All Religious texts point to 3 basic divisions of consciousness:
- The mana or the mind
- The mati or the intellect
- The aatma or the soul/conscience
Each of these has various levels and inclinations. The mana or the mind; the most notorious of them all, can be satvik (inclined to positive), rajsik (inclined to materialism) or tamsik (inclined to negative).
Mati or the intellect has various levels defined in religious texts. There are many practices which when followed will lead the mati to higher levels. There is a separate name for each level of intellect or mati. It is very interesting; I will put it up here sometime.
Mind is unstoppable; it is so disillusionary that only a handful are able to control it to some part. and yes; the chosen few leap across it.
Higher the level of mati or the intellect; better will be the control over the mana. But yet, it is mere control. It is like a gas contained in a steel vessel. The gas and the pressure is still present. Mind is still not fully tamed and can not be fully tamed by intellect. It is beyond intellect. Hence when we try to control the mind from one side; it will express itself from another side or dimension.
It is a game which keeps going between mana and the mati. When we choose the path of intellect and try to recognize the observer; it is important to be careful that we do not fall into illusion of the mind or the intellect either. Intellect may not be of highest level and can sure cause illusion or in other words; allow the mind to create the illusion.
I am getting this feeling that it is what is happening with me. It has been long since I have sit in meditation and looked within. There were times when I could see the observer clearly; but I feel that there has been a lot of dust since; and it needs to cleaned up by sessions of meditation before we could continue the path of intellect.
I think; the other paths like the path of bhakti or devotion or the path of prem or love; can be very useful to sheild the sadhak against various attacks made by mana. It is not easy to catch mana. The intellect should be of highest level which is possible by performing various rituals; and it is good to incline mana to satvik inclination. it will help to maintain the intellect and would pose less hinderances.
Rest Later and as it dawns upon me..
Just another Sadhak seeking the almightly..
love you lord
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Starting the Journey
Chapter 6 : Bhagwad Gita
Lord Krishna says the real saint is the one who has renounced the desire for fruits of Karma and not the one who has renounced karma.
The Osho elaboration is that the old ritual of attaining sainthood and retreating to the jungles is not the real sainthood. He criticizes it strongly and puts emphasis on living in the world and renouncing the desire itself.
But as I understand; it is like this: The ancient practice of retreating to a jungle for attaining sainthood is a mere help. Since a sanyasi is away from worldly attractions; it will help him to stay focussed on his goal. Surely; he has no attained sainthood yet since he is still aiming for something; desiring something. But the environment of jungle is less likely to distract a novice who is on the path. But yes; it is only a mere help; a beginning. It is not a necessary condition and definitely not a sufficient one. The end outcome should be that the sanyasi should be able to come back to the world and still maintain his samadhi.
The path guided by the Osho is to start renouncing the desires in day-to-day life. There is a bliss of another kind which can not be explained by words. To taste it; he asks to conduct a small 24 hr experiment. Stop desiring for the outcome anything we do (just about anything) for one day. we do all the normal chores but consciously try to keep focusing our mind to not to desire something for this period. I tried it and succeeded for about 5 hrs and I am pleased to say I experienced bliss.
But I am still confused on how to further tread along this path. It is not without danger; the major one being: you keep on controlling the desires and live in a blissfull state - all very well. But once the mischievous mana (mind) attacks you unaware; all the desire will come rushing. By then, it might be too late to fulfill them. So you may fall into deep turmoil & repentence; beginning to think that you were mere lazy and wasted the precious months/years of life. You will see your friends & colleagues who will be achieving things which you used to desire; and still desire. I fear that you dont feel like a terrible failure at that point.
At the same time; renouncing the desire for our actions doesnt mean inaction. Osho points that it will naturally lead to shedding away of all that is evil in life. All the life energy will get devoted to positive things. Hence, it is possible that your destiny takes you to another level which you might not have reached if you were caught in the tangle of desire. But in such a living; you have surrendered yourself to the supreme power; you have surrendered your boat to the tides. The tides may take you to the places you used to desire or which people desire or they may not take you there. Both the possibilities are there. But what is certain is that; while you are in that state - while you are in the state of devotion to the tide; it will be bliss. It will keep you healthy - physically and mentally and happy.
Lord Krishna says the real saint is the one who has renounced the desire for fruits of Karma and not the one who has renounced karma.
The Osho elaboration is that the old ritual of attaining sainthood and retreating to the jungles is not the real sainthood. He criticizes it strongly and puts emphasis on living in the world and renouncing the desire itself.
But as I understand; it is like this: The ancient practice of retreating to a jungle for attaining sainthood is a mere help. Since a sanyasi is away from worldly attractions; it will help him to stay focussed on his goal. Surely; he has no attained sainthood yet since he is still aiming for something; desiring something. But the environment of jungle is less likely to distract a novice who is on the path. But yes; it is only a mere help; a beginning. It is not a necessary condition and definitely not a sufficient one. The end outcome should be that the sanyasi should be able to come back to the world and still maintain his samadhi.
The path guided by the Osho is to start renouncing the desires in day-to-day life. There is a bliss of another kind which can not be explained by words. To taste it; he asks to conduct a small 24 hr experiment. Stop desiring for the outcome anything we do (just about anything) for one day. we do all the normal chores but consciously try to keep focusing our mind to not to desire something for this period. I tried it and succeeded for about 5 hrs and I am pleased to say I experienced bliss.
But I am still confused on how to further tread along this path. It is not without danger; the major one being: you keep on controlling the desires and live in a blissfull state - all very well. But once the mischievous mana (mind) attacks you unaware; all the desire will come rushing. By then, it might be too late to fulfill them. So you may fall into deep turmoil & repentence; beginning to think that you were mere lazy and wasted the precious months/years of life. You will see your friends & colleagues who will be achieving things which you used to desire; and still desire. I fear that you dont feel like a terrible failure at that point.
At the same time; renouncing the desire for our actions doesnt mean inaction. Osho points that it will naturally lead to shedding away of all that is evil in life. All the life energy will get devoted to positive things. Hence, it is possible that your destiny takes you to another level which you might not have reached if you were caught in the tangle of desire. But in such a living; you have surrendered yourself to the supreme power; you have surrendered your boat to the tides. The tides may take you to the places you used to desire or which people desire or they may not take you there. Both the possibilities are there. But what is certain is that; while you are in that state - while you are in the state of devotion to the tide; it will be bliss. It will keep you healthy - physically and mentally and happy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)