This is one of the articles in a book I have written on spirituality. The book is available on Amazon.com.
The Spirit Of Spirituality
--------------------------------------------------
I am sure, if we ask anybody in the world, what do they look
for in life, the answer would be happiness. When asked further, the answer
would be ever lasting happiness. Now
the question is what is this ever-lasting happiness and how we can realize it.
When I was a baby, what was my state? I had absolutely no
care in this world. When I was hungry, I shouted and was fed. When I had
natural urges, I just went ahead and some one cleaned up. I woke up when I
wanted and slept when I wanted. I cared two hoots what people called me,
whether they liked me or not. Nothing bothered me and I was in that state of
bliss. Wont we wish that as we grow up,
we could be in that state of bliss? What was in me as a baby that I do not have
now, which prevents me from being in the state of bliss? Let me invite you to
join me in this discovery.
care in this world. When I was hungry, I shouted and was fed. When I had
natural urges, I just went ahead and some one cleaned up. I woke up when I
wanted and slept when I wanted. I cared two hoots what people called me,
whether they liked me or not. Nothing bothered me and I was in that state of
bliss. Wont we wish that as we grow up,
we could be in that state of bliss? What was in me as a baby that I do not have
now, which prevents me from being in the state of bliss? Let me invite you to
join me in this discovery.
When I look at a beautiful picture or listen to a lilting
music, I feel happy. At the same time, if I were to get a foul smell or touch a
hot surface, I would be unhappy. So when I get what I like I am happy and when
I get what I do not like, I am unhappy. Let us see where the happiness is and
who is experiencing the happiness or unhappiness. When the eye sees something
pretty, do the eyes experience happiness? Obviously not! The eyes are just
conveying the information to the mind. So, does the mind decide to be happy?
Based on my earlier blog, readers would know, that mind just conveys
information to the intellect and the intellect directs the mind to be happy.
So, we have concluded that an object has been captured by a sense organ and
information collected and conveyed to the intellect by the mind, which has
directed the mind to be happy. But who knows the mind is happy? In effect, what
is asked here is, do I know I am happy? I know I am happy. So there is someone
within me who is watching the mind and knows that the mind is happy and is
telling that I am happy. Who is this
mysterious person?
music, I feel happy. At the same time, if I were to get a foul smell or touch a
hot surface, I would be unhappy. So when I get what I like I am happy and when
I get what I do not like, I am unhappy. Let us see where the happiness is and
who is experiencing the happiness or unhappiness. When the eye sees something
pretty, do the eyes experience happiness? Obviously not! The eyes are just
conveying the information to the mind. So, does the mind decide to be happy?
Based on my earlier blog, readers would know, that mind just conveys
information to the intellect and the intellect directs the mind to be happy.
So, we have concluded that an object has been captured by a sense organ and
information collected and conveyed to the intellect by the mind, which has
directed the mind to be happy. But who knows the mind is happy? In effect, what
is asked here is, do I know I am happy? I know I am happy. So there is someone
within me who is watching the mind and knows that the mind is happy and is
telling that I am happy. Who is this
mysterious person?
When I am in deep sleep, I do not know whether I am happy or
sad, but as soon as I wake up, I know whether I am happy or sad. So, this
mysterious person does not exist in deep sleep, but exists only in waking
state. I am sure readers can guess that the only thing that does not exist in
deep sleep but exists in waking state is “thought”. The first though that
occurs is the thought that I exist, because without this thought, there can be
no other thought. This thought that I exist is called the “Ego”.
sad, but as soon as I wake up, I know whether I am happy or sad. So, this
mysterious person does not exist in deep sleep, but exists only in waking
state. I am sure readers can guess that the only thing that does not exist in
deep sleep but exists in waking state is “thought”. The first though that
occurs is the thought that I exist, because without this thought, there can be
no other thought. This thought that I exist is called the “Ego”.
I had covered earlier that this whole universe is nothing
but Brahman or consciousness and that consciousness which exists at the
microcosmic level in me is Atman. There is absolutely no difference between the
Brahman and the Atman, just as there is no difference between the space at
large and the space in a pot. Now, so long as the space in the pot knows it is
just the space that exists everywhere, there is no problem. However, if the
space in the pot associates with the pot itself, it would start thinking that
it is big, small, beautiful, ugly etc. In exactly the same manner when the soul
identifies with the body/mind/intellect complex, it starts thinking it is
beautiful, ugly, smart, dull etc. Has the space in the pot changed? No, but it
has seemingly been transformed into an ugly pot, beautiful pot etc. In the same
manner, the soul though not really affected, seemingly thinks it is good, bad
etc. This “avatar” of the soul is called the “ego”. The ego by association with the body/mind/intellect develops its
own likes and dislikes. When the body touches something hot, it says, I am hurt
and am unhappy. Similarly when it hears something pleasant, it associates with
the sense organ/sense object and says, I am happy. So the soul, which never had
likes/dislikes and was bliss incarnate, seemingly, as the ego, starts experiencing
likes and dislikes as the Ego and because of these experiences
happiness/unhappiness.
but Brahman or consciousness and that consciousness which exists at the
microcosmic level in me is Atman. There is absolutely no difference between the
Brahman and the Atman, just as there is no difference between the space at
large and the space in a pot. Now, so long as the space in the pot knows it is
just the space that exists everywhere, there is no problem. However, if the
space in the pot associates with the pot itself, it would start thinking that
it is big, small, beautiful, ugly etc. In exactly the same manner when the soul
identifies with the body/mind/intellect complex, it starts thinking it is
beautiful, ugly, smart, dull etc. Has the space in the pot changed? No, but it
has seemingly been transformed into an ugly pot, beautiful pot etc. In the same
manner, the soul though not really affected, seemingly thinks it is good, bad
etc. This “avatar” of the soul is called the “ego”. The ego by association with the body/mind/intellect develops its
own likes and dislikes. When the body touches something hot, it says, I am hurt
and am unhappy. Similarly when it hears something pleasant, it associates with
the sense organ/sense object and says, I am happy. So the soul, which never had
likes/dislikes and was bliss incarnate, seemingly, as the ego, starts experiencing
likes and dislikes as the Ego and because of these experiences
happiness/unhappiness.
Now the Ego being in a state of unhappiness, tries to fill
the gap in its state of unhappiness by going to the outside world to fetch
objects assuming that the objects will give it happiness. However, as each of
us knows, getting one sense object may give temporary happiness, but soon there
is again a void and we again go for the next object to fill the gap. If only the Ego were to look inward and
realize it is the soul which is nothing but Brahman, which is everywhere,
there, would not be a void and hence no need to seek temporary happiness
through objects. As Brahman, I am everything, then where is the need to get
anything else?
the gap in its state of unhappiness by going to the outside world to fetch
objects assuming that the objects will give it happiness. However, as each of
us knows, getting one sense object may give temporary happiness, but soon there
is again a void and we again go for the next object to fill the gap. If only the Ego were to look inward and
realize it is the soul which is nothing but Brahman, which is everywhere,
there, would not be a void and hence no need to seek temporary happiness
through objects. As Brahman, I am everything, then where is the need to get
anything else?
Now the question is why does the ego forget it is the soul
and associate with the outside world? This is due to ignorance of the reality
and is called as avidya. Avidya is as ancient as the soul and is an attribute
of the soul. Just as the ability to create a mirage is an attribute of the desert,
avidya is an attribute of the soul, which causes the ego and its identification
with the outside world. As an infant,
it is clear I had no ego. I was just the soul and was in that state of bliss.
However as I grew up, my ignorance started producing the ego, which resulted in
me descending from that state of bliss to a state of permanent unhappiness with
a brief respite when I got some worldly object.
and associate with the outside world? This is due to ignorance of the reality
and is called as avidya. Avidya is as ancient as the soul and is an attribute
of the soul. Just as the ability to create a mirage is an attribute of the desert,
avidya is an attribute of the soul, which causes the ego and its identification
with the outside world. As an infant,
it is clear I had no ego. I was just the soul and was in that state of bliss.
However as I grew up, my ignorance started producing the ego, which resulted in
me descending from that state of bliss to a state of permanent unhappiness with
a brief respite when I got some worldly object.
So, we can realize that our source of unhappiness is due to
the ego, which has associated with the outside world, and the source of bliss
is for the ego to realize it is the soul. This appears simple. I have
understood that my ego is the cause of my unhappiness and once I realize this I
am in bliss. The only way ignorance can go is through knowledge and here the
knowledge is from the scriptures, be they the Upanishads, The Bible, The Koran
or whatever sacred texts. But it is to
be noted that just an intellectual understanding of this means nothing. A
seeker of bliss needs to undertake the tough journey to internalize this fact
and realize bliss. The routes to internalize this understanding is through the
path of Karma Yoga which means acting selflessly, Bhakti Yoga, being aware of a
super power and various other entities that have shaped us and working with
that attitude of gratitude, through Jana Yoga which enable discriminating
between the real happiness of the soul and the temporary happiness through the
outside world and by Dhyana Yoga or Raja Yoga, where one meditates on the
supreme consciousness and become merged in it.
the ego, which has associated with the outside world, and the source of bliss
is for the ego to realize it is the soul. This appears simple. I have
understood that my ego is the cause of my unhappiness and once I realize this I
am in bliss. The only way ignorance can go is through knowledge and here the
knowledge is from the scriptures, be they the Upanishads, The Bible, The Koran
or whatever sacred texts. But it is to
be noted that just an intellectual understanding of this means nothing. A
seeker of bliss needs to undertake the tough journey to internalize this fact
and realize bliss. The routes to internalize this understanding is through the
path of Karma Yoga which means acting selflessly, Bhakti Yoga, being aware of a
super power and various other entities that have shaped us and working with
that attitude of gratitude, through Jana Yoga which enable discriminating
between the real happiness of the soul and the temporary happiness through the
outside world and by Dhyana Yoga or Raja Yoga, where one meditates on the
supreme consciousness and become merged in it.
As readers may be aware, 3 of my books on spirituality are available on Amazon.com.
I invite readers of my blog to try any of the books and give me feedback so that I can make changes in the next edition.
1. My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality
My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality
2. Attain Infinite Bliss
Attain Infinite Bliss - A Spiritual Guide
3. The Spirit Of Spirituality
The Spirit Of Spirituality
I enjoyed reading your words they brought me happiness. I guess relating to on another can bring happiness, so your writing brought happiness although temporarily to me. I do question weather you were in bliss as a baby, it is my belief you were far from it. I believe our brains are wired in a way that craves security, security is imaginary but is important to our temporary happiness. As a baby I argue that you weren't at all in bliss but in a state of insecurity, you wanted to eat and screamed your fear was you weren't going to eat and your cries were based on not feeling secure at that moment causing the agitation. This is your blog, your space in a virtual world so I'm going to stop. I could go on and on about security, think about it, let me know what your thoughts are about security.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jimmy for your kind comments. From a non-dual perspective of spirituality, let me try to put my understanding of security. When do I feel insecure? I feel insecure because of someone/ some object not likely to be liking me, not likely to be available to me, not likely to be giving me physical/emotional/intellectual pleasure etc. Non-duality argues that the real I am supreme consciousness and in that context, since there is no second at all, there is no question of me feeling insecure because of actions/non-actions from another person/object. Insecurity arises because I identify with the body/mind/intellect and see the outside world as separate and anything that the world gives/does not give affects me. Kindly do have a look at my blog Who am I, published some time back. Best wishes to you.
ReplyDelete