ADVENTURES IN ADVAITA VEDANTA...

Adventures in Advaita Vedanta, the philosophy and science of spirit. We are one you and I; are you curious why?..


Wishing, Fishing...

Hari Om

Each 'Choose-day' we will investigate the process by which we can reassess our activity and interaction with the world of plurality and become more congruent within our personality.

MANAGING THE MANAGER (cont'd) - Swami Swaroopananda

Attachments - Develop Right Thinking
Let us look at the internal attachments, the likes and dislikes that already exist in the mind. It is important to understand that everything in the world does not attract us - if you do not drink alcohol, the bottle of whisky on the table will never tempt you; but if you do, then the bottle seems almost to be calling you! The temptation is there because of your attachment, 'raaga'. The word raaga means ranjanatmakam, the fanciful imaginings of the mind. The mind creates desire, which forces us into wrong channels with its power of imagination; "what if…".

Used rightly, this can be the source of great discoveries and scientific developments. Gurudev would say 'imagination is the good force of the mind - but don't imagine your dreams, work for them!' In other words, by all means let the thought of "I wonder…" be the spark for action and don't linger in the wondering such that you become lost and no results arise. This is when we go into flights of fancy, prompting wrong actions and behaviours and the ladder of fall is set.

When a man thinks of objects, attachment for them arises; from attachment, desire is born; from desire comes anger (from not obtaining the desired thing); from anger arises delusion; from delusion, loss of or incorrect memory comes; from this, destruction of discrimination and without the gift of discerning the good from the bad, the wrong from the right, man is a poor animal indeed. Is it thus wrong to want the objects of the world? Not entirely. It is the intention and depth of desire behind the wanting which makes the difference. The "I want it!" obsession of a society which is essentially wealthy tends to be unhealthy. It knows no bounds to 'wanting' without at all needing. In such a society, even where there are comforts, jealousies and envies arise because others have what we want and we get disturbed at the not having… it is a bitter cycle.

How to overcome the negative desire, those hankerings which remain unsatisfied, causing us pain?  Draw into the object personality and analyse the desire - discover the attachment which has been developed and wonder at why such an attachment has developed in oneself. Weigh up the worth of that attachment; it is costing far more than the money which was not there to satisfy it… it is causing angst, anger, both of which work on the physical body, draining it of essential power which could be directed toward activity that would, in the end, satisfy that very desire! Such a complex creature is the human being.

Tendencies are difficult to remove, but can be replaced. On seeing the folly of the attachment and desire in a particular direction, we can look for something else which will satisfy, but cost us much less in our wealth and inner resources. This what is commonly referred to as 'getting real'. Look for what can be done and what can be obtained and what is worth your effort. Often, in doing this, the lustre of the original object of attraction dulls.

The mind must discover that, as shiny and sleek as that red ferrari the neighbour has, it is a totally impractical beast for family living and school runs! Whilst the MPV you have be able to afford not only serves the family, but your work also, thus paying its way and helping you towards home improvements and saving for later life.

Contemplate with this attitude, see the difference in such choices; form the habit of right thinking. 

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