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2015 New Year Message from Sirshree: The Power of Right Questions
Questions are powerful tools for spiritual growth: Questions have the power to lead us to enlightenment. Certain questions are in-built within us. Humans have been asking these questions from time immemorial. Questions such as ‘Who am I?’, ‘Why am I here?’ etc. might have occurred to you sometime. These are perennial and profound questions which may have lost their impact with time.
Even if you are trapped in a place with nowhere to go or no one to talk to, questions can serve as a powerful anchor not only to keep you sane, but as a tool to always grow spiritually. The key is to ask empowering questions. Disempowering questions such as ‘Why me?’, ‘When will this stop?’, ‘When will the other person change?’ etc. only lead you into a downward spiral of negativity.
Let us look at some profound questions that will automatically propel you towards your happy natural state of spiritual bliss. Instead of forcing yourself to accept a given situation, it is better to ask a gentle question, “Can I accept this?” This question usually automatically helps you accept the situation without any resistance. Let us begin the New Year by answering this question: What spiritual questions should I ask myself in 2015?
2015 New Year Message from Sirshree: The Power of Right Questions
The first recommended question for 2015 is: Is the lamp within me that I want to behold again and again, lit? Use this question to remind yourself of the consciousness within you and within which you are. This question would remind you about your divine nature. It helps to be aware whether you have moved away from your divine nature or whether you are moving towards it. If you are indulging in a negative behavioural pattern or feeling low because of a Self-limiting belief, immediately ask this question. You will be reminded about the divinity within you and operate from a happy natural state automatically.
The second recommended question for 2015 is: If today was the last day of my life prior to enlightenment, how would I live this day? The question is not how you would live today if it was the last day of your life. The question is: if you were to be enlightened the very next day, how would you live today? How would you live in preparation for your enlightenment? On enlightenment, the sense of separation dissolves. If the individual personality who assumes himself or herself to be limited will no longer exist, how will your life be today? You will notice that this question cuts off the labels of good or bad, past or future etc. It roots you in the present, in an egoless state.
The third question for 2015 is: Whom should I forgive and seek forgiveness from today? Again, the idea is not to force yourself to seek forgiveness or forgive others. By asking this question, you mentally scan the events of the day where karmic bondage could have been created and liberate yourself from such events by asking for forgiveness or by forgiving the other person mentally. If you like, you may directly communicate with the person in question, having mentally forgiven or having sought forgiveness. Always remember that the treasure trove of forgiveness is within you and you can use this power whenever you want.
The fourth suggested question for 2015 is: What is the true weight of whatever I resist? Understand this important question. You resist sights, sounds, smells, feelings, etc. This could be things you do not like to see, or hear. It could be painful sensations, tiredness, negative emotions such as sorrow, guilt, etc. At such times, ask this question to yourself gently. This will make you notice the emotion and make you aware whether it is indeed as big as you make it out to be. Is the physical sensation or the emotion worth 10 grams or is it 10 pounds? Asking the question will teach you to see things as they are without the exaggeration of the mind.
The fifth key question for 2015 is: Is thy will indeed my will? Lot of people mechanically say: Thy (God’s) will is my will’. When you put this up to yourself as a question, then you will be nudged to truly surrender to the almighty, the Higher Self without doing so mechanically. This question ensures that a divine response ensues from you. Awaken yourself through this question.
The sixth question for 2015 is: What divine role is the other person playing in my life? The idea is to look at others in your life not as a ‘body’, but as a part of a miracle. This question will help you not see the other person as a contributor to your problems, but as a co-creator. Let us look at an example: If you wish to be more courageous, there will be someone in your life who makes you fearful. He or she is your co-creator. The person whom you are resisting as someone who nags you is actually a co-creator in the miracle of life to make you more peaceful. Any resistance within you will dissolve, even if it is a boss-employee relationship or of that between a daughter-in law and a mother-in-law.
These are six suggested questions. You may add a few more. For example: ‘Is this real or unreal?’ is a great question that hones your ability to ‘discern the truth’ (Viveka). The power of the right question is that you can always be connected to the Higher Self through such introspection.
Let 2015 be the year when you grow even more spiritually through the power of right questions.
~Sirshree
Am I on the right path or not?
‘Tejgyan’ and the ‘System for Wisdom’
Human beings have the ability to communicate their feelings and thoughts to others through speech. But some thoughts which are too esoteric to be spoken are communicated only through silence. Through these various expressions — feelings, thoughts, speech and silence — we learn about something extraordinary within us, that which makes us feel good when we hear about it, meditate on it and experience it. What is it? What is this truth that lies within us? The answers to these questions will lead you to a state of pure consciousness, the existential experience of being — the source of silence.
Is it really necessary to make so much effort, put the body through so much pain? Isn’t there someone somewhere who can answer all my questions? Something is wrong in all this, somewhere there is a missing link.
The primary aim of man is to attain and be established in this state and then share his experience with others. Only those answers which serve this purpose are of any value, no matter how many times they are heard or read. The purpose of the question-and-answer is not to impart intellectual knowledge, but to help you access the Self, the existential experience, which Sirshree refers to in almost every answer.
Answers to all questions are available at the very place from where the questions originate. When this secret unfolds, you will be able to get to the core, the source or the centre of your being. Then you will say to yourself, ‘No question has remained a question anymore. I can now get all the answers from within myself.’ Hence, you access tejgyan.
Tejgyan is that wisdom which is beyond knowledge and ignorance — the source of all knowledge. Knowing and understanding tejgyan leads to a perfectly integrated life. Tejgyan is that state of wisdom where nothing is concealed, everything can be seen clearly.
People assume that Meera sang the praises of the Lord and attained wisdom. But it was the attainment of wisdom that made her sing with so much devotion. Jesus attained a particular wisdom and acts of kindness automatically followed. Not the other way around. This ‘particular wisdom’ is tejgyan.
Many truth seekers feel apprehensive about their quest: ‘Am I on the right path or not?’ Often there is a feeling of vacuum inside; something that makes you think, ‘This path that I have chosen is inadequate, there has to be something more to it.’ At times you ask yourself, ‘Is it really necessary to make so much effort, put the body through so much pain? Isn’t there someone somewhere who can answer all my questions? Something is wrong in all this, somewhere there is a missing link.’
The answer to all these doubts and questions is tejgyan — the truth that is beyond knowledge and ignorance, the truth that can only be experienced. And the missing link is that of ‘understanding’. Understanding leads you to the final truth.
It is this understanding that Sirshree imparts in the MA Retreat (Maha Aasmani / Magic of Awakening Retreat) organized by Tej Gyan Foundation. This understanding leads you to the experience of truth — you may call it self-realization or enlightenment or God-realization or by whatever name. The direct experience of God or Self is possible provided the right method is followed. Tejgyan is that method, that understanding. That understanding can be attained just by listening — systematic listening. This systematic listening curriculum is called ‘System for Wisdom’.
How does one make the mind thoughtless?
Seeker: How should one watch the thoughts of the mind?
Sirshree: The thoughts of the mind are watched by being a witness. If someone asks you how you hear sounds, what will you say? You will not be able to answer it in words as this is something that has to be experienced, not something that can be explained. In the same manner, you cannot see the thoughts of the mind, you can only experience them. Understand this through an example. You sometimes close your eyes and sit, and the tune of a song plays inside your mind. But do your ears hear it? You will say that the internal tune is not heard by the external ears; it is playing inside. But how do you hear a tune that goes inside? Many a time, you begin to hear songs that you do not even remember. How amazing is this!
When thoughts go on, they are known by you.
In exactly the same way, when thoughts go on, they are known by you. This is because there is awareness in you, which is also called consciousness or the self. Everything is manifesting within this consciousness alone. Like a firecracker in the sky, a thought rises, spreads and vanishes. Then the next thought, and so on. If you understand this secret, you will enjoy every thought like a firecracker.
How thoughts are watched is something that is to be experienced. That consciousness, awareness, the self is present all the time. It is continuously awake and knowing even in deep sleep. When there is nothing, then too it is knowing the nothingness. It is because of this that you wake up in the morning and remark, ‘I had a good sleep last night.’ Who examined this good sleep? You came to know of it because the knower of the sleep is present within you. The body and the mind disappears during deep sleep. You are the knower, not the body. The more you are convinced of this, the more will you begin to get established in the consciousness.
Seeker: How does one make the mind thoughtless?
Sirshree: Mind means a bundle of thoughts. Thoughtlessness means a ‘no mind’ state. To quieten the mind, self inquiry is the most beautiful method. This method is the path (means) as well as the destination (end). When you ask, ‘Who am I?’, then this thought in the form of a question, will cut off other thoughts and end all other thoughts. While this inquiry is on, other thoughts cannot remain. After ending all other thoughts, this last thought of ‘Who am I?’ will also end itself. Then self-realization takes place. This will break the false belief regarding form, the belief regarding the body. You are not limited to the body. You are boundless and limitless. You will realize this through experience. That is why self inquiry is the most beautiful of methods to make the mind thoughtless.
You can also read following articles:
- Enquiry about God
- Why should we do Self Enquiry
- Think A Thought That Will Annihilate All Thought
- Can we know our inner secrets with meditation?
Why do questions arise in man?
Seeker: Why do questions arise in man? Are all questions important for my spiritual progress?
Sirshree: Why do questions arise in man? If that’s your question, the answer is: Why should questions not arise in man? What would happen if man did not have questions and what happens when questions do arise? The right answers encourage the spirit of inquiry and lead to the death of ignorance. When questions arise in man, he begins to search for the answers and evolves in the process.
It was only by questioning that the Buddha became the enlightened one
People ask various kinds of questions. Some are for self-development, some are for the purpose of accumulating information, while others are for achieving spiritual progress or awakening. Life wants its secrets to be unravelled; that is its desire, but some effort must be made to understand the mystery. This is similar to the mastermind who creates riddles, but does not want that them to be solved quickly and easily. Hence, the secrets of life are uncovered only by some great souls who make the effort. This is how the game of life is played. It’s an invisible game.
Spiritual progress is also not visible to the eye, but the understanding gained by asking right questions and getting the answers helps us to move ahead on the path of spiritual progress. It was only by questioning that the Buddha became the enlightened one. The questions that the Buddha asked on seeing an old man, a sick person and a funeral, initiated the search of that which is immortal and led him to the ultimate truth.
When such questions arise in one’s mind, one sets off on the journey to find the truth. With some individuals, such questions lead to scientific discoveries. However, discovery is actually rediscovery. Things that are hidden only need to be rediscovered. Hence, it is important to question.
Seeker: How to know which questions are right?
Sirshree: Some people want to endlessly ask questions to fatten their books, i.e. they want to gather all the information in the world. Their questions seem endless: What is the price of things in various cities? What is more in demand in which city? Which TV serial has more TRP? What is the speciality of a particular country? What kind of roads do they have? Why are our roads not like theirs? How are festivals celebrated there? What kind of names do they have? How do they pray?… But such questions that are asked only to get information are futile.
Questions that are asked to boost one’s ego are totally wrong. It is wrong to ask questions in order to demean the other person (‘Do you know what I know?’) Ask yourself the purpose of asking the question. Is it for displaying your knowledge, for boosting your ego, or for learning the secrets of life and the right way to live your life? Every question reveals the level of evolution of the questioner. When you ask questions, new options open up before you.
The only worthwhile questions are those which lead to the end of ignorance and give birth to the spirit of enquiry. When ignorance is eliminated, creation takes place and the highest possibility of creation manifests. This possibility is known as the seventh or supreme level of consciousness.
Let us now contemplate to understand our own state:
– What are our questions?
– What is our present level of consciousness?
– How much have we progressed?
– How much has our intellect evolved?
The answers to these questions open new vistas for you – you are able to think in new ways. As a result, new thoughts, new feelings and new words emerge from you. Your questions reveal your current state.
Please read these related articles as well:
What is the mind?
Seeker: What is the mind? How to keep the mind under control? Is the mind also a part of the body (senses)?
Sirshree: The mind is described in many different ways. The mind is just a bundle of thoughts. Thoughts alone are the mind. Various names are given and classifications made of the mind just to facilitate understanding. Like you have heard about the conscious mind. Another is the subconscious mind. Third is the unconscious mind. Fourth is the super-conscious mind. If all these minds were broadly divided into two categories, it would be: the outer mind and the inner mind. In order to understand these two minds, various names have been used till date.
What do you want to create from the power, devotion, knowledge and service of the mind?
The mind works in numerous ways and hence has many names. The names are according to the various roles it plays, i.e. Contrast mind, Past-future mind, Present mind, Plus mind, Super mind, Devoted mind, Pure mind, Peaceful mind, Inner mind, Intuitive mind, and No-mind. (*To know these eleven facets of the mind in detail and other aspects of the mind, you can read the book ‘The Unshaken Mind’.)
The Unshaken Mind
The mind has also been termed as one of the ‘senses’ but this ‘sense’ is beyond the other five senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. The work of mind is to keep these senses in control and to get work done from them. Different people have said many things about this mind. Some have called it a part of ethereal space, some say it is part of Consciousness. Mind is also like a bomb that we always carry with us. It can explode any time due to negative thoughts, i.e. the person can go insane. Mind is also likened to a ‘spring’. If a spring is pressed and released, no one can predict how and where it would jump. In the same manner, the fluctuating state of mind cannot be predicted.
Since times immemorial, man has been controlling his mind through suppression. But through suppression, the mind retreats into the desert of depression and lifelessness. While the mind wanders in damaging extremes of pleasure and pain, we relinquish all control over it, leading to detrimental consequences.
The powers of the mind are so great that it can lead to the ability to perform various miracles or it can reveal the Supreme Truth. The materialistic devotion of mind will lead to material benefits, while with Divine Devotion of the mind even the Creator can be attained. The knowledge of the mind can bring in money or it can bring in wisdom.
What do you want to create from the power, devotion, knowledge and service of the mind? Do you want to attain the supreme goal of your life? The supreme goal of every human being is Maha-Nirvan Nirmaan (MNN)because the highest work of the mind is MNN (the highest creation of the Self, God, Creator…). It is for getting training to create MNN that we have come to earth. Hence it is also called as Mission Earth.
If the mind is blissful, if it is in Bright happiness, then all powers become automatically available to it. Attaining your aim of life too becomes easy and simple. A pure and happy mind sees goodness in everything.
Mind is not our enemy; it is just a tool. People who misuse their mind make it their enemy. Man should use the mind for contemplation and through it attain the whole and sole aim of human life in this very lifetime and experience the supreme happiness of liberation.
Related topics:
The Invisible Ladder
What if, there existed an invisible ladder from 1 to 99?
Seeker: Is there any solution for an individual who experiences negative feelings and sees life as one of struggle?
Sirshree: Do you have negative feelings about life, about your spouse, about your relations, about your work, about your health? Then you have not discovered the Invisible Ladder.
The Book – The Invisible Ladder – How to attain complete confidence and release supreme faith
Seeker: What is this Invisible Ladder?
Sirshree: Assuming life to be a game of snakes and ladders, everyone believes there are a lot of ups and downs in the journey from 1 to 100. But what if there existed an invisible ladder from 1 to 99? Negative feelings, thoughts, words and incidents are snakes. The positives are ladders. When you are fully grounded in the dual poles of confidence and faith, then you have discovered the invisible ladder that helps you move directly from 1 to 99. When the feeling of Complete Confidence always resides in your heart and when Faith in the Supreme is fully released, then you have climbed the rungs of the invisible ladder. Then you are at 99—from where you have a helicopter view of the life and from where you enjoy the game immensely. Imagine the feeling at 99; whatever dice you roll—you know you shall reach 100.
Faith and confidence are not released fully even in the most successful of individuals. And therefore one experiences negative feelings and sees life as one of struggle. Such individuals have to improve their confidence about themselves and release their faith about life.
Why should we pray?
Prayer is not a question, it is an answer. Photo via Flickr
Seeker: If God knows everything, then why should we pray?
Sirshree: There are many who feel – If God knows everything, then why should we pray? They are told: It is because God knows everything that He is making you pray. He is making you pray so as to create a receptive state in you, by which your wish can come to you and be fulfilled. As soon as your state changes, everything around you also changes. Prayer changes you. It creates that receptivity in you by which the thing you want – be it an object, information or an answer – is attracted towards you. Therefore, prayer is not a question, it is an answer.
The Seven Levels of Relationship
Seeker: In society, we live and deal with many relations. Sometimes we feel relationships are for our good, but why do we get entangled in difficult relationships? Sometimes we just drag the relationship with our partners.
Sirshree: Have you ever thought over the meaning and nature of a relationship? How many of us have ever explored multiple dimensions of a relationship, or as you said, why are we often compelled to relate the way we relate? Let us explore the answers to some of these questions and understand how we can move our relationship to a higher level.
There are seven levels of a relationship. Let us understand the seven levels through the example of a relationship between a husband and a wife.
Let us understand the seven levels through the example of a relationship between a husband and a wife.
On the first level there are only petty quarrels happening between the husband and wife, leading to big fights. Both feel that “to get married means to fight” and try to win and have the last word.
On the second level, the couple becomes aware of the fights and know the reasons. Now things become a bit clearer and the relationship begins to clear up.
On the third level, the husband and wife begin to understand not only the cause of their fights, but also begin to solve problems jointly. Both start seeing things from the partner’s point of view. Now they identify the reason for their disagreements and try to pre-empt it by amending their own behaviour. This realization and willingness to be more adjusting and understanding takes them to the next level.
At this fourth level, they begin to dig deep and see the real reason for their conflicts, not just the superficial reasons. They realize that on the surface they may seem to be arguing about the same issue (time, money responsibility and so forth), but secretly they may be arguing about some other hidden issues. There is an evident reason and a hidden reason for their differences. On the fourth level, they go deeper and encounter themselves and their hidden motives. And then true transformation occurs and they think honestly. They become aware of why they do what they do. And now they start understanding their patterns which were subconsciously developed while watching their parents since childhood. After getting the insights, they want to get out of the tendencies and patterns of their parents by probing deeper and with high understanding.
On the seventh level, where Bright love reaches its destination. It becomes devotion. -Image via Wikimedia
At the fifth level, they get the perspective that the fights are not of their parents, but of their values and beliefs. These values and beliefs and way of living got into them by observing their parents and society. After confronting the real reason and the operating beliefs, they find the right remedy for it. The couple now enjoys the power of relationship by functioning from the same level of consciousness, from the same platform. They now live and operate from serenity, freedom, love and happiness. This is freedom from within, real independence.
At the sixth level, disputes end. What remains is not love, but Bright love. Transactional love ends, reason seeking love ends. This is the beginning of unconditional love. At this level, the relation is not dependent on give and take. Love is full and complete and the couple enjoys freedom and bliss. The focus is only on giving unconditionally.
On the seventh level, there is full expression of the unconditional love. Where Bright love reaches its destination. The highest form of unconditional love now manifests; it becomes devotion. This type of rare devotional love exists between a devotee and the Lord, as in Meera Bai, or between a disciple and his Guru.
Seeker: How to move to higher levels?
Sirshree: To move to higher levels, simply do two things. Contemplate and Communicate. Contemplate on questions such as: From which level are you operating? What are you creating everyday in your life? What are you creating in the now, around you, in the space of a relationship? Contemplate and elevate your level of relationship.
Having contemplated, now simply keep communicating and giving feedback to each other.
Cast off your blindfold – know thyself
Seeker: What is the definition of spirituality and how far is it required in life?
Sirshree: Spirituality means knowing our self and understanding our true nature. Many people think that spirituality is not really required to that extent. Let us understand this through an example. There are some people who live in a jungle. They work with their eyes covered with a strip of cloth. They make huts, pluck fruits, do some cleaning, rear animals, and carry out other such activities. However, they perform all these activities with their eyes blindfolded. Hence, while working they keep stumbling, falling and dashing against things. It is so difficult for them; yet this is the way they have always lived.
Is spirituality required in life?
Once, one of them happens to go to a place where his blindfold is removed. He begins to see! He is amazed. This person now comes back and tells everybody that they should go to this place where blindfolds are removed. They should all get the strips removed off their eyes and that will be extremely beneficial for them. If one of them replies, “I don’t feel that there is really any necessity to do this. Also, I don’t have the time for it”, then what will you say? You will say, “You are a fool! If you remove the blindfold, all your work would be completed much faster and in a better way. ”
All those people who are leading their lives blindfolded by false beliefs do not need spirituality. If you are going to live with such people all your life, then even you do not need spirituality. But, if you want to come out of that darkness, then spirituality is essential for you. When you will understand the real meaning of spirituality, this question will not arise. This question has appeared only because you do not know what real spirituality is. If you consider applying vermillion on the forehead, wearing saffron clothes, adorning garlands and rosaries as spirituality, then you are under an illusion. True spirituality is knowing your essence, recognising what you actually are.
Then the question is, how essential is spirituality? Is it really required? In spirituality, is it necessary to perform all the rites and rituals, rise early in the morning and read holy scriptures and perform worship, dip a lotus flower in water and sprinkle that water on everyone? The fact is that carrying out such activities is not spirituality; these acts are merely reminders of spirituality. People mistake these reminders (medium or channel) to be spirituality. That is why questions such as whether spirituality is necessary are asked. When reminders of spirituality become spirituality (or when the means become the end), things go wrong. The medium or channel is not the goal. The medium or channel exists for achieving the goal.
True spirituality is experiencing (not intellecutally knowing) the answer to the question, Who am I and then establishing in that experience of consciousness. It begins by casting off the blindfold of assumimg yourself to be a separate individual. All that a guru does is to help you cast off this blindfold. Everything else done in the name of spirituality is akin to leading you to do various exercises with a blindfold on. Someone who can ‘see’ can help you cast off the blindfold so that you too can see. Cast off this blindfold (assuming yourself to be a separate individual) that has clouded the Truth, shrouded the Self and eclipsed who you truly are. Nothing else is required!
Source : Extract from The Magic of Awakening, a book authored by Sirshree and published in English by Penguin India and further translated into 9 Indian languages and featured in the Limca Book of Records for a book released in multiple languages on the same day.
See the reflection of the Self in kith and kin
Seeker: Do we need to be associated with kith and kin in order to live in this world? When man knows that he has come alone and will exit from this world alone, why then does he get into marriage? why does he beget children? Why does he toil for getting name and fame?
Sirshree: Yes, it is indeed essential to maintain associations with kith and kin in order to live in this world. Let us understand this with an example. You make friends and acquaintances with fellow passengers whilst you are traveling alone by train. Why do you do so? It is so that your journey transpires smoothly. However, this is an obvious reason. The other reason is so that you can learn the lessons that you have come to learn in this world.
See the reflection of the Self in kith and kin. Image courtesy: EzykronHD
The deeper reason for the creation of so many relations and relatives is that you (the individual) are crooked from eight angles (Ashta-vakr). What do you do, so as to straighten your crooked aspects? An individual with the eight fold crookedness (Ashta-vakr) is also Ashta-ark. Let us understand the meaning of these two terms. Within us, there are certain aspects that are crooked and certain aspects that are our nature. The term Ashta-ark means the Self and Ashta-vakr refers to the ego-sense. The individual is crooked in eight ways due to the eight fold illusion (Ashta-maya). The notions of ‘I’-‘Mine’-‘To me’-‘You’-‘Your’-‘To you’-‘They’ and ‘To them’ are the eight crooked aspects. How do you get rid of them? For this you first need a mirror that enables you to see all the crooked aspects. Without a mirror, you will never able to know of them.
When people see their own photographs, they exclaim “’Hey! Do I look like this? … Do I think like this? … Do I walk like this? … Do I walk like this? … do I have such eyes? … such hair?’ People come to know about many of their own aspects only when they see their own photographs. When one hears his own recorded voice being replayed on an audio player, one would exclaim ‘Oh! Is this my voice?! … I never knew it is like this! … I never knew it’s so harsh!’ in the same way, the bad qualities, i.e. the eight fold crooked aspects that exist within the individual should be brought to light. If we do not get a chance to observe our own shortcomings, it will seem to us that we are absolutely perfect and absolutely right. For this reason, it is necessary that we get the real picture.
You need a mirror to visualize the crooked aspects within and also to see yourself
For example, if a judge, who passes verdicts in the court of law, continues to pass his judgments at home as well, it could be unacceptable to his family. He then leads an unhappy life. One day, he will try to analyze and see what are the mistakes he is making. He will see where he is going wrong. He will then realize that the world, comprising all the people he has to deal with, is indeed a mirror. In the court of law, no one can dispute his verdict as he benefits from the position of the judge. However, at home, he does not have the rank of the judge. At home, he is what he actually is. His designation does not come to his rescue. Thus, at home, he is able to see the reflection of his nature. He will not be able to impose his verdict on his child. His child will not adhere to his verdict. The child will naturally be obstinate. The orders that he commands at home are not final. The child will remain adamant and will force him to change his mind. It is possible to experience all these aspects only amidst kith and kin. If someone is telling you something, you are getting irritated … if someone is telling you something else, you are pleased… sometimes you do not carry out the task assigned to you by a particular person… you can witness all these vagaries of the mind only amidst relationships. What happens when you are dealing with your neighbor or the grocer? What is happening when you are shopping for clothes? What are you doing when you are buying medicines from the pharmacy? What are the questions you are asking? What are the underlying fears that that are evident from the questions you ask? Our kith and kin serve as a mirror to reveal ourself and the fears that lurk within us.
Ashta-ark indicates that when you get rid of the eight-fold crookedness your essential nature (Ark – essence), the self reveals itself. These very relations can then become the medium as well as the opportunity for the expression of the Self. This will be the beginning of heaven in life. When you are overflowing with boundless love, it will naturally be shared with those who are close to you. When the clouds are full of water and precipitate, where do they rain? Obviously, the land that is directly below the clouds will receive the rain.
By now, you must have understood that your essential nature is veiled by the eight-fold crookedness (Ashta-vakr). You therefore, need a mirror to visualize the crooked aspects within and also to see yourself. Your kith and kin serve as such a mirror in your life to enable you to see your nature.
Can we know our inner secrets with meditation?
Seeker: Can we know our inner secrets with meditation?
Sirshree: Yes, meditation can help us know such things about ourselves which other people are unable to know about themselves. Meditation enhances our awareness, due to which our awareness increases for everything. We find ourselves more at peace and more stable.
Meditation brings a change in our thoughts. The chaos which exists in thoughts reduces to a great extent. A simplicity seeps in. Thinking power intensifies. Many things about the mind become clear to us, which otherwise we would have never known. But the bigger secret is ‘Who am I?’, and meditation helps in finding the answer to this question.
Enquiry about God
Seeker: Who created God?
Sirshree: Do you think that God can die?
Seeker: No.
Sirshree: If something cannot die, can it ever be created?
Seeker: That means God is beyond birth and death?
Sirshree: Yes
Seeker: Then, when did the God, who is unborn, create this world?
Sirshree: “When the world was created?” — This question is to do with time. But the concept of time came after the world was created. Then, how is it possible to give an answer using a concept that came later? Or understand it this way — that the world was created when time started. What “was” before time, is actually what is important. That which was before time always existed, exists and will always exist.
Seeker: The one who is faceless, timeless and spaceless — Is he God?
Sirshree : Yes. Allah, God, Eeshwar, Sakshi, Witnessor, Peace, Silence, Super Consciousness, Satchidanand — many names have been given.
Truth cannot be told in words
Seeker: If Truth cannot be told in words, then how can one attain it and embody it in one’s life?
Sirshree: The answer to this is that even though it cannot be said in words, it can be pointed out to. All great saints have done so, be it the Buddha, or Guru Nanak or Jesus Christ or Ramakrishna Paramhansa or Ramana Maharishi or Kabir or Gyaneshwar. All these saints knew that “the truth cannot be expressed in words, it can only be indicated to… signalled out… pointers can be given.” This is UNTOLD TRUTH.
Be it the Gita, the Bible or the Koran, all books mean the same and talk of the same truth.
If the truth is pointed out to the one who is “thirsty”, who is a seeker, who has the desire, who wants to be spiritual, who is free of deceit, who is ready to listen, who has the eligibility, then that indication would be enough for such a person and he will experience the bliss of truth. It is only for such people that indications were made. But others misunderstood and they made meanings of their own. Be it the Gita, the Bible or the Koran, all books mean the same and talk of the same truth. A saint who has lived this experience of the truth has pointed out – “Whether you read the Gita or the Koran – liberation from ‘you’ and ‘me’ is the truth in all these sacred books.”
When the indication has been made, and if the seeker is still mired in his own imagination, then he will not grasp what is indicated, because many a time even the unreal appears real. Fake jewellery shines more than real jewellery, the photograph of a child seems better in comparison to the real child itself. “Reality” is there right in front of your eyes, yet, what is fake attracts us more because we are used to giving importance to the fake rather than the reality. If the seeker does not have the real understanding, then he would give more importance to the false things. When the truth is being pointed out, what is erroneously being grasped is the pointing finger, rather than the truth.
A father is writing in red ink. Some ink spills over his fingers. His son, just then, asks him, “Daddy, how does green colour look like?” The father runs his eyes around the room and his eyes locate a green object. “Look at that,” the father says pointing out with his finger, “that is green colour.” But the son looks at the red colour staining the pointing finger and says, “I got it.” You know what he has actually understood.
Enquiry about God
Seeker: Where is God?
Sirshree: You choose from these three answers:
He is within.
He exists externally.
Both in and out.
Seeker: I guess the third one.
Sirshree: Exactly. For Him, in and out makes no difference. The difference is only in our contrast mind.
Where did God come from?
Seeker: Then where to seek God?
Sirshree: You tell me. If he is both in and out, then where should you seek him?
Seeker: Maybe ‘In’ would be easier.
Sirshree: Precisely. Even if you seek Him outside, you will ultimately reach within. We look out into the mirror (an external source), but what it does is just to reflect us as we are. All idols and religious symbols stand for only one reason… to take us within. Then only do temples serve their purpose.
Seeker: Where did God come from?
Sirshree: This question sounds like a good question. But this question means that God was somewhere else and was not here. When He came here, then He won’t be there, where He was. So, does He keep moving from one place to the other?.. God is everywhere (omnipresent). Where did God come from?.. this question itself is wrong. If someone asks you, Is red color crooked or straight?, then you would say that red color has no relation with being crooked or straight. This question is wrong. Similarly thinking about questions like – Where did God come from?, Where He was?, are unnecessary.
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Why should we do Self Enquiry
Seeker: Why should we do Self Enquiry?
Sirshree: Doesn’t every being want bliss, happiness, peace? Behind everything that you do, isn’t it happiness that you seek? Every action that man performs is for this happiness, this bliss. But that bliss is lost in the hurricane of thoughts. Thoughts – be it then positive or negative, good or bad – they always cloud the radiance of the Self. When you are in deep sleep, then there are no thoughts. Then – there is pure consciousness, self, bright awareness.
The way a spider weaves a web out of itself and then takes back everything back into itself, the same way thoughts arise from the ocean of the Self and manifest our world. They disappear during deep sleep and along with them the world too disappears. This illusory game goes on uninterrupted.
To clear the cobwebs of illusion, one has to go to the source of these thoughts. When you do rigorous continuous repeated self-enquiry and see all the facets of the mind and all its colours – then the mind weakens and finally will meet its end. It will disappear. It never truly existed and thus – will become nothing. It is this mind that is ego, it is this that is the false ‘I’. Enquiry is for the death of the mind, the mind that in the ‘Final Truth Discourses’ is called the false ‘I’. It is also called the Contrast Mind, which keeps coming between the seeker and the sought (Self or God).
The meaning of 'God' is Love and 'Love' can never be unhappy.
The meaning of ‘God’ is Love and ‘Love’ can never be unhappy. Man wrongly believes that if one day he forgets to pray to God or prostrate before him, then God becomes unhappy or gets angry. Man thinks that God is like him. If God gets angry, then what’s the difference between God and man? One can say in a lighter vein that ‘God does get angry on this note that Man thinks that God gets angry’. You have to know yourself, only then you will know Him.
Understanding Thoughts with Self Enquiry
Q&A with Sirshree
Seeker: How can we continuously do “self enquiry”? It is but natural for thoughts to arise. They are bound to come. In such a situation, what do we do?
Understanding Thoughts with Self Enquiry
Sirshree: This enquiry is not difficult at all if one understands it properly. Whenever any other thought arises, ask yourself ‘to whom has this thought arisen?’ (Who is the thinker?). It doesn’t matter how many thoughts come to you. When you ask this to yourself (to whom has this thought occurred?), an answer might occur to you, “This thought has occurred to me”. Immediately ask yourself, “Who is this me?”, “Who am I?”. Then you will be thrown back to yourself. When you ask yourself, “Who is this me?” or “Who am I? “, then do not give the answer in words. Don’t answer from the intellect… ‘I am consciousness’, ‘I am self ‘, etc. Beyond these answers, beyond the intellect – one has to experience the feeling – one’s being – the feeling of “sense of presence”. Reaching the experience of the true self is the real answer to this question. In this way, every time, every thought… will take you back to your true self. Right now, if you are getting this thought that “I am not understanding this”, then ask… “who is it that is not understanding?”. If I have not understood, then who… who… who…? Immediately you will see that thoughts disappear for some moments. You become thoughtless. Only the self remains. In this way, by repeatedly contacting your true self, the mind will weaken and the light of consciousness will shine. The mind will learn to stay at its source by repeating this process. By dipping into the self again and again, the mind shall dissolve. It is like the story of the dolls made out of salt. They wanted to dive into the sea to measure its depth, they themselves got dissolved before reaching the bottom.
Seeker: Are there no other ways to quieten the mind?
Sirshree: Quietening of the mind is not the destination; it is just one of the steps. If after quietening of the mind, the required understanding is not achieved, the whole purpose is lost. This understanding does not arise through other methods. Some people try to quieten the mind by regulating their breath (pranayama). Or through chanting of mantras. In all these methods, one does feel that the mind has become quiet for some time. However, the mind returns back after some time with the same old understanding. The doubts of the mind appear again . The mind’s thoughts continue to trouble us. When someone focuses the mind on the gap between two breaths, then also the mind shall become quiet. One feels that along with the breath, the mind too has stopped. In deep sleep, even while the breathing is going on, the mind is quiet, it even ceases to exist. It is therefore, better if we can be on our source while breathing is taking place normally. Self enquiry achieves this naturally.
Seeker: Since there is no end to thoughts, how long should one continue “self enquiry”?
Sirshree: Do this enquiry until you find out your true identity, as long as your concepts about yourself don’t dissolve. One of the root concept is that you are the body, the moment such concepts / beliefs dissolve, self-enquiry will end because then you would have stabilized on your self. You would have become a sthithpragnya (one who is stabilized in truth). After that, even if there are thoughts, you would have understood that they are separate from you. You are witnessing those thoughts. Thoughts are in your body-mind mechanism. This machine is just a mirror which makes you aware of yourself. If there are thoughts happening to this mirror, then how can they trouble you? The mirror always does its work. It always reveals your presence to you. (It means it always makes you aware of your awareness). Practising self-enquiry and thus being established in oneself is the highest devotion of all. Eliminating thoughts the moment they arise by the process of self-enquiry is the truest sacrifice of all.
How to do Self Enquiry
Q&A with Sirshree
First ask - "Who I am not?"
Seeker: How does one begin Self Enquiry?
Sirshree: For the right start, first understand a little more about the body. Then about the mind, intellect and the Real Self (Sakshi). Understanding this will help.
Seeker: Should I directly begin by asking “Who am I?”
Sirshree: No. First ask – “Who I am not?”. I am not this body because the moment I say that this is my body, then it is something external. Not me. I am not “my car”. “My house” possibly cannot be me. I say : “Please come to my house”, and not “Please come in to me”.
- Name given to this body is not me.
- The five elements of this gross body – earth, fire, water, wind and space is not me.
- The astral body within the body is not me.
- The five senses of the body -eyes, ears , nose, tongue, and skin is not me.
- I am not those things that are related to the senses sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.
- I am also not the breath due to which this body-mind mechanism functions.
- Neither I am the mind that thinks about what I should be.
- Nor am I the intellect that is absent along with the body during deep sleep.
Seeker: If I am not all these, then who am I?
Sirshree: You are the only one who remains. It was you who were using the five layers of the body. It was you who were the master of the intellect. Now it is you who is the witnessing of the mind.
You are beyond every label
- Now, if you no longer are the body and intellect, how can you be an engineer or a doctor or a leader or a student?
- How can you be a brother or a sister, a father, a mother, a friend, a husband, a wife, a disciple or a Guru?
- How can you be American, Indian, British, Chinese, etc.?
- How can you be a Hindu, a Muslim, a Christian, a Jew?
- How can you be cheerful, intelligent, foolish, positive, active, honest, pious, lazy? Now it is just you who remains – pure, non-state , without any imagination of name or form. Accept your true form as it is. And remain that. You have become something that you aren’t. Now is the time to be established in your consciousness. To be who you really are – the bright witnessing.
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Enquiry about Ego
Q&A with Sirshree
In relationships, there should be 'bright love' and not mere expectations (Photo via flickr)
Seeker: Is fear, greed or ego the reason behind all the work that we do? Is that why you are asking us to do self-enquiry?
Sirshree: When you think honestly, you will find that you work with some expectations and with some ego. You have expectations from your brothers, sisters, spouse, children, etc. You want these expectations to be fulfilled. If they do not fulfil these expectations, then they become the reason for your unhappiness and anger. In relationships, there should be ‘bright love’ and not mere expectations. Also in exchange of this love, one should not expect name, fame, and gratitude. This bright love will come to you automatically through understanding. The ego will dissolve.
Seeker: How does this ego get created?
Sirshree: Once a child is 2 or 3 years old, the contrast mind begins to form. Which then takes the credit for every action. Then ego begins to increase. Different experiences… successes, wealth, status, etc. fuel the ego even further. Because of the habit of taking credit through appreciation, we gradually become a slave to praise. There is no limit to the ego. One can never satisfy it. This is its nature. If we wish to feed the ego with praise and when we don’t get praise then we have to bear its miseries as well. Self-enquiry with honesty will dissolve this ego and you will then find out your true nature, your being. Most of your problems will end immediately. Enquiry is such a technique that if it is done with understanding, then it can result in self realization.
Seeker: Now, I am beginning to understand many things. What else have I to learn?
Sirshree: You have to learn a little and do a lot of unlearning. Whatever concepts and beliefs you have assumed and accepted have to be removed and cleared through understanding. Whomsoever has the desire for happiness, peace, bliss etc. should do this enquiry.
Time required for Understanding the Truth
Q&A with Sirshree
Time required for Understanding the Truth (Photo from Flickr)
Seeker: How much time would it take me to understand the Truth?
Sirshree: This depends upon your desire to understand it. It depends on your thirst for the Truth. As and when this thirst increases – you will find that this is very easy. Some people are like camphor. The fire of Truth lights fast in them. Some are like incense sticks – a little bit more time is required. Some are like coal – more time is required. And lastly some are like wet wood – whom the fire of Truth can’t even touch.
Seeker: Can’t everyone get this understanding?
Sirshree: It is possible. Because within everybody the Truth exists. But the desire to know the Truth has to arise first. Till it doesn’t rise, then for ‘that’ the mind is like wet wood. The mind won’t be ready to listen at all.
Seeker: How will this thirst arise?
Sirshree: If somebody keeps listening to the Truth, keeps attending the discourses, if he keeps company of those friends who are also seekers of Truth – then this thirst will surely arise.
Also read:
Search for God
Q&A with Sirshree
Search for God
Seeker: From time immemorial, the search for God has always been on. Has there been any final conclusion to all this?
Sirshree: Yes. God is Silence manifested. It is only in silence that He can be known. Words can merely act as indicators. But when these words fall in the hands of sectarians, then they become the reason for differences and conflict. That is why people like the Buddha never even mention the word God.
Seeker: What stands between me and God?
Sirshree: Your fickle mind and its wrong concepts and beliefs.
Seeker: I have lots of shortcoming. Will God remove them?
Sirshree: If your faith persists – all these shortcoming would be overcome.
Seeker: Why doesn’t God himself raise this faith in me?
Sirshree: For this you have to understand the truth or surrender to God.
Seeker: If I surrender myself before God, then don’t I need to do prayers?
Sirshree: Surrendering is the most supreme and powerful prayer of all.
Seeker: But how to keep faith on God’s grace?
Sirshree: Don’t try to feel God’s grace with your mind. If you are not feeling His grace, it doesn’t mean that God is not showering grace on you. Do not compare or judge God’s grace in your imagination. You are born as a human – this itself is a big grace of God. Then in this body if the desire for truth arises, it is the second grace. Meeting a Guru who tells you the truth is the third grace. Faith arising on the Guru is the fourth instance of grace. You have already been bestowed with some of this grace.
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