The mind is engaged in two activities: alochana or planning, andsambhashana or dialogue. Both these follow different lines. Planning is intent on solving problems that present themselves before the mind. Dialogue multiplies the problems and confounds the solutions causing confusion and adoption of wrong and ruinous means to solve them. The inner conversation and controversial chatter continues from morning till night, until sleep overtakes the mind. It causes ill-health and the early setting in of old age. The topics on which the chatter is based are mostly the faults and failings of others and their fortunes and misfortunes. This perpetual dialogue is at the bottom of all the miseries of man. It covers the mind with thick darkness. It grows wild very quickly and suppresses one's genuine worth.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Why is it critical to have an open mind with everyone?
When the cause is known, one can know all its consequences. The entire universe was formed from the five primordial elements (prapancha), and is a projection by the Divine Will. It is a consequence of the Will of God (Bhagavath-Sankalpa). God is the cause of all creation. Correct vision will reveal to us unity in diversity; one’s limited intelligence cannot unravel it. With distorted vision (ku-darshan), one sees only the name and form, the appearances, and therefore gets deluded and confounded. One gets tossed by likes and dislikes, pleasure and pain, elation and depression. One is aware only of the unreal which appears in diverse names and forms. Correct vision (Su-darshan) makes you see the One in the many. It reveals unity in diversity and confers supreme delight.
What is the foremost quality each one of us must have?
Each one of you require faith in yourselves, more than most other qualities. The absence of self-confidence marks the beginning of one’s decline. Today, the world is facing ruin and disaster because people have lost confidence in themselves. Self-confidence alone is capable of granting peace and prosperity to each and every person. If you cultivate self-confidence, you will receive kindness everywhere. You will be honoured in all places. Whatever you touch, will become gold!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
What is the benefit of listening to the Glory of the Lord?
Those who listen to the narration of the Lord with earnest devotion (and not just hear casually) and not only reflect upon its value and significance but also act according to the light it sheds on their minds will merge in the Bliss of the Lord. Their hearts will be filled with the sweet nectar of the personification of His captivating charm. They will experience theAdwaitha Ananda, the Bliss of being one with Him. To attain this fruit, the highest Sadhana (spiritual exercise) is the recitation of the Name of God with full vigilance of thought, feeling and utterance (mano-vaak-kaya) and the loud singing of His Glory. There is no greater spiritual practice than singing His Glory.
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What is the root cause of our desires? And how can we get over this tendency?
Your desires - wants, longings, resolutions, and wishes - are multiplied and prompted by our activities (karma). The initial impulse for desire is ignorance of the reality (ajnana). If so, then naturally the doubt arises as to how the consciousness that is unaware can transform itself into the consciousness that is aware (jnana)? Darkness can never remove darkness. So too, ignorance can never destroy ignorance. It can be accomplished only by spiritual wisdom (jnana), which is, Awareness of the Truth. This is the dictum promulgated by Adi Sankara. The world today very much needs this harmony and awareness.
Friday, October 15, 2010
What are the traps that we should always be vigilant about?
You must exercise constant watchfulness over your feelings and reactions, and endeavour to keep out selfishness, envy, anger, greed and other such evil tendencies from entering your minds. These are nets which entrap you; these vices overwhelm and subdue your holiness, so that you cannot be influenced any longer. Then you forget yourself and behave like another worse individual, a person caught in frenzy. You blabber as your tongue dictates, without regard to the effect—good or evil, and engage your hands in work that it favours. Be aware and keep them in control! If you carefully discriminate, you can be recognised by the good company you keep, the noble works you delight in and the pleasant words you utter.
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