Guest guest Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya !! A spiritual aspirant should learn to renounce the desire for worldly objects and aim to seek knowledge of the Self. Scriptures and great preceptors have shown the means to pursue this path. It is stressed that one should develop discrimination (Viveka) between the eternal and the ephemeral and detachment (Vairagya) towards enjoyments of the world. In his work Viveka Chudamani, Adi Sankara illustrates the strange power of the mind that is capable of either facilitating or obstructing the spiritual progress of an aspirant, said Sri P. M. Vijayaraghava Sastrigal in a lecture. When the mind and the senses long for enjoyment of worldly desires, one is held in bondage; when the same mind develops a distaste for worldly enjoyments and searches for ways to get out of the cycle of birth, one makes progress towards liberation. The yearning for liberation has to be intense and strong to motivate one in this spiritual path. But ignorance is deep seated in human consciousness and needs to be completely uprooted. Partial cutting of the roots will only cause the branches to sprout. The mind has to repeatedly concentrate on the nature of the Atma and remove all traces of ignorance. When this enlightenment dawns there is a clear perception of truth just as light can dispel any kind of darkness. The Bhagavad Gita emphasises the practice of hearing (Sravana), reflection (Manana) and meditation (Nidhidhyasa) as indispensable to one who wishes to get rid of Samsara. Real renunciation is Vairagya that is nurtured in the mind and has nothing to do with outward giving up of things, etc. This arises when there is an intelligent grasp of the truth of the ephemeral nature of the entire life and the mind longs to transcend all this and be free. A Viveki sees all as equal (Samadhrishti) and maintains equanimity. True renunciation leaves one with not even a trace of ego sense. The three Gunas in their hierarchical status, Satva, Rajas and Tamas respectively, are vital forces affecting the workings of the human mind. Atma Jnana is gained only when one has transcended the three Gunas and Sastras suggest steady practices to achieve this state. Om Namo Narayanaya !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.