TILL DEATH DO US NOT PART

In any study there will be top students and there will be weak students. This is the same with teachers and gurus – not all of them are equally wise (they were students too). 

So Samsara is the cycle of birth and death in Sanskrit, and it is said that man is always in Samsara and that he should seek Moksha or liberation from this cycle to be free and happy, as understood and agreed by the majority of sages anywhere. 

However, the wiser sages argue that, if the soul is immortal, that it is never born nor can will it ever die; it is beginningless and endless; all-pervading, omni-present it is, so the subject of Samsara, therefore, is nonexistent. How can there be death if there wasn't birth in the first place? It was always there and will always be there – timeless. And if this Soul is man's real identity or his real Self, then who can die? No one ever dies, only this temporary form perishes when its time is up. 

Nonetheless a person can enjoy several deaths in his/her lifetime – the death from the material world, followed by a birth in the spiritual world and an escalation in that world leading to several deaths and births which happens through realisations. Yet, can there be two worlds when the Scriptures profess there is only One – everything is One. How then can there be a Material world and a Spiritual world if all is One. The Scriptures again enlighten that all that we see and have defined as the Material world is in fact the Spiritual world and there are no two worlds. How does this work I hear you ask? 

It goes all the way back and up to Brahman (God). Brahman in His original state is without form. In this formless state He is known as Apara Brahman (Brahman without attributes), when He takes form, He is known as Para Brahman (Brahman with attributes). 

The world that we see is known as Maya. Maya is God's energy. The world is created when the Apara Brahman associates with Maya, then the Material world takes form or manifests. The Soul is unmanifest (and remains so) and is capable of manifestation. Therefore, if the source of the Material world is still the creation of a Spiritual being, this makes the Material world a Spiritual World, and therefore, there is only One world – the Spiritual world. 

If the Material world is separate from the Spiritual world, then why is it that we pray to an invisible and intangible force for visible and tangible things and actually get them in the, wait for it, Material world? Why do we resort to Spiritual recourse for Material results if they are not One? There is no secular world. 

Who dies then, and who can die? It is an impossible feat to any. And why are we so afraid of death? Death is the cause of birth. Without death and destruction there can be no birth or newness – the very principle the entire planet and all within is based on. Earth destroys itself through natural catastrophes to renew itself constantly by law only to sustain life. Every time there is a catastrophe, there is death, yet new life begins in the very same places. It is only a process of renewal by design. Nothing to shout about. Anything that takes form will return to formlessness. 

It is said, the world came from Brahman, is supported by Brahman, and will return to Brahman. As the spider draws its webs from its mouth, the web also returns to the spider's mouth after the purpose is fulfilled, is an example commonly used. That is what Yoga is, 'Union with the Creator' – when the individual soul unites with the Supreme Soul. This is the Goal of Life. 

We are formless beings who have put on temporary clothing known as 'bodies', but this is not us, we are still formless beings and will return to formlessness. Remember always – No One Ever Dies.... and there is no need to freak when a post like this is posted may it be about myself or others. We have to accept death as part of life and not something that should not happen to us. 

The body's death process begun the day it took its first breath. As we live, we are dying, and this teaches us how to live right and consciously, and to be nice, kind and considerate to the emotions and needs of others and not just our needs. It helps keep us humble and keep our ego in check. It takes us from the selfish world to the selfless world – where we are meant to be. It makes us realise that everything material does have an end, and no matter how much we avoid it, it will yet take place. It is there to teach us to be kind knowing there's an end, and to not waste away this precious and rare life on the unnecessary. It makes us ask the question, "is any fight worth it, when all will come to naught; and how many enemies shall surround us on our final day – to cheer – because we were unkind and nasty to so many?" 

For me, I have one question: "Joy would like to go to your deathbed knowing there are people who dislike you and knowing you have hurt people and not made it right?" I decided to apologise quickly for every little hurt I cause anyone and anything, just to make sure that no one hates me on my final day, even if it wasn't my fault and to remain constantly mindful not to cause hurt – my mission is personal. 

But, if anyone has read the Katha Upanishad, which is a conversation with the Lord of Death, he or she knows that Death is a wise, fair, kind and understanding God. The Lord of Death – Yama, seems kinder than the living. The Katha Upanishad is a book I would recommend to anyone who wants to learn how to live life perfectly and harmoniously. 

To truly know how to live, we need to understand the laws of Death. Don't be afraid of Death – He is a good guy. Ignorance of this Knowledge is what causes fear. When someone says, "I'm alive", worry about that. When someone says, "I'm dead to the world", she or he has become deeply spiritual – he or she is alive for the very first time. The world is ulta (opposite/upside down).


Joy Nandy

ATTACHED TO WOMAN, YOUTH IS LOST...

[GEMS FROM THE ASHRAMS]

I found a very good and interesting book called "Bhaja Govindham of Sri Sankaracharya". "Bhaja Govindham" means 'Worship Govinda', and Sri Sankaracharya is the great ancient sage who wrote extensive commentaries on many of the ancient Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. That is all I am going to say to introduce my new series of "GEMS FROM THE ASHRAMS" Series. As I search, discover, and read these really rare and precious Spiritual Philosophy which aims to make the reader a liberated and divine soul let me also share this Knowledge with you as I do. Please note that the great saint refers to both genders even when he says "woman", this means that women should change "woman" to "man" (and vice-versa) because the message is for the Self, – the real identity of a person. Enjoy the read, it is poetry...

Verse:

“Attached to play, childhood is lost; attached to woman, youth is lost; brooding over many things, old age passes away. But none there is who wants to be lost in Para Brahman.” – Bhaja Govindham

Explanation:

HARD indeed is it to get a human life. It is precious but short. Before this short period of man’s lease on earth expires, he has to transcend the very bounds of his existence, annihilate the ego ­– the arrogating self, and rediscover the true nature of his eternal and infinite Self.

He has his life at hand and he has to extract utmost from it. But in his pathetic imbecility, man does not understand the preciousness of life. Cheated by Maya, he wanders in the sidewalks and dark alleys forgetting the goal he has to achieve, forgetting the purpose for which he is born. Before Yama (Lord of Death) overtakes him, he has to outpace him and realise his immortal nature.

The volcano is rumbling ferociously beneath his feet and yet he chooses to sit complacently, flapping idly the wings of his imagination, indulging himself in flippant talk and behaviour. Lured by passion, hoodwinked by lust and greed, duped by desires and trampled upon by the armed heel of delusion, he wanders in the world aimlessly, grabbing at things which give him a touch of momentary joy and putting him into the abyss of damnation. He creates and suffers the most violent commotions and passes his days in intense agony and misery.

Man’s mind is a biological luxury and is inestimably precious. The mind has infinite powers. If he so desires, he can firmly reject inappropriate thoughts, hold on tenaciously to the goal, and scale the high peaks of perfection. In a moment he can lift himself up from the ridiculous to the sublime. But alas, he is lost in the complexities of life and stands perplexed in their amazing varieties and charms. His eyes do not see eternal beauty because they are satisfied with the fleeting forms of beauty; this mind does not find Eternal Bliss because it contents itself with passing pleasures.

In childhood, for more than a decade, play and games take away all his time. Nothing but play delights him then. The days of dolls and plays disappear and the days of youth come with its pressing passions and lust. Charmed by the sweetheart’s look and words, youth is lost in the armorous sports of the Cupid. With the wasting of energies and power, the dreaded old age gains admittance forcing the man to bend upon his staff for support.

Despair draws long lines on his face! The grey hair and the tottering frame cling on to fruitless hopes and anxieties. The infirm frame entertains even at this stage torturous thoughts because he fails to control his mind and tame his passions when he had had enough strength and energy in his body and will-power in his mind. Even then, when so much of sorrow, suffering and misery batters him like waves of the turbulent sea, he does not wholeheartedly turn to God; his fickle mind does not take delight in the thoughts of God. He must meet death and yet he goes on planning as if he is going to live forever.

Let him always remember that he has to stage a walk-out, sooner or later, from mundane existence, and so earnestly strive to break every yoke to which he is bound. Eternal salvation should be the rivet of his life.

By Swami Gurudasananda (Ramakrishna Math publication)

•••

'EVERYONE HAS A PRICE' & SELF RESPECT

There is a popular saying in life, "Everyone has a price".

Do you believe this is true?

I have heard people using this line often, but I never felt that this is true. Not everyone has a price. Some are not made such, they are not attracted to riches so they do not have a price tag.

The thing is, when we do things only for money, then we may do anything for it, sometimes even degrading to ourselves, but we do not care, because with money we can do many things and show to people that we are better off then them.

This simply means that we are able to 'trade' our self-respect for money and wealth.

Now, this Self is the most important person in the world. He is far superior to anything in this world and beyond, and especially to any kind of wealth. The Self is Supreme. Therefore, when we forsake respecting the Self, we invariably show disrespect to the God in us, who is the 'Self'. So, Self-Respect, is to respect the God in each one of us.

When we do this, the joy that we receive cannot be equated to any kind of physical wealth, and it seems that we are only chasing money to achieve joy and happiness – the very things money cannot buy. When we practice this, our intellect serves us better, by that it always directs us to what is good for us, instead of what is pleasant. What is pleasant is only temporary and short-lived, such as, wealth. This will not give anyone eternal happiness and peace in life – their products are suffering and sorrow.

When we do not respect ourselves, others will notice this, especially the manipulative types, and they will surely take advantage of us. This is how the world has been 'bought'. The ones who desire money so much shall go close to the ones who have it. To the ones who have it, they see an 'opportunity' to manipulate someone for his personal gratification. And then, we have not only sold our minds and bodies, but also our soul. Then no matter how much we get, we are still never happy and free.

I knew a man in London who used to preach this line, he believed everyone has a price. Today, sadly, he is no longer in this world, he took his own life. Life was horror for him. Here is an actual story of what happens to people who intend to manipulate people because they have some money.

Does everyone have a price?

What's yours?

Always practice Self-Respect under all circumstances, never sell yourself short – it is horror for both parties.

You are Joy

WHY WE SUFFER? A SPIRITUAL EXPLANATION

Is there a reason to our suffering?

Are we the only ones singled out to suffer, or is the whole world suffering?

Why does sorrow happen to us, and how can we escape it?

Many of us may not know that suffering and sorrow are given to every soul on earth, not just a few unfortunate ones. The rich, affluent, and the brilliant suffer equally as the poor and lowly.

There is a valid reason behind our suffering on earth, and all of us are in the same boat. Sorrow is such a fella that he does not care who is rich, healthy or poor and ill. He is blind and offers himself to everyone. But why is this so?

It is because of this other fella called "Karma".

Many may know of Karma as "our misdeeds or sins in our past lives" or "do bad – get bad", and this is all we know about it. My studies have revealed some shocking revelations that many may not know. Yes, Karma is a word to indicate our misdeeds in our past lives and so we shall be punished. This is why life on earth is full of suffering and sorrow. But this is the part that many may not know about our friend Karma, – as Karma is what has brought us back to earth (reborn) only to "serve our sentence" for the misdeeds of our past and the reason why we have to suffer, Karma is also the answer out of this suffering.

To make this easily understandable is to simply explain the meaning of the word 'Karma'.

Karma means 'work' or 'deeds' in Sanskrit. It is not specific to misdeeds or good deeds, it is simply deeds – Karma. Now how can we escape this suffering on earth that is caused by our past misdeeds (Karma)? The answer is to do the opposite of 'misdeeds' – do 'good deeds'. Literally the direct opposite of misdeeds, and this reverses the process from sorrow to joy. Simple huh?

So, we have accrued Karma credits from our previous millions of births through our misdeeds, now we simply have to debit. It is like an ordinary loan that we take. Say if we have taken credit worth $1000, then we have to debit $1000 (fortunately Karma does not charge interest otherwise we will never escape this hell hehe...). But the problem is, we do not know exactly how much Karma credit we have accrued, and also we are not aware of this Principle of reversing Karma to escape suffering on earth, and therefore continue to accrued even more credits, only to lead back to earth in  one form or another to repay our dues (and here we thought banks were merciless). And, we will never, ever, ever be truly happy until this debt is fully repaid, and it can only be repaid when we are born in a human form, because only as a human being will we be able to read something like this that can help us escape sorrow in this life, and beyond. This is why the human birth is known as rare and precious and it should be used exclusively to escape the cycle of our births and deaths in this world known as "Earth – The World of Suffering", – the counter where Karma debts are meant to be repaid, – and this liberates a soul and gives him eternal joy.

You are Joy

IS THE BHAGAVAD GITA CONNECTED TO TEMPLE PRAYERS?

Sometimes I get invited to ritual prayers held at private homes and at temples and other places, though I sometimes oblige, I yet do not join in the prayers.

People might think (those who know that I am a student of the Gita), "Why doesn't he join in? Is it not this that is taught in the Holy Gita? The simple answer is Yes, and No.

Yes, in the sense that the mantras or verses that are uttered – is the only common bit, and this is where "knowledge" and "wisdom" for man are found – in the verses. But sadly, at temples, these wonderful and meaningful verses are not translated from Sanskrit to English [or any other language] by the priests, so the people are still in ignorance (ignorance here means, not informed of the 'Knowledge of the Scriptures' e.g. Bhagavad Gita, etc.).

The whole point of any religion is for man to behave himself well in the world and to be kind to everyone and everything. They preach that God is everywhere and in everybody, and to see God there. Hence, coming back to the connection between the Gita and Rituals at temples, the Gita focuses on the 'Knowledge' aspect only. This 'Knowledge' is for mankind to understand and imbibe for it also explains the Goal of Life that we should achieve. It is known as 'Transcendental Knowledge' because it literally transcends someone from worldliness to holiness. It transforms his personality and nature all together.

Therefore, ancient sages have considered these two paths opposite to each other, as the person who goes to a temple will usually 'ask' for something of his 'desires'. On the opposite side of the fence is the Gita reader – who is taught 'not to ask', to be 'desireless' because desire leads us to sorrow, and to 'renounce' the world. As you can see here, these two paths seem to oppose each other, and this is the main reason why someone who is following the Path of Knowledge, or 'Jnana Yoga', cannot also practice Deity Worship or 'Bhakti Yoga', because this will make him very confused and miss the goal all together.

From Gross to Subtle is the mantra of Hinduism. The gurus and scriptures remind us that we should move from the gross to the fine, starting with our thoughts, actions and speech. We should work towards becoming 'finer' and more  'polished' beings because God is a subtle being and not gross. And if the goal of man's life is to merge with Him, then how can we do it if we are still gross in our thinking and personality? This is also the other connection between Bhakti (actions) and Jnana (mind/contemplation) – moving from the gross to the subtle.

In the famous and ancient Katha Upanishad, where the young Naciketa has a deep and meaningful conversation with the Lord of Death himself on the Goal of Life states:

“To those who wish to cross over the ocean of worldly experience through sacrifices, the Naciketa Fire stands out as a fine bridge. We know of this fire, and we can also perform it. And we also know of the way that takes you to the other shore where you become one with ‘Para Brahman’ (Brahman without attributes) and you attain fearlessness.” 1.3.2

Those who are inclined towards ritualistic worship can use the Naciketa Fire (a ritual) as their bridge across the ocean of worldly experiences (this world). Through it, they eventually go to heaven where they become one with Virat, and hold an important position, such as that of Yama. But these people do not fully enjoy this position. They get tired of it after a while, and they struggle to become completely ‘merged’ with Brahman. Sooner or later they succeed, and that is what is called “liberation”.

There is another group of people who do not like this roundabout way of attaining liberation. They do not want to waste time going to heaven, for there is nothing in heaven or elsewhere that attracts them. They want to attain Self-knowledge right away. When they die, they completely ‘merge’ with Brahman. That is a state where there is only oneness. Since there is no duality, they have nothing to be afraid of. They therefore go beyond fear. They see only one Self everywhere.

“Know that the embodied Soul as the master of the chariot who sits within it, and the body is the chariot. Consider the intellect as the charioteer, and the mind as the reins.” 1.3.3

Further, as stated in one of my other articles here, the people who worship the Demigods will end up in the Demigod World, whilst the people who worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, the people who have firmly established their faith in the Boss of All Gods by reading the Bhagavad Gita, they aim for Eternal Happiness from within and nothing else – and this is the Goal of Life – to be Happy.

Bhakti Yoga, from what I have come to understand, is for a devotee to learn to focus his mind on someone called "God", but it is not the goal. After a devotee, who has belief in and is focused on God, has mastered Bhakti, he should ascend to realising that God is within him and not outside of him. So to do this, he should take the study of the Scriptures (Jnana Yoga) which shall guide him to his real Self and then the God within him.

So, the next time if anyone wonders why is it that people who read the Ancient Hindu Sacred Scriptures, such as, the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, do not go to temples, you now know why.

"This is what Vedanta says, "'To know God is to become God' and to behave and act godly, godly, godly." – Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

The goal of life is to know that the Individual Self and the Cosmic Self (God) are one and the same. – Katha Upanishad

You are Joy

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