Started the class with meditation as it helps us to calm our mind and preps us
for the class.
Discussed the following- What is the Ultimate knowledge -> Brahma
Vidya
We have to find out the way to find ourselves and for that, we have to
learn to find the real self.
Verse 3 - Immortality cannot be gained by work, nor by progeny, nor
wealth, but by renunciation of attachment to worldly objects. Higher than heaven
and seated in the innermost cave of the intellect, It shines; that which the
self-controlled sages can attain.
An individual cannot obtain ultimate knowledge
by giving up all this wealth /buy the ultimate knowledge or by having kids who
can impart that knowledge to the individual or by performing Karma yoga
It can
only be acquired by practicing renunciation. Which is acquired by the sages; it
is inside us we just have to discover it.
During purna kumbham, when a Swamiji
is invited to perform yagna. The Swamiji is welcomed with amantra. The starting
part of that mantra is this particular shloka. Swamis have given up their
worldly life, but this shloka is a reminder that don't get attached to any
materialistic possessions in the venue. You have already renounced worldly life
and received the knowledge by vairagya, so don't get attached to anything. As
there is a chance that they might get attached to the materialistic things in
the venue.
Verse 4:
Using the path of renunciation, the seekers/bhaktas that are pure in mind can
gain the world of Brahma. They gain the highest level of moksha or liberation
from everything. If karma does not get you the Ultimate knowledge
Then why
should you do Karma yoga? Karma yoga is a preparatory step. It is a starting
step to get the BMI ready for it. These initial steps are required to get to the
ultimate goal. We have to practice renunciation by dropping our identification
with the BMI. We have to perform the renunciation with the sannyasa yoga
mentality that is detached from the materialistic or worldly objects and attach
to the Niraguna form of the Lord. We have to detach ourselves from the vasanas.
Story - Once there was a sage and he was meditating in a cave. Locals from the
nearby village used to go to him for pravachan. There was a monkey who used to
be in the cave and he used to make alot of noise. All the villagers used to get
disturbed by the noise of the monkey. The sage said he was not disrupted, but
the villagers were annoyed by the monkey.
One day the villagers bought a pot
with a narrow neck and filled it with grains. The monkey came and put his hand
to take the grains. The monkey was stuck as his hand had grains in his fist. The
villagers used this situation to beat the monkey. The monkey was stuck so the
villagers continuously beat the monkey. Finally, the monkey let the grains go so
he could escape.
The sage was watching the events unfold. The villagers were
happy. The sage asked the villagers what lesson did you learn They said by
beating the monkey he ran away. The sage corrected them and said the real lesson
learned is - The monkey was able to break free by letting go of the grains he
was holding.
In the same way, we have to let go of our worldly possession then
we can break free ourselves.
A meditative state should be like walking. Walking
comes naturally to us, the same way we have to attain the meditative state. A
guru can help only to a certain point. They can impart the knowledge, but to
imbibe the knowledge and practice it needs effort from the student.
Verse 5 & 6
An accomplished individual can meditate anywhere anytime. For beginners, one has
to start small and get attuned to the process. To help an individual meditate
the following guidelines are provided. Choose a location that is clean and
isolated so there is no disturbance. Choose a time that is convenient. Though
mornings are preferred as the mind is not disturbed/agitated due to the
activities of the day. The location and the individual both should be clean so
the mind is not distracted. Some individuals prefer having a meditation dress so
they are comfortable and also helps the mind prepare for meditation.
The posture
is important. Make sure the head, neck, and body should be in a straight line.
Be quiet and very alert.
In sleep, we are only quiet not alert.
*Note - Don't
sleep during meditation. Meditation is not falling asleep. Meditation is a state
just before falling asleep.
In Sanyasaa yoga mode that is the mind should be
free of any activities or daily transactions. There will be a lot of thoughts
that will divert one's attention from meditation. Focus on the inner self. All
the thoughts about daily activities or transactions, past interactions have to
be consciously kept in check and let go. The process of meditation makes an
individual very alert.
An analogy provided is we need to reach the center of a
circle. There are various paths to reach the center of the circle. The center is
the Ultimate knowledge; to reach there various paths like Saguna Upasana,
chanting, breathing, om chanting will help us move towards the Ultimate state.
The path taken to reach the center doesn't matter.
The ultimate state is the
Adbhuta state; something that cannot be explained or imagined or described. It
is beyond that and that's the state we are striving for.
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