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Hi All,

 

Last week Swami Sukhabhodanandaji spoke about how to be happy and

successful in life and the significance of Chinmudra. Hope everyone

enjoys it.

 

Thanks,

Srinivas.

 

There are two categories of people living in this world. Those who

live out of fear and those who live out of love. Fear-structured life

is triggered by the lower self and love-oriented life operates from

the higher self. If we observe the lives of successful people we

notice that while they work in their field of success, they always

operate out of love, confidence and ready to face any kind of

challenges.

 

If we generalize this concept, we arrive at this conclusion - as long

we operate from the lower self, we always have inherent fears, our

lives are infested with problems and we face failures. As we start

operating from the higher self, we are filled with love for our work

and face any challenges with faith and confidence.

 

This can be achieved by a shift in our perception. The experience we

get thereby is totally different and fulfilling. This is what our age

old philosophy (Darshanas) says. Darshana is a way of looking at life

in the right perspective.

 

We can achieve success by surrendering our lower self to the higher

self, our individual consciousness to the collective consciousness.

This can be depicted by the gesture of index finger joined with the

thumb. The void formed thereby indicates the desired nature of mind we

are supposed to reach. To achieve that we need to reduce our

persistent thoughts by observing their pattern (indicated by middle

finger), by observing silence between the thoughts (indicated by ring

finger) and by prayers (the little finger). This is called Chin

mudra.

 

 

Surrender is possible only after purification. Our Vedas suggested

five forms of purifications (pancha shuddhis):

a) Vichara Shuddhi - purification of thoughts,

b) Bhava Shuddhi - purification of emotions,

c) Vak Shuddhi - purification of speech,

d) Shareera Shuddhi - purification of body

e) Atma Shuddhi - purification of intentions

 

More often than not our sufferings are in our thoughts more than in

situations. Thinking wise gives happiness, thinking otherwise gives

(dis)stress. All situations appear to be curses. It needs a strong

determination, patience and perseverence to convert it into success.

All the twists in our lives are not really problems but challenges.

 

Every moment in our life is a stage of Kurukshetram, a point of

nervous breakdown. It can rewritten into a story of transformation

from despondency to yoga, worries to wisdom and distress to happiness.

 

Happiness is to be considered as prasadam, distress as mahaaprasadam

for the simple reason that distress gives us an oppurtunity to grow,

an oppurtunity to learn and rectify ourselves.

 

What is it which keeps us away from success ? We think we are limited,

weak and that situations are not congenial to acheve success. When

things go wrong we try to find fault with others, their gestures,

their intentions and circumstances. In reality the fault lies in how

we INTERPRET them - our negative perception of situations, our being

skeptical of achieving success through right means. This has to

change.

 

Nobody can take our self-respect unless we give it away. Nobody can

hurt us until we chose ourselves to get hurt mentally or

psychologically.

 

External circumstances are pretexts, and the real reason is our

interpretations, our reactions (Pratikriyas) created thereby.

Reactions creates poison and creates and strengthens a toxic center.

It is suggested not to react, but act appropriately.

 

To the question as to what is the purpose of life, Vedas answer,

" Sukkha prapti, dukha nivritti eva asmakam pravritti " . To derive

happiness and avoid unhappiness is the goal of life. What gives

happiness and unhappiness ?

As we roll over in the bed early in the morning, we feel ananda.

Getting out of bed will then be distress. After a couple of hours,

rolling over in the bed becomes distress, as we suddenly realize the

tasks ahead to perform that day or the fear of giving explanation to

our boss. The same act can be the cause of happiness or unhappiness.

If we observe this closely, an act will bring distress if we are able

to visualize the bad consequences of it. So to get rid of a persistent

bad habit, it is very essential to visualize the bad consequences of

it. And once the fear of consequences grow stronger we do not repeat

the same mistake again.

 

There are those who are physically handicapped, yet are successful in

their lives because they are mentally strong. There are those who are

also mentally or psychology weak, yet are successful because of their

shear determination. It is we who are limiting ourselves to what we

are today.

 

Movements of thoughts, emotions and actions create energy. This is

sukshma sareera. If the thoughts are one of painful nature, the

created sareera is painful body - Vedana sareera. If they are of

blissful nature, the created sareera is a blissful body - Aananda

sareera.

 

When we look at the outside world, if we look through the shady screen

called reactions, then the experience is always painful. When we look

at it unassumingly the experience gained always gives bliss. And there

is always something to learn. Every challenge that we face is a moment

of enlightenment.

 

Every momemnt is an oppurtunity to create a painful or blissful body.

 

In Bhagavad Geeta, this is called Asura Sampaththi and Sura Sampathi.

 

We have to contemplate on what we are acquiring by the day, by the

moment - whether it is Sura sampathi or Asura sampathi.

 

Be true to yourself, and you will get the required power, skills and

strength to face all the challenges of the world. One need not be

powerful to face the challenges, but one needs to be humble, caring

and loving, and true to oneself.

Knowledge, skill and wisdom comes automatically. It is the design of

nature. One has to be worthy of receiving the vast hidden wealth

waiting for us.

 

This is the reason why Mahaans strive to change the world, even though

they have nothing to gain and they very well aware are of the fact

that world is an illusion.

 

It all starts with right thinking. Tarka shastra or the science of

logics is a very graceful and elegent science. But when it falls in

the hands of a stupid it becomes a stupid science.

 

Mind has to be cultured. It has to be trained to look at things in the

right perspective. This is vichara shuddhi. One can be a victor or a

victim based on his thinking and attitude.

 

Most of the people take the turn of events of Life as problems that

brings unhappiness. But really they are challenges to overcome, they

are the oppurtunities for growth.

 

From the stage of enlightenment, they are but invitations for growth.

From the stage of ignorance, it might appear as a problem.

 

Mind can be a friend or a foe. It is you who decide what it should be.

 

Problems are part and parcel of the package of life. None can escape

it, not even Gods.

 

If we consider the family of Lord Shiva. There are a lot of internal

problems. The Vaahana of Parvathi Devi, a lion, is waiting to pounce

on the bull, Lord Shiva's vehicle. The snake which is around Lord

Shiva's neck is waiting to swallow the mice - Vinaayaka's vehicle. The

peacock, Lord Shanmuga's Vehicle is waiting to eat the snake.

 

Inspite of these so called problems, Lord Shiva has a crescent moon

over his head depicting calmness and peace. This is possible because

of the clear waters of knowledge issuing out of his mind.

 

What is the need of the hour is a paradym shift. If we change our

direction of thinking, our attitude and our outlook, then we will

experience Anandalahari - the ocean of bliss. We will see wonderment

in the creation - no matter what.

 

We need to consider challenges as oppurtunities of growth, not

problems which drag you down. Then we will experience Adhbutarasa and

feel grateful to God for giving this oppurtunity to grow in life.

 

Bhava Shuddhi:

--------------

If we follow our consciousness scrupulously, we would will not feel

liable to anything, but will be a witness to what is happening around.

 

In Bhagavat Geeta, Lord Krishna says, " Be cheerful and fight!. Fulfill

your responsibilities and duties. Face the consequences. Don't have

expectations " .

 

There will be several scenarios where it is not possible to escape

hardships. And if we try to reason out and convince ourselves how it

is a misplaced event and not supposed to happen. It is not going to

make any difference in our lives.

 

We become victims to our own logic. Logic is great boon. But we need

to know when to apply when not to. We should not tend to overuse any

faculty or resource, because eventually everything is subjected to

wear and tear and bound to reduce to rust and dust.

 

Problems pass away. They are of our own making and test our sincerity

and mettle, patience and commitment. They test how true and dedicated

we are to our philosophy. We need to have the basic elements required

for success.

 

Learn to function from head and heart:

 

Why do we see problems ? Because we try to function from the head.

There are all over head of the departments, no heart of the

departments officially. Head is needed for effieciency, heart is

needed for love, faith, trust and happiness. Both head and heart are

required for happiness.

 

To illustrate how the line of thinking of a self-centered man will be,

an example was given of a man who has built a castle on an island. For

house warming ceremony he was sailing across the river to reach the

castle. Suddenly there was a storm and it was threatening to topple

the boat. At this point the rich man sweared to sell the castle and

give the returns to the poor and needy. And immediately the storm

subsided and became normal. The rich man thought that he was sold

cheaply and his stakes were high. He deviced a plan and sold the

castle for a rupee and a cat which was to be purchased inevitably

along with it for a million rupees. The contribution of one rupee was

given to charity as promised.

 

Most of us are like this rich man who does not understand the huge

losses incurred by not amassing the invaluable gems that divinize our

personality.

 

Vak Shuddhi:

------------

Vedas encourages us to speak in such a way that we cool others and

ourselves. Let words flow through our tongues like honey that

nourishes others' barren existence - even if they be our sworn

enemies. Communication is very important as being truthful and honest.

Many wars have been waged over bitter words.

 

Words fade away into thin air, but the impact they have on the minds

will be long standing, sometimes throughout the lives. Therefore words

are to be used very cautiously.

 

Only such words are to be uttered which are consoling and beneficial

to others as far as possible.

 

 

Sareera Shuddhi:

----------------

In a moving centre called body, if thoughts, words and deeds are

aligned it tends to be firm, happy, and relaxed. And it is possible to

serve society in a much better way.

 

It is said that our life depends on number of breaths we take. So by

taking deep breaths we can increase our life span. The harmonal

balance is very critical for the proper functioning of our body and it

is directly related to the breathing pattern which in turn reflects

our thinking process.

 

Yogic exercises prescribed not only tones our nervous system but also

pacifies the mind and makes the body strong and fit to pursue our set

goals.

 

Atma Shuddhi:

-------------

We are social beings and reap lot of benefits from the soceity. In

this world of give and take, it is our bounden duty to return the

favours in kind in the way we can, at our convenience as long as we do

not jeopardise the law of nature which states the fact that energy

flow has to be bidirectional for it to be in perfect harmony. If we

are always in receiving mode, it results in natural imbalance and

threatens our very existence.

 

Here give and take are of divine traits and noble qualities and the

exchange that happens at the lower levels are symbolic of exchange

happening at higher levels.

 

As we move from the world of known to unknown, it is very important to

be honest, service-oriented and unassuming. Otherwise it is hard to

keep our intentions pure which is very vital for our growth both in

material and spiritual planes.

 

Here Swamiji gave an example of a hare and a tortoise and extended the

moral of the story a few steps further. The hare and tortoise had a

race ...

 

Ver. 1: The hare slept and tortoise won the race.

Moral: Slow and steady wins the race.

 

Ver. 2: The hare left its sluggishness and won the race.

Moral: Fast and steady wins the race.

 

Ver. 3: The track was changed and there was a river in the way to

destination and tortoise won the race.

Moral: Core skills wins the race.

 

Ver. 4: They decide to co-operate and do it together for the best

possible results. The hare carried the tortoise on its back till the

river bed and the tortiose did the same as it swam across the river

and the result was the best performance ever.

Moral: Team work wins the race.

 

Together Encourage and Achieve More (TEAM) should be the motto.

If we don't operate as a team, every other person is an enemy, every

other person is a threat.

 

We may feel that we are very important and our achievements are great.

Yet we are a tiny speck in the whole creation. Greatness cannot be

comprehended in its full measure by the limited minds that we are. It

is wiser to be calm, committed and contributive. Seize every

oppurtunity that you can get as it is worthy of our contributions. Let

every situation be a point of enlightenment and nirvana, says the

Vedas.

 

If we have such a kind of attitude only then there will be a shift of

perception which is totally positive. The shift which is totally

blissful.

The growth is slow but sure. Watering of plants on daily basis results

in the plant growing into a tree. It needs determination, perseverence

and patience. This is called Drishti - Srishti vada.

 

Silencing our thoughts is the key to success. Silence which is full of

life, not gloomy and graveyard silence.

 

50 % of our thoughts can be eliminated by determination, the rest are

persistent thoughts. 20 % can be eliminated by observing their

patterns, another 20 % by observing the silence between them as the

thoughts are discontinuous. The rest 10 % can only be eliminated by

sincere prayers.

 

 

In a family where the truth is the mother, discipline is father,

cogniscence is Guru, righteousness is brother, forgiveness is sister

and patience is friend, there can be nothing in the world that can go

wrong.

 

Seek the point of nirvana in every moment. Pain exists in every

effort. But it will be a pleasurable pain, a sacred pain. When it

expands to the whole cosmos it becomes Nataraja dance. This is the

paradym shift. This is the significance of Chinmudra.