Vrittis

Ego is Mind-Intellect identifying with the Body.  When we detach all the BMI layers and remain identified with our soul (Atman), there is no ego.  That soul is just part of the macrocosmic soul which is Brahman. Destroy the BMI layers and the individual soul merges with the universal Brahman

Sariravrittis, Manovrittis, Indriyavrittis:  All vrittis (disturbances) caused due to BMI.

The vritti (disturbance) at the body level (B) is pain; comfort is pleasure

At mental level (M) it is sorrow & happiness respectively

At intellectual level (I) it is loss & win respectively

Hari Om.

Yoga-Kshemam

Sw. Chinmayananda has very beautifully explained the meaning of the common usage ‘Yoga-Kshema’ in our scriptures.  In today’s world, all our energies are dissipated in two main directions – Procuring (Yoga, योग) and maintaining (Kshemam, क्षेमम).  We seem to spend all our effort, energy and time on procuring material pleasures or benefits and worrying about maintaining them our entire life.  Because of this, we do not seem to have the time  to engage in spiritual or welfare work (seva).

However, Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita in Ch, 9  emphatically says that for those true seekers who are dedicated in spiritual pursuits and attaining the Self (HIM),  HE (Lord) will take care of the ‘Yoga-Kshema’ work of HIS devotees.  This means, those who have transcended the body-mind-intellect (BMI) layers and have realized the Self in themselves (and in all) will not be interested or worried in the procurement and maintenance activities of life. It is something that automatically happens to such people without worry, just as body ages, hair grows etc.  It is ironically observed and found that if people go behind some goals specifically, they never seem to attain it (a specific position or win in politics or business profits etc.), however if they are dedicated to doing the 'Dharma' of their work and do not worry on others, these goals automatically come to them.
Hence, dedicate your life to Self realization and meditation; leave the rest in the hands of the GOD as it happens! 

Hindu philosophy - Dwaita, Visesha-Advaita and Advaita

Sw. Chinmayananda very nicely and convincingly explains the differences in the three schools of Hindu philosophy - Dwaita, Vishesha-Advaita and Advaita as follows in VivekaChoodamani (verse 160).  He says the differences should be considered as having been due to the difference in the type of students (people) the philosophers (of these schools) addressed during their respective times.

In Shri. Madhvacharya's period, many people were not mature in their spiritual awareness.  Thy identified with the external gross layer (body) and behaved as such in the outside world. For such students, the Supreme is different from their gross layers.  The Brahman is different from all three BMI layers, but the people of those period are probably not intellectually mature enough to understand it.  Hence for them, Dwaita school of thought where GOD is different from others are preached.

As the intellectual maturity of the people increased, they became more of the "thinking-feeling" entity and hence operated on the subtle levels of mind and emotions.   They realized there is a spark of divinity in them, but they considered themselves as their body-mind and divinity as separate.  For such students, Shri. Ramanucharya explained that "You are not separate from the Truth; You are part and He is the whole". This is 'Visishta-Advaita'.

In Shri Adi Shankaracharya's time, his students were highly matured, very spiritually inclined, who through sadhana and upasanas, developed a subtle intellect and able to understand as well as practice Viveka (discrimination) and Vairagya (non-attachment). For such students,  Shri. Shankara boldly declared 'Tat Tvam Asi' - You are That and That is you.  You (we) are all one with GOD - the Brahman.  This is the school of Advaita.

Hari Om

The Gunas

Peace, Joy, intelligence, intuition are all inherent in every human.  These all are Saatwik qualities that come in-born and exist in the soul due to the reflection of the supreme Consciousness (Atman). However, man tends to collect Rajasic (agitated) and Tamasic (dull) impurities from his vasanas (desires) and resulting interactions with the  outside world.  This results in the dimming of the Saatwik gunas (good character) in the personality of the man.  Through prayers, selfless services and meditation, when the Rajasic and Tamasic gunas are removed from the personality layer, the pure Satwik character shines forth,  making the person brilliant and capable in his work outside.

Hari Om

Concept of God

From a TED talk on faith and religion:   The ideal religious concept is not to show GOD as an individual demanding respect and ordering punishments. This individualized male/female GOD is only a concept for immature minds to follow cultural and ethical behaviors.  When a person looks out on the voluminous sky to find stars, planets and other millions of objects in space realizes how minor his ego and his individual 'space' is, how small his/her power is compared to the universe (Brahmandam), how insignificant his/her demands and creation are compared to the overall creations in this universe, there comes a humbleness and knowledge  to his personality.  The more the person dwells on this thought, the more it becomes clear there is some power behind all this universe which is way beyond the human understanding.  This awareness is spirituality and a concept that the unique supreme power behind all this is the true GOD.

Hari Om.

Control from instincts

Heard in a TV discussion about atrocities against women happening in India (and surely in other parts of the world too).  The participants discussed about rules and regulations to prevent it as well as educating men to respect women and not consider them as 'objects'. While I agree with above opinions,  I do think there is a huge psychological factor to be considered too. Humans descended from animals, so we all have animal instincts within us in one way or other.  One of the animal instincts is the sexual drive, especially in male species which is natural. This instinct projects up mainly due to our identification with our body (gross) layers. This can only be subdued by freeing oneself from the clutches of the body (flesh) layer.  The mind has to be elevated to a higher spiritual goal or idea . This is then the true education of men to respect not only women but everything in this universe. 

  

Hari Om.