Article sent from The Hindu

[Guest guest]

=============================================================

This article has been sent to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran )

=============================================================

Source: thThe Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/06/17/stories/2002061700640800.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

-

Religion

 

 

The Self, source of eternal bliss

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

JUNE 17

 

.. The human mind is conditioned in such a way that it demands an atmosphere,

which is conducive to its happiness all the time. But the external world of

experience is not within human control. Hence, the mind has to be trained to

endure both joy and sorrow without losing its equanimity, which requires a

change in attitude. One must understand that happiness and misery are states of

mind and until a person retains his balance of mind he cannot engage it in

spiritual pursuits. Worldly life has its share of joys and sorrows. Sometimes

one gets what one wants and occasionally does not; but in both situations a

spiritual aspirant must retain his equanimity. Though he may know its

importance, it will be difficult to practice it in daily life and can attain

mastery only with time. A spiritual seeker must observe his mind and assess how

quickly it bounces back to its normal peaceful state. Joys and sorrows afflict

only the mind. The Self is always blissful. When the mind is tranquil!

, the bliss of the Self is reflected in it.

 

In his discourse on the Vivekachoodamani, Swami Mitrananda said the joy derived

from sense objects and relationships were due to the Self. Objects by themselves

cannot give joy. If it is true then they should give joy always. It can be

observed that what gives joy at one time turns out to be a source of sorrow

later. This is true of relationships also. It is the Self, which is dearest to a

person. Worldly attachments develop due to the tendencies of the mind (Vasanas)

acquired in previous lives. In truth someone is dear to one not because one

loves the other but because of the Self. One mistakenly thinks that the other

person is the source of one's joy. Very rarely can one see love for its own

sake. In such unconditional love there is no attachment or selfishness and it is

universal. Love, which is possessive, is only attachment.

 

There is a parable of a shepherd, which illustrates the truth that in true love

there is total freedom. Like any shepherd he had a fenced off area to herd his

flock so that they would not come to any harm. One day, a sheep escaped through

a hole in the fence and wandered away and he went in search of it. He found it

and brought it back but did not close the hole through which it had escaped. His

action confounded someone who was observing this and he questioned him. The

shepherd replied that he loved his sheep and that is why he had given it

freedom. His love made him care for their welfare but he did not curtail their

freedom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright: 1995 - 2002 The Hindu

 

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly

prohibited without the consent of The Hindu