Sage Vasishta teaches Lord Rama on the four gate-keepers at the entrance to the realm of freedom. The are
1. Shanti: Quietness or control of mind. This is when the mind is always at 'dhyana' state of Brahman and does not spring out to external objects or internal hallucinations. This is freedom from longing.
2. Vichara: the spirit of enquiry of the permanent reality that pervades this cosmos. All objects are perishable, including our body. The ony permanent base that is non-perishable is that supreme power or energy called Brahman which is the cause for all creation. The mind should be on the look out for that power behind all observation and thinking and in all the three states.
3. Santosha: Contenment with what is available to each one of us and leading a satisfied and happy life. This is not laziness - this is doing the best with what is coming to you and not going behind something that is not for you.
4. Satsanga: Good noble company. Friendship and companionship always makes & breaks a person. It is important to keep company of enlightened and noble individuals who help in raising our mental and spiritual maturity.
Sage Vasishta says that if we are unable to follow all four, we should start with one atleast. The other three will follow us automatically.
Rooted in equanimity, doing whatever happens to be the appropriate action in each given situation, live non-volitionally. Consciousness minus conceptualization is the eternal Brahman. Enlightened men, though they are constantly engaged in activity, do nothing; it is not by means of inaction that they reach the state of non-action! They are always active and engaged, but they are not attached to that action. When the notions of 'I' and 'my' have ceased, what remains is only peace. It is like the ocean - only the upper part of the ocean is active with waves and froths; deep inside is it is always calm and quiet!
Hari Om.
1. Shanti: Quietness or control of mind. This is when the mind is always at 'dhyana' state of Brahman and does not spring out to external objects or internal hallucinations. This is freedom from longing.
2. Vichara: the spirit of enquiry of the permanent reality that pervades this cosmos. All objects are perishable, including our body. The ony permanent base that is non-perishable is that supreme power or energy called Brahman which is the cause for all creation. The mind should be on the look out for that power behind all observation and thinking and in all the three states.
3. Santosha: Contenment with what is available to each one of us and leading a satisfied and happy life. This is not laziness - this is doing the best with what is coming to you and not going behind something that is not for you.
4. Satsanga: Good noble company. Friendship and companionship always makes & breaks a person. It is important to keep company of enlightened and noble individuals who help in raising our mental and spiritual maturity.
Sage Vasishta says that if we are unable to follow all four, we should start with one atleast. The other three will follow us automatically.
Rooted in equanimity, doing whatever happens to be the appropriate action in each given situation, live non-volitionally. Consciousness minus conceptualization is the eternal Brahman. Enlightened men, though they are constantly engaged in activity, do nothing; it is not by means of inaction that they reach the state of non-action! They are always active and engaged, but they are not attached to that action. When the notions of 'I' and 'my' have ceased, what remains is only peace. It is like the ocean - only the upper part of the ocean is active with waves and froths; deep inside is it is always calm and quiet!
Hari Om.