Guest guest Posted June 16, 2005 Report Share Posted June 16, 2005 advaitajnana, "Tony OClery" <aoclery> wrote: Satsang Amma's Words Worldly Life & Spiritual Life Young man: "Does the spiritual culture of India completely negate worldly life?" Amma: "No, not really. It only says that true happiness is not to be found in that way." Young man: "Why can't we reach the Goal while enjoying worldly life at the same time?" Amma: "Someone who truly yearns for realization doesn't even think about worldly life or physical pleasures. Those who live a family life can also reach the Goal, provided they recognize the limitations of worldly life, and are totally detached, leading a life of japa, meditation and renunciation." Young man: "Is it very difficult, then, to attain Self-realization while living a worldly life?" Amma: "No matter how much you may try, it's not possible to taste the bliss of the Self while at the same time seeking worldly happiness. If you eat payasam (sweet rice pudding) from a vessel used for storing tamarind, how can you get the real taste of payasam?" "When you partake of physical pleasures, you experience a certain amount of happiness, don't you? Without controlling this, you cannot ascend to the plane of spiritual bliss. You can get married and live with your wife and children—there is no problem with that—as long as you, at the same time, can keep your mind focused on the Supreme Self. How can anyone who is looking for happiness in the things of the world attain the joy that doesn't belong to this world?" Young man: "But aren't worldly pleasures a part of life? Amma: "Amma isn't saying that worldly pleasures should be completely rejected, but you should understand that true happiness is not to be found in such pleasures. The sweetness of a fruit lies not in the skin but in the inner part of the fruit. Knowing this, you don't give the skin more importance than it deserves. When you understand that sense pleasures are not the real aim in life, you will feel attached only to the Paramatman (Supreme Spirit). Yes, it is possible to reach the Goal while living a family life, provided you remain completely detached, like a fish* in the mud. "In the olden days, people followed the rules prescribed for different members of society. They lived according to the tenets of the scriptures. They didn't want mere sense pleasures; God was the goal of their lives. After a baby had been born, the husband treated his wife—who had given birth to his image in the form of the child— as his own mother. When their son became an adult, they handed all the responsibilities over to him and went off to live a life of seclusion in the forest. By that stage, the couple had attained a certain amount of maturity, having lived as householders. Their work, the task of raising children, and the struggle of meeting the various obstacles in life had ripened their characters. In the vanaprastha (forest-recluse stage), the wife continued to stay with her husband. But in the end, that tie was broken as well, when they became Sannyasi—total renunciates. And finally they reached the Goal. This was the practice in those days. But today it is different. Because of people's attachment to their wealth and their families, and because of their selfishness, no one lives like that anymore. This has to change. We need to become aware of the real purpose of life and live accordingly." * In kerala there is a certain fish that lives in the mud. The fish is like Teflon: the mud doesn't stick to it. -------------- --- End forwarded message --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 advaitin, "Tony OClery" <aoclery> wrote: > advaitajnana, "Tony OClery" <aoclery> > wrote: > Satsang Amma's Words Worldly Life & Spiritual Life > snip Last night I saw Ammachi. She gave a lovely talk in response to a question asked by a devotee on attachment. I don't remember most of what Amma said, although I remember thinking that it was very good. But one thing I do remember is this. She said, "Do not forget the Creator while you are engaged in the creation." --Durga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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