by Sri Bimal Mohanty
VOL No. 46
December . 2004

 


  Atma
 Knowledge
 Creation
 God
 Spiritualism
 Sanatan

 Questions
 e-mail

THE DEBATE- FORM OR FORMLESS? Part 3

"Based on the lectures by Sri Bimal Mohanty"

QUESTIONS FROM READERS

QUESTION 1 from DR Vidur Jyoti

Who sits when one sits to meditate or does penance or sadhana?

ANSWER: What a wonderful question? This question of ‘who?’ or Koham is unique to sanatan philosophy and as I know, no other spiritual philosophy has gone so much into depth of this subject as sanatan philosophy has done.

Contrary to the common perception, this unique creation of jiva or individual soul (and more so this highly developed human life) is never a single level, single dimensional entity. In a broad perspective we all exist in three levels of consciousness. Sri Aurobindo’s words here from essays on the Gita states it very well. He says ‘the existence of man is a triple web, a thing mysteriously physical-vital, mental and spiritual.’ In each of these catagories of course, there are as many layers from ordinary mortal humans to enlightened divine souls at the other end. The truth realisation and retention of truth, the process, the participation as well as transformation is different at each level.

If we look at sadhana, not as any individual’s effort in isolation, but as a divine process, in which the entire creation is involved ( with all of us as mere constituents) in its journey towards satchidananda, then it becomes a part of that mahayajna, which is described as the leela of The Lord. Individuals, at each level of their consciousness, become either active participants or passively nature driven. If I am no different from the divine, then my sadhana, is also His sadhana.

So when I say ‘I am a sadhak’ (spiritual practitioner), It is combined effort of all levels of the ‘being’ or jiva’s existence, vital, mental and spiritual and all other intermediary levels. It is a holistic approach to evolution. And what is more, the Lord himself, residing within us is also part of this process, assisting us in our efforts. He says : yogakshemam vahaamyaham. ‘I secure what is not yet achieved in sadhanA, and I preserve what has already been achieved.’ It is the active participation of the antahkarana, the body, mind, intellect and the ego at all levels that enhances the quality of our sadhanA, and speeds up our progress.

This is a unique approach that sanatan philosophy gives to sadhanA.

As said before, considering, the entire creation as a matrix, homogenous and comprehensive ‘process’ that is moving towards its final goal, taking all of us in its fold, is another interesting way to understand the working of the creation and the efforts of its constituents. There is a mahayajna, the grand cosmic endevour, that is unfolding before us in which all of us are involved. All our tiny efforts are governed by a divine principle, that dictates all our actions.

Ishwarah sarvabhootAnaam hriddeshe’rjuna tishthati;
BhrAmayan sarvabhootAni yantrAroodhAni mAyayA

The Lord, residing in the hearts of all beings, O Arjuna, causes all beings, by His power of principle, to move towards their goal as if mounted on a machine!

QUESTION 2 from SRI AMULYA GHOSH

When there is tension in the family and rift between family members, what is the spiritual approach to the problem?

ANSWER:Yours is a very interesting and topical question at that.

Spirituality covers every facet of our existence, -not only our existence but that of the entire creation. Therefore all problems and their solutions can be approached from that standpoint..

As we have also discussed in the pages of AHWAN, The entire creation, from the all pervading viswa level to the limited personal level is based on principle of harmony, a dynamic harmony. The universal and divine principle of cause and effect, maintains through nature, this dynamic harmony.

This principle embraces both positivity and negativity that exists around us. Peace is maintained when there is a balance, and any imbalance creates disharmony, that is manifested in rifts.

If the surroundings (that include homes, workplaces, societies et all) have predominance of positivity, we have a conducive and happier atmosphere and negativity brings in conflicts and unhappiness.

Positivity results from sentiments like God awareness, equanimity, compassion, love, and sacrifice etc. Negativity comes from sense dictated desires and ego satisfaction.

As advised in the Bhagavad Gita, peace reigns only in the absence of desires, longings, without the sense of “mine” and egoism.

(VihAya kAmAn yah sarvAn pumAmshcharati nihsprihah;
Nirmamo nirahankArah sa shAntim adhigacchati.)

However, we the human beings, at least most of us, are creatures of desires and ego pressure. We are driven by desires- material desires-, in some form or other through out our lives, until we have succeeded in overcoming our desires as the scriptures repeatedly urge us. Whether we like it or not, in life there is a constant flow of negativity in families, groups or communities, which can create disharmony.

So how is this to be tackled? We can not wish away negativity. They are part of life.

Spiritual approach to this, is to infuse positive sentiments as much as possible, with conscious efforts, and counter the negative vibrations. Overnight results can not happen, but sustained efforts most certainly work. Even a single person with God consciousness, and positive thoughts of mind, when present in a family or a group, dispels ill effects to a large extent.

In our Indian way of living, in joint families, respectful submission to elders in the group, has precisely this effect. We vow by deva dvija guru prajna pujanam (reverence towards divine attributes, truth seekers, preceptors, and knowers of truth) because of the constant flow of positive vibrations we receive from them for the benefit of all. The elders in the family in the Indian culture are not abandoned in ‘home’s, but revered and respected in the family and group fold. Since as commonly seen, people of advanced age normally spend more time in spiritual quest, the positive vibrations keep flowing from them and keep negative influences at bay.

Whenever a family, a group or a community is under strife, it is due to the relative absence of the positive vibrations around. It invariably shows that individuals or more, have somehow not paying or paid attention to the sentiments and actions that generate positive vibrations and have been indulging in desire driven actions.

While past influences (sanskAra or karmaphala) play their part, the remedy lies in conscious efforts in generating positive vibrations with a spiritual approach. That is the only way life is meant to be lived intelligently and happily. Wherever there are positive vibrations there is peace and round happiness. You can physically experience this when you enter a place of worship, a place of true learning, or a place of beauty or a home of a pious person.

It is incumbent upon every person to eschew negative feelings and live as much as possible – even against odds- under the influence of positive feelings. All happy families have this in common.

The source of positive thoughts is contained in spiritual approach to life. If such consciousness is absent in families, groups, societies or nations, happiness will always elude us..

QUESTION 3 from SRI BABA KRUSHNANANDA

Which religious books Veda prohibits women from reading Vedas and performing rites etc. ?

ANSWER:Let us approach this issue from the spiritual standpoint.

The Vedas are the source for all that is known as the knowledge of the absolute, the true knowledge, the jnAnam, jneyam and jnAnagamyam. Knowing this knowledge from the Vedas, the Brahman is to be known, which is the ultimate goal of every created being in this entire creation.

Study of the Vedas is the process by which this knowledge is acquired. SwAdhyAyan or study of the scriptures is an essential part of sAdhanA..

The Scriptural Trinity – PrasthAnatrayam- which constitute the final authority on scriptural matters, are the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. These do not advocate denial of knowledge to any created being, who is desirous of pursuing the spiritual path. (shraddhAvAn, mumuksyu, tapasvi, yogi et all).

How can they? It is the birth right of every created being to rise and ultimately be united with Brahman or Satchidananda. Gender, caste, creed differences are meaningless in this divine scheme of things. All are from the same source - the mahatyoni- hence essentially equal, and none is inferior to another.

Historically, even from vedic times, we have great exponents of vaidic knowledge, who were women.

As regards the rites and rituals, these are again part of the process of acquiring the knowledge- the jnAnayajna. Although we see and foolishly perform rituals purely from the purpose of material benefits, the esoteric meaning of all rituals is to understand and enhance our consciousness of that Absolute, BrahmachetanA. Therefore none is, or can be prohibited from pursuing rites.

Ofcourse there are conditions and discipline laid out depending on physical and mental conditions, time, place, preparations etc. for engaging in swAdhyAyan, yajna, pujan etc. for best results. But they are applicable to all. Wherever any restrictions are mentioned their meaning is not to be twisted out of context