Guest guest Posted May 27, 2007 Report Share Posted May 27, 2007 Small spelling correction....and few extra words of advice: Namaskar Anjin, In Tantric and Yogic traditions, sadhakas say that when devotee is ready, Guru appears. Actually, from my personal experience I can say that it is a Guru who is choosing His devotes. Yes, you have to be careful, rational and vigilant, when it comes to accepting someone as your Guru. There are many people who claim to be Gurus. Majority of them are of the mediocre type and quite large numbers are full flesh impostors who are taking advantage of the spiritual seekers. On the other hand, for the spiritual growth of any individual, presence of the Guru in necessary. This is Catch 22. First of all listen to your intuition. Intellect without intuition , could lead you to some serious troubles. Your sincere desire and prayer is already heard by the Lord. Keep Ideating on Brahma, on God without a form, and form will be given to you. This is the fundamental role of the Paramaprusa, Supreme Consciousness, Purusaottama, Taraka Brahma to assist you in your spiritual emancipation. I was privilege to be accepted by my Master, to be His devotee. I'm not in position to tell who should be your Guru. You will know yourself when the right time comes. Regular sadhana will help you to recognize the validity of your choice. I can only say that it is already within your reach. I wish all the best in your journey. Lets Universal LOVE and service to all living beings be your guidance. Bellow I selected a few articles, related to your questions, given by my Beloved Guru, Sri Sri Anandamurtiji, the founder of Ananda Marga. For more info you can visit : www.anandamarga.org In Him, Trilokesh ================================================== INDISPENSABILITY OF GURU Brahma Himself is the Guru. There cannot be any second Guru. His secret is known to Him only, and He expresses Himself through a framework, a form. Now, generally people say that the form is Guru, but the form is not the Guru; the Guru is expressing Himself through that form. (A'nanda Vacana'mrtam III, 13) What is Guru? The Sam'skrta word "Guru" has two parts. It is a compound word. "Gu" means darkness. "Ru" means dispelling entity. The one who dispels is called Ru. Guru means the entity who dispels darkness from the mind. (Subha's'ita Sam'graha VIII, 34) The tantrikas say that there are three kinds of gurus--adhama (lowest) guru, madhyama (mediocre) guru, and uttam (highest) guru. The lowest type of gurus discharge their duty merely by mouthing big words and teaching theoretically. They do not bother to see if their disciples are following their instructions sincerely or not. The mediocre gurus teach their disciples, no doubt, and also supervise their progress to some extent. But the best gurus teach their disciples properly, follow their progress meticulously, and if they find their disciples straying from the path of spirituality, they compel them to do their practice by creating circumstantial pressure. (Subha's'ita Sam'graha VII, 29) The Tantrik scriptures describe the qualities of an ideal guru; tranquil; self-controlled; able to raise their own kundalini and that of others also; modest; soberly dressed; of exemplary conduct; well-established in society; pure in body and mind; adept in both spiritual theory and spiritual practice; superbly intelligent; maintaining a balanced family life; Established in dhyana (contemplation); well-versed in Tantra and Mantra; and able to reward and punish their disciples. (Subha's'ita Sam'graha VIII, 29) The Tantric scriptures also describe the qualities of an ideal disciple: tranquil; modest and humble; of pure soul; having reverence; capable of receiving ideas clearly; competent and ever ready to carry out the guru's command; able to raise one's own kundalini; having requisite knowledge and experience; of noble conduct; and having a balanced mind. (Subha's'ita Sam'graha VIII, 31) Every person is entitled to do sa'dhana'. Thus Sagun'a Brahma must appear to everyone in the form of a Sadguru. But if one does not have a keen desire for emancipation, one cannot claim this right; and that is why Sagun'a Brahma does not appear to everyone. When the desire for salvation becomes intense, only then do human beings attain Sadguru. Thus it is said, that only those who have reached the proper time in their evolution, are entitled to attain Sadguru and learn sa'dhana'. (A'nanda Ma'rga, 103) By means of sa'dhana', one attains liberation. For this one will have to resort to a special method. Only one who knows this method can teach others; the spiritual aspirant must search for a competent teacher to teach the science of meditation. So in order to learn the spiritual science and attain salvation, is not the necessity of a spiritual guru undeniable? Otherwise, can anyone learn this spiritual science by oneself? If someone does not open the gate to a house--if someone does not loosen the chains from those who are enchained, their hands and feet can never free themselves in spite of the most vigorous efforts. In exactly the same way, it is impossible for one who is enchained by Prakrti to attain liberation from this vast prison of the universe. Besides, it is not possible for anyone to learn the methods and strategies of anything, by oneself. It needs the help of a competent instructor who can teach well, and who can be followed. This sort of indispensable teacher is known as a guru. One should learn the methods of intuitional practice from such a guru. Hence without the help of the guru, it is not possible to attain liberation. The first and foremost requisite for attaining liberation is a guru. (A'nanda Ma'rga, 106) Who can be a guru? An enchained person cannot liberate others from bondage. Only a liberated soul deserves to be a guru, who can help others in attaining their salvation. A person who is free from the bond ages of Prakrti is a liberated person. Judged in this light, only the Supreme Entity is a real liberated soul. But the Nirgun'a Brahma (highest Unqualified Consciousness), because of its eternal freedom from the bondages of Prakrti, can never be the cause of others' liberation. Nirgun'a Brahma does not even think to give liberation to others. Thus only those who have attained the Supreme Rank by means of sa'dhana', and then have voluntarily submitted to the influence of Prakrti for a limited period, with the vow of doing welfare to humanity, and have assumed a human body--only they deserve to be called guru. As long as they remain in human form, they remain under the influence of Prakrti. But after giving up the human frame, they again dissolve back into the state of formlessness. So only that Entity beyond the scope of the gun'as (binding principles) is liberated in the true sense of the term, and it is only that Entity who can be a guru. Thus there is no difference between guru and Bhagava'n (the Supreme Entity). (A'nanda Ma'rga, 107) One should know the characteristics of a Sadguru, so that even the ignorant may recognise Him. Is the possession and display of supernatural or divine powers the characteristic of a Sadguru? A Sadguru is a liberated soul, and the master of all supernatural powers--but does He have to display them to be recognised as a Preceptor? The use of supernatural powers leads to degradation and brings one under the control of Avidya'ma'ya' (the force of ignorance). But Avidya'ma'ya' cannot have any influence over a liberated person: He will not come under the influence of Avidya'ma'ya' in any circumstances. Hence the person who claims the status of a Sadguru by virtue of possessing and displaying supernatural powers is merely an imposter. He is not emancipated and can never liberate others. Such a person should be cast off as a venomous serpent. (A'nanda Ma'rga, 186) Sa'dhana' means freedom from the binding influence of Prakrti. Avidya'ma'ya' is also a binding force, and that too has to be cast off. Suddenly and forcefully ejecting a ruffian who has occupied a house for a very long time will be extremely difficult, particularly when for long he was treated as a tenant and looked upon as a respectable person. He would never vacate the house easily, without much effort, and would certainly place all sorts of obstacles in the way of the one trying to make him leave. All his manoeuvrings will have to be fought against, and only when defeated would the ruffian allow the reoccupation of that house. Similarly, Avidya'ma'ya', which has flourished in one's mind for so many lifetimes, will not easily leave when one starts intuitional practice. Like the bullying tenant, Avidya'ma'ya' will also create all possible obstacles in one's effort to cast it off. Sa'dhana' or intuitional practice as taught by the Sadguru is the way to remove Avidya'ma'ya': it is only success in sa'dhana' that man make Avidya'ma'ya' forsake one. Hence the sa'dhana' that attempts to subdue Avidya'ma'ya' will naturally be resisted by its negative force, so that the obstacles created by it may compel one to give up the sa'dhana'. Obstacles in sa'dhana' should therefore be regarded as an indication of success in one's attempts to remove Avidya'ma'ya'. Obstacles are not created by God or by the Sadguru, for they wish every unit entity to become emancipated like themselves. They are created Prakrti against whom the war is waged; for to win liberation, Prakrti has to be defeated with the weapon of sa'dhana'. And against the sa'dhana', Avidya'ma'ya' uses its weapons of obstacles in defence. Hence obstacles in sa'dhana' should be regarded as good symptoms, indicating the beginning of the end of Avidya'ma'ya'. (A'nanda Ma'rga, 190) Some people consider it necessary to tear oneself away by force from the enjoyment of worldly things in order to do sa'dhana', and the fear of this compulsion torments them. It would, however, never be possible to control one's mind by such compulsion, since withdrawing the mind by force makes the body suffer and leads to ill-health. The system of intuitional practice as taught by the Sadguru is so potent that it imperceptibly diverts the mind from crude attractions to subtlety: the desire for earthly enjoyments disappears, and with it the anguish of not attaining them. Hence not to do sa'dhana' for fear of withdrawing oneself from worldly pleasures and enjoyments is not based on reason. Those who think thus are mistaken. To give up intuitional practice, which is the innate duty of everyone, because of baseless fears, only betrays one's ignorance. One should not be filled whit unfounded fears but should follow the path of sa'dhana', so one can know to be not a mere speck but as the Infinite Supreme Entity. (A'nanda Ma'rga, 209) Nothing can be achieved merely by depending on the guru without doing the intuitional practice, the sa'dhana'. Every one will have to do sa'dhana'. Some have the wrong impression that they do not have to make an effort, and will attain liberation by the grace of the guru. It is true that liberation is not possible without the guru's grace--yet the idea that it can be attained without effort is mistaken. One will have to deserve His grace and then alone will it be bestowed--it cannot be thrust on an undeserving discipline. To deserve His grace one must follow the method taught by Him with devotion and faith. Some people believe that, since they are disciples of a Sadguru and since He has come, to elevate all, He will take them all with Him just as a cowherd collects all His grazing cattle before He leaves the pasture at dusk. This is not a correct comparison. A Sadguru does not come to the world to graze His disciples like cattle. He comes to liberate people like Himself, to change humans into God. People will therefore have to make earnest effort to do sa'dhana', and not merely depend idly on the guru to attain liberation. (A'nanda Ma'rga, 188) ================================================== DISCOURSES ON TANTRA VOLUME 2 DIIKS'A' AND INITIATION In a short discourse, I shall try to say something regarding diiks'a' and initiation. As you know, for want of sufficient vocabulary in certain tongues, we are to use some words having close proximity to the required term. [Here, for instance, we have to use the English word "initiation" for the Sanskrit diiks'a'. But] the word "initiation" cannot represent the spirit of diiks'a'. The rudimental meaning of "initiation" is "to resort to a new avenue of progress". Certainly diiks'a' is a new avenue of progress, but diiks'a' is also something more. The first thing to be known and remembered is that, as per the science of yoga, diiks'a' is divided into two important phases. The first phase is known as Vaedikii diiks'a', and the second phase is known as Ta'ntrikii diiks'a'. In Vaedikii diiks'a', the aspirant requests the Supreme Entity, Parama Purus'a, to show him or her the path. It is not a cult; it is just requesting the Supreme Father to let him or her know the secrets of success in the stratum of spirituality. The Ga'yattrii Mantra (it is commonly known as the Ga'yattrii Mantra, but its actual name is the "Savitr Rk") is Vaedikii diiks'a'. Here the request is, "O Lord, show me the path. O Lord, guide our intellect towards the supreme path, so that I may be one with the Supreme Entity." Onm' bhu'r bhuvah svah onm' tat saviturvaren'yam'; Bhargo devasya dhiimahi dhiyo yo nah pracodaya't. This is the "Savitr Rk", or "Ga'yattrii Mantra". Here the aspirant says, Bhu'r bhuvah svah maha janah tapah satya asya saptalokasya savitur devasya, savitur pitur devasya, savitur devasya, tatpitur devasya, varen'yam bhargo dhiimahi, varen'yam pu'janiiyam, bhargo jyoti, dhiimahi bayam' dhya'nam kurmah, kena ka'ran'ena bayam' dhya'nam' kurmah. Dhiyo yo nah pracodaya't. Dhii buddhih medha' yah nah asma'kam' sah asmakam' dhii pracodaya't sam'vidha'mam' karotu satpathi parica'lanam' karotu anena ka'ran'ena bayam' tad varen'yam' bhargo dhiimahi dhya'nam kurmah.* * Here the author comments, in Sanskrit, on the rk. His English translation and commentary then follow. --Eds. The exact English translation will be "The Supreme Father who did create the seven strata of manifestation -- we meditate on His divine effulgence. And why do we meditate on His divine effulgence? So that He may guide our intellect unto the path of bliss, unto the path of supreme blessedness." So here the prayer is to guide the brain unto the proper path. It is Vaedikii diiks'a' -- tan no dhiyo pracodaya't -- "so that He may guide our intellect towards the path of blessedness" . . . sah no buddhya' shubhaya' sam'yunaktu -- "so that He may connect our intellect with blessedness." So these things are Vaedikii diiks'a'. There is no scope for such an interpretation or such a phase in "initiation". Now, the second phase is Ta'ntrikii diiks'a'. Actually this Ta'ntrikii diiks'a' is a cult. In the term "initiation" this cult is not properly clarified, or rather, nothing has been clearly said regarding this cult. As you know regarding the word tantra: tan means "to expand", and tra means "liberator"; so the science that frees the aspirant from the fetters of bondages by expansion -- by expanding the mind, by expanding the existence -- is Tantra. Another meaning: ta is dullness, and tra means liberator. So the science that liberates the aspirant from dullness and expands his or her entire existence is Tantra -- Tam' ja'dya't ta'rayet yastu sah tantrah parikiirttitah. Now this Ta'ntrikii diiks'a' has three phases, rather you may say three sub-phases: and they are diipanii, mantra'gha'ta and mantra caetanya. And the derivation of the word diiks'a' is also from diipanii: Diipajina'nam yato dadya't kurya't pa'paks'ayam' tatah; Tasma'tdiiks'eti sa' prokta' sarvatantrasya sammata'. [The process which produces the capacity to realize the inner import of mantra and which expedites the requital of the sam'ska'ras, or reactive momenta, is called diiks'a'.] Diipajina'nam. What is the first letter? Dii. Then, kurya't pa'paks'ayam' tatah. Ks'ayam -- what is the first letter? Ks'a. So the word becomes diiks'a, and the feminine term will be diiks'a'. Now what is diipanii? Everything lies coverted within the self. The Supreme Entity is also within your "I" feeling. [He] is with you, but you do not know Him. That is, the Supreme Entity is with you, but You cannot see Him. You cannot realize Him. Why? Because you are covered by, you are surrounded by, Ma'ya', the cimmerian darkness of Ma'ya'. This diiks'a', Tantrikii diiks'a', is just like a torch. And by focusing the torch, you see your route through the darkness. That is why the first sub-phase is diipanii -- diipanii means "showing the torchlight". But no such thing is there in the term "initiation". Diiks'a' gives the aspirant the route, the way, or rather the path, of bliss. It shows the path of bliss. And to show the path of bliss, light is required; and that light is also supplied by diiks'a'. This light is diipanii. Then, pa'paks'ayam. You know what pa'pa is: pa'pa is negative reactive momenta. Whatever you do, the reaction is there, and when the reaction is not satisfied, not quenched, it remains in dormant form. The momentum is there, but not expressed. And there is also the case of positive work, that is, when you do something for the advancement of living beings -- that is something positive, it is a positive action. In sama'ja sha'stra [social scriptures] this positive action is called pun'ya, and when you do something against the public interest, this negative action is known as pa'pa. Now this negative action in reactive form, that is, this negative reactive momentum, is called pa'pa; and pa'paks'ayam is brought about by diiks'a'. And how is that ks'ayam* to be effected? Through actions ó through reactive actions.** These reactive actions may be on the physical plane, or may be on the psychic plane. But diiks'a' teaches us how these reactive momenta are to be satisfied on the psychic plane, thus freeing the person from the bondages of pa'pa. * "Waning". Pa'pak<139>ayam is "waning of the sam'ska'ras (the mental reactive momenta)"; literally, "waning of the sins". --Eds. ** Regarding reactive actions, see "Sa'dhana'". --Eds. Now this process of freeing a person from the fetters of pa'pa is divided into two sub-phases: mantra'gha'ta and mantra caetanya. Mantra'gha'ta means, as I have already told you, that each and every mantra has the support of an acoustic root: and when that acoustic root strikes at the root of the coiled serpentine, it is aroused. This is called mantra'gha'ta. After that this roused coiled serpentine moves with the force, or the stamina, it gets from the mantra. It moves towards the supreme positivity, and this movement is called mantra caetanya. With the help of this mantra'gha'ta and mantra caetanya, a spiritual aspirant is freed from all the mundane bondages, bondages both on the physical and on the psychic plane. So whereas in the case of "initiation" we see that it is just a resort to an avenue of progress and nothing more than that, nothing amplified, diiks'a' is divided into two phases, one primordial and the other final, and that final phase is further divided into three parts, or phases: diipanii, mantra'gha'ta and mantra caetanya. But as we have no proper word for diiks'a' in English or any other language, we have no alternative but to use the word "initiation" for diiks'a'. The actual Sanskrit word for the English term "initiation" is abhis'eka, not diiks'a'. 2 December 1978 evening, Madras A'nanda Vacana'mrtam Part 6 ================================================ THE HIGHEST FORM OF THE GURU: DISCOURSES ON TANTRA VOLUME 1 TA'RAKA BRAHMA Consciousness in the psycho-physical unit structures gets manifested in the process of pratisaincara when Purus'ottama by His ota yoga associatively reflects on the unit psychic plate. It is through this process, pratisaincara, that the Ever-Merciful elevates each creation of His by the force of Vidya'ma'ya'. As already discussed, the physical and psychic clash and the attraction of the Great cause psychic dilation, and ultimately the unit psychic body can attain its final liberation or mukti by its spiritual sa'dhana'. Different unit minds exist at different levels and experience varying degrees of His love and proximity depending upon their progress in the process of pratisaincara. The auspicious day with infinite a'nanda descends, and all the bondages of Prakrti shatter down when Brahmatva is attained. Such individuals set the ideal for humanity and, in turn, humanity starts paying homage to them. Such elevated beings can and should only be called Maha'purus'a, meaning thereby elevated psychic beings. Unto their holy feet, one can offer the flowers of devotion and aspiration, but they desire no crude earthly flowers and offerings. The advent of Maha'purus'a is misinterpreted as incarnation. Incarnation is an illogical hypothesis. The whole universe being created out of Him and by Him is His incarnation. The term avata'ra means a "derivation", and the application of this term to individual units who are far advanced in the process of pratisaincara is a misleading misnomer. It is illogical to consider that the Macrocosm metamorphosed Himself directly into some unit structure, mostly as a human being. Human beings are the most evolved individual units as a class in His creation, and every stage of the elevated psychic Maha'purus'a is the result of saincara and then pratisaincara. It is a gradual elevation and not an abrupt descent or occurrence. Logically speaking, therefore, it will be correct to designate any unit consciousness as incarnation of God or to say that the Messenger of God traverses the path of saincara, goes through a process of evolution and importance, and through psychic dilation in the process of pratisaincara reaches different stages of elevation. The incarnation theory, or avata'rava'da, however, hypothesizes that the incarnated being is the direct descent of the Almighty, the rest of His creation remaining unexplained as to its source of origin. The word avata'ra [derives from ava - tr, which means] "descend", "derive" or "degenerate". The incarnated being, according to this dogma of degeneration of Purus'ottama, cannot have an equal status with Purus'ottama. When the psychic status of a created being assumes sameness with the Cosmic Entity, the unit psychic entity actually merges into the Cosmic Mind leaving no dualism. Hence how can any equal status with Purus'ottama be imagined existing as a separate entity in any stage within Brahma Cakra (the collective name of saincara and pratisaincara)? The whole theory of incarnation or avata'rava'da is, therefore, not convincing and rational for an intellectual analysis. Behind the superstitious belief of avata'rava'da lies one more social current created by a class of vested interests. Inquisitiveness and reasoning is a natural impulse in human beings. Due to certain pressing circumstances or intellectual renaissance there was a reaction against the illogical faiths and superstitions prevalent in society. These superstitions provided a strong basis for exploitation of society by intellectual parasites who had learnt to live on the blood and labour of others. To maintain their domination through a system of superstitious belief, these parasites invented means to curb this growth of reaction and intellectual rationalism and presented to the mass a sentimental appeal. Any command, rational or irrational, was enforced on society with so-called divine force by enunciation of the incarnation theory. Corruption was perpetrated in the name of God and all those raising their heads against such commands or preachings were called reactionaries, atheists, and curbed drastically. "Give the dog a bad name and hang it," was their motto. They went to the extent of manipulating, polluting and misinterpreting even the precious writings of many great philosophers whose work had been respected as religious treatises from ancient times - all with an ulterior motive, to get their interests served. Ta'raka Brahma In Brahma Cakra there is no uniformity of flow. The speed of the sentient force is greater than that of the mutative, and the mutative has more speed than the static. Thus in the beginning of saincara the speed is greater. Similarly, after elevation, under the influence of the sentient force or reaching sa'ma'nya deha (a stage beyond the hiran'maya kos'a where the unit mind experiences only the sentient force), the speed is greater. The speed of the unit mind far exceeds the normal flow in the Cosmos, and it gets accelerated if the unit mind as a result of spiritual practice tends itself towards the Nucleus Consciousness. Since the beginning of creation humans have been aspiring for this merger with the Nucleus Consciousness. The non-uniformity of speed changes the movement of the unit mind to an elliptical force, and the motion changes to oval from circular. They get merged in Purus'ottama who aspire for Him as the ultimate destiny, but those who aim at moks'a, where sa'dhana' is the complete surrender of self into That (Nirgun'a Brahma, the Objectless Consciousness), get out of this Brahma Cakra by a tangential touch. At this point of tangential touch is the abode of Ta'raka Brahma (who resides within the scope of both Nirgun'a and Sagun'a Brahma). Ta'raka Brahma is a concept of Tantra. In Tantra the whole creation is known as sambhu'ti. When Ta'raka Brahma by His own will takes the help of the five fundamental factors (the painca bhu'tas), His physical entity comes within the scope of Sagun'a Brahma, otherwise He is Nirgun'a Brahma. When Ta'raka Brahma takes the assistance of the five fundamental factors, according to Tantra it is called His Maha'sambhu'ti. In Tantra sa'dhana' or in A'nanda Ma'rga sa'dhana' one whose goal is Purus'ottama merges in Sagun'a Brahma, and one who aims at Nirgun'a Brahma becomes surrendered into the Objectless Entity. It is only in Tantra that the sa'dhana' of Ta'raka Brahma has been specially defined distinct from the sa'dhana' of Nirgun'a and Sagun'a and has its own peculiarity. Theoretically speaking, Sagun'a Brahma has infinite sam'ska'ras, and so for an infinite time to come Sagun'a Brahma will continue to enjoy the fruits of Its own past actions. Nirgun'a is the Objectless Entity with no action or derivation, but Ta'raka Brahma is the middle point and can fulfil the function of both. He guides, loves and favours His affectionate sons and daughters. His children say that He cannot live without loving them and address Him, "O our great Father, our affectionate Mother, our All, we remember Thee, we adore Thee. O Witnessing Entity, we offer our homage to Thee, Thou art the only rescue in this crude worldly ocean, so to Thee we surrender ourselves." This complete surrender is the summum bonum of all spiritual sa'dhana', which only can lead to Him from where decline is not even imaginable. Really blessed is one who has attained this complete surrender unto Him, like the piece of salt which went to measure the depth of the ocean - but a momentous divine jerk and an attraction occurred and the bit of salt was lost, no one knows where. (Ta'raka Brahma is not a figure of philosophy - it is a creation of devotional sentiment.) 1 June 1959, Jamalpur from "A'tman, Parama'tman and Sa'dhana'" Idea and Ideology =============================================== anjin92 wrote: It is my understanding that choosing a guru is a very important selection, not to be made lightly, as it's usually a lifetime commitment. Clearly, there are self-appointed "gurus" out there who are not truly passing on liberation and enlightenment. Our wonderful mod just banned one such poseur. I'd like to hear everyone's experience in this area. QUESTIONS: Do you have a guru? If so, how did you come to find him/her? If not, what are you doing to find your guru? (my) ANSWERS: For me, I guess I sort of have a guru. I have received Kriya initiation in the Hariharananda lineage. But I didn't feel that earth-shaking, "this is my teacher!" sensation that I have heard other people experience when they meet their guru. So, I have begun praying to find my guru. In the interim I have been receiving (very light) instruction from a guy in the International Nath Order. OK, that's my experience. What's yours? XD, anjin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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