Snippets from the Yoga Vashista-1

The main theme of Yoga Vasistha is that the soul is undergoing a dream from which it must awake. This dream represents our association and identification with the world. The fact that it is described as being a dream means that whatever is in it has to be false.

When all the desires are destroyed, the extinction of the mind where Mind becomes “No-Mind” is Moksha. If the illusory I-ness or Ego perishes, the end of thoughts to the Maya is Moksha.
Self Knowledge is the realization that the Self is in reality not bound, but always pure and free. Realize that you are the immortal all pervading Self and become free. This is the goal of our life and the goal of our existence.

Hari Om.

Yoga Vasishta..

Namaste.   As written in one of my previous posts, I started reading a couple of  books on Yoga Vasishta written by different authors, but let me admit that it is a very tough and thought-provoking treatise to read.  I have been reading less than a page a day(!),  trying to re-read the lines multiple times and understand the real meanings.  It has not been easy for me.  Though written as stories conveyed by Sage Vashista to Lord Rama, they are everything, but simple!!

Initially I thought I will complete the book and then try to write my learning on it, but looks like that will take a long time, probably in years!.  Hence I am going to blog on the key points (sara) of the highly intellectual book, as I read it.  I will leave it to to the readers to dwell on these lines and try to understand its spiritual deeper meanings. Those who are more interested should definitely get the full book and read. The most popular one seems to be the Vasistha's Yoga by Sw. Venketasananda.  It is available in Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Vasisthas-Yoga-Special-Paper-27/dp/0791413640/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1450540304&sr=1-1&keywords=vasistha%27s+yoga  

There are manyother freely downloadable copies of Yoga Vasishta too - both the full 'saraamsa' (content) and the 'laghu' (abridged) versions of it.  Both however needs deep thinking and contemplation on its lines.

Hari Om.

Real love is devotion to GOD.

Sw. Vivekananda, in his speech once referred to the saying "If you want to be a robber, rob the King's treasury! Similarly, if you want to love, love GOD".  Swami was exhorting all to aim for the best in whatever field we choose. 

I think this is very applicable for today's generation especially for girls & women. who have been caught with a love bug for things, dresses pets etc. Give up that materialistic love and refocus your mind to the love & devotion (bhakthi) for GOD. Devotion to that ultimate Supreme power will expand our minds and bring an awareness of the Oneness of everything in this universe. This realization will eventually cascade down to everything we see in our life, but that will not be a materialistic love ; it will be at a much higher level and with peace of mind at all times!
Hari Om.