During my flight journey to Mumbai from Bahrain a couple of days back, I remembered the fate of Air France passengers when our flight experienced turbulence a couple of times. At that moment, it seemed immaterial who would cry holding my memories intact or conduct memorial highlighting my superficial goodness or pray for my soul to rest in peace. Where there is no life, there possibly can not be any relationship with the dead. A few thousand miles above the earth, the emotions of humans seemed over reaction of a jobless mind and a theatre classic. I felt that I would be no way affected by these emotions once I am dead.
But once landed, down the earth, separation or death appeared once again to be cruel and painful. Why and for whom?
Any relationship must be treated like a beautiful scented flower. When such a flowery relationship breaks up its destined fringes, mind goes berserk due to its emotional tie-up with pristine thoughts. The thought of separation from the beloved brings intense pain in the heart of the lover, for the beloved can never be seen, heard or touched at any point of time.
No laughter be heard, no teasing done, no arguments entertained, no warmth of affection felt, no tears of love seen – all…. all seems permanently lost in the black hole of Creation. With the name and form wiped out under the aegis of time, the dead or separated exists only in the memory of the living. The loss is acutely felt whenever this memory is tapped accidentally or deliberately.
In one sentence, pain is only for the living and not for the dead.
To experience such unbearable pain or anguish, this can’t be a time pass relationship. Like us, Uddhava too feared to experience this irreparable loss and irreconcilable pain, as his relationship with Krishna was built only on love.
To such a dear one, Shri Krishna tries to drill some wisdom into him thus, “Know this world, grasped by the mind, speech, eyes, ears and other senses, to be insubstantial and transitory, being like mental projection in a magic show. For the man of uncontrolled mind, there is erroneous perception of multiplicity; a person with such perception is subject to the notion of good and evil. Therefore, with the mind and the senses controlled, you must see the world in the Atman, and that all pervading Atman in Me, the Supreme Lord. ”
Living on this earth, is it possible to transcend this perception of multiplicity?
Though the world had not failed to entertain me with different emoticons throughout my lonely travel, I managed to remain a peaceful onlooker throughout. However, had there been any of my dear ones in danger as a part of the same entertainment, my immediate response would be to outwardly act to protect them from the evil and inwardly bend, kneel, shed tears and pray to God soulfully for their good.
That’s why Uddhava must have pleaded, “The ignorant fool I am, Maya has bound me with the feeling that I am the body, and all those connected with it are mine. O Worshipful Lord! Instruct me, how I could soon achieve that abandonment of all attachments commanded by You.”
I stand alongside his emotional pleading, for I have understood theoretically that the turbulence of the mind is only due to the non-stop colouring of thoughts and that this colouring is nothing but ‘attachment’.
P.S. The extracts are taken from the translation works of Srimad Bhagavata of Swami Tapasyananda, Ramakrisha Math.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
1.1 Playful Mind
For eons, our self realized clan has been handling treasures of Universe with capricious minds. Hence such whimsical attitude of our minds, the root cause of emotions, is passed on to generations through rote or practice to make us fit recipients of them. A close scrutiny of our daily life would itself reveal that layers of emotions continue to dribble out freely of our day to day activities projecting moods of pain and joy unscrupulously.
What is the net result of these emotions?
For a man of success, puffed ego feeds arrogance and overconfidence whereas restlessness, depression, self pity, jealousy, anger, hatred, dishonesty and other negatives circulate virulently in and out of the man in pain. Hence, there exists total lack of equipoise in both the cases.
Most of the times, we ensure that our bad mood swings develop a ripple effect on our near and dear ones. That’s when emotions become negative energies and affect the environment – both sentient & insentient.
People who could not think of anything beyond their happiness are never amiss to locate. They have the ability and capability to elevate pain in others given every single opportunity, if it benefits their lives. I wish to move away from such negative energies as darkness appears to possess more power to overpower my being. Yes, I am not ashamed to admit that I am still emotionally vulnerable.
However, there co-exists in small number a rare few who could never inflict pain on others at all given opportunities. The access to such people is meant only for a few blessed, it is said. It is not only for the access that I aspire for, but I do wish to become one such in this life, for these souls, it is said, have mastered their playful minds and learnt to whistle the tune of bliss always with a genuine smile, innocent laughter extending their caring hands for a lovely embrace out of compassion.
I am in awe of these divine personalities. Because in my present state of mind, I have only realized out of own experiences that separation from the loved ones for good is the most difficult emotion to overcome. I am slowly coming to terms that it is not child’s play to understand the play of the mind.
I also know that this world is one of constant change and matter is always in recycling process. So too the truth that everything that is born has to die. But the cosmos must have supplied customized answers for every question of the genuine seeker every time such a need arises, isn’t it? In support of my quest, I turned the pages of Bhagavatam accidentally today.
I became curious to know that Uddhava, Sri Krishna’s friend and cousin, had lamented over the decision of the latter to depart from this earth. He even says, “O Kesava, my Lord! To remain even a minute without Thee is impossible for me. Therefore deign to take me also to Thy Realm with Thee.”
Oh God! I understand how it would be to miss a great friend like Sri Krishna.
I was told by my mother during my childhood that the life of Sri Krishna had not been led out of a playful mind.
P.S. The extracts are taken from the translation works of Srimad Bhagavata of Swami Tapasyananda, Ramakrisha Math.
What is the net result of these emotions?
For a man of success, puffed ego feeds arrogance and overconfidence whereas restlessness, depression, self pity, jealousy, anger, hatred, dishonesty and other negatives circulate virulently in and out of the man in pain. Hence, there exists total lack of equipoise in both the cases.
Most of the times, we ensure that our bad mood swings develop a ripple effect on our near and dear ones. That’s when emotions become negative energies and affect the environment – both sentient & insentient.
People who could not think of anything beyond their happiness are never amiss to locate. They have the ability and capability to elevate pain in others given every single opportunity, if it benefits their lives. I wish to move away from such negative energies as darkness appears to possess more power to overpower my being. Yes, I am not ashamed to admit that I am still emotionally vulnerable.
However, there co-exists in small number a rare few who could never inflict pain on others at all given opportunities. The access to such people is meant only for a few blessed, it is said. It is not only for the access that I aspire for, but I do wish to become one such in this life, for these souls, it is said, have mastered their playful minds and learnt to whistle the tune of bliss always with a genuine smile, innocent laughter extending their caring hands for a lovely embrace out of compassion.
I am in awe of these divine personalities. Because in my present state of mind, I have only realized out of own experiences that separation from the loved ones for good is the most difficult emotion to overcome. I am slowly coming to terms that it is not child’s play to understand the play of the mind.
I also know that this world is one of constant change and matter is always in recycling process. So too the truth that everything that is born has to die. But the cosmos must have supplied customized answers for every question of the genuine seeker every time such a need arises, isn’t it? In support of my quest, I turned the pages of Bhagavatam accidentally today.
I became curious to know that Uddhava, Sri Krishna’s friend and cousin, had lamented over the decision of the latter to depart from this earth. He even says, “O Kesava, my Lord! To remain even a minute without Thee is impossible for me. Therefore deign to take me also to Thy Realm with Thee.”
Oh God! I understand how it would be to miss a great friend like Sri Krishna.
I was told by my mother during my childhood that the life of Sri Krishna had not been led out of a playful mind.
P.S. The extracts are taken from the translation works of Srimad Bhagavata of Swami Tapasyananda, Ramakrisha Math.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Chapter 1 - Introduction
I realise one major hurdle in practically attempting to start solving the puzzle of life and death. That is nonetheless the ‘emotions’ that gives name and shape to a relationship.
Yes. Where there is a relationship, there rules emotions. In fact, emotions have the uncanny ability to influence one to bond or break or destroy or love the other quoting any number of logical reasons. In one way, we are all subtly connected with each other through this unknown quotient in varying modicums at various times.
An overview of our own lives may enlighten that the trail that is left behind since birth would appear to be so overwhelming what with the emotional quota enjoying more than its allotted share of play. In simple terms, there is a constant threat of being overpowered with joyful surprises or painful sandstorms at any point in life. Sadly, the decisions taken during such times of emotional imbalance invariably do not carry wisdom resulting in unpleasant effects.
At such times, with trust and confidence in self shattered, fake steps and false pride get activated to mend the disarrayed rhythm within. With a natural urge to quickly reset the tattered life, such a man may act selfishly wounding others (who cross him at that juncture) physically or emotionally sometimes, never bothering about the emotional trauma at the receivers’ end.
The only living order of the world is…. ‘my pleasure’, ‘my happiness’, ‘my welfare’, ‘my rules’, ‘my success’, ‘my life’ & ‘my world’. One may ask, “What’s wrong with that?”
The natural dance of the world in myriad mystical expressions is always beautiful for it is a collective vibration whereas the dance of human emotions is disintegrated and disoriented. So, who and what can be blamed for our ugly dalliances?
Today I could not help thinking of those thousands who were killed on 26/11 last year (2008) by a group of fanatics. A father testifying in court upon his innocent daughter losing her leg and a mother crying how her young daughter died in her hands speak volumes of emotions of pain. Would the grieving mother have ever known at the time of conceiving and raising her child that she has to part with her precious baby so cruelly? What dragged the small girl to the scene of violence on the first hand?
The emotions of pain are not assorted patchworks on a jean to wear gleefully. This emotional patch shall remain a painful cache throughout the mother’s life. The cache may mar her or make her. So also the lives of the relatives, friends and well wishers of all those innocent victims.
Personally speaking, it is hard to believe that an emotion, a by-product of mind, which again is only a part of my existence, the expression of which can be felt through the senses, leads my destiny downhill most of the times.
Here my analytical mind raises a few valid questions…
1) How should I act or react when I am blown out of senses?
2) Is there any way to sublime my emotions?
3) Or is there any other way to overcome emotions?
The world at night seems mysterious for my eyes now. As a nature lover, I become emotional upon seeing the cloudless sky.
Yes. Where there is a relationship, there rules emotions. In fact, emotions have the uncanny ability to influence one to bond or break or destroy or love the other quoting any number of logical reasons. In one way, we are all subtly connected with each other through this unknown quotient in varying modicums at various times.
An overview of our own lives may enlighten that the trail that is left behind since birth would appear to be so overwhelming what with the emotional quota enjoying more than its allotted share of play. In simple terms, there is a constant threat of being overpowered with joyful surprises or painful sandstorms at any point in life. Sadly, the decisions taken during such times of emotional imbalance invariably do not carry wisdom resulting in unpleasant effects.
At such times, with trust and confidence in self shattered, fake steps and false pride get activated to mend the disarrayed rhythm within. With a natural urge to quickly reset the tattered life, such a man may act selfishly wounding others (who cross him at that juncture) physically or emotionally sometimes, never bothering about the emotional trauma at the receivers’ end.
The only living order of the world is…. ‘my pleasure’, ‘my happiness’, ‘my welfare’, ‘my rules’, ‘my success’, ‘my life’ & ‘my world’. One may ask, “What’s wrong with that?”
The natural dance of the world in myriad mystical expressions is always beautiful for it is a collective vibration whereas the dance of human emotions is disintegrated and disoriented. So, who and what can be blamed for our ugly dalliances?
Today I could not help thinking of those thousands who were killed on 26/11 last year (2008) by a group of fanatics. A father testifying in court upon his innocent daughter losing her leg and a mother crying how her young daughter died in her hands speak volumes of emotions of pain. Would the grieving mother have ever known at the time of conceiving and raising her child that she has to part with her precious baby so cruelly? What dragged the small girl to the scene of violence on the first hand?
The emotions of pain are not assorted patchworks on a jean to wear gleefully. This emotional patch shall remain a painful cache throughout the mother’s life. The cache may mar her or make her. So also the lives of the relatives, friends and well wishers of all those innocent victims.
Personally speaking, it is hard to believe that an emotion, a by-product of mind, which again is only a part of my existence, the expression of which can be felt through the senses, leads my destiny downhill most of the times.
Here my analytical mind raises a few valid questions…
1) How should I act or react when I am blown out of senses?
2) Is there any way to sublime my emotions?
3) Or is there any other way to overcome emotions?
The world at night seems mysterious for my eyes now. As a nature lover, I become emotional upon seeing the cloudless sky.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Preface
There is one truth in my life that I shall never deny. And that is God. Through fear or awe or love, He has conquered my heart throughout.
Once the punishing God went out of my sight, there started a slow and gradual understanding within accepting bitter experiences of life as positive lessons rather than fate. The transformation has helped me to become more attracted to God concept. Naturally, there ensued the inner fight to overcome inborn animal instincts and evolve as a light being. My observations have since improved to the extent of becoming increasingly sensitive to the issues of different life forms. Now, as a curious onlooker, I’ve observed that each life is an anomaly to the other, yet living in perfect harmony.
For man, life and death must be the biggest mysteries of creation. There is no greater science in the universe more interesting, self-involving, self absorbing and challenging than solving this mystery. Pains and pleasures in abundance, this universe appears to be cruel to mankind whose actions bring more misery than solving this mystery. I am no exception to this clan.
However I am aware that God was, is and will be in my life. To feed my burning urge and unravel the mystery personally, I need to ask a few questions and search for answers that can satiate my appetite. After pondering over the subject, I realized that I want to know….
• Who is Creator and what is creation?
• Who is the doer and who is the enjoyer?
• Who is the sinner and who is the saint?
• Who is Guru and what is wisdom?
• What is Truth and what is an illusion?
• What is sleep and what is awakening?
• Who and what is Real?
• What is Love and what is Knowledge?
The journey has just begun. With the blessings of my Master, I am starting this venture today.
Be around if you are interested.
Once the punishing God went out of my sight, there started a slow and gradual understanding within accepting bitter experiences of life as positive lessons rather than fate. The transformation has helped me to become more attracted to God concept. Naturally, there ensued the inner fight to overcome inborn animal instincts and evolve as a light being. My observations have since improved to the extent of becoming increasingly sensitive to the issues of different life forms. Now, as a curious onlooker, I’ve observed that each life is an anomaly to the other, yet living in perfect harmony.
For man, life and death must be the biggest mysteries of creation. There is no greater science in the universe more interesting, self-involving, self absorbing and challenging than solving this mystery. Pains and pleasures in abundance, this universe appears to be cruel to mankind whose actions bring more misery than solving this mystery. I am no exception to this clan.
However I am aware that God was, is and will be in my life. To feed my burning urge and unravel the mystery personally, I need to ask a few questions and search for answers that can satiate my appetite. After pondering over the subject, I realized that I want to know….
• Who is Creator and what is creation?
• Who is the doer and who is the enjoyer?
• Who is the sinner and who is the saint?
• Who is Guru and what is wisdom?
• What is Truth and what is an illusion?
• What is sleep and what is awakening?
• Who and what is Real?
• What is Love and what is Knowledge?
The journey has just begun. With the blessings of my Master, I am starting this venture today.
Be around if you are interested.
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