Leela Kaivalya Vahini
(Awareness of the Cosmic Sport Divine, meditation and self-confidence, purification of consciousness)
Spiritual exercises like puja (worship), bhajan (adoration), and dhyana (meditation) are activities prompted by bhakti (devotion). Argumentations about their efficacy should not be indulged in by those who are unaware of the depths and heights to which they can lead. These can be gained and judged only through actual practice. The proof lies in one’s personal experience only. Longing for paramarthika jeevan (spiritual life) is aroused in the sadhaka (seeker), either by a quest for fundamental principles or by the felt need for lasting joy. Mere longing will not grant success. Sadhana (spiritual exercise) has to be undertaken. It is important, also, to examine oneself and assess in detail one’s firmness of aspirations and attitudes before embarking on the sadhana.
All religions of the present day are unsatisfactory to the youth of today. They feel that some of these are old-fashioned, some appear to be out of place and some strike them as indecent and lowly. The young aspirants feel very scared that they will be ridiculed by their friends if they practice them. Such people spend time by indulging only in incessant talk. They turn over the pages of thousands of books but stay away from putting anything that they have read into practice. Such are the ones who come forward to indulge in meaningless argumentations.
Far more valuable than the scholarship gathered from the reading of a million books is the grain of direct experience of yathartha jnana (Absolute Reality or Ultimate Wisdom) gained through actual practice of spiritual exercises. As one cultivates and is deep-rooted in this direct experience, arguments and criticism with others will cease. All arguments will be within one’s self only and, finally, one realizes and gets established in the Absolute Truth.
A word to those who are lacking in self-confidence, who refrain from putting into practice the spiritual exercises, who are overwhelmed by the burden of worldly responsibilities and anxieties, and to those who find themselves unable to pray to the Highest, either because they have condemned themselves weak and undeserving, or because they have no faith in the Highest. Enormous is the number of those who live their days in all sorts of worldly joys. We, too, have enjoyed the worldly joys and are so, now. But, everyone is destined to disappear one day, as generations have already done. We too will disappear. Therefore, everyone must desire and adopt every means to attain peace of mind and experience an ideal, exemplary life.
Born as human beings, one should not disown the unique nature of humans. One should not forget even for a moment the genuine characteristics of humans and must live as a true human. One should never degrade oneself to the level of beasts; or a level, which is far worse and despicable, that of asuras (demonic beings). Man must firmly resolve that he would not allow himself to fall into these depths. The spiritual path alone can arouse and sustain that resolution, which alone can awaken and strengthen such sacred yearnings.
It is necessary to emphasize that, in order to successfully confront the problems that arise in one’s daily living, one has also to possess worldly intelligence and skills, in addition to the qualities of moral, virtuous and spiritual excellence. Both these attainments, vyavaharika (transactional) and paramarthika (Absolute or Eternal Truth), are essential for progress, as essential as two wings for a bird or two wheels for a cart. The importance of the higher path that leads to the Highest can be realized, only by experiencing and understanding the worldly life.
When the truth that the world is delusional and impermanent is realized, one becomes truly aware of the sacredness of the paramarthika that the spiritual path leads to.
This awareness cannot be won through the piling of wealth, or of worldly power and status, or by scholastic attainments. It can be won through chitta shuddhi (purification of one’s mind) in all its facets and with earnest desire.
While traversing in this path, there naturally arise various obstacles, like doubts and dogmas, purposeless arguments, and flimsy fancies.
From the coming ugadi (New Year) festival day, this series under the name, Leela Kaivalya Vahini, will dissolve all such obstacles, clear all such doubts and dogmas, and fill you with peace and immerse you in ananda (happiness). It will lead you to the spiritual path. Meanwhile, await the message.
Peace of Mind and Ideal Life
(Awareness of the Cosmic Sport Divine, meditation and self-confidence, purification of consciousness)
Spiritual exercises like puja (worship), bhajan (adoration), and dhyana (meditation) are activities prompted by bhakti (devotion). Argumentations about their efficacy should not be indulged in by those who are unaware of the depths and heights to which they can lead. These can be gained and judged only through actual practice. The proof lies in one’s personal experience only. Longing for paramarthika jeevan (spiritual life) is aroused in the sadhaka (seeker), either by a quest for fundamental principles or by the felt need for lasting joy. Mere longing will not grant success. Sadhana (spiritual exercise) has to be undertaken. It is important, also, to examine oneself and assess in detail one’s firmness of aspirations and attitudes before embarking on the sadhana.
All religions of the present day are unsatisfactory to the youth of today. They feel that some of these are old-fashioned, some appear to be out of place and some strike them as indecent and lowly. The young aspirants feel very scared that they will be ridiculed by their friends if they practice them. Such people spend time by indulging only in incessant talk. They turn over the pages of thousands of books but stay away from putting anything that they have read into practice. Such are the ones who come forward to indulge in meaningless argumentations.
Far more valuable than the scholarship gathered from the reading of a million books is the grain of direct experience of yathartha jnana (Absolute Reality or Ultimate Wisdom) gained through actual practice of spiritual exercises. As one cultivates and is deep-rooted in this direct experience, arguments and criticism with others will cease. All arguments will be within one’s self only and, finally, one realizes and gets established in the Absolute Truth.
A word to those who are lacking in self-confidence, who refrain from putting into practice the spiritual exercises, who are overwhelmed by the burden of worldly responsibilities and anxieties, and to those who find themselves unable to pray to the Highest, either because they have condemned themselves weak and undeserving, or because they have no faith in the Highest. Enormous is the number of those who live their days in all sorts of worldly joys. We, too, have enjoyed the worldly joys and are so, now. But, everyone is destined to disappear one day, as generations have already done. We too will disappear. Therefore, everyone must desire and adopt every means to attain peace of mind and experience an ideal, exemplary life.
Born as human beings, one should not disown the unique nature of humans. One should not forget even for a moment the genuine characteristics of humans and must live as a true human. One should never degrade oneself to the level of beasts; or a level, which is far worse and despicable, that of asuras (demonic beings). Man must firmly resolve that he would not allow himself to fall into these depths. The spiritual path alone can arouse and sustain that resolution, which alone can awaken and strengthen such sacred yearnings.
It is necessary to emphasize that, in order to successfully confront the problems that arise in one’s daily living, one has also to possess worldly intelligence and skills, in addition to the qualities of moral, virtuous and spiritual excellence. Both these attainments, vyavaharika (transactional) and paramarthika (Absolute or Eternal Truth), are essential for progress, as essential as two wings for a bird or two wheels for a cart. The importance of the higher path that leads to the Highest can be realized, only by experiencing and understanding the worldly life.
When the truth that the world is delusional and impermanent is realized, one becomes truly aware of the sacredness of the paramarthika that the spiritual path leads to.
This awareness cannot be won through the piling of wealth, or of worldly power and status, or by scholastic attainments. It can be won through chitta shuddhi (purification of one’s mind) in all its facets and with earnest desire.
While traversing in this path, there naturally arise various obstacles, like doubts and dogmas, purposeless arguments, and flimsy fancies.
From the coming ugadi (New Year) festival day, this series under the name, Leela Kaivalya Vahini, will dissolve all such obstacles, clear all such doubts and dogmas, and fill you with peace and immerse you in ananda (happiness). It will lead you to the spiritual path. Meanwhile, await the message.