Thursday, February 14, 2013
The BabaTimes: The Eleven Assurances of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba
The BabaTimes: The Eleven Assurances of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba: Whosoever comes to Shirdi, his sufferings would come to an end immediately. The wretched and miserable would see plenty of joy a...
SishyaArt - Sale of exquisite paintings and artwork
SishyaArt has a 20%
off sale this week on some of the exquisite and one of a kind paintings and
artwork. Visit website for more details http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShishyaArt
You can contact the
artist through her blog page at http://shishyaart.blogspot.com/
And through her
facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/Shishyaart
Note from the artist:
"Shishya,"
which comes from Sanskrit, means "student" in the simplest of terms.
To me, the word symbolizes the wealth of knowledge and skills one can gain
through a formal education. ShishyaArt is dedicated to serving the underprivileged
by helping them obtain an education through the funds from each painting sold
at our store; to help people who can't get an education due to a myriad of
circumstances achieve their goals. Thank you for supporting the cause!Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Mantra, Tantra, Yantra and the Power of Thought
2.
Material progress
For
achieving this effortlessly, the scriptures have also given us the four pillars
known as Purushartha:
1.
Dharma (righteousness)
2.
Artha (wealth, means)
3.
Kama (desire within the prescribed
dharma and according to stage in one’s life.
4.
Moksha (liberation)
According
to our scriptures, our worship includes mantra, tantra and yantra, in one or a
combination of ways. In a way, they represent the three paths as given in Gita:
Mantra
– the Jnana marga (path of knowledge),
Tantra
- the Bhakti marga (path of devotion)
Yantra
- the Karma marga (path of detached action).
Mantra is usually chanted to awaken the
desired energy through vibrations.
Tantra helps us use the body and mind as
tools for self-realization. Ex. Yoga sutra, by Patanjali gives in detail the knowledge required for this.
Again
we can even branch out into, how our actions are caused by desires, due to the
play of the three gunas - Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
I am amazed at how our
ancestors incorporated simple tantra practices in our daily lives. Ex. Padmasana, Surya namaskara, pranayama,
fasting etc. We have simple vedic rituals and very powerful ones too.
Yantra is the use of objects (idols),
symbols and movement in our worship.
Ex.Prayers offered in temples, built according to agama shastra,
lighting of lamps, pradashina(circumbulation).
The power of thought
We
also know that spoken words and thoughts produce vibrations around us. Once created
these vibrations exist and also
have to ability to reproduce whenever there is a chance. Through the manomaya
kosha (mental body) our body receives
these exactly the same way it was originally intended or sent. The
higher the clarity and intensity, the higher is the impact too. Altenative healing techniques like Reiki,
helps heal people with channelizing the energy.
Because
of the mantra, tantra & yantra siddhi, the words uttered by a Srividya(srichakra, meru etc) upasaka carries such power that they have to come true,
because the person says it with such conviction. In a way, only a person who
has control over his mind, ego and gunas should even be given the mantras.
Anybody
and everybody chants all these powerful
bheej mantras because they have a lineage.
(Following in the footsteps of our parents or getting initated in a mass
convention conducted by modern Swamijis, whether we have it in us or not is
very dangerous). It’s like prescribing
antibiotics for an ant bite. So what we see around us is negative energy
created in abundance by such unrestrained thoughts and utterances by individuals
without a care in the world, for selfish gains. We see families and lives
destroyed by their own thoughts, more than their doing. When we are faced with the effects, we blame
it all on God, whom we have created for this sole reason.
Powerful
energy created and remaining stagnant
has to be released in a proper way to bring in inner peace of mind (Atma
Shanti). Do not will harm knowingly or
unknowingly. We are the same consciousness operating in different names and
forms. Knowing this is freedom from ignorance. Knowing this truth is bliss.
Om Tat Sat.
Svadyaya - "Purushartha, The Self-Effort" - Swami Chidananda
Purushartha, The Self-Effort
Svadyaya page for February 16,2013
Purushartha is a word that is used in two senses in
Indian Philosophy. In one sense, it means certain values and goals to be
striven for as our aims in life. In another sense, it means the dynamic effort
and endeavour that enable one to achieve worthwhile goals, as well as the
supreme values that are to be kept before our vision.
The word Purushartha ultimately brings
home one truth: ‘Ends are obtained by endeavour.’ Worthwhile attainments and
goals are the fruits – note that I am not using the work ‘result’ – of endeavour.
They are the fruits of efforts, Gurudev said; “Do real sadhana.” Doing sadhana
means action, dynamism. It means well-directed intelligence, purposeful rajas
that does not direct you, but is directed by you.
All the eighteen Puranans contain stories of
sustained effort. The whole narrative is filled with action, action, action,
every type of efforts and repeated efforts, which ultimately grant the desired
fruit, victory. No matter how much knowledge you may have, unless it is backed
up by effort, it will only be a liability, not an asset. It will make your
problem more complex, rather than simplifying it or bringing a solution. To
know is perhaps better than not to know. But to know is not at all sufficient
unless it is applied and actively translated into dynamic, sustained and
systematic effort in order to reach the great Goal. Then only the journey is
completed, the destination is reached.
Isavasya Upanishad says, “That one who
follows avidya (lack of learning) goes into darkness and bondage. Then immediately
it says that one who follows vidya (knowledge) goes into greater darkness and
bondage.” [Isa. Up. 9] At first sight, it seems to be paradoxical and
confusing. Here, vidya means knowledge of the scriptures and all that is
studied, learned and stored. If it is not followed by the requisite effort, it
becomes only a burden, a liability, sterile. Perhaps it complicates the issue
by making one more egoistic. It can enmesh you more than you were enmeshed
before. Shabari had no schooling. Kabir was not a university man. Janabai was a
maidservant. But all of them did great effort. Therefore, Purushartha is
the key to Realisation. You may know only a little but put it into practice.
More important than tons of knowledge is an ounce of practice, action, Purushartha.
Being and doing have precedence over knowing. Be engaged in right endeavour.
God Bless You!
Swami
Chidananda
Spiritual Discussion forum and Free online meditation
The Free online Meditation session and spiritual
discussions are held under the guidance of Swami Shri Padmanabhanandaji, of
Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, India.
The satsang starts with invocation prayers, followed by the
meditation session (pre-recorded) by Pujyasri Swami Chidananda Maharaj,
Sivananda Ashram. Then the Svadyaya page for the day is taken up for
discussion.
This week's svadyaya for discussion is "Purushartha
- The Self Effort" by Swamiji Chidananda Maharaj. Subscribe
to receive this week’s svadyaya page by email.
For more information and to subscribe to the event, spiritual
seekers please email your interest to DLSUSA.org@gmail.com
NEW: You can also participate in the discussions through our forum at www.dlsusa.org
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Ordinary Fakir? Shirdi Sai Baba's Net worth.
Ordinary
Fakir?
The Sai Trust
was formed in 1922, Feb 13 with Rs. 3500 which was a huge amount in those times. The Trust will complete 91 years this Feb 13th.
Sai Baba of Shirdi,
who was just an ordinary Fakir is worth more than 765 crore in Indian Rupees.
The trust released the information that Shirdi Sai Trust, on behalf of Sai Baba now holds:
765
crore (Rs) in cash deposits
300
Kg gold Ornaments, crowns (studded with diamonds and precious stones)
4000
Kg Silver ornaments and other items
Investments
in colleges and other institutions along with real estate properties worth
crores of Indian rupees.
The question
arises in our mind, how did Baba’s Trust get so much money? Over the years, every
devotee has contributed according to their means, small and huge sums, as
offering of thanks to their beloved Sai.
In the year
2010, the Sai Trust received about
322
crores (Rs) in cash offering
31
kg gold
5.43
lakhs forex currency
In the year
2011, the Sai Trust received about
401
crores (Rs) in cash offering
36
kg gold
6.28
lakhs forex currency
In January of
this year, a devotee who wants to remain anonymous has donated a kalash made
with pure gold, weighing about 1 kg and valued at 30.93 lakh Indian rupees. The
devotee’s only request is that Mangala Abhishek (sacred bath) for Baba is to
be performed with this.
This year, another
devotee has donated to Sai a gold chain with a pendent holding 2 brilliant diamonds
worth about 1 crore and 19 lakhs Indian rupee.
Every day and
especially every Thursday, big offerings pour in from devotees who shun all
publicity.
You can view
all this on youtube
This is in
Kannada but you can view the video from TV9.
It is beautiful.
Shirdi Sai
Baba lived a very simple and selfless life.
He lived the life of a Fakir and served others without any expectation. From
the life of Baba we understand that Baba lived for others giving as much as
possible for people in need. But now things appear so different than what Baba
taught us through his life. All the money is stashed in the form of assets which
can be used to help the downtrodden people have healthy living conditions,
proper nourishment and good education.
We can do much
more. Let each of us decide to follow in the foot steps of Baba and bring about
a change in the lives of devotees who have immense faith and belief in Him with
Shraddha and Saburi. We will be blessed.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The Key to Happiness - Svadyaya for Feb 9, 2013
The Key to Happiness - Svadyaya for
DLS meditation and satsung Feb 9, 2013
Almighty
Lord! Prompt these sadhakas to ever walk the path that leads to their own highest
blessedness! Radiant Divinities! We receive from others what we make them do.
Sometimes we invite temptations; sometimes we invite aggravated situations by
working for them. We play with life in such a way that things do not merely
happen to us, but we make them happen to us. If you have keen introspection,
then after a situation has occurred you find, “Yes, indeed, it is I who worked
for it.”
It
is said; “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” Mystics have prayed to
God: “O Lord, save me from myself.” Many a time, from inside we harbour
thoughts and motives that attract certain situations towards us, and then we
blame God! You think that you are doing all these things and no one knows. But
God does know. There is someone within you and He is nothing but Consciousness,
Awareness. Prajnana. He is jnana-svarupa (knowledge-incarnation). Nothing
misses Him. Therefore, it is necessary that seekers and sadhakas be wise, not
go in self-deception.
Life
is a mirror. You see in it what you show it. If you make a pleasant face, a
pleasant face looks back at you. If you make an unpleasant face, an unpleasant
face looks back at you. Happiness and misery, favourable and unfavourable
environments depend to a very large extent on our state of mind. Happiness is not
contained in things, situation or environment outside. It is in how we look at
it through our mind. It is the situations within.
If
that inner state is adjusted and corrected, then nothing has power to give us
any experience except that which we give to it. A shepherd was asked whether he
liked the weather on that day. He answered: “Knowing that I have no control
over weather, knowing that I cannot change it, long ago I decided that whatever
weather comes I will like it. And therefore, now I am at peace. Instead of
always trying to get only that thing that I like, I decided that it is wiser to
like whatever things I get.” This is the key to happiness. The key is inside.
It is the state of mind we create within us that ultimately has the effect of
creating happiness or misery for us. A picture does not paint itself. It is the
artist with his brush who paints it. Let us apply this truth: “I make my day. I
make my happiness and misery. I make my darkness and light. I create it from
within.” Apply this truth and then see what happens.
God
Bless You!
Swami
Chidananda
Tri-gunas (Rajas, Tamas and Sattva) and their influence on mind
“Those
whose understanding (vision) is fully unveiled as soon as illusion ceases and
the Self is realized, they (the wise) shine free from misery”.
“Action, contemplation and knowledge are the three stages through which we have to pierce through the veil of Prakriti, or the three Gunas.”
The
Self, which is the Essential Nature of the seeker, is not realized by him only
because of his ego and its illusion in him.
As an ego, he is pre-occupied with his own miseries and his
understanding is clouded by Tamas and shattered by Rajas. When these two moods-of-the mind are
sublimated, contemplative-ness increases in the mind, and the contemplative
mind, during moments of its meditation, cannot avoid discovering its own
illusions and the Eternal Reality behind them all. Such perfect students shine in inner glory of
their directly experienced Spiritual Essence. (AG 18.6)
In
the liberated one, his mind is completely dissolved. Not even Sattva expresses through it; Rajas
that creates delusion and dreams has departed; Tamas that veils the intellect
from the perception of Reality has been pulled down.
The
inertia (Tamas) veils the intellect and then the mind becomes agitated (Rajas)
with its projections and imaginations.
Pure “Non-apprehension” of the Reality is created by Tamas and the “Mis-apprehension”
are produced by the Rajas. When these
two factors are controlled through Sadhana, the Sattva predominates in the mind
and makes it more and more contemplative.
In
the zenith of meditation, when even the last traces of Rajas and Tamas are
ended, there the pure Sattvic-mind transcends itself and merges with the
Infinite Consciousness. Maya is crossed
here. Avidya is ended. In pure wisdom
revels the Wise-man. (A.G18.20)
**
About
this, Swami Krishnananda (Sivananda Ashram) says that even though we regard
Sattva guna as a very desirable one, “Sattva too is a subtle medium of
obstruction”. Because “It acts in a
double form – as complacency or
satisfaction with what has been achieved and an ignorance of what is beyond”.
He
explains this through an example:
“We
always praise Sattva and regard it as a very desirable thing. But it is like a
transparent glass that is placed between us and the Truth. You can see through
it, but you cannot go beyond it because though the glass is transparent, it can
obstruct your movement. It is not like a brick wall, completely preventing your
vision, as Tamas does; it is not like a blowing wind which simply tosses you
here and there, as Rajas does; it is a plain glass, through which you can have
vision of Reality, but you cannot contact Reality nevertheless”.
Swamiji
also explains that these two aspects of Sattva have to be “dispelled by the power of higher wisdom”.
“Action, contemplation and knowledge are the three stages through which we have to pierce through the veil of Prakriti, or the three Gunas.”
All
this is a total movement and there is an internal interconnection of beings,
like every thread in a cloth being connected with every other thread. That is why salvation is universal, it
is not individual. When you attain to the Supreme Being, you become the
Universal Being.
The
spiritual practice of a Sadhaka is, therefore, to attain God-Realization, by confronting
the three forces of Tamas, Rajas and Sattva, gradually, stage by stage, in
their cosmic significance, always keeping in mind that we are not ‘islands’ and
are connected with everything”.
**
Note:
When we proceed further and the senses are brought under control, all the three
gunas are dissolved and a meditative mind rises above to a thoughtless state (Savikalpa
Samadhi).
**
Additional reading
Astavakra Gita -Commentary by Swami Chinmayananda
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