Summarized by : Aruna Amaresan
We refreshed on last week's message. We reviewed the Sadhana package from last week. And the key messages.
Below is a sample saadhana package - We should try to do at least a subset of these in order to burn our vasanas, and maintain that equi-balance of our mind:
1. Wakeup prayer/Thought
2. Sandhya vadanam
3. Prayer/Puja at Home altar
4. Yogasana (10-30 min)
5. Pranayama (5-10 min)
6. Meditation (10-30 min)
7. Afternoon/evening walk (outdoor if possible)
8. Daily Shravanam (Spiritual book read/ audio/video)
9. Volunteering activity
10. Night Bed time introspection
Try to keep to 150 min per week. Appx. 30 min per day. Example of good books to read were given (e.g., How to break bad habits - By James C - Helps to change habits by doing one right thing for that week.
Today's focus was on two sections:
1. Chapter 3 - Verses 32-35
2. Chapter 3 - Verses 36-39
1. On Chapter 3 - Verses 32-35:
Even though you know that you are living as stupid and lifeless as before, it takes time to prepare for making a change.
Janmanapi - Each individual lives exactly with the same tendencies of their past.
If you are involved and make efforts to change, performance will improve.
Chapter 3 - Verse 34: Each of us have our own likes and dislikes. Even though the world is like a gift to us, we can’t enjoy. We divide the world into likes and dislikes. We are running away from what we don’t like, and run towards what we like.
Swamiji shares that you will see that whatever you don’t like follows you. And whatever you like, runs away from you.
E.g., He never preferred eggplant and it followed him everywhere. He loves sweets, but he can’t eat it
Message:
Don’t yield to likes and dislikes. But understand it.
Tendencies are present due to Vasanas. That drives objects/emotions thoughts towards or away from us. Don’t live according to your vasanas. Try to change it.
Where you are, and what you are facing is your prarabhda and vasanas. But how you face it is your freedom. Think and improvise
Vasanas may go away in groups. Get into Sadhana to get your vasanas knocked out quickly. e.g.,Ekadesi Viradha
Try to have a Delete button - In reality, most of the past is unimportant.
2. On Chapter 3 - Verses 36-39:
Why are we doing what we are doing? Because of lust and the past, that makes you do it. E.g.,
Smoke covering the fire. Dust covers the mirrors. Clean away the dust.
Sattvic State: It is similar to Smoke and fire situation. It can be more easily cleared. E.g.
Introspection - If you are doing it, you will be able to get insights and be an observer of yourself.
Rajasic State: It is similar to the dust covering the mirror. It takes longer to clean the dust. E.g., FOMO - Fear of missing out.
Tamasic State: Like the embryo in womb situation where it takes 9-10 months.
Note: Don’t confuse between Phobia's and mix it with texture of mind and gunas.
Message:
For you to make progress towards moksha: Move to be in sattvic state more.
All vasanas good or bad need to be sublimated. Vasanas are bondage of us to this world, and needs to be removed. E.g., As a pole vault, you have to first run with the pole, use the pole to get that momentum, and finally let go of the pole. That pole even though was so helpful for you, you do let go of it. The pole is like you moving towards the sattvic state.
What are Vasanas? These are repeated thoughts that exhibit itself as strong habits, or
attachments, or desires. E.g., Coffee in the morning. The best person to know your vasanas is yourself. If you have no vasanas, you will have no likes or dislikes. This implies you will have no attachments to objects/emotions/thoughts. You have to attempt to clear it.
Sithaprajna - How do you ensure that even though you like/dislike person, you continue to
engage with them, while at the same time give them a chance? Reset your expectation on that person. Be aware of your previous experiences, but give them the benefit of the doubt. E.g., At work, you have challenges with certain individuals. You have to work with that person. What you have control is how you engage with them. Learn from your experiences, but continue the interaction.
o Look at it from a much bigger picture. There is one divinity out there. The same divinity that is within you is the divinity present in that person
o Message: Dislike the action, but not the person who performs it.
Vasanas have a close link to desire. Lord Krishna talks about this in detail in Verses 36-39.
What is desire? It is trying to make up for some incompleteness within us. (Apoorna). Desire is used to address the emptiness inside of us. E.g., In last year skit, we reviewed the following cycle
o OBJECTS --- SENSES ----- ATTACHMENTS -- DESIRE - If desire fulfilled, OK. If not fulfilled, leads to KRODHA ---This CLOUDS JUDGEMENT -- ANGER/DOOM STATE
How to differentiate between Desires vs. Goals/Objectives? Desire is when you get anger/anxiety when it is not accomplished. Whereas, setting goals and objectives is to do your duty to do the best possible way as per the role you are playing.
o It is complete folly on our part, to feel incomplete due to specific objects. You decide to
buy the item, then you feel complete temporarily.
o Don’t try to make yourself feel complete by temporary objects. Look for a source of
permanent happiness
o You need the urge to do your best of your duty given to you. Note, that as an individual
everything you do is a duty. Note that treating a patient is as important as folding clothes
properly.
A beautiful example of Lord Krishna's behavior in an event: A big yagna was happening. Lord Krishna was invited for that event. Krishna requested the host for some ways to help. The host requested him to stand outside, and take care of the footwear of the guests coming in for the event. Lord Krishna did the job so elegantly well, that no one went inside the event location. If Lord Krishna can treat even arranging footwear so well, how should we be treating each of our duties?
Note that each job is important, and you give your 100% to it.
On Desires:
o Desires are most impactful in Rajasic state . In Sattvic state, you will be able to manage
desires. Remember the learning earlier: Happiness formula = Desires Fulfilled / Desires entertained
The lesser desires you entertain, the higher your happiness state.
o There are 3 types of desires
Tamasic e.g., Kumbakarna
Rajasic e.g., Ravana
Sattvic e.g., Vibhishana - He had a desire to do good, but managed it better, by installing
proper governance
Note: When you mind acts from a Sattvic state, you will get the support you need.
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