STUDY GROUP on SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION Ch2V15

[Guest guest]

STUDY GROUP on SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION

 

CHAPTER 2

PRACTICE

Abhyasa

 

V15.

Q. What is the difference between dhyana and samadhi?

 

M. Dhyana is imagination of the mind, made through one's own

effort;

in samadhi there is no such effort.

 

V16.

Q. What are the factors to be kept in view in dhyana ?

 

M. It is important for one who is established in his Self (atma

 

nishta) to see that he does not swerve in the least from this

one-pointed absorption. While swerving from his true nature he

may see before him bright effulgences, etc., or hear (unusual)

 

sounds or regard as real the visions of gods appearing within or

 

outside himself. He should not be deceived by these and forget

himself. If the consciousness that knows objects is itself not

real, then how can the objects known, which are

`the seen', be real?

___________________________

NOTE: (i) If the moments that are wasted in thinking of the objects

which are not the Self, are spent on enquiry into the Self,

self-realization will be attained in a very short time.

(ii) Until the mind becomes established in the state of the Self, some

kind of bhavana (attitude or imagination; an imagined relationship

with God or the Self) is essential. Otherwise the mind will be

frequently assailed by wayward thoughts or sleep.

(iii) Without spending all the time in practising bhavanas like

`I am Siva' or `I am Brahman', which are regarded as

nirgunopasana (contemplation of the attributeless Brahman), the

method of enquiry into oneself should be practised as soon as the

mental strength which is the result of such upasana (contemplation) is

attained.

(iv) The excellence of the practice (sadhana) lies in not giving room

for even a single mental concept (vritti)

 

 

 

 

----------

anu