Guest guest Posted January 31, 2003 Report Share Posted January 31, 2003 I've started reading Vivekachoodaamani again after so many years (it was my first Advaita text) and I find it highly inspirational. So many highly complex issues in Advaita are so beautifully dealt with. Like my post on Upadesha Saahasri a few months back, I would like to post some important verses from Vivekachoodaamani which question many common assumptions regarding Advaita. But instead of doing it at one shot I would like to post 3 or 4 verses at a time and make it a series. Also I find verses even about some basic issues like qualifications for an Advaitin so clearly spelt out, that I would like to post such verses first. --------- Brahman is real; the universe is unreal. A firm conviction that this is so, is called discrimination between the eternal and the non- eternal. Renunciation is the giving up of all the pleasures of the eyes, the ears and the other senses, the giving up of all objects of transitory enjoyment, the giving up of desire for a physical body as well as for the highest kind of spirit body of a god. Try to detach the mind from all objective things by continually seeing their imperfection and to direct it steadfastly towards Brahman, its goal - this is called tranquility. To detach both kinds of sense organs - those of perception and those of action from objective things and to withdraw them to rest in their respective centres - this is called self-control. True mental poise consists in not letting the mind react to external stimulii. To endure all kinds of afflictions without any reaction, complaint or lament - this is called forbearance. A firm conviction based upon the intellectual understanding that the teachings of the scriptures and of one's master are true - this is called by the sages the faith which leads to the realization of reality. To concentrate the intellect always upon the pure brahman and to keep it fixed there always - this is called self-surrender. This does not mean soothing the mind like a baby with idle thoughts. Longing for liberation is the will to be free from the fetters of ignorance - beginning with the ego-sense andso on down to the physical body itself - through the realization of one's true nature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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