ecstatic lovemaking are resonating in
Every particle of creation at every moment.
When you are established in this recitation
You are listing, and you hear them.
~ Vijnanabhairava Tantra
The knowledge of the Self is Advaita, that is non-duality, but it is to be acquired in apparent duality so that the duality disappears in due course when one remains firmly in that knowledge. Instead of looking ahead as one usually does, one must look back and seek the source in order to realize one's true beingness.
Arrogance (Ego)
“Arrogance is the most prevalent state of disgrace in the human world. As soon as we feel some inner opening, we begin strutting about like some pigeon. As soon as we receive some insights, we start thinking we are something special, whereas the truth is we are Nothing.”
“Arrogance is the most prevalent state of disgrace in the human world. As soon as we feel some inner opening, we begin strutting about like some pigeon. As soon as we receive some insights, we start thinking we are something special, whereas the truth is we are Nothing.”
Beings
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