Namaste. I have
been reading on the wonderful and insightful book of 'VivekaChoodamani'
by Bhagawan Adi Shankara. There are many many verses that requires deep
thinking and analysis ('mananam') in the book given by Sri Shankara in his
inimitable style. For normal humans like us who have been battling the
materialistic way of life, these 'gems of discriminating intelligence'
(Viveka Choodamani) would have been impossible to grasp, if it were not deciphered
and explained in common man's language and examples, as done by Gurudev
Sw. Chinmayananda. My humble Pranaams to such great and divine masters.
One of the many verses in VivekaChoodamani where
Sri. Shankara provides direct instruction to the reader on the preparatory
steps ‘yogic meditation’ is below:
"Yogasya pratamadwaaram
vangnirodhoaprigrahaha
Niraasha ch nireeha cha nithyamekanthaseelatha"
In this verse explained beautifully by Gurudev,
Sri Shankara instructs the Vedantic student the steps to control the
sense-organs and the restless mind.
Yogasya Prtamadwaaram : The first gateway to enter the portals of
'Yoga' life is
Vangnirodha: Control of speech
Aparigrahaha: Non acceptance of possessions (materialistic)
Niraasha:
Without keeping any expectations on the fruits of the actions
Nireesha:
Giving up all ego-centric activities;
Nityam Ekanthaseelatha: living 'alone' concentrated on the Brahman
The last step above is very significant and kind
of confusing to normal folks. As Gurudev says, there is a difference
between being 'lonely' and being 'alone'. Being 'lonely' is remaining in
a physical sense with no other living beings around; where as being 'alone' is
to remain mentally concentrated on the Supreme in-spite of the surroundings.
Alone is not in the surroundings, but it is in one's own attitude within
the bosom; to remain with all attention ('eka-antham') fixed upon that
one Unique Supreme Power (USP). Think!
Sri Gurubhyo Namaha, Hari Om.