Amani Bhava

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Excerpts from a posting from vmission

 

Amani-Bhava

By Swami Atmananda

 

 

The transcendental, infinite divinity by its very definition is that which is

present at all places & times. This is what is implied in saying that the Truth

does not have any limitations of time & space. It is right 'here & now' as our

very Self, but the only problem is that we simply do not know it. Ignorance

alone is the only veil, which as though covers & denies us the experience of

total fulfillment. Ignorance of the truth of our self is further compounded by

our imaginations & projections about our selves. Not knowing something is a

simple problem, but knowing it wrongly & differently complicates the whole

issue, it strengthens the veil. Both these non-apprehension & mis-apprehensions

are in out mind. In order to eliminate the ignorance about our Self, we have to

first learn to stop all baseless imaginations about our self. In order to

directly see that which we intellectually believe, the mind has to learn to be

quiet. Thereafter that which is not a product of our imagination & mind stands

revealed.

 

 

 

One of the objectives of Dhyana is to quieten our mind or lets say thoughts. The

ideal state of quiet mind has been called as a state of 'Amani-Bhava' by Sri

Gaudapadacharya the great author of the famed Mandukya Upanishad Karikas.

Roughly translated this Amani-Bhava means a thoughtless mind, but it has also to

be understood that mere quietening the mind does not bring about this

Amani-Bhava.

 

 

 

Our mind is quietened in many states. In Deep Sleep state we don't have any

thoughts. Day in & day out all of us experience this relaxing state of deep

sleep, but this not suffice to bring about the realization of that which is

revealed in a quiet mind. Our mind also becomes quiet in states where we are

overwhelmed by an emotion, we experience a state of great bliss & fulfillment,

but still the direct realization of that which is present at all times & places

does not take place. The climax of a sensual pleasure too brings about a state

of momentary ecstasy, where the time comes to a halt & so do all thoughts, yet

the above awakening does not take place. So also during moments of sudden fear

etc we are dumbfounded & stand without any thoughts for few moments. While in

all these states & moments we don't have any thoughts, yet we know that this is

not enough for the awakening to our true Self.

 

 

 

In his Mandukya Upanishad Karika Sri Gaudapada says that only when quietitude of

mind is brought about by the conviction & wisdom that 'I am Brahman' and 'All

that is objectifiable is Mithya' that we attain a state of quietude which is

accompanied by thoughtfulness. In such a mind there is no thought about world,

neither is there any possibility of thoughts about our Self. Deep in our

unconscious mind too there is quietitude. Such a mind is called as a mind in

'Amani-Bhava'. Whoever attains this dynamic, enlightened, & deep state of

quietitude awakes to his Self, this alone is the door to direct realization or

Aparokshanubhuti.

 

 

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