The Secret of Happiness

 

Quote from the True Charm and Power of Vedanta

Thoughts on Vedanta

 

The Secret of Happiness

 

We are often tempted to change our external circumstances; to seek what we think could be a better material or psychological situation. But, there is no such thing as an ideal environment. Besides wealth name and fame, social status etc. can never satisfy a man. There is no limit to our desiring. it is, therefore, essential to put a brake on our desires and attempts at seeking a better job, a better house, a better environment or a better salary if one really wants to become introspective.

A formula ne might use to weaken the extrovert tendency and prompting of the mind is to ask oneself during such promptings; can I do without it? Can I do without it? Can I do without the object, activity or pleasure for which my mind is aspiring? Let us take a concrete example suppose; I get a desire for a new fountain pen or a pair of new shoes. Let me ask before going for it; can I do without it? Do I already have a pen or pair of shoes? Do I really need a new one? Or spare one? Is it not a fact that many spare items go on accumulating and demand time and energy for their maintenance? The same question can be posed when there is an urge to embark upon some activity; can I do without it? Can it be postponed? Let us thus try to reduce our requirements and extrovert activities and simplify our lives. To remain contended with our present social economic status thus is the first step towards nivrititi .

 

Vaak Shakti, the power of creative speech

By Shardha Batra

 

Shabda Brahmn is the parent and essence of all that exists – living and non-living. The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God and the Word was God.” Brahmn is the Eternal Spirit, the transcendental, non-dual awareness. Slumbering within the silence of Brahmn is a pulsating energy, shabda or sound, which follows a rhythm of potential and kinetic expressions.

 

When the kinetic quality of Brahmn emerges, it becomes Brahma the creator. Brahma’s breath emanates as the Shakti of Aum. Mythology recognises Aum as Devi Saraswati.

 

 

The ‘Vaak Suktam’ of the Rig Ved calls Saraswati – Vaak Shakti, the empress who rules the universe. Her spectrum of presence ranges from inspiration and revelation, to thoughts and articulate speech.

 

Vaak Shakti as language is a bridge for communication. Most words used in internal, or external dialogue are an unconscious purging of our   subconscious. However, when an individual silences the useless chatter of his mind, Vaak Devi reveals her beauty and secrets to him.

 

A mantra is a divine archetype, devta, conscious, alive and brimming with creative potency. Repeating a mantra invokes the qualities of the devta and opens different paths of fulfilment.

 

Patanjali summarises the attainment of the power to materialise one’s words into reality: “When one is established in truthfulness, one ensures the fruition of actions.” Even the profane words of a truthful person become a mantra and invariably bear fruit. This is Vaak siddhi or attainment of the power of Creative speech. Both the curses and blessings uttered by such a person come to pass.

 

The story of Trishanku, a king of Ikshvaku dynasty, has been narrated in the Valmiki Ramayan. Trishanku approached Rishi Vishwamitra with his desire to ascend to heaven in his bodily form. It is the sheer power of Vishwamitra’s words ‘Go to heaven’ through which Trishanku ascended to occupy a heaven created just for him.

 

However, the words ‘being established in truthfulness’ defy being put into a box and labelled. Sage Patanjali uses the Sanskrit word ‘Prajna’ for such truth-bearing wisdom. Prajna is the faculty of highest wisdom that dawns when one has realised one’s true Self. It is a holistic amalgam of the objective reality of a situation/person and the subjective inner stirrings associated with it.

 

Such Prajna, insightful wisdom, gives the individual an ability to hold even diametrically contrary aspects of a situation/person, with gentleness and respect. When the knower’s consciousness encompasses, penetrates and fuses with the consciousness of the known, reaching across lifetimes, appearances and distance, the truth of an entity is realised by becoming one with it. This is the only True perception. All other perceptions are delusional and fallacious.

 

Prajna is like a multifaceted, beautiful diamond that reflects all aspects of the truth. An individual who develops prajna transcends the fixed framework of opinions created by the self-serving and manipulative ego. Such a person gets exalted to the position of Vachaspati, the lord of creative speech. Saraswati has her abode on his tongue. Every word he utters is a mantra that connects his intent to the Cosmic energy, bringing it to miraculous fruition.

 

 

IF HE EXIST

 I drive joy there was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting 7 precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment of the week in Tottenham no 7 Son scored a goal and Csk captain 7 won ipl