Narayanashramam

[Guest guest]

Bhaava-shuddhi

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(From Poojya Swami Bhoomananda Tirthji's Correspondence)

 

Religiously viewed, the whole world or universe, including oneself,

is God. Philosophically put, the whole existence is a display, like

dream, of the Supreme Reality, Brahman. Spiritually assessed, one is

the Self, even the body being its own semblance or creation.

 

If this be so, then what is saadhana for, and what is its exact

nature? We have rituals, yajnas, poojas, prayers and yoga exercises.

To them are added the day's interactions with the world. How do they

coexist, and to what effect?

 

Actions originate from the inner realm. They subsist on that realm,

and their outcome also falls there again. All the variety of actions

and interactions apart, the causal and effectual realm is but one.

Being so, what is to be done?

 

That realm should be touched. Only those means which succeed in

touching this realm can mean saadhana. Actions subserve the mind.

Mind breeds on bhaavas. So bhaavas determine and shape actions.

Again, the results of actions also affect bhaavas. So, let the focus

be on bhaavas.

 

Bhaava-suddhih means the entire causal sublimation which naturally

means also the sublimity in the field of action. Actions can be

anything, bhaava will be only one. When fixity on that bhaava, its

sublimity, is achieved, the end is reached.

 

So, in doing any action, in treating its place, importance and

purpose, also in assessing and designating its result, the bhaava is

the chief factor. You can do an act with a small and immediate

dimension. You can do the same, but with a big and lasting dimension.

The elevation from the lower to higher, expansion from the smaller to

this larger, is what one should strive for.

 

The bhaava-elevation, expansion and fullness or near-fullness, is

then the quality to be gained. How? Only by recognizing that this is

the quality. The recognition, which itself is a mental process,

brings the quality depending upon its depth and persistence. To

cultivate depth and persistence, whatever inward exercises are

desirable can be done.

 

So, the very nurturing of concepts, thinking about them, loving them,

finding delight in so doing, these are the actual processes which

cultivate the very quality. Then, reading and reciting relevant

verses from the scriptures, doing it delightfully and well, will mean

growth of the quality. Quality as such has no bearing upon the

physical activity. But one with a certain quality will sooner or

later like to have activities harmonious with it.

 

Previously you used to complain that you were not able to associate

spirituality with the domestic chores in the Ashram and that you had

to do so much of domestic work that you felt spiritually starved. So,

the other day when you told me that, " now, even by this full-time

domestic routine, I feel quite sublimated, " I felt very happy and

relieved. Manah kritam kritam kaaryam, na tu dehakritam kvachit.'' It

is not what you do, as a routine or a necessity, that matters, but

how you do – with what attitude and aim.

 

What spiritual effect another seemingly spiritual activity will

bring, the same will be equally had by the domestic pursuit also,

provided you preserve the spiritual attitude and dedication about it.

The domestic work in the Ashram is different from that in a

household. The Swami has to live somewhere. He lives in the Ashram.

The Ashram is like the body of the Soul.

 

So, what should be the emphasis for you? Find out yourself.

 

Love the virtues. The virtues will then haunt you, endear themselves

to you, enliven you, and gradually settle in you. The virtue can be

the wisdom you need, the ability you seek, the growth you look for or

the expansion you cherish. Look for them fondly, as much as possible.

They will enter and grace your system.

 

Between seeking them and their gracing you, the time gap may be

anything. That has no significance and will go unreckoned. Everything

takes time; this also will. In patience, in sublime resolve, virtues

and dedication grow best. Tat svayam yoga-samsiddhah kaalena aatmani

vindati " (Geeta IV. 38)