For the past one week I observed a few yoga colleagues dwindling away one by one. Today I asked one what is the matter. He said in the outskirts of the city, meditation programmes with thousands gathering and sitting in meditation 'en masse' for about a fortnight long. We hear about certain constructions specially meant for meditation. Of course this may be due to the reasoning that ambiance plays a vital role for bringing the mind into stable condition. Then I pondered over a doubt. Can this type of occasional sittings be sufficient to otherwise boggling mind after coming back into the city?
It reminded me of the devotees of Swamy Ayyappa. They observe very stringent austere measures during the mandalam (forty days) period. During this period they will be away from family life, drinks, footwear, sleeping on cots, spicy foods et cetera. I used to wish that such banning of drinks, smoking and other vices should have been practised by them for the rest of their life, with changing in attitudes towards them instead of resuming after the mandalam.
So, coming to the point that it is the attitude of the mind that matters and not the places, I request you to see the story of Chudala and King Sikhi Dwaja (post: Liberation If...16.12.15) once again. In addition to this, I remember a story in which a king fond of fines arts, declares competition in painting. Of all paintings submitted in competition, he selects one in which the scene is stormy weather condition, with tress swaying to gusty winds. King's appreciation went for a bird which was coolly feeding her chicks in a rock crevice regardless of the stormy weather condition -"Calm amidst Storm".
This achievement of "Calm Amidst Storm" is essential for any seeker who is on the path of liberation right amidst 'gruhastha' - family life conditions, as our sages could do before us.
We have metaphorical way of dealing with such condition of our attitudes through the sankeertana by Annamacharya, 'Gaddapara Mingite Akali Direna'.
'Hunger is satisfied by only food. Nothing else. One cannot satisfy hunger by swallowing iron implements. Same way, the ensnaring material pre occupations can be overcome only by taking refuge in the Almighty within.
'By nature, stags' gait is jumping away hither thither. If such animals are tied to a cart to pull, can any one have control over them? Power of sense organs can never be estimated by any one. They steal away every opportunity possible to subdue the individual in to their control.
'If live fire is wrapped in a soiled cloth and kept in the house can it be safe? So is the powerful play of attachments towards the worldly things and people, which persistently engage one till making slave to them.
'Is it safe to place a highly poisonous snake under one's pillow and sleep comfortably? Does the snake remain quiet without showing it's nature?
'The worldly objects are so powerful that people invariably fall prey to their attractive beseeches. The only escape from this situation is to awaken, to realise and to turn inwards seeking the Almighty' Grace.'
So, it is very plain and simple to understand that a little effort by keeping our cool, we have to give proper weightage to the Almighty within. He will guide us - what to do, when to do, and whether to do at all - in every walk of our life, beyond the bondage of Illusory attractions !
"Calm Amidst Storm"
It reminded me of the devotees of Swamy Ayyappa. They observe very stringent austere measures during the mandalam (forty days) period. During this period they will be away from family life, drinks, footwear, sleeping on cots, spicy foods et cetera. I used to wish that such banning of drinks, smoking and other vices should have been practised by them for the rest of their life, with changing in attitudes towards them instead of resuming after the mandalam.
So, coming to the point that it is the attitude of the mind that matters and not the places, I request you to see the story of Chudala and King Sikhi Dwaja (post: Liberation If...16.12.15) once again. In addition to this, I remember a story in which a king fond of fines arts, declares competition in painting. Of all paintings submitted in competition, he selects one in which the scene is stormy weather condition, with tress swaying to gusty winds. King's appreciation went for a bird which was coolly feeding her chicks in a rock crevice regardless of the stormy weather condition -"Calm amidst Storm".
This achievement of "Calm Amidst Storm" is essential for any seeker who is on the path of liberation right amidst 'gruhastha' - family life conditions, as our sages could do before us.
We have metaphorical way of dealing with such condition of our attitudes through the sankeertana by Annamacharya, 'Gaddapara Mingite Akali Direna'.
'Hunger is satisfied by only food. Nothing else. One cannot satisfy hunger by swallowing iron implements. Same way, the ensnaring material pre occupations can be overcome only by taking refuge in the Almighty within.
'By nature, stags' gait is jumping away hither thither. If such animals are tied to a cart to pull, can any one have control over them? Power of sense organs can never be estimated by any one. They steal away every opportunity possible to subdue the individual in to their control.
'If live fire is wrapped in a soiled cloth and kept in the house can it be safe? So is the powerful play of attachments towards the worldly things and people, which persistently engage one till making slave to them.
'Is it safe to place a highly poisonous snake under one's pillow and sleep comfortably? Does the snake remain quiet without showing it's nature?
'The worldly objects are so powerful that people invariably fall prey to their attractive beseeches. The only escape from this situation is to awaken, to realise and to turn inwards seeking the Almighty' Grace.'
So, it is very plain and simple to understand that a little effort by keeping our cool, we have to give proper weightage to the Almighty within. He will guide us - what to do, when to do, and whether to do at all - in every walk of our life, beyond the bondage of Illusory attractions !
Om shanti!
No comments:
Post a Comment