Control of body and mind are different

Now let us endeavor to enter the domain of mind, examine the reality of soul and experience its existence with the help of paranormal powers inherent in the depths of the mind. All seekers throughout the world have been adopting the same methodology. For understanding elementary facts about any subject, there is no alternative to application of penetrating intelligence inherent in the discovery of the reality of self world also require the aid of illumined intelligence. The science of spirituality calls this process as Yoga.

There are many disciplines of Yoga. Some amongst these are meant for health and physical fitness. Others are for spiritual Sadhana. However, good health is an essential prerequisite for entering the path of this Sadhana. The higher disciplines of Yoga comprise Pratyahar (Inward withdrawal of mind and senses from their objects), Dharana (concentration), Dhyan (meditation) and Samadhi (state of Trance) successively. Spiritual seekers also follow many other disciplines - like, Yam, Niyam, Asan, Pranayama etc. The Hath Yogis carry out procedures of Neti, Dhoti, Vasti, Vajroli and other exercise for physical fitness and control. Other have their own specific methods for physical fitness. All of these are basically meant to keep the body healthy so that problems of the body do not create obstacles in course of mind control exercises. The seekers are advised to maintain good health with simple exercises. In today's environment, it is neither advisable nor necessary to follow the traditional ancient physical exercises of Yoga, involving intricate postures.

It would be unfair to ask a person living in a polluted environment of a city to carry out intense Pranayama practices. Such difficult exercises were prescribed for those seekers of yore who lived in the unpolluted environment of the hills, took only fresh fruits for meals, and used unpolluted water from the mountain springs or streams and observed continence. There is no logic in asking a frog to wear a horseshoe. It would kill the frog. Today there is general awareness about the norms for healthy living and these should be strictly adhered to. If there is some disease, an expert medical practitioner of the discipline may be consulted. For our present objective, however, no such physical standards of health are necessary for which one may require prolonged treatment or prior training. Normal health and a relaxed, happy attitude are the only two prerequisites.

Preparation for meditation

 Choose a quite place. It is advisable to find a place from of things which may provoke fear or distraction. Since it is not always possible to find an ideal, totally noiseless place, as far as possible, a place having least noise may be chosen. It is preferable to have a fixed place for daily meditation. If it is not possible to find an ideal place, that is, in a forest, on a hill or bank of a river, select a small chamber, where mind is not likely to be distracted. Be seated comfortably, keeping the back straight. It is not necessary to stiffen the neck and chest or to cross the legs, since it might induce discomfort in parts of the body, which will repeatedly send signals to the mind, disturbing its equanimity. Let the body be totally loosened, so that all muscles become relaxed. Let each part of the body feel tension-free, peaceful and at complete rest. A comfortable chair is best suited for this posture. Lying flat on the bed, face upwards, would also serve the purpose, but the head has to be raised a little. Alternatively, one may sit with the back resting against a wall, with a cushion behind the back. Whatever be the sitting posture, the bodu should be loosened like a ball of cotton, so that there does not arise any need for changing positions or adjusting the support for comfort. However, care should be taken to adopt a posture in which, on reaching the state of deep meditation, there is no likelihood of topping.

Keep sitting in this way for some time. Let the body feel restful and mind at peace. In the initial stages, it would require somewhat greater effort but later, with practice, the seeker finds it easy to relax irrespective of the place and environment. A word of caution! This exercise is not meant for simply creating a state of relaxation, in which one generally reaches a state of drowsiness, begins to daydream or flies high on the wings of imagination. Remember! This preparation for meditation has a specific purpose. It is required to be practiced as directed, since it has been created deliberately for a specific objective.

Later, with practice, this state of mind in meditation would become a state of natural awareness (consciousness) and would not require any conscious effort to attain. In difficult situations, of life giving rise to fear, misery, pain, apprehension or stress, such as equanimity of mind would become activated without any conscious effort and the seeker would pass through the crisis in an attitude of calm confidence and peace.

Soul is the nucleus of your world

Now in the above state of meditation collect all your thoughts on the nature of "I". Think absolutely nothing about any external person, place, thing or event. Conceptualize, that factually your soul (the real self, 'I') is an independent entity; that it is infinitely powerful, indestructible and indivisible. That it is the central star around which your personal world, ie. Everything related to you, is continuously revolving (is in perpetual cyclic motion) like the planets of the solar system orbiting around the sun. Conceptualize the inner-self as the nucleus of your world, brightly illuminated like The Sun. Resolutely creative such imagery in your mind with the help of the creative nature of your mind. In your mental horizon, establish your soul as a centrally located stationary central star, around which everything related to you is perpetually revolving. Assure yourself that these things around you are dependent on you but that you are not dependent on them and that, though you are providing them energy for their movement; nevertheless they have their separate existence and in no way belong to you. After persistently practicing in this way, in a few days, such awareness will become deep-rooted.

Do not think the picture you are conceptualizing is fallacious or fanciful. It is an exercise to let you appreciate that laws of motion in nature are universally applicabl3e, as much to the living beings as to inert matter. As a matter of fact, each cell/particle, living as well non-living is perpetually in a state of rotation around some nucleus. In the solar system, there are planets revolving around the sun, and the latter too is circumambulating some other invisible nucleus of energy in the universe. The nucleus of energy in our heart makes the blood circulate around the body. It is the natural property of everything tangible or intangible to follow its particular law of cyclic motion. Sound, natural forces, ideologies and atoms of various elements are always moving forward following their particular rotational trajectories. The natural law of motion governing periodical cyclic changes is working everywhere - all around us. (life and activities of followers of particular ideologies revolve around the protagonists of these ideologies) As mentioned above, the soul of an individual being is a nucleus of energy and elements of all natural systems living or non-living, which are related to the individual, move around this central force. In other words, their actions and reactions are indirectly influenced by this nucleus (soul) within a time-space paradigm. On becoming thoroughly convinced about the reality and universality of these natural phenomena, you will notice an unusual transformation in your outlook. You will clearly perceive yourself existing as a nucleus of energy acting on everything related to you. You will find that your world and all material objects related to you such as your house, your car, garment, ornaments, money and property are not an integral part of you; that these have separate existence of their own; that though you are living amongst these, these are alien to you.

(Note: This concept may be further understood in this way. Whatever be the dynamism of interactions between the various animate and inanimate systems related to a person, the driving force behind it is his mind. It is the mind of the individual which created and shapes his world. Further, the mind, as we have discussed earlier is only a tool of the Inner-Self i.e. soul. Hence the soul has been referred to as the central star of the personal world. Besides, as, in spite of being the source of energy to the entire solar system, the sun itself remains unaffected by the dynamics in its system, the soul of a person (not his body) remains an independent entity, uninfluenced by the activities in one's personal world. In this way, the real Self and the associated world, though related, exist independently. An off-quoted classic analogy is the lotus leaf floating on water being in water yet not submerged in it).

Reining the "Wild Horse" Sensory Deprivation Experiments

But controlling the conscious mind, as we have seen, is not so easy. The ten wild horses of sense and motor organs are ceaselessly chasing about from one object of pleasure to the next with the agitated mind in tow. Reining in their restless activity is the first step in calming the mind, as some very interesting research in the West, called "Sensory Deprivation Experiments" has shown.

In these experiments, which were specifically designed to "turn off" the ten organs, the subjects are suspended in huge tubs of warm water, the exact temperament of the skin, so there will be no sensation on the skin at all. They are fastened so they can not move (their hands and feet motor organs are turned off), and they are blindfolded (eyes turned off). They do not eat or excrete during the course of the experiment (taste and excretory organs turned off); they do not speak (vocal cord off) nor engage in sexual activity (sexual organ off). The room is completely soundproof (ears turned off) and no smells enter (nose off). All their ten sensory and motor organs have become completely inactive during the course of the experiment. And …. They fall asleep.

They sleep sometimes for as long as twenty-four hours. Without any external stimulation to draw their sense and motor organs into activity, the conscious mind turns off, and they lose all track of time. After they wake up, and feel no more need for sleep, what do you think they experience next?

Into the Subconscious mind

Hallucinations. Visions. Daydreams, waking fantasies more vivid than any experience they have ever had in their lives. Even people who consider themselves quite unimaginative, experience brilliant visions which startle them with their intensity and they become absorbed in these internal cinemas. With the sense and motor organs turned off, and their operator, the conscious mind, also not functioning the subjects plunge deep into the subconscious layer of their minds, the receptacle of dreams, memories and stored images; and without any external disturbances or interruptions, these, images combine and recombine in a fantastic kaleidoscopic college.

The functions of th subconscious mind are memory and deep reflection, and when it is given free play  by the absence of conscious activity, the subjects relive memories, and experience imagined images, as if they were indeed real.

Sign of Success in Sadhana

A subtle divine consciousness emerges in a Sadhak by Gayatri Sadhana. There is no specific change in his physical form or body but there is considerable inner change in him. Changes affected in Pranmaya Kosh, Manomaya Kosh and Vigyanmaya Kosh due to influx os spiritual energy is bound to have their impact on annamaya Kosh. It is true that the structure of the physical body of the Sadhak does not change very much, but it is equally true that inner changes are perceptibly reflected in the body.

When a new skin is formed inside the old skin of a snake, its signs are reflected in its body. It becomes heavy, cannot run fast and being deprived of speed and enthusiasm, it prefers to lie down at one place. When the new skin gets matured, the snake sloughs off the old skin. After this casting off there is fresh enthusiasm and vibrancy in the snake. Smoothness, luster and tenderness are easily visible in this new skin. Similarly, the Sadhak also goes through such a process of change from inside-out. Before his Sadhana matures, there are some symptoms of sadness, heaviness, slackness and lack of enthusiasm. But after attaining maturity altogether different symptoms start appearing. So long as a woman is pregnant, she feels heaviness and sluggishness but after delivering the baby the mother feels fresh, light and enthusiastic.

When the Sadhak undertakes Sadhana there is spiritual impregnation in him. In Tantra Sadhana it has been called "Maithun" cohabitation. Just as cohabitation is kept secret, so also Sadhana is kept secret. When the soul embraces the all pervading sprint it gets an in indescribable pleasure which is known as complete identification by devotion (Bhakti). When the individual soul and universal spirit meet intimately the phenomenon is known as Samadhi. Spiritual union thus culminates in the bliss of Samadhi. In Gayatri Upanishad and Savitri Upanishad, several such unions (as one between Savita and Savitri) have been described. Savita and Savitri constitute one pair. By Savitri (Gayatri) worship the Sadhak's soul becomes like vagina in which God's brilliance or potency (semen) is discharged. This process is also known as Shakti-pat). There can be creation without gross physical sex. Kunti's giving birth to Karna and Mary's giving birth to Christ is not mere symbolic stories. This can happen. Divine powers are born in this manner by subtle union. Churning of ocean was also such a union of complementary Divine energies which resulted in delivering fourteen gems. By union of negative and positive atoms there is generation of electric current. Sublimation of sex has been highly praised in Tantra Shastra.

The meaning of Sadhana is to unite without us the powers of devotion and practice and create a new power which is known as Siddhi, divine boon or miracle. There are certain pre-requisites for attaining such a state. A person may take up any route for reaching his destination, but he has to carry with him food, clothes and money for his journey. So also virtues, righteous thoughts and actions are required for performing Sadhana of any path. It is rather impossible for a person to take up any path of Sadhana, if his life remains sinful, vicious and defiled. Therefore, persons who are keen to do Sadhana should, in the first instance, try to purify their mind, speech and body. Then alone can they meaningfully proceed on this path and attain the supreme goal.

Union if God and the soul, of Savita and Savitri by intimate embrace or assimilation results in spiritual conceiving. This conception is known as Bharga in spiritual terminology. The Sadhak has to empty and cleanse the vessel of his inner being (senses, mind, and intellect) to receive and retain this element of Bharga. There are perceptible changes in the natural activities of the Sadhak during the transitional period in which his Sadhana attains maturity, just as there are symptoms of distaste, nausea, constipation, laziness etc. in a pregnant woman. He feels heavy, tense and dejected like a snake with a slough. Those who are well-versed in the science of spirituality know it well what adversities the Sadhak is required to face during the period of Sadhana. The masters, therefore, advise their followers to live strictly according to the prescribed disciplines during this period. The Sadhak can ease the trials of this transitional period by remaining on restricted diet and having a regular routine, as is the case with a woman in menstruation period or one who is pregnant.

In any important undertaking a person is bound to face challenges, and obstacles and set-backs. Only those who can meet these challenges boldly and stead-fastly can succeed. A Sadhak is likely to slip back on account of defects in his diet routine, lethargy, impatience, intemperance, hatred, malice, evil company and vanity. Then it becomes impossible for him to attain Siddhi. Corruption, earning money by stealing, depriving others of their legitimate rights, selfishness and similar other vices are prevalent these days in abundance. They thwart a person's progress on the path. Therefore, those who aspire to attain success in Sadhana should be ready and willing to pay the price in terms of sacrifice, suffering, persecution so that their Sadhana may mature and yield the desired results.

Just as an issue is born from an egg or to a female of a species, a Sadhak, as a result of his Sadhana, gets an issue which is called Siddhi or fulfillment. It is also known as liberation, Samadhi, Brahmi state of tureeyavastha (a state where the individual self is united with the universal self). In the beginning, this new, off-spring is weak, delicate and tender like a new-born baby. A wise Sadhak nourishes it in the same way as a mother nourishes her baby.

Until Sadhana attains maturity there are signs of lethargy and dejection in the Sadhak. But when it gets matured and gives birth to the tender babe of Siddhi, the Sadhak gets endowed with brilliance, luster and lightness.

Self-Study (Sw adhyay) is Essential

For individual excellence, the biggest requirement is of that thinking which besides being fully soaked with idealism is also inter-woven with our liking and faith. This purpose can be fulfilled in two ways. One is long-term close contact of great men of great integrity and character, and the second one is daily study and reflection on their thoughts. The first way is very difficult in present day conditions. As it is, philosophical great men are fast disappearing. Crooked, fraudulent, deluded and fallen men have taken hold of religion. A person in their contact, instead of receiving guidance, goes astray. Those who are proper, are so very busy in trying to reform the current situation in the society that it is not possible for them to allow their time and contact for satsang (religious discourse). Therefore those lucky ones who can get the contact of honest great men, they have to be content with whatever little time available. In to-day's conditions the possibilities of long-term contact with good, honest, great men are few and far between.

That atmosphere which can give us the proper light for leading a profound and excellent life can be kept around us through Swadhyaya (regular daily study of scriptures). Much more than our efforts for food and clothing, we will have to be more eagerly involved in Swadhyaya for satisfying the mental and spiritual requirements. The moral principles gleaned from daily study of scriptures should be applied in our daily deeds, because from our conclusion regarding the conditions all around us, we are tempted to adopt base beliefs in our activities. If this bad influence is not cut away, then a person with ordinary morale will see benefit only in wickedness, intelligence and using it in applying to bad deeds.

Good literature has given the opportunity to innumerable persons to be elevated spiritually and to become spiritually strong. Inspiring literature always helps in the development of personality, character, and morale and in spiritual development. Thus inspired, innumerable persons have been able to break away from the bonds of inferiority and become great. Well, Swadhyaya (regular study of scriptures) too has been given a status equal to worship, rituals, keeping fasts and charity etc.) People accept story-books of irrelevant and absurd ancient stories as religious books and with the background of "old is gold", repeat them regularly by rote. But for proper Swadhyaya only that selected literature will be proper which provides practical guidance for cleansing a person's qualities, deeds and nature. The conditions of to-day's society and the individual are different from those in the ancient times; therefore their solutions too should be in accordance with them. In every era, thinkers, philosophers, visionaries and angles in human form are born to guide the people according to the prevailing conditions.

The Role of Nepal in World Peace

Based on years of worship and years of proximity with divinity, our trust is strengthened in the belief that in the coming days, Nepal will make extra-ordinary progress in all sectors. Not only that, but Nepal will also play an effective role in raising other backward and downtrodden countries. Nepal's eternal ancient tradition is also like that.  When darkness and backwardness prevailed all over the world in the past Nepal had made tremendous contribution in reforming the world order. In those days, learned Nepalese missionaries had gone all over the world and enlightened the people with knowledge and spiritualism. This time the same ancient activity will have to be carried out in accordance with the new conditions. Just as Nepal succeeded in ancient days, so too will good results be seen of the current efforts.

The ordinary person is dazed about tackling the widespread mockery of morality. But divine awakening in Nepal now confidently declares that the current situations will not last long and will not be allowed to continue.

Nepal is the country which spreads its brightness in the world. This is its permanent role. This time it will have to do extra work. It will not do merely to repel darkness. This time mental corruption and wicked conduct will have to be annihilated. This will start from our homes and will go on spreading uninterrupted all over the world.

In the coming days, people of the world will be astonished to see the transformation of this country which was once ruled by foreigners in India. How that country not only solved its own problems but provided extraordinary help in solving world's problems. These days the status of Nepal's political situation and power is ordinary, but day-by-day Nepal will become spiritually strong. It is going to be showered with such divine compassion that its capacity is very much more than the power of weapons or intelligence or money. This way Nepal will be in a leading position to uplift others.

The time is now ripe when Nepal will be able to solve its own problems although so many problems that stare at us make us very anxious that the future will be full of troubles, -not only troubles, but a deluge of troubles. I wish to assure all those who have such doubts that destruction will not be allowed to overcome development. The caravan of progress will not halt despite obstacles in the path. It will reach its goal and give the world an opportunity to live in peace. The day is not far when Nepal will be in the forefront and helps the world with miraculous results by solving one by one the problems of the world.

In the coming days, Nepal will be leading the world. Only Nepal can produce great men, because its cultural heritage and spiritual vision is so universal and deep that for it, it is possible to usher in world peace and bright future. Such a great Nepal is going to emerge from this very country that the entire world will come under its sway.

Self-Realization lies in Direct Personal Experience

No amount of education or reasoning can lead one to the direct experience of the inner Self as the immortal nucleus of individual manifestation in the form of multifarious energy waves. In the realm of mysticism and spirituality, logic finds itself totally helpless, since it can confidently deal with only tangible experiences of the material world. Extrasensory and Para-psychological experiences are beyond the range of logic. By reasoning one cannot prove that the person who is being respectfully addressed as gather is actually father of the concerned person.

Hence, for experiencing the transcendental Supreme source of ourselves as well as the universe we will have to discard the logical approach and take recourse to the traditionally established and tested practice of Dharana (concentration), Dhyan (Meditation), and Samadhi (Trance), successively. Therefore, in order that uncertainties of pros and cons of the disciplines being proposed here do not unnecessarily engage the mind and interfere with the objective of experiencing the soul (Atma), let us silence the logical reasoning in these discussions. Test assured, it is not the purpose of the author to confuse thee reader with some rigmarole abstractions or suggest some process of inner growth, which could prove harmful in any way. On the basis of his own personal experience, the author (Pandit Sri Ram Sharma Acharya) is fully convinced about the efficacy of the path elaborated here. I assure all those who have faith in my words that the path being shown is right and Self-Experienced.

Come forward! Follow in my footsteps. You will not be hastened but slowly led to the destination. Practice the exercises given here and through meditation and contemplation explore the hidden domain of your mind. Conceptualize yourself being a central star shining like sun, around which your world is revolving. Repeat this exercise again and again till the impression becomes so deep that whenever you pronounce "I", there is a flash in your mind of a comprehensive image comprising your consciousness, personal thoughts (Vichar), strength and talents, along with your body. With this identification of self, whenever you look around towards your personal world, everything in it should appear revolving around this central star of your soul.

(Note: The relationship of an individual and the beings in his personal world are compared to the Sun and its planets, the former acting as the source of energy to the planets in its system, which are, themselves also rotating around their own axes. All dynamics inherent in the personal world (cf. the planetary system of Sun) of a strength and talents (cf. the solar energy) of that individual. The beings in the personal world follow their independent repetitive daily routines of activities.. (cf. rotation of planets around their independent axes.) To hasten the process sof Awakened Awareness of the Soul (ATMA-SWAROOP DARSHAN), here is another method. In the solemnly and respectfully, as though you were calling someone of eminence. With this practice you will find someone of eminence. With this practice you will find your mind getting concentrated on the real form of self. This was the method used by Lord Tennyson for activating the potentiality of his Soul. He writes that through this Soul and, in due course, also became conscious about the irrefutable existence and indestructibility of the soul and found the basic source of consciousness in it.

While trying to conceive the reality of the soul, some seekers tends to confuse the higher Inner-S elf ("I") with the false narrow self (I, as commonly related to body) and thus become distracted from the reality of the soul. It is necessary to overcome this obstacle. Otherwise such false identification of self with the material body would, at the most, provide petty material benefits of a very low order by developing confidence in the narrow self (body). Identification with the real Inner-Self requires total freedom from body-consciousness.

Our Duty and Responsibility in World's troubles

The important basis for world peace is the sentiment of "vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (i.e. the world is a family). World peace had to be ushered in by peaceful means. Permanent peace can never be achieved with the power of weapons. Individuals or nations hope against hope for victory on the basis of oppression and arms. Man is a part of the society, society is a part of the nation and the nation is linked with the world. The existence of all is in danger without mutual co-operation. Peace is not possible with diplomacy.  So long as goodwill is absent from human hearts, goodwill and stability cannot be found in personal life and at international level. Instead we will have to rely on moral decisions and moral solutions.

Peace should be created through inner change in man. The root of wars and faults lies within us, therefore all the external efforts for protection will be useless.

The reason for the current poverty is the suffocating atmosphere surrounding us. Man is so much troubled by his habits in personal life that no path is visible which can free him and man feels like committing suicide. By blaming the circumstances, man can deceive himself for some time and lighten his heart, but that does not get any results. Our own faults, bad tendencies and bad deeds create terrible heart-burning, which turns our inner peace and equilibrium to ashes. In general every human being is terribly dissatisfied. With any onset of ill-luck, he becomes irritable and angry. The person resorts to such cowardly and immoral means as liquor and other intoxicants and adultery to forget his sorrow. But even that does not solve his problems. His troubles increase, not reduce. This is the pitiable picture of to-day's individual-life.

This Nepal, which once upon a time gave happiness and peace found only because of pristine purify of clean hearts, has to-day morally fallen. Criminal tendency has increased so much because of grief and disease, hardships and clashes, living in want and poverty, dissatisfaction and malice that people are afraid of even their near-ones and friends. The solid support of high thinking and reflection has crumbled down.

Mean ambitions are creating mean situations. The man thinking of progress is falling by the day into the chasm of downfall. In these unbalanced and destructive situations, only one question is present before mankind and that is, "how to get rid of the snake of destruction which has coiled itself round our necks in the last few centuries?" How to revive the past situations which used to give peace, happiness and satisfaction? The answer to all these questions is only one, that is, to revive religious spiritualism, that religious spiritualism which will bring high thinking in man and make him perform ideal deeds. Tremendous efforts must be made for purifying the thinking of the people. Purification of thinking and sentiments - that is the only solution to innumerable current problems of all kinds.

The extremely important truth must be understood in the interest of Nepal, the whole world and the whole mankind that we are at this cross-road of life and death. Events are taking place at such a fast peace that a quick decision in favor or against must be quickly taken. We cannot afford to wait and watch and take action when the time comes. If everything is to be allowed to continue as it is, then we must make preparation for the all-engulfing destruction and think only from the angle that now total destruction is very near.

The real you is not the body.

Soul in the body

It is true that a being independent of the body lives through a body. At the moment of death, when life departs from the body, there is no change in the apparent physiology of the body. Nevertheless, the dead body immediately starts to decay and to putrefy emitting foul smell. Devoid of life (life in its essence is an integral part of the soul till it attains salvation), the body acquires an abhor-able state. It proves that although the being enlivens the body, it has an existence of its own, independent of the body. In parlance of spirituality, this separate entity is called ATMA (soul). This soul is our true identity. Your right answer to the question "Who am I?" is "I am that atma."

Everyone intuitively knows that soul and body in a living being a re two separate entities and even in our speech we say: "My body" - signifying that 'I am the possessor of the body and not the body itself. Hardly anyone will doubt the separate existence of the soul. Whereas even a common man accepts this concept of differentiation in principle, his behavior reflects otherwise. Man behaves in such a manner as though he is inseparable from his body and the pains and pleasures of the body are his own (of the Real Self). A close observation of an individual's thoughts, speech and actions would show that all of these pertain exclusively to his identification with the body. He thinks, speaks and acts in terms of the body only. In other words when he says "I", he implies his body.

Body is the lodgments and temple of the soul. Hence it is proper as well as necessary to look after its health, cleanliness and upkeep, but it is erroneous and fallacious to identify oneself exclusively with the body - thus mistaking the residence for the resident. It is due to this false and mistaken identify that man loses sight of the real interest s of the soul - his true identity - and suffers the pangs of death, disease, separation in endless cycles of embodiments.

Interests of soul and body are different

Since soul and body are two separate entitles, their interests are also different. The requirements of the body are represented by the interests of the sensory organs. The ten organs of sense perceptions and actions and the eleventh mind are perpetually running outwards for gratification of their basic urges through the instrumentality of the body. The sensory urges are delicious food, stylish clothes, numerous things of beauty, beautiful women, melodious sounds and a variety of objects of comfort, pleasure and luxury. The mind on the other hand aspires for a high status in society, great wealth, widespread fame and authority. The entire life is thus spent in satisfying these insatiable hankerings of body and mind. When desires become cravings, the deluded person frantically tries to satisfy them by any means - fair or foul. This is the primary cause of all sinful activities.

The Ever Present Witness is Our Soul

Try as you may with the farthest range of imagination, you will never succeed in going beyond the soul. You will never believe that this "I" is ever non-existent. This "I" (the soul) is a drop of THAT absolute, indestructible, immutable, ocean of consciousness, which we call God.  The soul itself is the spark of THAT supreme sun of the spirit.

O Seeker! May you, by the grace of God, succeed in perceiving the existence of the soul in yourself and appreciate that man is a deity in deep slumber (a fallen angel, according to Christian belief) unaware of his potentialities. Within a human being there exist, in dormant state, divine potentialities, awaiting discovery and seeking an outlet to manifest themselves in action. It has been demonstrated in the lives of innumerable mystics, sages, seers and occultists through the ages that these powers can be accessed and made operative, although their mastery requires persistent, single-pointed endeavor. Initially, the progress is slow, but after crossing over the threshold or limiting consciousness and rising to the plane of Adhyatm Manas, the vision becomes clear and path easy. After that the progress is like an elevator ride. In its original nature, the individual soul (Atma) in each embodied being is an indivisible portion of the Absolute (Parmatma).

In the previous article, I have expressed that the soul, too, does not have an independent existence of its own and that it ever remains an integral part of the Supreme Being. However, before attaining this awareness, one has to activate the awareness of Aham within. Let these let these lesson and words not be taken merely as a trivial exercise in verbosity and treated with disdain. The elaborations made here may not be as explicit as necessary for this complex subject. Nevertheless, it is to be emphasized that through these words a great truth is being revealed. As you are reading these lines, your soul is eagerly expecting to proceed on the path leading to spiritual enlightenment. Step forward and become its torchbearer.

It is hoped that with the foregoing contemplative exercises, the reader will have developed the capability of making a distinction between Aham and the faculties of the body and the mind. Experiential awareness of this fact will make the seeker master of his mind and its traits (Vrittis). He will then intuitively develop the competence to use these tools effectively in life.

For elaboration of such a serious subject, the ideological approach and words used by the author may appear too crude and naïve. The subject, however, pertains to perceptions of intangible realms of consciousness, which are beyond the reach of words and expressions. The specific taste of a particular favorite food cannot be described in words. One has to personally taste it. The author is simply trying to cultivate an interest in the subject, so that the reader is motivated to himself carry out these exercises. Thus, the reader will himself find proofs of the occult and mystic layers of consciousness and progressively have a clear perception of the nature of the Inner-Self. Until personally realized, knowledge remains a mere theoretical statement. Once one has the concrete experience, no arguments to the contrary are able to shake his rocklike living faith.

What is Gayatri?

Being the source of ultimate evolution and beatified salvation of Prana, the Adi Shakti is called Gayatri. The Vedic scripture "Aitareya Brahamana" describes this meaning as - "Gayan Trayate Sa Gayatri; (meaning - That, which protects the Gaya (Prana) if Gayatri). The scholarly as - "Shankarcharya Bhashya" further explains the meaning of Gayatri as - "Giyate Tatva Manaya Gayatri". (Meaning: the discerning, pure intellect Ritambhara Pragya), which unfolds the ultimate truth and absolute knowledge, is Gayatri.

Sadbuddhi - the enlightened intellect that enables prudent distinction between the truth and the false, the right and the wrong and guides the righteous decision making, is indeed a unique power, which proves to be superior and more beneficial than any other power or resource in the world. Wisdom or brilliance of mind trained and talented in worldly affairs might serve excellent achievements in materialistic developments. But the glittering success, haughty possessions and luxurious comforts attained thereby do not assure reduction of ego, jealousy, worries, tensions, and other complications; and on the contrary, often gravitate the burden of the untoward tendencies and problems in life. No wisdom, no intelligence - howsoever trenchant, soever or erudite it may be, can nurture real and viable progress with peace and joy if it is not endowed with Sadbuddhi.

The sharp intellect if deprived of Sadbuddhi turns out to be a negative talent in many respects. Such a power of mind may appear fascinating on several fronts and offer rapid materialistic gains and powers but it is also true that it steals the peace of mind and thereby encourages psychosomatic disorders and varieties of related problems. In extreme cases, it might trigger detrimental decline by accumulating egotist cruelty and immoral use of talents. The sharper such skilled minds, the greater would be the insidious effects. It thus appears better to have a dumb head than such Drubuddhi.

The divine light of Gayatri generates Sadbuddhi, which illuminates righteous intellect and inoculated virtuous and saintly tendencies. Every step guided by its inspiration is a forward move towards welfare, peace and happiness. The Sadbuddhi educed by the grace of Gayatri strengthens one's virtuous, talents, enlightens the Prana and gradually bestows greater success and glory in ideal direction. Durbuddhi, on the contrary weakens the vigor of Prana by draining it in untoward thoughts and activities driven by selfish passions and addictions. It plunges one's life deeper in the mire of ignorance, confusion, perversion and sins. Cravings, avarice, fear, ego and self-obsessive ambitions shield the inner light by Durbuddhi and eventually diminish the mental strength and talents too., thus leading to endless sufferings, sorrows and decline.

Gayatri is the savior force and pious light for those entrapped in the vicious cycle of Durbuddhi and evil instincts and those loosing the invaluable human life in shear ignorance. It kindles the spark of Sadbuddhi and thus provides a divine support, a courageous hope and liberates and saves the Prana of people from the smog of illusion and perversion. The path to righteous evolution opens up with the inspiration of Gayatri and the silver line of peace, progress and true joy begins to shine with soothing glow in the devotee's life.

Gayatri is not any mythological deity or imaginary power. Rather, it is the source of divine luminescence, the evolutionary impulse of thy will that is expressed in human self as Sadbuddhi and that enables enlightened progress and glorious accomplishment of life.

The spiritually illuminated acumen of the Rishis had found, while in the depths of their Sadbuddhi that the subliminal powers of Gayatri are active in the cosmic vibrations of Sabda (eternal sound). This realization was expressed by Rishi Vishwamitra in the unique Mantra of twenty-four specific symbols (syllables) associated with the corresponding currents of Sabda. This Mantra, being a representation and carrier of the sublime power of Gayatri - the eternal savior of Prana, is called the great Gayatri Mantra.

The Divine or the Devil?, Which You like

Man misidentifies himself as the physical body. Although he has herd something like 'he has a soul that is different from the body' but does not quite believe it or is not even able to imagine it. If most of us were not living under this illusion about unity of the self with the living body, this land (Nepal) of great Rishis would not have become home to vast spread corruption and confusion. It was this sacred land where Lord Krishna had preached Bhagvad Gita to Arjun and reminded him that he is not the body. As we have totally forgotten this fact and never bother to know about our own "self", how could we know the Omnipresent Self, the God?

We are living in a state of utter ignorance and darkness. Whatever suits our deluded convictions or convinces our selfish intellect that has become the definition of God for us. It is like considering a rope to be a snake because of lack of light. Indeed the rope resembles the shape of a snake and both would look alike if kept at a dark place. But as we all know they are not the same. It is only our illusion because of which we might confuse one with the other. It is a pity that this is what we the 'intelligence beings' have done to-day by regarding the devil as the divine.

Its time we awaken and ponder over our reality. We should attempt to realize that - the soul is sublime; it is not perceivable by the body or the materialistic means.

The Roots of Fulfillment

Most thinkers, philosophers of the world opine that self-evolution is a natural desire, and tendency of every living being. In fact this is what lies behind one's quest for progress and joy. . All efforts, all competitions and struggles for worldly possessions, sensual pleasures, ego-satisfaction emanate from this root-cause in the deepest depth, through we don's realize it because of our extrovert attitude and illusions of letting the worldly substances and circumstances as the keys to a treasure of joy.

One earns money with hard work and keeps saving it to get more and more why? Because he 'feels' it like a source of joy. But the same fellow might spend his savings in gorgeous arrangements of his child's marriage? Why? Because that might give him a 'feeling' of greater pleasure of making his child happy or gaining prestige in the society or what not ….! A dacoit risks his life in bringing huge wealth in loot, but what does he do of it? He might just throw it in drinking liquor; because for him that might appear to be a greater source of pleasure than saving the money or using it some other ways. If the savings are consumed in religious aims or treatment of a disease, one does not feel so bad as one would, if the same amount was lost due to burglary. So what we see common in all these examples and perhaps in every action of our life is that one opts for what he or she feels or thinks as more satisfying, although this satisfaction or joy might be just circumstantial, illusory and short-lived. Deeper thinking would indicate that the root of this quest for joy or fulfillment lies beneath the sublime core of eternal quest of the self for ascent, for betterment, for unbounded evolution … Then we would then attempt for the absolute unalloyed bliss, ultimate fulfillment.

Proper Use of Life

Most part of human life is largely spent in - eating, sleeping and being engaged in sensual passions and pleasures, or worrying, fearing or fighting etc. Almost all the time and efforts are centered round the body and the activities and people associated with it. But is that all the purpose for which the human life is bestowed? If the domain of life is confined to activities related with the body, its protection, fulfillment of its instinctive desires, then what is the difference between human and animals?

Human are the most evolved and intelligent beings. Greater responsibilities are also entrusted along with this superior among us, who do not bear the responsibilities of human life, are not worthy of the dignity of being called humans.

Eradication of evils, vices, wrongs, sufferings and agonies and establishment of the righteous, expansion of the enlightened values of humanity is the main purpose of human life. All the great talents, skills, abilities and powers which Nature has endowed us with are for the betterment of the world, for the welfare of all. So you must try your level best to help others, elevate them. No doubt, you should take care of your health, excelling of your own potentials, your near and dear ones, but your duties should not end there. What ever time and resources you have must also be shared for altruistic service of the needy around you; the society should also benefit by your talents and powers. The greater your altruistic contributions, the better would the use and brighter world be the glory of your life.

A Simple Sadhana of Gayana Yoga

Good name and fame, power, prosperity, high qualification, talents, reputed status, are regarded as measures of achievements in worldly life. These are all fruits of the tree of knowledge. You can't earn worldly success or excel without knowledge - be that in the form of awareness, information, education, skilled training, sane experience or inner light. Dissemination of knowledge for the enlightened welfare of others is the highest kind of donation. Feeding a needy with few meals would serve only temporary help; the lasting help path that will lead to his self-dependence and respectful future.

A disease might be treated by a medicine prescribed by a doctor. But one can't survive on medicine or tonics all the time for vigorous health. If you want to sustain good health, you will have to have and use the knowledge of preventive care and maintaining stamina etc. Only the spark of knowledge could uproot avarice, desperation, tension, apprehension, sorrow, and other mental weaknesses and psychological complaints, which make our lives burdensome. All the prosperity and might of the world together cannot control these complexities; rather they tend to augment the vices and worries in the absence of proper knowledge. True knowledge alone is the key to peace and happiness in this life and the life beyond. This mortal being, into great personalities. There is no better aims, no better gift then knowledge.

You have to Give first

Great personalities always appeal and motivate people in their contact to give something for noble causes. They themselves sacrifice everything they had. This is what makes them great. Through pondering over this fact has taught me that there is no religious duty greater than giving or sacrificing (for others welfare), which we can do any time (provided we have the will and attitude). There is no better mode than renunciation (of selfish possessions and attachments) for elimination of evil tendencies and untoward accumulation in the mind.

If you want to acquire precious knowledge, attain people's respect, achieve something great, and then first learn to give what best you can for the society, for altruistic service. Donate your talents, intellect, time, labor, wealth, whatever potentials or resources you have for the betterment of the world …; You will bet manifold of that in return ….. Gautam Buddha had renounced the royal throne; Gandhi had left the brilliant career, wealth, comforts….. As the world has witnessed, what they were rewarded in return was indeed immeasurable, immortal….

It is worth recalling the beautiful verse of renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore her, which says - He spread his hands open an asked for something …. I took out a tiny piece of grain from my bag and kept on His palm. At the end of the day, I found a golden piece of same size in my bag. I cried - why didn't empty my bag for Him, which would have transformed me, the poor man into a King of Wealth?

Think High, Aim High

You may get clay toys with ease. But it's not so easy to find gold. The tendencies of mind are often downwards and naturally drag it towards harmful actions and sins. However, it requires substantial efforts and zeal to carry out something worth, auspicious and beneficial. For example, the natural flow of water is from higher to lower levels, but the use of powerful pumps etc is required to take it upwards.

Sensual passions, ignorance-driven ambitions, untoward thoughts are hidden enemies that delude the mind of giving pleasure' but enslave it in a vicious trap. Likewise the gravitational force of the earth, they also have some kind of power of attraction, which pulls more and more tendencies and thoughts of similar kind.

But, the same is true of positive sane thoughts, aspirations and determination as well; they also attract the likes and create more powerful field of attraction. Once we awaken the will and vigilance to think wisely and practice restraining the accumulated passions, we will begin to experience the transforming effects. Unchecked accumulation of negative thoughts and vices sooner or later leads to decline, anxiety, despair and sinful sufferings. We should therefore be careful and watch and control our thoughts fro this very moment.

Darkness to Light

Look Introvert for Peace

If you are looking for introvert peace, you must follow the path to spirituality. For this you must turn your extrovert sight inwardly. A bewildered fellow deluded and tried of wandering in the hazy mist of external world, finds, immense peace and light in the inner world.

When we understand the illusory nature of the gamut of things and activities in the work around and get introvert,  ponder over our inner self, only then we realize that we had lost our way all these days; our cravings, materialistic needs and passions were driving our life and we were running behind the mirage of happiness. But now we know that nothing can ever satisfy the passions, no one can ever fulfill his ambitions. Attempting to do so is like pouring petrol in fire. Thus, instead of running behind the shadow to catch it, we must turn our back to it. Having a glimpse of the inner treasure detaches us from the perishable pennies for which we had been wasting all our potentials and time. Introvert search takes us near the God and shows the key to infinite joy and peace.

Once we know our real self, grasp the reality of the world, and see the inner light, the nectar-spring of unprecedented peace erupts from within and extinguishes the flames of discontent, desperations and tensions forever. With the rise of the feeling of true fulfillment, there hardly remains any worldly need or desire; every thing in hand or gifted by Nature for survival suffices and every circumstance becomes a source of expanding joy.

Darkness to Light

Truth! Truth! Truth! What a force and impact this word carries that even uttering this word seems to sooth the tongue, thought of it itself gives some light to the mind and feeling of it rejuvenates the heart. The transition from falsehood to truth is an ascent from filthy mire to pious skies, a transmutation from beastly instincts, devilish darkness to divine virtues and eternal light.

Truth is absolute, eternal. God is Truth, the Soul is Truth, God's creation of Nature is Truth; Truth is Omnipresent. It is the ultimate goal of life. Truth is the ceaseless perennial quest of the individual self, for which it takes birth, life after life. Age after Age … This life is bestowed upon us as yet another opportunity to realize the ultimate truth and savor the nectar of infinite bliss.

It is pitiable that we remain ignorant of this fact that - what we think of the world around (and die hunting for the mirage of joy in it) is not true; it is nothing but the image of our own perception. Once you understand this fact, you will turn towards truth. You will become a follower of Truth; it will be your ideal; an integral part of your character. "Truth" will then show you the divine radiance of your inner self.

If everybody works, every deed of yours is truthful, the world will truthfully honor you and you will inspire many others towards its noble path. The Vedic teaching reminds all of us to follow the path of truth - "Asato Ma Sadgamaya", as this is the only source of auspicious welfare of all ….

Your World is as Yours'

Your world is a mirror of what you are. If you are good the world you experience well also be good. If you are happy, you will find the world happy. On the contrary the same world would appear sorrowful to you if you were sad. So the state of your world is 'relative'; it varies according to your mood, your attitude….

If you cultivate a happy temperament, even the hardships would appear to you as tests to examine your capabilities, opportunities to let you increase and improve your potentials and excel further in the march of life. You will this way transform all your adversities into means of progress….

This spiritual attitude will eventually empower you to solve others' problems as well. Achieving this is like accomplishing a grandtapa, which requires tolerance, sacrifice and penance with unflinching zeal; but this, whatever be the state your mind today, your circumstances today, try attitude to inspire positive thoughts, peace of mind and happiness in you.  Sincere attempt and practice will induce greater strength and courage and gradually make you master of your world and successful in materialistic as well as spiritual ascent.

Brighten Your Attitude

Don't loose heart if you are attacked by adverse circumstances, tragedies, hardships and failures today. Nothing is permanent in this world. Don't cry over your fate or blame anyone else for it. You just change your outlook. The root of what all you face in the world lies in your own nature, your past or present Karma. So let things happen as other natural events….. Most often the agony or suffering appears more severe and unbearable than it actually is merely because one's low tolerance or inability to cope with them. You look introvert and convince your mind that your real self has immense power and is unaffected by external circumstances. This will inspire new courage and condition your mind to think differently. Let positive thoughts and selfless attitude brighten your horizons.

It is impossible to have a healthy, hearty and progressive life despite having a short tempered nature, jealousy, greed and unbalanced thinking…. Have a critical look at yourself, review your good and bad qualities and attempt diminishing the untoward and enhancing the beneficial tendencies.

By optimistic, think positive, be good…. Proceed ahead with a hope of a brighter and happier tomorrow with higher achievements. Look at your life with a new perspective. You will soon experience a welcome change in everything, your life will now have anew meaning, a superior goal…..

Know that what is Your True Self?

You (the jivas) live in this word in a state of artificial sleep; you regard this word as real, but this is only like a false dream. It is high time you come out of this illusory influence of Maya. Break the thralldom of misconceptions about your true-identity. Destroy the smog of ignorance that has shielded your inner self by the radiance of Atma-gyana (knowledge of soul-reality).

Penetrate the five Koshas (sheaths of physical body, energy body, mind intellect, and the unconscious mind with ego) and liberate your true self. Don't cry "I" "I"; rather, chant "Oam" "Oam" - the eternal sound of the Omnipresent. You are the soul, the king of all kings. Recall the words of Upanishads - "Tat tvam Asi" ('you' are 'That' - the Almighty). Realization of 'That' in the 'self' is like becoming 'That'

Uproot your vices, restrain your senses, purity and control your mind and intellect, learn to distinguish between the truth and the false, the invisible and the infinite… Shun out the petty desires and miseries, long for the lasting joy of meeting the soul. Inculcate introvert search for the soul. Attain atma-gyana and ultimate bliss.

The First Maxim of Religion

The first maxim of the eternal religion is that - the soul is one (Brahm). But how the "One" ("Brahm" could be many jivas). Well, it does not become many; it only appears to be manifested in many forms. This illusion is like - the mirage of oasis in desert, blue color of the sky, suspicion of a snake in a rope, glow of silver in oyster, etc.

What you perceive need not always be real. You should try knowing the ultimate truth by devout endeavors of introvert thinking, self-study, contemplation over the teachings of Brahmvidya, meditation upon "Oam" and upon the soul-reality of Sat, Chit, and Amanda.

All the negativity, misery, fear and flaws in your life are because of your ignorance of your own self. Elimination of illusion and kindling of the light of true knowledge is the key to unalloyed joy. Always remember what the Upanishads say - "the jiva and the Brahm are the same". You are indeed the omnipresent soul, ever existing beyond the bonds of time and space.

Grasp the essence of the divine knowledge of the Vedas - know that you are the immortal soul or the self-existent Brahm, the Omnipresent, Supreme Consciousness Force.