Sadhana - Shravana, Manana and Nidhidhyaasana -Question on Jiva and Ignorance

[Guest guest]

Sumantaji I am taking the liberty to post my response to the list since

it is of general interest.

 

--- sumanta bhowmik <sumantkb wrote:

 

Sumantaji

 

ShravaNa is listening to the scriptures - This may involve the study of

the scriptures with knowledgeable persons with an attitude of humility.

There are various study groups and discourses available by Chinmaya

Mission or Ramakrishna Mission etc where they take a text for study.

This requires a commitment. If one cannot attend personally, now we

have electronic facilities in terms of audio, video recordings - but

serious commitment is essential for progress. The text includes many

prakaraNa gratha-s. You mentioned Pancadasi of Shree Vidyaaranya. That

is quite an advanced text. The basics are discussed in tatva bodha,

aatma bodha of Shankara - Other texts include Viveka chuuDamani/Upadesha

sahasrii, vaakrya vRitti, Sadhana panchakam, dakdhaNamuurthi Stortram of

Adi Shankara and Ramana Maharshi's texts - Upadesha saara, Sat Darshan,

Adviata Makaranda of Lakshmiidhara kavi, Drik Drisya Viveka and

Pancadasi of Vidyaaranya etc. Contemplative texts like "I am that' by

Nisarga datta Maharaj helps in meditation.

 

Mananam involves reflection and helps to digest what one studies.

Discussion groups can help a lot, or study group that meets regularly is

helpful. Now we have internet facilities where one can discuss across

the continents. Fortunately we have two very well run Adviata groups -

this one and the adviataL group. Most of the topics have been discussed

again and again and one can go back to archives and pull out the

discussions. We have also stored discussion of important texts - B.G,

B. Sutra etc. One can down load use it for study and discussion.

Mananam should continue until you are absolutely convinced without any

trace of doubt about the nature of the reality and means of attaining

it. You should be able to counter any opposing view with logic and

scriptural understanding.

 

These studies should be supported by the Karma and bhakti yoga - during

the rest of the time when one is involved in worldly activities. The

yoga with shama and dhama (restraining physically and mentally the

energy dissipations in sensuous enjoyments) will help prepare the mind

for the study.

 

Nidhidhyaasana involves contemplation on the truth understood by the

above studies. The more one is convinced to the degree that more one

commit to the goal to be achieved, the more intense one's meditation

becomes - Mumukshutvam or intense desire for liberation is the key.

This is the time when all other pursuits become secondary or even

insignificant. When that stage is reached, you won't be asking me what

is nidhidhyaasana. The mananam should leed you to this stage. Until

then continue the study of the scriptures till one is ready to commit

oneself to the highest human pursuit. There are other direct paths in

this other than the mind is ready to commit itself for the higher - it

will commit ones it is free from the pressure of vasana-s. It will be

become free from the pressures of vasana-s through karma, bhakti and

j~naana yoga. Shravana and Manana comes as part of j~naana yoga. Once

the mind is ready for nidhidhyaasana - all the so-called direct paths

that one hears will have immediate relevance - like awareness observing

the awareness etc. Certain degree of viveka and vairaagra are required

and that is what Krishna emphasizes as - abhyaasenatu kounteya

vairaagyena gRihnate|

 

To start one should commit oneself for daily prayer and meditation with

scriptural study. Study groups and sat sangh will help to get that

detachment needed from the worldly involvement. Most of us are deeply

involved with family responsibilities that mind is associated with.

Till the mind is free from these, it is difficult to do full time

mananam and nidhidhyaasanam. Until then one can curtain unnecessary

entanglements, while fulfilling the obligatory duties, devote whatever

spare time for study and meditation and sat sangh. The discussion

groups like advaitin have become good source of sat sangh, while sitting

at the computer.

 

are dRashhaTavyaH, shrotavyaH, mantavyaH, nidhidhyaasitavyaH - says

Vedanta. tavyaH involves vidhi vaachakam - that is one should do, if

one wants to realize.

 

 

 

Hari OM!

Sadananda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What you have is His gift to you and what you do with what you have is your gift

to Him - Swami Chinmayananda.

 

 

 

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