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Selfless Service
Old Story, Golden Moral By Sirshree
There was a leper who used to beg all day. He would happily sit alone in the corner of a street. People would pass by and some would give him alms and some would not. There was a man who was closely observing this leper every day. He wondered, ‘what inspires this leper to live, what are his aspirations, why doesn’t he think of ending his life?’
Sirshree says, “Serve others as if there is no other.”
Every human being has some purpose to live. For some, it is their children, while for some it may be to acquire wisdom. One may live to earn money and another would live to acquire a name, fame and power. Everyone has some or the other purpose of living. What does this leper have that inspires him to continue to live?
One day this man could not contain himself and finally asked the leper, “Why are you living? You have so many difficulties, you are in pain, you do not get proper food, you live in this dirt on the footpath, and no one looks at you. So, what is your motivation to live?”
The leper’s reply was astonishing, profound and such that each one of us should deeply contemplate on it.
He said, “I am living for you. Actually, I have come to know my true nature, who I am, what the purpose of my life is and why am I here. Hence I am living. Had I not known this, I would have committed suicide long ago. So, whenever anyone asks me why I am living, I will tell them that after having seen my true face, the feeling of a Witness and a Self Witness has arisen in me. Therefore, I am in great bliss. You may be feeling that I am very unhappy, but actually I do not have any sorrow, I am not at all unhappy. Whenever a curious person like you passes by, I act and yell out as if in great pain so that a question arises within him too as to what is it that drives me to live despite so much pain. You just can’t imagine how much I enjoy performing this act!”
The leper had realized the purpose of his life. He was performing his role with utmost sincerity and dedication so that his purpose was fulfilled.
Points to contemplate on:
The leper knew why he was living. Hence he was in constant feeling of bliss and rendering impersonal service of helping all unconditionally. He actually did a great service for people.
Have you asked yourself and got the answers to the following questions:
- Who am I?
- What is the purpose of my life?
- Why I am here (on earth)?
(If you are a member of Tej Gyan Foundation, then are you actively participating in ‘Satya Trikon (Triangle of Truth)’? That of Shravan (listening the discourses), Seva (service) and Bhakti (devotion), given by Sirshree). Sirshree says, “Serve others as if there is no other.” Service can be in any form: physical efforts, sharing wealth, sharing knowledge of the truth, by giving someone your time, your smile, your advice, etc.)
Understanding:
When we understand the purpose of our life, even sorrow can become the cause of happiness. Till today, we have been stuck with the dualities of joy and sorrow, honor and insult, success and failure. But we have never tried to know the third entity, which is beyond these dualities. After knowing it, we will be liberated from both, happiness and sorrow. Otherwise we will be stuck in duality all our life and will never try to understand our Mission Earth.
Seva (impersonal service) actually helps the sevak (seeker) to discover and break his tendencies and reach a point of clarity, where he knows and understands the true purpose of life.
Please read these related topics:
Impersonal service
Seeker: All spiritual paths lay emphasis on social volunteering and free services (seva) from members. Devotees spend hours and hours together, without any expectations. What is the purpose of this? Does it really help an individual grow spiritually?
Sirshree: To understand the importance of seva, you have to remember your ultimate goal of life. Remember, you have come to earth along with the mind. But while returning, you have to take it back – making it good, unshakeable, pure and loving. If you succeed in doing so, your MISSION EARTH: your purpose of coming to Earth, will be fulfilled. *
Every religion in the world has emphasized the need for purity of mind. Hence the Yam-Niyam, the Panchsheel, the Ten Commandments, etc. have been laid down. People leading impersonal lives easily manage to keep their mind clean and pure. To lead an impersonal life is to serve others with a feeling of selflessness, and to always intend the welfare of others with every action.
There are both positive and negative thoughts in our mind. While we benefit from positive thoughts, we also suffer the ill effects of our negative thoughts. The common tendency of the mind is to be attracted towards negative thoughts. The mind gets tainted due to this. The goal is to make it steady and pure. Hence it is essential to employ it in impersonal service. Impersonal service can cleanse the mind.
Through impersonal or selfless service, the mind can become Hanuman; Hanuman who is always immersed in service and devotion. Described in the epic Ramayana, he is considered to be the epitome of impersonal service. There is no service that is great or meagre for him. He does everything with the feeling of service. It is then that this very mind will become a ‘Super Mind’. ‘Super Mind’ is a mind which reaches that place on time wherever service is required (just like Superman). The ‘Super Mind’ is always ready for service.
The mind is connected with time. Hence you have to become Superman as soon as possible; which means that you have to render impersonal service like Superman. We must therefore resolve to finish our tasks before time. Always employ the mind in impersonal service. Once the mind tastes impersonal service, it will transcend time and go beyond it.
Seva imparts understanding to the mind that it needs to lead an impersonal life. After attaining this understanding, man realises that every work in the world is impersonal.
* Read “The Unshaken Mind” written by Sirshree to know more about Mission Earth.
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The Unshaken Mind – Discovering The Purpose, Power And Potential Of Your Mind
The human mind is a wondrous creation. It can be resplendent with the freshness of an infant, or stagnate with the obstinacy of the old age. It can be a devoted servant, or even a wild master. It can be leveraged to earn money or can also be used to attain wisdom. It can surrender in devotion, or be lost in delusion. It can continue to vacillate between the past and future, or serve as a mirror for the Self experiencing supreme happiness. With so many possibilities, this mind can be an all powerful tool with infinite potential for the highest creation. But the mind’s potential is only realised when it is given the ultimate purpose: the purpose of human birth on earth – Mission Earth. The aims that we pursue in our lives are not the true purpose for which we were born. They are merely meant to sustain us.
A shaky mind is a slave of its tendencies and cannot be trusted for the highest Self Expression. It is only a mind that is unshaken and remains unshaken, whose power can be channelized comprehensively towards the highest creation.
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Self Transformation
Seeker: Sirshree, I am a business professional. The world economic recession is creating a sort of uncertainty and stress environment at my workplace, and the same is getting transferred at home. I just want to know what the real purpose of life is and is spirituality going to help me grow and blossom in life.
Sirshree: Remember that life has been given to you for a purpose. Every incident in life can take you forward or backward. Self Transformation is essential to always move forward. Self Transformation is all about converting your challenges into opportunities. The best way to do that is to use the present environment and all incidents of life to break out of the frame with which you perceive the world.
Spirituality gives you that UNDERSTANDING of life and the aim of spirituality is HAPPINESS. Everyone desires happiness. Happiness is our nature. But the happiness we get in this material world is temporary. The quest of spirituality is the quest for permanent happiness. The quest for true happiness. A kind of bliss that does not diminish with time.
Self transformation is the transformation of the Self.
Transforming the way you perceive life and derive happiness is the first step in spiritual transformation. All the examples of false happiness are categorized as lower levels of happiness. As you transform spiritually, you derive happiness from higher levels, like Happiness in Service for others, Divine happiness, and a state of Eternal bliss instead of artificial, second-hand stimulation happiness derived using some formula. Each one of us bears the eternal unremitting bliss within. For self transformation and getting access to this eternal bliss state, you have to learn to open up and blossom. Those who are open to growth neither withdraw nor remain stuck by this so-called recession environment or adverse conditions in life.
The secret of blossoming is simple. All it says is that the reason of every event in your life is to provide you with an opportunity to open up and blossom. Every incident occurs to test you and see if you blossom or not. Look at children. They never withdraw; they simply live naturally and operate out of their ‘being’. They operate from ‘nothingness’ and are open. They intuitively know this secret of life. Understand this secret of blossoming and opening up so that you experience bliss every moment.
As you progress towards higher levels of happiness, your question will change. Every moment, every day, several incidents are taking place around you. You either experience a good or bad feeling in those incidents or after those incidents. Each one of us has a desire to have good feelings within us.
The question now arises as to how do we feel good about each day, each incident? We have within us a centre, a core. You can call that centre the source of thoughts and feelings… from where they emanate. The most interesting part is that the centre is always fixed, it never moves. It is akin to the hands of the clock that move with a stationary spindle at the centre. For a fan to move round and round, a stationary central rod is needed. Similarly, there is something within us, which is stationary and fixed. Being established there is the whole purpose of life… for which a human body has been bestowed to you. Once you have access to that centre, you will learn that there alone lies eternal bliss. That centre can also be called ‘Self‘. Being established there permanently is what is also called as Self-Stabilization, which is different from Self-Realization, a one time glimpse.
Seeker: Can I attain self transformation?
Sirshree: Self transformation is the transformation of the Self. It does not mean transformation of an individual all alone by himself. Only someone at a higher state can show you the path. Only someone who has walked the steps can guide you. And the journey is such that though there are steps and states, there is not really ‘somewhere’ to go. It is a journey that begins at the destination and ends at the destination itself. Hence the importance of a guide on this journey cannot be overemphasized. Self transformation is a journey in which a Guru, a guide is very much required… not any guide… but a guide who has walked the path and is very much alive giving you feedback and guiding your transformation process. That you may find such a Guru is my good wish for you.
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MISSION EARTH
Every year we set resolutions for ourselves, our family and our organisation. The aim that we usually set up for ourselves is not our real aim. It is merely for survival and subsistence of life. The aim behind this aim is the real goal, Mission Earth, the universal impersonal aim of life.
Attaining Mission Earth is the whole and soul purpose of human life, the reason why we have come to earth
We should train our mind in such a way that it always treads the path of love, devotion, service, dedication and surrender. Such mind will lead us to our goal of Mission Earth. Attaining Mission Earth is the whole and soul purpose of human life, the reason why we have come to earth.
To reach this goal, we should befriend the mind because the mind is not our enemy. With this understanding, it becomes easier to win over the mind. We cannot win the mind by defeating the mind; in fact, we can win only by making the mind a winner, with a win-win proposition.
How would that happen? For that you have to understand the nature and the work of the mind. You have to take the journey of mind, to understand the types of mind, and how to interpret our mind. Which type of mind do we need to win? How to communicate with our mind? What effective steps we need to take, so that we are liberated? What are the rules to be followed in this mind game? How to train the mind to attain all that we wish for?
At every step, you have to contemplate and assess: Where have you reached in this journey? Has your mind become humble, peaceful, pure and unshakeable? Wherever you are in this journey, this blog will guide you to success. Read it carefully and accomplish Mission Earth.
Congratulations for your ensuing success!
Related topics
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.
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Internal Guidance – Intuition
We sometimes get a hunch that a particular person will meet me today. Our mind tells us that he is too far away to meet. Our intuition proves right and he does meet or call us.
You might have noticed that sometimes you choose one out of many options based not on factual data but on our inner gut feeling and that choice proves right. This is intuition power. We all have it. Sometimes we get an inkling that a particular thing will happen although our mind rules out any such possibility, but this intuition proves to be right. Such things do happen in everyone’s life one time or the other.
Intuition means tuition from within. Our Intuition is perpetually guiding us. It keeps telling us – What is harmful for us, what is not… Who is a friend, who is not… Where is danger and where it is not… and so on.
Most of us do not cultivate this power properly. If we do so and also develop faith in it, it has the ability to give us correct guidance at every step. This tuition never goes wrong. Learn to listen and trust this soft voice from within.
It is important is to have faith on your intuition.
Man is so engrossed with his external (outer world) activities that he has lost touch with his intuition (inner world). This is a wake up call. We must remind ourselves of this already existing wonderful power within us. We have to know it by experience – through listening and observation. If we do that, we realize that the source of power is within us.
Our every step can be guided from within. We have to develop faith that timely guidance comes from within when needed. Once we get tuned to our inner guidance, we will not have any fear. If at all a danger approaches us, our intuition will forewarn us so that we can prepare ourselves to face it.
Once in awhile, do ask yourself ‘What is my aim in Life?‘ Your intuition will give you the answer. There are very few who are working towards their aim in life with full understanding and awareness. In today’s fast paced life, one tends to live mechanically. One must therefore repeatedly ask oneself the above question. The answer will definitely come and this answer is of ultimate importance.
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Take 5-fold path to 2012
You can make any year your best year by giving your best. The best thing in the world is the Source of all — consciousness. Give 2012 your best. Let this year not go waste. Here are five key powers that you can attempt to invoke in 2012 to be in the best state this year and forever:
The power of presence: Allow the power of “formless presence” to manifest. People are more interested in the presence of power than in the power of presence. The ego is the biggest hindrance in allowing the power of presence to manifest. To invoke this power, learn practices that help to calm the mind so that the power of presence can shine.
The power of present: Allow the power of the “past-less present” and “future-less present” to manifest. You can always be in the present by loving your present. Instead, man is busy loving his future. “Only if this happens in the future shall I be happy.” Focus on the future or on the past is the biggest hindrance in allowing the power of present to manifest. To invoke this power, learn meditation, which instantly brings you to the present.
The power of love: Allow the power of unconditional love to manifest. Begin by loving yourself so that you can love others. Give love to others. The more you give love, the more you get love. Man is, instead, focused on receiving love. Such miserliness of focusing on receiving and not on giving is the biggest hindrance in allowing the power of love to manifest. To invoke this power, practise both giving and forgiving.
The power of stabilisation: Allow the power of “self-stabilisation” to manifest. Self-realisation is a one-time experience. Self-stabilisation is permanent awakening. A surrendered, tolerant and disciplined mind is essential for stabilisation. The mind’s tendency to stray is the biggest hindrance in allowing the power of stabilisation to manifest. Become aware of how your mind strays and slips into escapism, be it in emotions, eating, or indulging in vices. To invoke this power, avoid escapism and make the mind tolerant and disciplined in small acts throughout the day.
The power of agreement: Allow the power of “complaint-free agreement” to manifest. Whenever you complain about the world, you are not in agreement. Understand that what happens in the world outside you is a mirror of what is inside you. The habit of the mind to stamp an incident as good or bad and jump to conclusions is the biggest hindrance in allowing the power of agreement to manifest. To invoke this power, completely accept things as they are, letting go of all resistance; you may then take action that is required.
What am I?
Number five has a special significance in spirituality the five elements (Panchmahabhoota), the five bodies (Panchsharir), the five rules of the Buddha (Panchsheel), the five precepts of Aurveda (Panchkarma), etc.
However there is one set of fives that denotes a unique spiritual phenomenon that very few are aware of the five qualities of the Self. Lot of significance has been attached to the questions Who am I and Why am I? But the question What am I? is oft ignored. What is my inner core made up of? What are the qualities of the Self? What is at the essence of my being? What are the five core values of a human being? And the answer will be five qualities or values. These are creation, realization, satisfaction, devotion and discrimination. To make it simpler, you can substitute these five qualities with the verbs Expressing, Being, Enjoying, Loving and Knowing.
The five qualities of the Self
Why only these? You can use an micro or macro approach and will arrive at the same set of five whatever approach you take. Macrocosmically, examine what is being human all about. What differentiates us from animals? Man is considered to be the highest manifestation. What makes him highly evolved are five things that only humans are capable of, not any other animal. Only man is endowed with higher abilities to create and express as manifested in art, to meditate and inquire as manifested in self realization, to love and devote as opposed to merely lust, to be happy and blissful as manifested in laughter, to discriminate and know the difference between what is real and unreal as manifested in developed cognition and conscience. Microcosmically, when you meditate on Who am I and are established on the inner Self, you are left with only these five values. You experience creativity, peace, happiness, love and truth emanating from your inner core and reverberating in the universe. You do not even require enlightenment to experience it. Ask yourself whether at your core, arent the values of creativity, peace, happiness, love and truth that exist? Take any list of values in a value education class and you can distill them to these fiveno more or no less.
Thus both from a macro and micro point of view, you are left with these five essences. Let us examine each of them to understand the qualities of Self or the nature of Godhead:
Creation (Abhivyakti) : Creation is the physical manifestation of ideas and thoughts. At the core of the universe is creation. The Self in Rest created the universe, the Self in Action to know itself. Shiva created Shakti. Creation also denotes self expression.
Realization (Mouna): Why did creation take place? So that the Self can realize itself. So that the silence can be realized. At the core of everything created is silence, peace. The purpose of human birth is to realize oneself. The body-mind has been given for the Self to realize itself. The body-mind can never realize the Self. Self realizes itself through the body-mind
Enjoyment (Anand) : The Self realizes itself to be established in bliss. A mere body-mind is enough for the Self to realize itself. But what is unique about humans is that the individual someone who thinks of himself as separate also gets created. And when the individual surrenders to the Self, bliss manifests. God created individuality to experience the happiness of coming back (realizing) to Himself. This happiness is possible only when there is forgetfulness, when there is separation. Thus the significance of the individual. Realization leads to bliss.
Love (Prem): To realize oneself and be established in the Self, the body-mind has to surrender to the Self. You can call this as devotion (bhakti). Devotion arises out of duality. I am separate from God. The individual is separate from the Self. So now the individual surrenders to the Self through bhakti a higher form of love. Where the body-mind appreciates and is in amazement of the Self. Bhakti leads to realization. On realization, a higher form of love manifests. Love of the Self for its creation. Pure love. Love of the Truth for the Truth.
Discrimination (Satya): On realization, you are stabilized on the truth. There is a clear distinction between what is real and what is unreal. Only knowing remains. Knowing of the truth. To attain realization too, discrimination of what is the truth and what is not the truth is critical. Only human beings can discriminate between real and unreal. There are only two paths to realization one is that of Surrendering (bhakti). The other is that of discrimination (vivek) where there is a constant enquiry of what is real, what is unreal.
These five qualities shall emanate effortlessly from the one who is realized. Others can practice some simple steps that can enhance these five qualities in their life. Take up a vocation or a hobby where you are fully self expressed where you do not have a sense of time as you create. Mediate to have glimpses of realization. Carry happy thoughts and take time to smell the flowers as you enjoy the process of whatever you do. Be open to the love that exists in relationships. And practice self enquiry to discriminate between what is real and what is unreal.
Open your eyes and watch how all nature, how all that you do is a manifestation of these qualities. How these are the core values. Marvel at the question, What am I?
Self Transformation through Knowlerience
Self Transformation is self liberation followed by self development followed by self expression.
An individual may have many aims. He gets joy and satisfaction only after achieving his aim. However, he is unaware that hidden behind every aim, is the chief aim of self transformation. This can be termed as ‘Aim Beyond Aim’. Self transformation refers to realizing one’s potential and then expressing it. In this article Sirshree presents the perspective with which one should approach this aim.
“Self Transformation is self liberation followed by self development followed by self expression. Self Liberation refers to freedom from negativities such as fear, worry, anger, etc. Self Development refers to improving positive qualities, working on every level of life. Once you are liberated from negativities and have developed your qualities, the demonstrable results in your life and their impact on those around you become your Self expression. In other words,
Self Transformation = Self Liberation (from problems) + Self Development (in all 5 areas of life *) + Self Expression (the impact on your life and others)
Self Transformation is akin to blossoming. A photograph is of no use if it remains confined within the camera itself. For a photograph to be expressed to the world, it first needs to be washed and then developed.
The one who is in the path of self transformation is a warrior. A warrior takes everything in life to be a challenge, responding fully to what happens without complaint or regret. What usually matters most to people is affirmation or certainty in the eyes of others; what matters most to a warrior is commitment to transformation. This warrior is one who has clarity of body, mind and intellect. Clarity with respect to the body refers to being aware of postures, the breath, the interplay of the physical elements, becoming sensitive to just how much food and sleep is actually needed. Clarity with respect to the mind refers to clarity of emotions, thoughts and different mental states. Not getting caught up in the whirlings of the mind, retaining the balance in their flow of thoughts. Clarity of intellect refers to not being muddled or confused about what is happening. And he does not have this clarity at merely an intellectual level, but at an experiential level. He is a warrior with knowlerience.
Knowlerience
Knowlerience is a word that you will not find in the dictionary. Knowlerience refers to knowledge and experience. Knowledge could be mere expression in words. Experiential knowledge is what is more important, not just intellectual knowledge.
You have understood that Self Transformation is needed across the three layers of the body, mind and intellect and in the five levels of life. But mere understanding is not enough.
For the transformation of the body, you have to practice a proper diet (pure diet), practice breath control (pranayama), exercise, and take timely rest. Also, you should seek the benefits of all the gifts of nature such as air, water, sunlight, natural herbs, etc. Many have a ‘body of knowledge’ about the body. Only when they practice what is mentioned therein, they have knowlerience of body transformation.
For the transformation of the mind, you should practice cultivating optimistic thoughts (Happy Thoughts) and a strong aim. Be deeply watchful of your thoughts and you will be liberated from vices such as fear, worry, anger etc. Many have a mindful load of information about the mind. Only when they practice a few things from that truck load of information, they have knowlerience of mind transformation.
For the transformation of the intellect, you should practice farsightedness, originality, practicality and act as per what the situation needs. Many intellectually understand the intellect. Only when they practice what they intellectually understand, they have knowlerience of intellectual transformation.
Even if you are told the deepest secret of the universe, it would appear as just empty words until there was enough practice.”
You will find more information about this topic in the book by the same name. In it you’ll also find an action plan for each aspect showing how you could plan your actions and work your plan. Imbibe them and you will have knowlerience of self transformation. Then you would have learnt to convert problems into opportunities.
Note : * 5 areas of life are : physical, mental, financial, social and spiritual
The Whole-Sole Purpose of Your Life
Being established permanently in the Self is called Self Stabilization
We have within us a centre, a core, from where all our thoughts and feelings emanate. The most interesting part is that this center is always fixed, it never moves. It is akin to the axis of a fan which is always stationery and is essential for the fan to function. Similarly there is something within us which is stationery and fixed. To get established there is the whole sole purpose of your life. Once you have access to that centre, then you will learn that there alone lies eternal bliss. That center can also be called the Self. Being established there permanently can be called as Self Stabilization, which is distinct from self realization – a one time glimpse.
There are three steps to attain the whole-sole purpose of human life.
Step 1 : Be Positive Minded.
Always bear a positive outlook. Several pessimistic and negative thoughts might come across your path in this journey towards your goal. Transform every negative thought to a positive one by using the word ‘but’. If a thought comes to you, “I am sad”, then immediately transform this thought into a positive one. Say, “I am sad, but if I desire, I can experience the feeling of bliss here and now itself”. If you think that “I cannot do this work”, then reframe the thought in this manner: “I cannot do this, but with the help of God it can be possible”.
Step Two : Be Present Minded
In this step you are required to keep yourself alert about every sound, every incident, every thought around you, every moment. By doing so, you will become sensitive about yourself and your surroundings. You will also get rid of forgetfulness. You shall no more remain absentminded. Your awareness about the present also will make you aware about negative emotions or vices in you such as hatred, disgust, anger, pride, comparison and greed. Thus your mind starts to become pure. Practice living in the present using all the methods and meditations that you come across. (Many such exercises are featured in our newsletters regularly)
Step Three : Be Single Minded
In the third step, you are undisturbed and only focused towards the whole-sole purpose of your life. Remind yourself of your whole sole purpose throughout the day. It is the law of life that whatever you are receptive toward, whatever you focus your attention on, that manifests in your life. Be single minded about the whole sole purpose of being established in the centre within where you experience eternal bliss.
These three steps take your mind within. Mind is the cloud that is shrouding the sun (Self) from shining. When your mind surrenders to the centre then only will happiness, tranquility and love manifest. What was always ever present can be experienced. Practice Self Enquiry to reach the Self, to reach that centre. Practising Self Enquiry is one of the best ways to take your mind within where it gets eliminated so that the Self shines.
Self Enquiry is a path that is gaining popularity nowadays. It is an ancient method, that has been time and again revived by realized souls. After Ramana Maharishi revived this process, many have taken up this path. Still it is one of the most misunderstood of concepts. Sirshree Tejparkhiji demystifies Self Enquiry and leads the seeker step by step in his book “Self Enquiry with Understanding”.
Visit http://www.tgfonlinestore.com/ for Tejguru Sirshree Tejparkhiji’s books.
AIM OF SPIRITUALITY: HAPPINESS
Everyone desires happiness. Happiness is our nature. But happiness is temporary. The quest of spirituality is the quest for permanent happiness. The quest for true happiness. A kind of bliss that does not diminish with time. Man seeks this permanent happiness in his day to day life, but in the process gets entangled in illusory happiness or false happiness.
False happiness is found in indulging the palette
False happiness is what you derive out of winning a lottery
False happiness is what you derive when you get a promotion
False happiness is found in taunting or even harming others
False happiness is seeking happiness in praise
Bright Happiness is the happiness beyond happiness and unhappiness
This article by Sirshree talks about the seven levels of happiness. All the examples of false happiness discussed above are categorized as lower levels of happiness. As you spiritually transform, you derive happiness from higher levels.
Level 1 Happiness: Artificial happiness
Level 1 happiness is where happiness doesn’t even exist. If someone succeeds in not paying for a bus ticket, but yet gets to make the journey, then he or she feels extremely happy. It is pointless. Though at that moment, it appears to be very pleasurable. Just pondering over it would make it clear that there is nothing to be happy about. It is like a mirage.Level 2 Happiness: Second-hand happiness
There is a market for second-hand cars where you buy someone else’s used car. However, second-hand vehicles or objects usually don’t last for long. Similarly second-hand happiness is derived by using others. By being sadistic. By teasing or taunting or harming others.Level 3 Happiness: Stimulation Happiness
Stimulation happiness refers to the happiness gained due to excitement aroused by parties, loud music, etc. You watch TV and get excited about a program. This is stimulation happiness. The happiness derived out of watching a nerve wrecking cricket match is another example of stimulation happiness. The whole society is a prey to this kind of happiness. Happiness that is dependent on parties and picnics and celebrations. But the stimulation does not last for long. Two or three days after the excitement of the party or a match is over, you feel now even more bored. Now a higher level of excitement is required next time. Then one may turn into gambling or addiction or some thing else.Level 4 Happiness: Formula Happiness
Many people have created formulae for happiness. If everything goes well as per their formula, they are very happy. For many, the formula is “Sunday Morning Newspaper + A Cigarette + A morning drink”. For some, the formula is “Saturday night party + a new date every time”. For children, the formula could be “a whole day of play + a movie to end the day”. For ladies, it could be “Gift + Gold = Happiness”.Level 5 happiness: Happiness in Service
This is the first amongst the higher levels of happiness. Where an individual derives happiness out of serving others. The law of nature that “whatever you become a medium for, will multiply in your life” starts paying rich dividends on this level. So, the more one serves, the more happy one becomes. The more nature rewards, one really begins to enjoy this virtuous cycle. Many a time, this also leads to bloated egos and expectations from others. It doesn’t take long therefore to fall to depths of unhappiness from the heights of happiness derived at this level.Level 6 happiness: Divine Happiness
At this level, man is in love with the creator. He sings the praise of God and admires everything created by God. Everything that happens in his life is fully acceptable to him. He says, “If God desires to keep me in this state…then I am happy as I am”. He believes, “ If this is what God desires, then I have no objection to it. If God is making me cry, then I shall cry with happiness..”. It is a very state born out of surrendering. There is a level of understanding and spiritual growth out of which this happiness emanates. One is always in a feeling of gratitude and devotion at this level.Level 7 Happiness: Eternal Bliss
Each one of us bears the eternal bliss within, but we are not aware of the same. When you are in deep sleep and neither the mind is awake nor dreaming, nor are you aware of the body, then you are in connection with that eternal state. Every child, before the mind fully develops, is established in the same state of eternal bliss. As soon as the child’s mind develops, others condition the child that he is an individual, a body. Identification with the body is complete. Then begins unhappiness. Now the child has grown up. The individual understands that happiness can be derived only from lower levels.
If self realization occurs through the grace of Guru or God, then it means that now there is access to the eternal bliss state. This is permanent happiness which does not diminish with every passing hour. Actually, the more you access it, the more the happiness grows. Regain the eternal bliss found among children. Become child like. Not childish. For this transformation to occur, you have to learn to open up and blossom.
Bright Happiness is the happiness beyond happiness and unhappiness. Everyone wants happiness, joy, bliss, etc. Everyone wants the same thing. But because many don’t know the path to real happiness, they find it in wrong things. Gamblers find happiness in gambling, drunkards in alcohol, while some find happiness in pulling people’s legs. The only way to permanent happiness is attaining the final truth. If you want, you can get the happiness which only increases every time you get it. And for this, what is required is understanding. Tej Gyan works towards imparting understanding in everybody about final truth and scientific ways towards realization.
Also read:
Self Stabilization Booklet
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