Arrest the Bandits

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.

We are reading "Tips for Happy Living - jIvnsUÇai[ /jiivanasuutraani", by Swami Tejomayananda (Guru-ji). Choose-days writings are here to prompt deeper thinking on the choices made on a daily basis and seek to provide prompts for raising the standard of one's thinking and living. This text composed in format of Sanskrit traditional teachings, speaks directly to this purpose. As ever, the full text may be obtained from CM Publications - or your local centre (see sidebar).

"Mind Your Mind" is the subtitle given to chapter seven of our text. Think 'shaantiH, shaantiH, shaantiH"! What is most precious to man and how does he lose it?

kam³aexaidivkarap[a< n vzmagCDet!.1.

Man>zaiNtivvekinxenaRzkTvat.2.

Kaama-krodhaadi-vikaaraanaam na vasham-aagachcchet ||1||

manaHshaanti-vivekanidher-naashakatvaat ||2||

One should not come under the sway of vices like desire, anger and so on.

They being the destroyers of the wealth and mental peace.

We would not easily put at stake what we value; we safeguard whatever we consider precious. We invest much 'value' in 'stuff', but also our physical health. What of our mental health and wellbeing though? We unwittingly surrender our power and permit other people and situations to rob us of our discrimination and peace of mind. The slightest provocation, a hint of an insult, a minor discomfort, an imagined loss, anger or jealousy… any of these disturbs our mental poise and thinking capacity.

To remain totally unaffected by likes, dislikes, anger etc., may initially seem impossible. However, we can become aware of them arising within us and not get swayed and swept away by them. We can discipline ourselves so that they do not overwhelm us or loot our inner tranquility.

How does one overcome anger? The simple answer is - do not get angry in the first place! It requires a simple flick of the mental switch. The act of doing requires effort, not-doing does not. Likewise, becoming angry is an action therefore requires energy. Not becoming angry is effortless. Yet we somehow have transposed this in ourselves and we put energy into 'not getting angry'.  Simply, don't be angry. If you wish to exhaust yourself, weary yourself of the world, by all means, exert the energy required for anger.

Also, when we value mental peace as true wealth, and when we realise that likes and dislikes and resultant desire, anger, greed, delusion, arrogance and jealousy are our enemies,  we will not give into them so readily. We will recognise them as wayside bandits who destroy our knowledge and wisdom.

Know Humility

Hari OM

Application - that is what 'Workings-days' are about!

The Narada Bhakti Sutra is our guide for a while… the nature of Love (with the capital 'ell') and a full exploration of it. As always, you are encouraged to seek out the full text from Chinmaya Publications (links in side-bar); but for those who prefer e-readers, this version is recommended. Whilst awareness and interest can be raised by these posts on AV-blog, they cannot substitute for a thorough reading and contemplation...and practice!
 

Chapter Six, Section Two - Obstacles to Practice.

What next can present a hurdle for the seeker? Narada-ji proceeds;

Ai_amandM_aaidk< TyaJym!.64.

Abhimaanadam-bhaadikam tyaajyam ||64||

Pride, vanity and other such negative urges of the mind, ought to be given up.

It is clear and is a message found in all spiritual philosophies. We all of us carry pride in some way. It may not be overt and obviously egotistical. A mother will be proud when a child is turned out well. This of itself is not necessarily to be considered a bad thing - for there is self esteem to be considered in the equation - but it is when such pride becomes a matter of boast, even within a family, that it starts to cloud our judgement on things or present as interfering, controlling and such like. Whilst this, or vanity - excessive primping and preening of one's appearance in an attempt to garner attention - are an ever-present risk for the saadhaka, so are the associated states of jealousy, hypocrisy and such like. Ego is the at the base of all these negatives, but it is also the ego which can drive the saadhaka towards the higher. How?

tdipRtaiolavar> sn! kam³aexai_amanaidk< tiSmNnev kr[Iym!.65.

Tadarpita-akhilaavaaraH san kaama-krodha-abhimaana-adhikam tasminneva karaniiyam ||65||

Having dedicated all activities unto That (Him), one should turn all desire, anger, pride et cetera towards That alone.

Whilst the ego still roils within us, let us at least turn it to positive use. Take pride in saadhana! Take pride in bhakti! Take pride in learning of being an improved personality. Then begin the work of overcoming even spiritual pride.

Dedicate all actions and thoughts, including those which are of prideful nature, to the Higher Element. This does not mean that one ought to seek excuse for rude and egotistic behaviour, justifying the negatives as being of the Lord. What a waste of effort that would be, one which would yield no genuine spiritual return. No. Rather, when you begin the spiritual journey properly, you will begin to acknowledge more readily when it is your small self which is rising instead of permitting the Higher to make an instrument of you and in this way you can 'catch' yourself and beg forgiveness of the Higher, placing the action or thought at that inner altar and standing upon it to crush the tendency and engender better levels of humility and ego-less service.

At the moment we conduct our interaction with the world based upon our ego-centric self, seeking to fulfil all that is required for this body, the one with which we "I"dentify as well as the mind and intellect within it. A true bhakta surrenders the BMI aspects of his or her being at the feet of chosen Iishta and begs to become only an instrument of Love.

We must constantly guard against the actions doing one thing - appearing 'good' - but the mind doing another. The lusts and longings are pernicious thoughts and can work independently - or so it seems at times! Whenever these arise, let the witness-self (saakshii) grasp them and offer these up to the Higher with a request for forgiveness. Seek to eradicate all traces of likes and dislikes, angers, passion, selfisness and so on from within. Argument is made that without the six key mental conditions (kaama/desire, krodha/anger, lobha/arrogance, moha/delusion, maada/miserliness and matsarya/jealousy or competitiveness), there would be no motivation to act at all and life would become chaos. This is not disputed, in fact. What is being said is that these conditions are ever present, but what must be done is direct them to the Higher.

Bhaktisaadhana, devotional practice, does require mind; however, one who begins this journey must now face up to how unruly the mind has become and seek to bring the rebellious nature under full intellectual control. Quietening the mind is essential for spiritual practice. Begin this by directing all the negatives towards the One Positive, to Naaraayana. When desires or anger and such arise, let the first remembrance be of the Lord and offer them up. HE will then assist in turning the negative forces into energy which can be used positively.

Transform your anger into work for good; don't rage about how the homeless must be freezing in the winter - search out your spare blankets and deliver them to the places where they will be of use. Your anger will have translated into an act of Love. Don't sit and fester about what you do not have; instead, mark off the good things and if something essential is truly lacking, lay your request with full heart and humility before HE. If it is your due, it will come to you. Do not constantly complain about what other's have and let your heart turn green; keep what you have yourself in fine condition and know the value of one solid thing outweighing multiple flashy items… know the difference between needing and wanting and when this is a struggle, lay before the Lord and seek help.

You and you alone are in control of these impulses. Seek not to divert blame for your lack of, or inability to apply, self-discipline. 

Recognise and Decide.

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

Managing the Six Mighty Forces (cont'd)

We saw two last week; kaama and krodha. Let us complete.

Lobha - Greed.

Keeping one's needs to the minimum conquers greed and leads to संतोष /santosha (satisfaction). Santosha lies not in the fulfilment of all desires, but in the realisation there is actually plenty already. Thus another use of the word santosha is 'contentment'. From this we get the inkling that desire, anger and greed arise from a feeling that we are lacking in something, a sense of being 'poor'…

A simple method to cultivate satisfaction is to write down five things that you are grateful for - five blessings you have felt in any given day. Soon, the realisation dawns how much you already have. Then you can never become a beggar.

Satisfaction comes from gratitude; when we are grateful for what we have, we stop complaining about what we do not have.

Moha - Delusion.

The delusion referred to here is that of what is Real and what is not. Right knowledge and right thinking overcome delusion. If one remains steady on the path of dharma - righteousness - as guided by the scriptures one will never get deluded. If the mind is kept occupied on duties, there will be no time for unnecessary distractions and delusions are easily conquered.

Ahamkaara - Pride (ego)

Use the writing tool again - but this time write down the things of which you are proud. You may be a good singer, for example, or clever with figures… in addition, write down the contribution of others in your success.

Firstly, not everyone can sing, and for those who can, it is good remember it is a gift of God.

Secondly, remembering that you did not succeed in your field or hobby without the input of, perhaps, parents who paid for lessons, teachers who gave those lessons, neighbours who tolerated the practice...When you acknowledge the contribution of others in helping you achieve, your pride moderates and gratitude will help you express the appreciation through doing our duties and serving others in turn.

Matsarya - Jealousy

This should be seen as nothing but a distortion of admiration. The substitution of admiration for jealousy is the key to overcoming this monster.  If you think someone is better than you at something, don't moan about it, but rather attempt to become better at that thing yourself. Emulate their aptitude and don't waste your energy in attempting to pull that person down or cast slanders. If someone appears to have more than you do… refer back to lobha!

Often, matsarya is related to appearances. Remind yourself that no matter the surface, it is what lies beneath that makes all the difference in matters of beauty, and a refined personality, bright with the colour of Love, is the most attractive thing of all. Resolve to refine and brighten yourself so that you shine among all other lights.

Take All As Prasaad.

In conclusion, take everything as the Lord's प्रसाद /prasaad - gift of beneficence. Do your duty; do whatever work is required of you; do it all as an offering to Him. Then whatever comes, whatever life gives you, be satisfied and accept it as His will. Once that acceptance is developed there will be no anger, no frustration, no depression, no dejection, or laziness. The moment there is laziness or depression, admonish your mind, get yourself into some activity, do something you enjoy. The best thing is to serve others for this leads to a great sense of achievement and fulfilment.

Thus we conclude this little writing from Swami-ji. Remember that all the posts here on Choose-day are about helping to clarify some of the basics of making choices in life. To say that 'you are who you are' as a result of your birth is only a part of the story. Ultimately, we can only ever be who we are as a result of the choices we make - whatever the circumstances.