Articles for Saadhana

Correspondence

03. 03. 2000

Poojya Swamiji,

Pranams at your Holy Feet. Pranams to Naya Swamiji and Mataji.

With your blessings, sadhana is progressing well, in the sense that agitations that used to grip the mind are drastically reduced. Understanding the laws of nature, nature of others around, moving around in this world attending to obligatory duties, using every occasion to sublimate the mind, life is going on.

Still, the ‘Ultimate’ that Vedanta speaks about is far off. Why? I look for an answer in my lifestyle. Other than attending office and other usual duties in the house, I don’t get involved in anything. Even going to temple is only once in a way. I have stopped reading altogether. I just hear Swamiji’s commentary on sthitaprajna before going to sleep.

Perhaps the feverishness in the work-place may be the main cause. Recently the Bank has announced the date for a competitive examination for the promotion to Manager cadre. I am also one of the eligible candidates for the examination. All my batch mates have started preparation in full gear.

After seeing my colleagues getting ready for the examination, my mind has also started forcing me to take the test with all seriousness, putting all other activities to a full stop. Sadhana and all other things went back and mind is occupied only with the examination, so much so that I have not even read last month’s Vicharasetu fully.

Up to this, things may be all right. But with such an involvement, desires and expectations also increase. I don’t know how the mind will react, in case I am not through. After all, it is not an academic examination and only a few will be able to get through.

With this kind of involvement in the worldly life, how can I say I am making progress in spiritual life. Swamiji says that only when desires fall, the jnana will come. Why am I not able to pull the mind from this feverishness in spite of understanding vedanta which says happiness lies within and not in external chasing?

Swamiji, you have written that the more and more one gets confirmed about the Soul, in the Soul, the quicker worldly desires fall. So the only solution seems to be to get dipped in the omnipotent and omnipresent Soul within.

I lead a disciple’s life. I have been observing perfect celibacy ever since the birth of the child. I don’t allow my mind to get involved in anybody or their activities except perhaps about the small child who is growing up. The body is active, vibrant and does not have any ailment. Then what prevents me from progressing in the sadhana of Self-realization?

When I try to think about this, what surfaces in the mind is the type of food I eat. I definitely eat vegetarian diet. But I find that even in vegetarian diet some items are definitely not conducive to sadhana. Given a choice, I would like to have a salt free, chilly free diet, at least for some time to see the reaction of the mind.

But this is not possible in the family set up. I cannot cook for myself separately in the house. I cannot compel others to cook food the way I want. At the same time, I cannot go without food also, giving mental trouble for people around. Even my mind will not permit such a total abstinence from food. Then what is the solution?

Swamiji, I have great regards for you. When you were here, I was attending the lectures. However I was not taking much interest in the activities of Brahma Vidya Centre. Sometime I feel guilty about it.

I am involved in the office as well as the household life. Both of them are pulling me left and right making the process of realization of Brahman difficult. I cannot run away from these two as both are dependent on each other. Once I get out, I can leave both.

In such a situation, why take up involvement in something else – even if it is propagation of Brahma Vidya? How can I invite people to listen to the knowledge of Brahman, when I myself don’t have full knowledge? Will it not result in another involvement? If things did not move the way my mind wants, it will only get agitated. Of course I do tell about Swamiji and the Ashram to the very few people close to me. Whether my reasoning is correct or not – please guide.

When I received the letter from Ashram, I was inspired to pour out my mind. My pranams again, seeking your blessings for early attainment of Atmajnana, 

Yours,

 R

06. 03. 2000

Dear and blessed R,

Harih Om Tat Sat. Your letter of 3rd March came this afternoon. I have read all that you have written. It no doubt indicates your sincerity in spiritual pursuit and the conflicts it generates in the mind. But beyond this, there is also the play of some delusions, which, to some extent, are natural to many, if not all. It is here that fondness and intimacy with the Guru become necessary, by which alone corrections and ease can be had. It is not easy for anyone to become very close with a person, especially with the Guru. At the same time, there are some hearts that take to such closeness like a fish to water.

1. You are a householder. You are also a professional. Is there any question of denying or disregarding the fact? Whatever you do and wish to do, should and can only be in extension of these, not in denial creating any confrontation or conflict at any time. Do you understand the point?

2. In the professional front, when the subject of considering you for higher placement arises, it has to be responded to with all naturalness and alacrity. The great social institute called Banking will need able and suitable men at different levels to perform the corporate tasks. From your side, you look at it only as your promotion. From the Bank’s side, it is getting the right people to do the much needed tasks. So, to respond to the call, is quite in order. Not to respond will be disharmonious with nature’s scheme and rhythm. Your outlook has to be changed from a selfish one to a universal one!

3. Human psychology sanctions and even insists upon doing so. Shed all your delusions, then, in this regard. Of course, there can be a rare instance where one does not want to rise and undergo the consequences that follow. In such a case, you can exercise the option to remain what and where you are. Is this applicable to you? Then why resent, and do anything resentfully at all?

4. So, take to your studies and go for the test as it comes. The spiritual side consists in preparing and appearing for the occasion, but without fostering any ambition and the resultant tension. Again, after appearing, do not be victimised either by dejection or even by elation.

In fact, your spiritual pursuit faces a good opportunity, because of the multiple emotions the whole episode may evoke. It is like entering waters and having to remain afloat. The correction you need is to shed the counter notes in your mind by a thorough examination with a natural harmony and openness.

5. There are some who accept the voluntary or early retirement schemes offered by the employer. Denial of promotion can also be like that. Dr. SN Prasad was a disciple of mine, an eminent scientist in the Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Jadavpur, Calcutta. He was the deputy director. After he got exposed to my talks and took initiation, his attitude towards employment and promotion changed. He decided not to apply for promotion to the post of Director, but instead devote his time and effort for further research. It was at this time that he and his team invented a Laser glass, something creditable for the nation. He was made a professor-emeritus, after he retired. Take your lessons from this episode.

6. Then comes your point on celibacy. Celibacy is a discipline aimed at bringing sublimation and purity to the mind. But it has got different phases and emphases. The unmarried is a celibate. Till marriage, all are, of course, celibates. A widower will also be a celibate. The married must no doubt, eschew over-indulgence or extra-marital fascinations. Discipline is there thus in every phase and front.

What is the kind and measure of celibacy to be practised by one, is a crucial question. In Calcutta, one very good seeker and devotee spoke to me, expressing his yearning to be free of lust and anger. I closed my eyes for a while, and felt very sympathetic to him. “What lust are you talking about? You are married. Your wife is very good. You have children too. With all these, where does the question of lust come in at all? Whatever little sensuality, natural to the mind and body is there should be getting sublimated through meaningful and regulated expression over the years that have passed. In fact, such a gradual moderation and sublimation is inevitable and this is what married life is meant to bring about, besides its other objectives, like raising a family for preserving the lineage.“

The newly married have invariably their honey moon. But will it be for ever? Every week and month of being together must bring more of purity and sublimity. Purity does not depend merely upon celibacy or the absence of it. Will not householders be pure? If they were not, and there were no scope for it, how do they give birth to good and saintly children at all? Do not, therefore, underrate the dignity, elegance or rationale of the householder life. It is in a way, like the sea of rivers, the source of all the other Ashrams, including that of the ascetics!

Once this becomes clear, try to think what is the level of purity the householder is expected to yearn for and maintain, and what is the right place of celibacy in it. This is a point, many seekers do not know and also perhaps neglect to know. An unmarried seeker must be a full-fold celibate, naturally. A householder cannot and should not be so. He has a wife and all his considerations must be only after taking his partner into account.

Srimad Bhaagavata has clearly set it forth. The householder is quite Dharmik and pure, if he makes the habit of meeting the wife when she is a rtu-snata. Rtu-snata means, when she has had her bath after the monthly period. The whole sublimation and purity will be ensured by conforming to this one restriction, which enfolds both parties. On the other hand, to deny oneself or the other the necessary freedom and indulgence is an adharmik step, even sinful!

So the right discipline is to be abstemious; it is quite different from abstaining, avoiding totally. Total avoidance is neither desirable nor permitted even. In fact, if in the name of anything whatsoever, you take to abstention, it will be hypocritical, as Sri Krishna has said in the 3rd chapter verse 6 of Geeta. The result will be quite adverse and destructive too. You are deluded in this matter. Be humble and open. Be rightly informed.

You are married. You both are young. You have become a parent. Be husbandly as well as fatherly. In loving your wife and child, you will only become more lovable and pure. Love of any kind is lovable. Hatred of any kind is hatable. Have an open mind. Do not boast or misunderstand seeking and spoil matters in its name.

Let your heart expand, deepen and become lighter. This will take place when you appreciate more, assimilate more and are able to contain more.

7. Then comes the question of your taking interest in Brahma Vidya Centre. The whole spiritual effort is to blend sva and para – one’s own interest with those of others – beautifully. The mind is selfish to begin with. It can think for itself, not for others. This selfishness must dissolve, and in its place selflessness must reign. It is actually an expansion, expansion of the selfish point of view.

See, you like my talks. You perhaps got to know of me through my discourses or books, both of which will be available only with the dedicated efforts of some ardent seekers. So, when a group of dedicated sadhakas are making a joint effort to give an opportunity for others to similarly get exposed, how is it that you feel your helping the process will pose a conflict to your personal seeking? If the believers do not take part in it, then, who else will coordinate jnana yajnas?

You apparently think: “Let me know about Brahma Vidya well, before...........” Before what? Before you become illumined? Search your heart deeply. Is not the mind trying to cover up its selfishness by posing sincerity? Where does the question of your own illumination come here at all? You will get illumined by your sadhana. Here is a question of making a complementary effort, by devoting some time in the year, to conduct a Jnana Yajna which can enlighten and benefit scores of others. Can you not spend a little of your time, effort and resources for others? Is this not the first step in spiritual expansion? Can any society survive without some individuals who have social reflections and who, with a compulsion and delight, strive to serve the society in one way or another?

Also, such joint effort will surely reveal many notes in oneself and others. And sufficient adjustment, forbearance and assimilation will become necessary. It is a very good occasion for interactional sadhana. This year in Jamshedpur, for the first time, we conducted the Vishnusahasranama Yajna in an open pandal. This meant a lot of joint work during the entire previous day – with over 60 people, men and women, working very hard to set the Yajnasala, and decorate it with kolam and floral garlands and designs. We too were there for the whole day, observing each doing his or her part, and making all perform the task devotionally, generating purity. We found the need for a great deal of instruction in every matter. It is one thing to say and claim devotion and surrender. But it is quite different to display and be governed by its depth and sublimity. Many felt enlightened, corrected and improved.

Starting with cleaning of flowers to arranging the place for preparing prasadam, spreading mud and cow-dung on the yajnasala wherever necessary, making pedestals for the lamps etc, every one had to learn the devotional attunement and depth.

If you participate in the Brahma Vidya satsangs and the seekers’ joint efforts, that itself will bring forth a significant development and expansion in you. The very fact that you consider it to be antagonistic to your sadhana, indicates the gap in your spiritual personality and assessment.

So, do an in-depth search and evaluation about what constitutes sadhana and how it would become wholesome.

8. About the food habits and your choice for a more satvik type, do not precipitate any undue conflict. Discuss the subject with your wife, and let her prepare something acceptable to both you and her. I am sure she will be quite receptive and considerate.

Ma and Naya Swamiji send you loving good wishes. Loving Shivasis from me. Tell your wife and child also. The Trichur programme starts from 26th. The brochure they have released is enclosed. 

With love and Shivasis, 

Yours,

-Swamiji

 

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