Transcending BMI

The key goal of meditation is to transcend our dependency and slavery to our body, mind and intellect (BMI). Vedanta has outlined clear paths with steps to achieve this goal.

To move away from the attractions of external objects by our senses is the transcending of the body. This can be achieved through Karma (yoga) or selfless service. Karma takes a person from his/her bodily (gross) awareness to the subtle layers of mind and intellect. Regular breathing exercises (Pranayama) tremendously aids in this approach as well.

The next challenge is the mind, which has enormous power to control all our senses.  Unless the mind is kept controlled, all other successes will be futile and temporary. Mind control can be achieved through Bhakti (yoga).  Bhakti is selfless devotion with faith to an higher ideal (concept) or idol (GOD). Bhakti yoga stills the mind in one direction and makes it easy to be transcended.

The final challenge is to transcend the intellect who is the decision maker for all our actions and thoughts in us.  Intellect is the twin of mind, but working at a slightly higher maturity than the mind. The direct technique for crossing over the intellect is through Jnana (yoga).  Jnana is knowledge on the eternal truths of this life and universe (Maya) and their purpose. Vedanta leads us to attain this knowledge through our reading & understanding of its priceless information contained in the Upanishads, Sutras, Agamas, etc.   Once this Jnana is acquired, the intellect renounces all its fluttering and enters into a tranquil state of  stillnes, which is the supreme awareness or Consciousness.

Any person who has achieved the above three and has an integrated personality will be very well on way to be a Jnani ready to face this world without any dependency, worries or expectations.

Hari Om.

Significance of 'Aswattha' tree in Hinduism

Significance of Aswattha tree in Hinduism

The Aswattha tree, which is known as peepal tree (Ficus Religiosa) or well known as banyan tree or ‘kalpa vriskha’ is considered the ‘king’ of trees in Hindu culture. It symbolizes Trimurti – Lord Vishnu is believed to be the bark(trunk),  Lord Brahma its roots and Lord Shiva, its branches.  There is a moola mantra signifying this concept an meaning in Hinduism which is as below.

Moolatho Brahma Roopaya

Madhyato Vishnu roopine

Agratha Shiva roopaya

Vriskha raajayave namaha.

 In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna declares that among trees,  HE is the aswattha tree.  Bhagawan Buddha is supposed to have attained enlightment under an aswattha tree, which is called Bodhi tree in Buddhist culture.  It is also the tree that sheltered Sita in Lanka, hence this tree has a special place in the heart of Lord Hanuman.

According to Gurudev Sw. Chinmayananda,  the vriksha (tree) got its name Aswattha because horses (Ashwa) used to stand under its shade.  Gurudev also says that “according to Shankara, this tree has been chosen to represent the entire cosmos because of its derivative meaning – ‘Shwa’ means tomorrow, ‘Stha’ means that which remains; therefore ‘Ashwattha’ means that which will NOT remain the same till tomorrow.  In short, the word indicates the ephemeral, the ever-changing world”. 

Hari Om.

Mastering the mind

In our vain ego, we try to adjust, change or remove the external objects in order to have a control over them. However it will all be in vain if we don't have control on our own minds.  Sw. Chinmayananda  says: "Instead of unnecessarily wasting our energies in regulating the world of objects and environments, or controlling our sense organs, let us attend to the mastering of our minds.
Just as to one who is wearing shoes, the whole world is covered with leather, control the mind and go wherever you will!

"By following the ethical & moral codes of confuct, by cultivating devotion to the Lord through worship and prayers, by penance and surrender, through study and reflection, by dispassion and meditation upon self, through sacrifice and service, we strive to bring our mind into a quiet and total silence, and the quieter the mind gets, the more thoroughly conquered the mind becomes",  exhorts Sw. Chinmayananda.