Today I saw a picture of a window pane covered with lots of tree-leaves which was blocking the sunlight! It made me bit philosophical! Is not our life also sometimes like a window of this type? I do not know about others but certainly it’s true for me. Let me illustrate. The green leaves are akin to various good thoughts and nice plans of my life! ‘Green’ color is associated with happiness after all! It appears to be amazing at first look. But I find that there is no end to these thoughts. There was a time, some twenty years back, I thought that I can do anything in my life! I wanted to become experts in a good number of areas of my studies. I wanted to complete tons of books, wanted to master various skills. All were in the planning stages. I jumped from one goal (read, nice thoughts!) to another. Many times, completing none! What I realized that this pattern followed me in other spheres of life as well! In particular, in the spiritual arena! I hopped from one spiritual sect to another. From Hare Krishna movement to Reiki to Art-of-Living to Sadhguru and even very briefly to Bible! It’s a different matter that finally I settled down to one thing only! But when I look back, I find that while these experiences were needed, it actually robbed me off my peace. In the professional life, I wanted to do too many things! While I did certain things well but could not manage time to do a lot of other colorful things, leaving me quite unhappy!
Today, I have this realization that, sometimes too many good thoughts or plans, just like the leaves on the window pane may potentially block one’s progress and happiness! It’s better to live a life in moderation! If the window pane had a bit smaller number of leaves on it, the sunlight could have entered the room making it warm and bright!
Related Q&A
Hello everyone, Is this correct that 'Yogah karmasu kaushalam (योगा कर्मसु कौशालम्)' is a Sanskrit phrase that means “from action, [good] karma results”? It is often cited to imply that karma or the consequences of an action will come from one's intent and not from an outside force. Can anyone share the deeper meaning of 'yogah karmasu kaushalam' or elaborate in detail? Thank you in advance.
Its the sign of a true karmayogi. Single pointed concentration or focus and dedication to action without expectation of the results or fruits is the yoga. That means excellence in action is yoga. As one is focussing only on the action and not the results, the mind doesnt get anxious or distracted....that is the yoga ( mind without distractions.)
Dear Friends, is this information correct about the Gayatri Mantra? Please elaborate if you know something different and please also share the source link so that I can read more about it - The Gayatri mantra was written by Rishi Vishvamitra in his book called Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣad (Brahma’s Great Secret) about 5000 years ago.
The mantra is attributed to the much revered sage Vishwamitra, who is also considered the author of Mandala 3 of Rig Veda
Hi Anirudh,
I totally get it and this is indeed a long process. However, I can assure you that the very fact that you are preoccupied with thoughts that you haven't yet attained your inner self means that you have already burnt through vast karmic reservoirs! To quote Sri Yogananda " it takes very very VERY GOOD KARMA to even want to know god ". So my dear friend you are closer to your liberation than what you may be aware of, so pls take heart in this, you are doing great as is!
Coming to your statement "I was wondering if Japa has impact on Karma..and seems like it does, though not sure of the exact relationship"...I would ask you one question: Do you chant your mantra like it were a spiritual tool you implement or do you have a relationship with your mantra? In my experience, getting to know a mantra is very much like the process of courtship. At the first stage of your relationship, you ask someone out on a date and then you try to prove to the other person that you are sincere in your intentions and that you deeply care for them and make them your highest priority right? At this point the other person is still evaluating you and hasn't yet decided to invest their energy in you. Only after a period of proving your love and commitment does the other person finally yield and they start to get invested in you.
All the sadhana part of mantra japa is like the first stage of a courtship where you are trying to convince the mantra that you are someone that it should invest in. At one stage, the mantra starts to reciprocate your love and in turn starts to get invested in you! I can say from my personal experience this happens. When your mantra starts to reciprocate your love, your connection with the mantra goes to a whole new level, and you start to relate to your mantra like you would with a person you absolutely adore. Even once two partners are invested in each other, the relationship hasn't reached the climax yet. Only once you are married does your relationship reach fruition right? Same way only once you and your mantra merge into one where there is no separation between you and your mantra will you attain final liberation.
So, I would say do continue with your Japa, dont lose heart, keep going and you will succeed.
Do you see Him as Shri Hari or Maa? Or do you worship Him separately as your Guru?
Are the existences of Shri Hari/Maa and Gurudeva different for you?
➡️If Yes, then how do you deal with the duality of their existences?
➡️If No, then can you share and elaborate your feelings regarding this?
You've asked a beautiful question that made me think! Thanks for asking the same.
Even though Swami also functions as my Guru, I don't perceive him as my Guru. For me,
- Swami in the physical body:
- He is Shiva - The Yoga Yogeshvar!
- He is an instrument of Devi, the Divine Mother.
- Like all physical bodies, his body has limitations.
- He too experiences aches and pains like all of us. So, I feel care and concern for him.
- Swami in functioning:
- He is Hari - The Raja Rajeshvar!
- He alleviates our sufferings and protects us, like Hari.
- His love for the world is unconditional and pure, like Vishnu.
- Swami in essence:
- Is the Formless Divine Energy, which is beyond names and forms.
- I refer to that as Devi or Om, which is what Swami truly is.
Hi,
I hear this saying- not sure maybe it is more common say in south India.
Anyhow my question goes like this:-
Instead of keeping big glass photos of many gods, I want to buy a small Idol or Statue of Devi (Sringeri Sri Sharadamba, Maa Kali, or Sri Annapoorneshwari - yet to decide) but my mother says idol or statue we can not keep it at home only allowed to place it in the temple !
reason 1. offering prasad to god statue every day without fail.
reason 2. my family cook nonvegetarian food at home.
What's your opinion on this?
Om Narayani Namostute.
Thank you.
regards:
Keerthi
I'm from South India, and I can relate to what you've asked. In my view, not having idols at home is just a superstition.
Our home is also a temple, and our altar is also a Garbha Griha. Therefore, Swami recommends that we stop cluttering our altar. Instead, he advises that we have just one or two images/idols of the Divine at our place of worship.
Following the same, throughout his Sadhana, Swami had only one idol of Vishnu with him.
This is the only idol I have had at my altar for quite a while now... She is my Divine, friend, father, mother, family, and everything... https://www.amazon.in/Kartique-Bronze-Standing-Sherawali-Navratra/dp/B08BYF442H/
Also, I've been a vegetarian all my life, but I'm jotting down what Swami said about non-vegetarian food. Non-vegetarian food is your personal preference, and it has nothing to do with your spiritual life or your relationship with the Divine. The only time non-vegetarian food isn't allowed is during specific Sadhana (like Gayatri Sadhana).
I hope that helps. My love to you.
Comments & Discussion
12 comments on this post. Please login to view member comments and participate in the discussion.