Fwd: Freedom from Worldly Desires

[Guest guest]

Hare Krsna.

"tapasaampi sarvesham vairaagya param tapah." Of all the austerities (such as, charity, yog, visiting holy places, yagna - sacrifice, various virtuous actions), freedom from worldly desires (detachment, vairaagya) is the highest austerity; because when various righteous and virtuous actions are done with desires, one can attain the heavens, and when done only with a selfless motive, one can become an instrument leading to Paramatma realization. But freedom from worldly desires (detachment, vairaagya) is only possible with the inner sentiments of selflessness. Worldly / sensual desires and detachments - both cannot be present at the same time, how can they ? Therefore for a spiritual aspirant, freedom from worldly desires (detachment) alone is essential and very useful. As long as there is no detachment, till that time however much one tries to be seeped in spirituality, but no divine work

will be perfected. However on the other hand, even if we do not know how to speak on many subjects such as Jnana Yoga, do not know the various methods of Hatha Yoga, then too, simply on becoming becoming free from worldly desires (detached), one's meditation and spiritual practices begin to happen easily in the Self. Techniques of meditation without even being taught, simply begin to happen on their own. As long as there is attachment to worldly things and there is no love for Prabhu (God), till that time there is no detachment. Detachment (vairaagya) is when there does not exist within (Self, inner), any desire for

worldly things, nor any passion for worldly objects. Outward disguise is not the name of ascetism (detachment, vairaagya). Ascetism (detachment) is about the inner sentiments of sacrifice. This freedom from worldly desires (detachment) arises due to various events - sorrow, fear, inquiry, spiritual practices, and realization of Paramatma. Of all these different preceding detachments, continuous detachment is best of all. Let us talk today about Detachment resulting from Pain and Sorrow - Not having a house, wealth, wife, son, family etc. and faced with unfavorable situations, or the inner sentiments of intense boredom, makes one want to give up the world, which is detachment resulting from pain, sorrow and unhappiness. This type of detachment, is not geniune detachment. Because there was no relaxation, other had foresaken us, put usdown, wants were not met by others, therefore the

sentiment arose in the mind that let us leave this world, there is nothing in it. In this world there is sorrow and only sorrow. This kind of detachment can happen to anyone. Even a dog, runs from a stick shown to him, to protect himself. This is not geniune detachment. Detachment resulting from boredom or experience of unfavorable situations, is not geniune detachment from worldly desires. In fact, the reason for this is attachment, because when the reason for sorrow is removed, or favorable situations come then the sentiments of sacrifice will be difficult to hold on to. If unfavorable situations no longer remain, all family members begin to behave and serve as desired, then one forgets this detachment from the world. Simply having the sentiment that objects are cause of suffering, that itself is part of detachment. Similarly the detachment resulting from suffering and pain, is not geniune

detachment from the world, but at that moment if one meets good associations, and if that detachment further intensifies, it can become the instrument in getting firmly grounded in detachment (vairaagya) at the core. There fore that too can be called detachment from worldly desires.

Freedom from worldly desires (detachment, vairaagya) is the highest austerity and essential for a spiritual aspirant. One of the events causing freedom from worldly desires (detachment) is fear. Detachment resulting from Fear - is a better form of detachment than detachment resulting from pain and sorrow. Fear can be of different kinds - fear about good health, fear about the leadership of the country, fear about the Society, fear about name and fame, fear about birth and death and fear about Hell. Freedom from any such fears and desires mentioned above is called "Detachment resulting from Fear". Detachment resulting from Fear of being Unhealthy and Diseased - On enjoying various types of sensual pleasures and enjoyments, the body is

weakened, diseases increase, energy is dissipated, there is inertia to do work - fear of various inflictions and sufferings from eating and drinking different foods and beverages. In this manner one who fears the early aging resulting from various body disease and weakening; begins to move away from association of women and other enjoyments. In other words, when the mind is moved away from unwholesome sense enjoyments, this is called "Detachment resulting from fear of being Unhealthy and Diseased." Detachment resulting from Fear of Law and Authority - Penalty, death sentence, imprisionment, and various other fears related to stealing, adultery, robbery, violence, tyranny and dishonesty, when the mind is moved away from these various sense enjoyments primarily resulting from these fears, it is referred to as "Detachment resulting from fear of Law and Authority". Detachment resulting from

Fear of Society - Being outcaste, worldly extravagance, difficulty in finding marriage partners for son-daughter. Those who limit enjoyments to stay within the practices of each class and avoid disgrace in society, their detachment is called "Detachment resulting from Fear of Society".Detachment resulting from Fear of Name Defamation - e.g. Frequenting prostitutes, drinking alcohol etc. Here the feeling is that by engaging in violence, family heritage and name will be destroyed and others will have a low opinion in their eyes - with such thoughts, keeping in mind societal decorum, giving up those types of defaming worldly enjoyments is called "Detachment resulting from Fear of Name Defamation." Detachment resulting from Fear of Birth and Death cycle - The main reason for cycle of birth and death is objects, activity and attraction of other persons. That is, if these objects are being

remembered regularly, then at the moment of death, there will be contemplation and thoughts about these only, and one's next life will be determined by the last thoughts of the present life. Due to this fear, having no attraction for things and activities etc, is called "Detachment resulting from Fear of Birth and Death cycle. Detachment resulting from Fear of Hell - Being under the influence of passion, anger, greed etc., unfairly engaging in enjoyment of objects against the ordinance of the scriptures. Taking edibles that cause intoxication (e.g. poppy seeds), terrible and hellish drugs etc. will all lead to hell, where many sufferings will have to be born. The experience of sensuous pleasures is momentary, but the end result of suffering in hell, is utterly fearsome and will last a very long time. Due to this fear, moving away from the desires of the mind, anger etc, is called "Detachment

resulting from Fear of Hell". In this manner, detachment arising from fear can take on many forms. In this the detachment arising due to fear of hell is far better and stable than all other types of fears, but this too is not true and geniune detachment. Because even in these, the subtle desire for objects does not leave, and simply out of fear the mind is staying away from objects. However, if one become fearless, then this detachment will not easily remain.