Steps of Hindu Philosophic Thought

 

Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

He Who

 

Steps of Hindu Philosophic Thought

 

The first group of religious ideas that we see coming up- I mean recognized religious ideas, and not the very low ideas, which do not deserve the name of religion – all include the idea of inspiration and revealed books and so forth. The first group of religious ideas starts with the idea of God. Here is the universe, and this universe is created by a certain Being. Everything that is in this universe has been created by Him. Along with that, at a later stage, comes the idea of soul-that there is this body, and something inside this body which is not the body. This is the most primitive idea of religion that we know. We can find a few followers of that in India, built it was given up very early. The Indian religions take a peculiar start. It is only by strict analysis, and much calculation and conjecture that we can ever think that that stage existed in Indian religions. The tangible state in which we find them is the next step, not the first one. At the earliest step the idea or creation is very peculiar, and it is that the whole universe is created out of zero, at the will of God, that all this universe did not exist, and out of this nothingness all this has come. In the next stage we find this conclusion is questioned. How can existence be produced out of non –existences? At the first step in the Vedanta this question is asked. If this universe is existent it must have come out of something, because it was very easy to see that noting comes out or nothing, anywhere. All work that is done by human hands requires materials. If a house is built the material was existing before; if a boat is made the material existed before; if any implements are made, the materials were existing before. so the effect is produced  Naturally, therefore the first idea that this would was created out of nothing was rejected and some material out of which this world was crated was wanted. The whole history of religion in fact is this search after that material.

 Out of what has all this been produced? Apart from the question of the efficient cause, or God, apart from the question that God created the universe, the great question of all questions is; Out of what did He created it? All the philosophies are turning, as it were on this question One solution is that nature , God and soul are eternal existence as if three liens are running parallel eternally, of which nature and soul comprise what they call the dependent  and God the independent Reality. Every soul like every particle of matter , is perfectly dependent on the will of God .  

 

Meditation that takes you beyond all limits

By Ashok Vohra

 

According to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, ‘Mankind was not born to suffer, mankind was born to enjoy. The purpose of life is to expand happiness.’ Human beings can get rid of their suffering, attain a state of happiness and share it with others by practising the technique of bhavateet dhyan, transcendental meditation (TM). TM is withdrawal of consciousness and senses from the external objects and concentration of the consciousness on the self.

 

Dhyan is different from upasana, the method of worship. Upasana depends on the religion, faith upheld by one. So, there can be as many upasana padhatis, methods of worship, as there are religions or sects. Dhyan means concentration of mind on God, or self, or the Supreme principle, or even on shunyata, nothingness. In Buddhism, almost a similar technique of dhyan is called Vipassana. Upasana, on the other hand, is continuous thought of Him. For example, naam jap, recitation of names of God, is a form of upasana.

 

The word ‘transcendental’ means ‘going beyond the limits of human knowledge, experience, reason’. TM is a method of calming the mind and becoming relaxed by thinking deeply in silence, and silently repeating a special word or a syllable or series of words (mantra) many times in a row.

 

 

In the preface of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Science of Being and Art of Living, Charles F Lutes writes that the term ‘transcendental meditation’ though seems very complicated and difficult to understand simply means a scientific method of ‘communication with the Infinite’. It is scientific because it is ‘systematic and produces measurable and predictable results’. The outcome of TM is ‘realisation and fulfilment of the art of realisation’.

 

The technique of transcendental meditation is religion, sect, or faith neutral. It leads to the enhancement of one’s capacities to follow one’s own faith more enthusiastically.

 

The chief purpose of this meditation technique is to ‘put one in touch with his own essential self, the eternal Being within, by moving one’s attention away from the surface consciousness of change, suffering and stress. One then becomes the Absolute Being, an experience which Maharishi calls “God-consciousness”’.

 

In fact, the practice does not require a prior understanding of any philosophical theory.

 

All that is required of the practitioner is to recite twice a day for about 15-20 minutes a syllable, or a string of words – mantra, with closed eyes. The mantra is chosen by the trained teacher, guru, according to the need of the practitioner. Since a guru is needed to understand the needs of the learner and to initiate the learner into the correct technique, the TM is also called guru-centred practice.

 

Regular practice of TM eliminates the negative feelings of stress and fatigue and replaces them with the positive feeling of wellbeing. This change has been scientifically proven by many researchers. Experiments in the laboratories have established that TM ‘increased creativity and flexibility, increased productivity, improved job satisfaction, improved relations with supervisors and co-workers’ by creating a positive effect on the human mind and body. TM is not a passive state, rather it is a ‘state of restful alertness where the mind is awake but quiet, silent but alert’.

 

 

 

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 in test Sa won by 7 wk   in ISL goa no 7 scored a goal  

HE WHO

 

Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

He Who

 

During the initial stages of spiritual life, the devotee cannot help, thinking of God as outside of himself and as the embodiment of power. He attributes to Him human sentiments, even if we can rise above the conception of human forms. And he wants to come into living touch with Him, to enter into an intimate and personal relationship with Him, and to receive His protection and guidance. A sage fo the Rig Vedas prayed, “Be of easy approach to us, even as a father to his son. Do Thou, O self-effulgent Lord, abide with us and bring blessings to us “(Rig Veda) The advanced devotee clearly aces the Divine also immanent in Nature and worships Him saying Salutations to the God who is in the fire, who is in the water, who has pervade the whole universe, who is in the plants and who is in the trees.” (Svetasvatara Upanishad2.17)

 

Next as result of mental purification and introspection brought about by devotion, the aspirant feels within himself the presence of the Divine which he has been worshiping outside. The sages of the Upanishad realized the Self-conscious Principle immanent in themselves as well as in all beings and declared. “It is the ear of ear, te mind of mind , the speech of speech the breath of breath, the eye of eye” (Kena Upanishad) And finally there comes the grand realization of the infinite Divine Existence that is imminent and transcendent at the same time as declared in the Upanishad passages.

 

“He who dwells in the earth , and it within the earth, whom the earth does not know , whose body the earth is, and who controls the earth from within- He is the Self , the controller within , the immortal”

 “He who dwells in the sky and is within the sky, whom the sky does not know, whose body the sky is , and who controls the sky from within-He si the Self, the controller within, immortal”

 

“He who dwells in the breath, and is within the breath, whom the breath does not know, whose body the breath is, and how controls the breath from within-He is the Self, the controller within, the immortal.”

 

“He who dwells in the mind, and is within the mind, whom the mind does not know , whose body and mind is and who controls the mind from within-He is the Self, the controller within the immortal “

 

When prized possessions gain immortality

By Sudhamahi Regunathan , TOI

 

One of the side effects of the pandemic has been that every one, at some time or other, has ‘cleaned’ their house. Looking at all the stuff they have collected they have asked almost innocently, ‘How did we manage to collect so much?’ Suitcases and cupboards full of clothes and other things that one had not even seen for the past few years but could still not be thrown away.

 

“Our desire to possess says a lot about us,” says psychologist Bruce Hood. “We own so many things that often the garage is full of stuff while the car is standing in the driveway.” Author of Possessed, a book about possession and the madness to do so, Hood says in an interview, “There is a little demon inside us that is compelling us to go for more and more things. Our need to have more than we actually require is born out of a desire to control.”

 

 

It is true that when a child goes to the park with a ball of his own, he becomes the leader to those who have not brought their playing balls. So this desire for the power of control is born rather young.  And then we have memories attached to that ball … the first one my daughter played with or the one with which I won a game and so on. We never throw it away.

 

Does our self-esteem come from these past glories that we need to preserve them all? Does our sense of identity suck in these material objects too?

 

In the Valmiki Ramayan, Ram and Sita were preparing to go to the forest on their 14-year exile and the first thing that Ram told Sita was, “Now that you have decided to come with me, give away all your belongings.” She began distributing all her jewellery instantly.

 

Ram instructed Lakshman to collect all his possessions. They made a pretty pile with so much glitter and dazzle. Ram then began distributing them, carefully and with affection. Ram and Sita gave away not only their jewellery but also the livestock in their care, even their furniture.

 

They looked for the right person for their things. To the young disciples of sages, Ram said enough should be given so that they could pay their guru’s fees and would still be able to get married and manage a life thereafter. He gave to those who would be looking after his mother in his absence. He gave to young women who did not have adequate support and so on.

 

A man called Trijata was very poor and could not feed his family. He came to meet Ram. His wife had suggested he go ask Ram for she had heard he was distributing his wealth. Ram zested with him by giving him a stick and saying that he would get as many cattle as would fall within the area where his stick fell. Trijata did cover quite a distance, but Ram gave him even more than what fell within that mark.

 

There have always been many a Trijata around us. Would we honour and give a longer life to our precious belongings, if we gave them away with joy in our hearts?

 

 

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 in test S. Thakur got 7 wk in innings in BBl thunder won scoreing 209/7  

 

Self Realization

 

Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

 

Self Realization

 

Nature has no influence on the Supreme Self of man, which is in reality one and the same with God; so Self realization and God-Vision are not two different things. Man is the expression of God and God is the reality of man Real man and God are inseparable. There is only one reality in this universe, whom the devotee worships as a Personal God, and a Jnani or wise man as his own Self. The difference is only in names and methods of reaching the goal; but when the goal is reached, both come to the same understanding –that there is but One by whom everything is pervaded. “This Atman is not to be realized by the intellect, nor by words , nor by hearing from many sources; but by him alone is the Atman is beloved, by him alone is the Atman realized” The thing necessary for us is to feel intense love in our hearts for this Supreme Self or God; otherwise He is not attainable . There is no other way that man can reach unto God, except through love-love always unites. This love for God comes unto those blessed beings who are pure in heart, from whom all attachment for unreal things, all selfish desires have vanished. This purity of heart and love for God are the sum and substance of all religious teachings.

 

We may spend the whole of our lives searching earnestly for truth in temples, in churches and in books; but without understating the significance of these fundamental teachings all these efforts will be in vain. Religion is practical and those who observe the practical side fo it realize the Truth you may not know how to read a single book, but if you have known the Truth which is behind them, you are much better off than the so-called philosopher who may speak in beautiful language but who has no realization whatsoever, it is a dangerous things to hear the Truth from one who has not realized, for he will only bring confusion in the mind; but one who has realized will teach with very few words Swami Vivekanda says in one of his lectures that he who has something to give, gives it in most has something to give, gives it in most simple language; but one who has nothing to give, he sometimes writes two volumes to expound one word . So we see that we can gain nothing when we come in contact with such people; they only confuse our brain.

 

Become like the divine with selfless service TOI

By Rishi Nityapragya

 

Visualise a soul passing through all the yonis and entering the Homo sapiens – human kingdom, spending dozens of lifetimes, gradually evolving, experiencing extreme dependence on the illusionary games of tamasik sukh, the temporary attractions of rajasik sukh, and taking the first step into the realm of satvik sukh in the form of sadhana. As the evolution continues, an inevitable stage comes where the soul gets instinctively interested in satya-sang; it wants to know higher truths, immerses itself in self-exploration, swadhyay. As the soul approaches the extreme top of the pyramid of evolution, the final frontier is that of seva, service, being useful.

 

Gurudev often says that seva is ‘Sa Iva’, the process of becoming like Him, the Divine, the Almighty. Nature continuously, incessantly, unconditionally keeps providing everything for everyone, without prejudice, bias, or expectation of any kind. The sun shines for life to continue, the oceans provide us with clouds that bring us lifesaving rain, the wind supports pollination for the vegetation to foster, fire brings warmth that kindles fertility. This Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Divine entity called nature, existence, the universe, is in a continuous, unconditional giving mode. In the final stage of evolution of an individual soul, the training is to become like the Divine.

 

 

Drop your resistance, release your smallness and with a playful, prayerful, devotional mind, get ready to be useful to the creation, to become the instrument of the Divine – for the betterment of the collective consciousness of your society, of your nation, of the whole world. Courageously take up this higher responsibility and inspire other souls to walk on the path of righteousness, correctness, Dharma.

 

A simple definition of seva, service, is, ‘Through your effort of manasa, vacha, karmana – being, speaking, doing, if someone gets to know the higher truths of life, someone’s energy levels get enhanced and someone experiences heightened levels of joy – seva is happening.’ And if your words and actions exhibit the infinite strength of satvik sukh, seva is happening.

 

As you dive deep into your personal sadhana, you experience a tremendous blast of kundalini shakti, the life force. Your mind settles down, paving the way for deeper, higher truths to dawn. Through satsang, on the one hand, you gratefully celebrate all the gifts from the Divine; on the other hand, you explore the potentialities of the macrocosm and the microcosm, of the ocean and the wave, of paramatma and jivatma, existence and you.

 

The optimum culmination is in seva. All that empowering energy, thankfulness for having received treasures from life and meticulous understanding of your existence and your own role in it has to ultimately result in you, the individual soul, becoming the instrument for the blossoming of other souls. In short, ‘Seva is wisdom in action.’

 

As you take higher responsibility, your area of influence grows, and you get the opportunity of expanding the arena of your existence. Higher seva exposes your strengths as well as your weaknesses. But look at this benevolent design of the consciousness. When your pluses get exposed, they always grow and get strengthened. And when your limitations get exposed, they always dissolve, free you and go away. (Abridged from Celebrating Life)

 

 

 

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 IN EPL ARSENAL NO 7 scored a goal, in BBl tunder won scoreing 200/7 (mbappe 7 got global player of the year

 

Live truthfully

 

Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

 

Live truthfully

Many do know theoretically much of what spirituality is; but alas. How few are there who put their knowledge into actual practice. The achievement will be his only who would d follow up truth. We hear many say that it is impossible to be truthful in business. But I do not believe it. Where truth resigns thee he Lord Himself abides. If the man of business. but I do not believe it. Where truth reigns there the Lord Himself abides. If the man of business carefully enshrines truth in his house, he will be looked upon as the greatest of all virtuous men and his business too is destined to thrive  Nag maharaja  (a disciple of shri Rama Krishna ) was greatly devoted to truth., once he went to buy something in the market and the shopkeeper charged four annas for that . as he was truthful he took the shopkeeper also at his words and did not bargain. A bystander seeing him pay four annas thought within himself “what sort of man is he , he did not even care to bargain!” but when he came to know that he was Nag Maharaja , the saint, who believed that no one would dupe others , he took the shopkeeper to task for charging four annas for what was worth only two annas . the shopkeeper took this to heart and so the next day when Nag maharaya came to buy something he charged only two annas for a thing which was worth five annas , at which nag maharaja with folded hands addressed the shopkeeper thus; “Why do you behave like this with me ? This is worth more than two annas . Please take from me the proper price” The shopkeeper was deeply moved in this and fell at the feet of the saint. Therefore I say that you will never be a loser if you stick to truth. If you stick to truth. Divine grace is sure to flow to you through all channels –you will prosper not only in worldly affairs, but in spirituality as well.

 

Divine grace is the highest gift of them all TOI

By Kamlesh Patel

 

It’s the season of gifts and giving all over the world, from Deepavali, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year, to Pongal and Sankranti, and it continues until spring.  Actually, the timing of the gift really depends on the call of the giving heart or the hour of need of the receiver.

 

The best gift is one which has the intention of purity behind it. That would show the state of joy or peace of the receiver, which matters most. A cup of cool water to a thirsty man in a desert is more precious than gifts of jewels or millions of dollars to a wealthy man.

 

Now, how do we evaluate a gift? The capacity of the giver is more relevant than the material value of the gift. Saints like Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur, Babuji, admired a few rupees donated by a needy woman more than millions from billionaires.

 What gives life to the gift? It can only be love! The intention and attitude associated with the thought and the gesture are equally valuable.

 In the Ramayan, there is the story of Shabari, the tribal woman who gave half-eaten fruits to Ram and Lakshman, the sons of King Dashrath. This old woman would bite into each fruit to ensure that it was sweet and safe before offering it to them. Her loving hospitality worked as a balm to relieve some of their pain of separation from Sita.

 

In the Mahabharat, when Krishn chose to stay with Vidur, instead of Duryodhan, Krishn happily ate the banana peels offered by Vidur’s wife. She did this because she was so lost in love and adoration for Krishn. When Vidur pointed out her absent-mindedness, Krishn said, “The superb taste of these banana peels is not present in the banana.”

 

 

 

O’Henry’s ‘The Gift of the Magi’ is also very inspiring. The wife, Della, sells her beautiful hair to buy a gold strap for her husband Jim’s wristwatch. Jim sells his watch to buy a beautiful comb for Della’s luxuriant hair. Neither of them could use the gift received from the other, but it filled their hearts to the brim with gratitude.

 

Isn’t forgiving the best gift? Miraculously, it turns out to be a double gift, it works for the giver and receiver. It has the potential to usher in a new heaven on earth by saving the world from hatred. Babuji Maharaj, the founder of the Heartfulness movement, adds that besides forgiving, if we also express our gratitude for the lessons learnt, perhaps that is the greatest in gift giving. However, only the one who has received divine grace can do it easily.

 

The Divine’s grace is the highest gift. It can happen in the presence of a divinised personality and not because one is deserving, meritorious or has earned it.

 

While planting a sapling today is a splendid gift to future generations and there are other noble ways to give, like contributing to your favourite charities or performing acts of service, we need to continue aspiring for the highest, too! That’s my wish for you. May that grace from the Divine descend on you in your act of giving and gifting.

 

 The writer, also known as Daaji, is the Heartfulness Guide.

 

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 IN BBL Perth Scorchers won scoreing 167/7

 

Essence of Bhagavad Gita Karma

 

Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

 

Essence of Bhagavad Gita Karma

Should we engage in activity or not?’ The Gita discusses this question more than once and in various ways . We know that it is necessary to work; as long as we live we must do work of some kind or together. This is so obvious! We may wonder why Sri Krishna discusses this question so much. There is a reason for it. At the time the Gita was taught. Philosophical discussions had increased to an enormous degree in India. Based on various philosophical schools a great many sects had arisen. Philosophical discussions had led to a firm conclusion that the mind was finite. It could not transcend the limitations imposed by name and form, or by space, time and causation. The mind, it was believed, would never be able to transcend these limitations. All philosophers were in unanimous agreement regarding this finite nature of the mind. All their researches, therefore, had only one purpose in view namely, to find out how we could go beyond the finite mind and realize the infinite truth. It was widely accepted that the only way to attain truth was to sit with a fully quit mind, since the mind being finite, world never be able to grasp the infinite.

 

The king of thinking had attracted even ordinary people with hardly any understand of the philosophical concepts involved. Only a person with perfect self-control could really calm the mind. But ordinary worldly minded people gave up only their external activities. Some of them became monks, but it was only in name! In order to remove this kind of misunderstanding, Sri Krishna felt it was right to remain active. that is why he made such great attempts to tech us the real nature of work the right way to do it, and the true meaning of giving up work and being free from all bondage. It is for this reason that Sri Krishna elaborately explains the path of Karma Yoga in the third chapter-as also in many places of the fourth and fifth chapters-of the Gita

 

Going on a vacation with God through meditation TOI

By Sant Rajinder Singh

 

As the world enters another holiday season against the backdrop of a global pandemic, vacationing in distant lands may not be in the cards.

 

We usually seek places that are relaxing, enjoyable and beautiful. Yet going on an outer vacation is often stressful. We have to earn money for the trip; book tickets; undergo the rigours of travel, find the right accommodations and food service. Often, we return from a vacation more exhausted than we had left.

 

However, there is still hope for a different kind of vacation that will leave us refreshed, rejuvenated and happy. A vacation that will fill us with relaxation of our body, mind and spirit, and put us into a state of tremendous love, joy and bliss. What would such a vacation look like?

 What if we could experience a vacation that did not cost anything and in which we could instantly travel to and experience unimaginable vistas more beautiful than anything ever seen in this world? What if we could tap into a restful peace that washed away our troubles and stayed with us even when we returned from the journey? What if we could take this trip anytime we wanted, as many times as we wished, by just closing our eyes?

 

This journey is not imaginary. Many enlightened beings and spiritual masters have taken this inner vacation.

 

It is a vacation where we stay at home and spend our time with God. He is an ocean of joy, happiness, love and bliss. To vacation with the Divine would be to swim in this ocean of happiness. God is available to all of us. It is simply a question of where we focus our attention. If we are continually distracted by the activities of the outer world, we will remain oblivious to the everlasting love and bliss of Supreme within us. Our true self, the soul, rejoices in closeness to God, and we can experience this through meditation.

 

People have been practising meditation for centuries. Meditation has been proven to benefit both our bodies and minds.

 

During the day our mind is filled with thoughts. When we sit for meditation and focus our attention, we begin to quieten the mind. We become at peace with ourselves and are not bothered by the problems around us. By meditating regularly, we develop sustained concentration. This increase in concentration coupled with reduced stress and tension, renewed energy, and improved relationships, helps us achieve success in our worldly activities. We become more efficient and productive and are better equipped to deal with life’s challenges.

 

Meditation is the art of inverting our attention from the world outside to that within. Sightseeing in the physical world may attract our senses with interesting and beautiful sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings. Yet inner sightseeing dazzles us. The inner voyage thrills our soul with bliss, love and joy that far surpass any sensory delights experienced in this physical world. It empowers our soul and we rise into dimensions of higher consciousness. The empowered soul is a tremendous source of wisdom, love and power. This is a purely spiritual experience.

 

So, this holiday season, rather than focus on the attractions of the outer world, why not take some time to meditate and focus on the joys of the inner world?

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 IN BBL JAMES BAZELY NO 7 GOT man of the match, Brisbane thunder won scoring 196/7

 

Ego Learn to Live

 Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

 Ego Learn to Live

 

All our social, political and economic reforms are intended to provide for food, clothing and shelter and thus remove obstacles in the path of physical existence . But there is another struggle that is going on for the maintenance of the ego. Man has not yet learnt the art of disburdening himself of the struggle the ego  tires to maintain its identity its superiority-in the family background where it is born, in its working environment, in the midst of friends and colleagues, in other forms of social relationships. We can imagine the maze of problems that can arise from this struggle. Existentialist writers show great sill in depicting this struggle most impressively and movingly. Bertrand Russell remarks in his book. The Conquest of Happiness. What people mean, by the struggle for life is really the struggle for success. What people fear, when they engage in the struggle is not that they will fail to get their breakfast next morning, but they will fail to outshine their neigbours.

 

            According to the views of western thinkers, efforts made by man to maintain and preserve the ego is one of the unavoidable existential necessitates. In the view of Kerkegard the father of existentialism, all the experiences that man can gain come through the narrow passage of the ‘ego’. He summarizes the features of human life in four words; individuality, contradiction, choice and dread . He goes on to explain the struggle of the ego. Just as man can not perch on his own shoulder, he cannot transcend the four limitations referred to above. The world “individuality” encompasses the limitations of a person who is caught in the current of forces like various impulses interests’ action reactions influences and protests in the context of the pressures emanating from, place environment and tradition. The quality of life of an individual depends on the occupation or profession he has chosen and on his attitude. But is the really free in this? He feels that nothing is impossible for him. But when he goes a few steps forward he finds insurmountable barriers around him. (Man is capable of a little and a lot, of everything and nothing –Fascal) He realizes that he is helpless. He realizes at every step, the limitation of his knowledge happiness existence. He realizes that his life is like a tree without roots a house without foundation, or a boat without a rudder. Death engulfs everything is in a fraction of a moment. However even in the midst of these contradictions he sometimes sees a principle of unity or reconciliation.

 

The Gita has a lot in common with physics

Speaking Tree India, Spirituality, TOI

By GS Tripathi

 

Try learning them superficially, both physics and philosophy will elude you. However, both become easy when you explore them thoroughly. There’s no need to go to the forest to understand a book of philosophy. You can do that at home. We live in a society and what is good for it can be done and experimented right here.

 

Concept of indestructibility occupies a significant space in both. While in the Bhagwad Gita the soul is described as indestructible, in physics, Einstein’s relation between mass and energy suggests that both are indestructible. The difference is that the concept of indestructibility is based on reason and experimentation in physics, whereas it is a matter of faith in the Gita. Phase transformation is another aspect that is a part of both.

 

 

In the Gita it is described that the body transforms and passes through different phases such as birth, childhood, adulthood, old age and death, and each phase has its distinctness. Childhood is characterised by tenderness and curiosity. Adulthood exhibits action, dynamism and energy. Old age shows maturity, compassion and also decay.

 

Similarly, matter undergoes phase transformations and changes state from solid to gaseous via a liquid phase. In the solid state, in addition, there are instances of order-disorder transformations. Off and on, physicists predict some exotic states. Their sustainability depends on how long they engage the minds and experiments of physicists and other related scientists. Solids are identified by their rigidity, while liquid and gaseous states are characterised by fluidity. All these states have their respective equilibrium phases, free of external and internal forces. Sometimes these states are disturbed naturally, or artificially to explore something new.

 

According to the Bhagwad Gita, the equilibrium state is the sthitapragya state in life. It is a force-free state, the ultimate state. Once a person reaches this state, he is automatically enlightened. He conquers the dualities of life. However, secluded enlightenment is of no use like gems in the deep sea or flowers in a vast desert. Maybe it purifies the soul. However, it is of no use if it is not dedicated to society’s welfare.

 

The Gita talks about things small and big, statics and dynamics, one and many, light and darkness, infinities and zeroes. Physics also talks about these things but with evidence.

 

Many physical ideas originate from conjectures and hypotheses. However, these are accepted as laws only when confirmed by evidence through experimentation and reason. True philosophers also emphasise reason. As Tagore said, “Where a clear stream of reason is not lost in dreary sands of dead habit.”

 

The Gita emphasises the principles of creation, preservation and annihilation. Jagatguru Krishn affirms these principles many times in the Gita. Physics is also based on these aspects. Both deal with many-body systems. Explaining about ‘sat’ and ‘asat’, the Gita says that ‘sat’ never ceases to exist, implying it is reality and ‘asat’ has no existence, that is, it is an imagination. Physics too handles real and imaginary concepts, and arrives at meaningful conclusions, substantiated by observations. However, there are clear-cut boundaries between the two, and these should not be blurred by too much correlation. The convergence is that both evoke deep thinking and are sources of eternal excitement.

 

The writer teaches Physics at Berhampur University

 

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.-

 

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Karma and Rebirth

 

Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

 

Karma and Rebirth

 

The Self is unaffected by joy and sorrow. It is perfect. But the body is subject to change according to the laws of the material world. Now a question may be raised. What happens when a person dies? The gross body, though which the mind works, becomes worn out. The Self discards this emaciated body and acquires a new one. Just as a person thrown away a torn dress and wears a new one, all the impressions(samsakara) of the thoughts efforts and work does through the body remain in the mind . The mind the intellect, the ten sense organs and the impressions of sense experiences make up the subtle body of the Self. The subtle body is made of subtle matter. It does not die along with the gross body. It remains associated with the Self even after death in other words even after discarding the gross body the awareness that “I have a body and senses” is not destroyed.

          

  Impelled by the impressions of the earlier body the Self then desires to acquire or create another gross body. It becomes attracted to the parents who will be able to prove it with a body suitable for the development of its impressions. Its past actions themselves propel it towards it’s would be parents. The subtle body has neither length nor breadth nor weight. It begins to reside in the mother’s womb right from the time of conception. The subtle body is not visible to the eye, but is material nonetheless. It is more subtle than even space and air. Through the new gross body, the Self resumes its quest from where it and left off at the death of the old body and continues to gain knowledge.

 

How to know whether to push oneself or let go

Speaking Tree in  India, Spirituality, TOI

 

By Swami Sukhabodhananda

 

 A man who is filled with arrogance suffers from it, not knowing how to free himself from it. By being arrogant he is constantly in conflict with others. He suffers this pain and finds himself alone, filled with the additional pain of loneliness. People feel scared to connect with him and he is scared of his loneliness, which makes him angrier. This is like adding fuel to fire. He approaches a spiritual healer for advice. The healer says, “Look at a flower. Irrespective of who comes by, the flower gives fragrance.”

 

He further adds, “Come from a context that you will be like a flower showering the fragrance of joy. Always carry a flower with you and let that flower remind you of its function. You have to awaken more of female energy.”

 

Arrogance is the obesity of the head, and the heart of education is the education of the heart. The head is the function of male energy and the heart is the function of female energy. The balance of head and heart means the balance of the male and female energies in oneself. We are a product of our parents, and hence, both male and female energies exist in us. This balancing is an important aspect of wise living.

 

What is meant by female energy? Love and acceptance are functions of female energy. Love is the most healing energy in us. To bring the energy of love is a great awakening. The moment you start accepting, you will know how to surrender, and in that state of surrender the energy of love emerges. Only in this energy of love is one truly healthy.

 

What is meant by male energy? This energy is one of adventure, one of achieving.

 

If a person is not achieving oriented, then the male energy is not alive in him. When there is a balance of both male and female energies, one knows when to push oneself and when to let go and accept. An intuitive balance happens.

 

What happens if I don’t have the power of acceptance? Then you can’t accept your body ageing. You can’t accept that death is a part and parcel of life. How should I go about achieving in life? Think like a winner. You should allow your dreams to be converted into destinations. You should allow your dreams to come true.

 

A research conducted on successful persons has found that four factors contribute to one’s success: self-confidence, mental toughness, conceptional thinking, that is mentally practising success and commitment to excel.

 

Should one practice this balancing of female and male energies? The ability to practise this balancing is a life-long process. If you do not start young, then you will find it difficult. Even in martial art there are soft and hard techniques. If you are hard on the other when required to be soft, then even though you have won, still you would have lost, as winning is losing and losing is winning.

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.-

 

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