Guest guest Posted December 1, 1999 Report Share Posted December 1, 1999 The Sanskrit word Bhakti needs careful explanation because there is no equivalent English word to represent its meaning completely. Bhakti is the practice of giving without asking and is also self surrender for the purpose of eventually identifying with the source of love or the higher SELF. Every action with Bhakti is done to serve the beloved one. Shankara defines Bhakti as the contemplative living in one's natural state-stateless state- the divine state. In the divine state we can view every other being in the world with equanimity. Every being in the world will become the mirror reflection of the SELF - ‘the me in you will see the you in me.' The devotee frees the mind from pretensions and possession and experiences the Bliss. This divine state can't be attained through studies or scholarship and is a state enjoyable only internally without an iota of external influence! It is the divine perception of equanimity that sprouts forth with the Divine Grace. With true Bhakti, the Bhakta can see the godliness of infinite love through the total surrender of ego. Bhakti is the recognition that we only possess ‘ego' and necessity for its surrender permanently. The Ego consists of two illusions - the first, ownership to wealth and knowledge and second , ownership of control over other beings. The human intellect can recognize the fact that "We came with no possessions and will leave without any possession.' It seems that we want to maintain ignorance with illusionary behavior! By surrendering the ego, the Bhakta gives up the illusory behavior and retains the True Human Nature with the Divine qualities. The Bhakta and the universe become internal and external perceptions disappears with the experience of Bliss! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 1999 Report Share Posted December 1, 1999 Thanks and you are right. Actually any illusion is also an illusion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 1999 Report Share Posted December 1, 1999 >"Ram Chandran" <chandran > >(snip) The Ego consists of two illusions - the first, ownership to wealth and knowledge and second , >ownership of control over other beings. This seems like just one illusion to me - or two things that are both due to the same basic illusion. (I know, this is nit-picking!) W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 1999 Report Share Posted December 1, 1999 >"Ram Chandran" <chandran > >Thanks and you are right. Actually any illusion is also an illusion! Yes, that's a very important point that is often not understood. Zen master Huang-Po put it this way: "The arising of illusion and the elimination of illusion are both illusory." W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 1999 Report Share Posted December 1, 1999 List, If life is an illusion that our minds make up, then why don't we perceive ourselves having wings to lift us to where we want to go, or destruction that kills millions. Why don't we see ourselves as pretty with blond/brown/black hair or blue/green/brown eyes? If it is all an illusion, when is/was the factors of these illusions we call our lives decided? I hope this didn't sound childish. With respect, Anthony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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