Stages of metamorphosis of thoughts

In the section 14 (‘Knowledge of the Self ‘) in the book Viveka Choodamani,   Bhagawan Adi Shankara says that mere talks and big speeches on scriptures is not going to help in Self Realization.  It is only the practice of ‘Atma Vichara’ (meditation) that will result in realization and moksha. In that stanza,  Sw. Chinmayananda explains four stages of how thoughts metamorphoses into words. They are as below.

Para: Thoughts arising out from the base in us– when it has contact with our Reality of Life (Soul/Atman) in us.

Pasyanthi: When thoughts manifests sufficiently for ego in us to be conscious of it.

Madhyama: The conscious thought passes through a state of inner molding in the crucible of a language, transcribing it into a series of symbolic sounds to be conveyed to others.

Vaikhari: Thoughts in its grossest manifestations expressed as audible sounds outside.

In the same topic, Adi Sankara emphasizes that the mere intellectual study of Scriptures is useless both before and after self-realization.  Sw Chinmayananda explains that beautifully as below:

‘As long as we have no right intellectual appreciation of what Vedanta texts indicate, all study of scriptures is futile. Again, when we have realized the ‘Truth’, the study of the scriptures is redundant.’

Hari Om.

Bhakthi: By the Self, Of the Self, For the Self

Hari Om.  I have been reading the amazing text of 'Vivekachoodamani'  which is the commentary of Bhagwan Adi Shankara on the 'Prasthanatrayi' - the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita.  Vivekachoodamani means ' The Crest-jewel of Discrimination'.  Gurudev Sw. Chinmayananda has wonderfully explained the poetic words of Sri Shankara.  If even understanding those verses needs erudite knowledge,  think how much of versatile knowledge with experience is needed in explaining and commenting it !  Only Mahatmas of the calibre of Sw. Chinmayananda can do it.  Rest of us - that too,  fortunate ones - can only get a chance to read and try to get a good understanding of what these two Mahatmas say.

In the verse 32,  Adi Shankara emphasizes on Bhakthi (devotion) to a Guru (teacher).  Sw. Chinmayananda explains it as below.

"To live as the Self and to meet others in life, standing upon this solid foundation of the true nature of the Self is the culmination of knowledge and this is termed by Shankara as bhakthi (devotion).  That is,  he defines bhakthi both as means and the end; love is the means to get love."

What an amazing analysis!   It reminded me of Lincoln's defintion of democracy - by the people, of the people and for the people.  Similarly,  bhakthi is 'by the Self, of the Self and for the Self' - ability to identify the supreme Self everywhere as one.

Describing the next two verses,  Sw. Chinmayananda also emphasizes that the student has to tune himself (or herself) to the teacher - this is real learning.  I think in today's world where all dedication is based on money,  this has been missed out.  I would say this is very true not only in centers of knowledge (schools/universities); this is applicable even in commercial organizations.  The people should be tuned up to the superiors who may have an organizational vision.  The teachers (Gurus, superiors)  in turn, should ensure the students (or employees) are taken along in the journey to achieve the goal and purpose of the learning (or achieve the vision of the organization).

Hari Om.

JAPA and PUJA

Namaste.  The Samskritam (Sanskrit) words JAPA and PUJA are very commonly used and heard by HIndu families, especially in India. However there is an interesting connection between the two and its inner meaning. 
As per our Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) scriptures, Japa and Puja are one of the steps done to cleanse ourselves spiritually (or religiously) to attain mental tranquility and enabling us to travel on our path to Nirvana or Moksha.

The letter PA stands for PAPANASANA - the exhaustion of the results of undivine actions, commonly known as PAPA or sins.

The letter JA stands or JANMAVICCHEDA (or Janamavimochana)  - the cessation of the cycle of births and deaths which is Moksha.

It is interesting that the same two letters (Ja and Pa) constitute the two words JAPA and PUJA which are one of the significant steps on our spiritual evolution. It is also said ( I have not verified) that the numerical value of these two letters in Sanskrit adds up to eighteen (18) which has a very special significance in all the HINDU religious activities.

(Acknwledgement: Above info collected from the chapter written by R.S.Nathan in the book "Symbolism In Hinduism" by Chinmaya Publications).

Hari Om.

Snippets from Yoga Vasishta -2

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.

A permanent 'Jnana state'

In the Yoga Vasishta,  Guru Vasishta Muni exhorts Lord Rama to be in a 'Jnana state' at all the times, while at the same time carrying out his Karma (responsibilities) as per the Dharma and his Asrama. This Jnana (knowledge) state is when the person understands the knowledge about the oneness of all worlds and lives in a quiescent state of Brahmic bliss all the time,  considering all manifestations to be from that Unique Supreme Power (USP) or energy.  Those Jnana-muktis who have reached that state live and work in the world as normal human beings, but their outlook and approach is not dependent on their state of mind. They have gone beyond the pull of their body, mind and intellect (BMI).  They always live in the Jnana state. Sw. Chinmayananda wonderfully describes it as 'meditation-less' meditation where the jnanis live in a meditative state all the time, even though externally they do look and work normal.  

I think all those people striving in the spiritual paths should live in their state all the time for that to be effective and for the faster progression to the next higher state.  In the initial stages of spiritual growth, Vedanta provides three paths (yoga) of development - Karma (physical activities), Bhakti (Mental alignment and dedication) and Jnana (knowledge).   Initially all should start this as a regular activity of the day (like prayer time).  However,  as they progress, these are not just periodic activities to be done as prayer or meditation only.  It should be a permanent state at all the 'avasthas' or phase of the day. As a first step, the states of Karma, Bhakti or Jnana can be retained in 'jagratha' or awakened phase where we do all the day to day activities.  If that is successful that state slowly extends into the 'swapna' or dream phase and even possibly in the deep -sleep or 'sushupti' phase.   For instance, a person who is aligned to Bhakti path can be thinking, humming and mentally chanting on his/her favorite object of GOD at all the time, even when performing the daily work.   We have seen this in earlier generation when our grandpa or grandma always seem to be chanting mantras at all times, even while bathing, cooking, serving etc.  Similarly Karma yogis can think of self-less service in all work that they are involved with.
In short, it is not just a one time activity in a day or week - if these are to be ingrained in the personality and life of the individual, these states have to be retained at all the times for the successful evolution to higher levels of spirituality.

Hari Om.

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.