Meditation in Life: Chapter 20
Class Notes | November 12, 2019
Notes by Primary Writer: Nitya Bhagavatula
Introduction
When children are six years old, they shift from the home to Gurukula. They initiate and participate in a sacred ritual (Yagnopavita: Upavitha (sacred thread) and yajna (ritual)).
This means that they now have the Bhava that this is a yajna. They are able to go from where they are now to recognizing who they ultimately are, which is infinite.
Additionally, the Icon or Murthi is below the Shikhara. This signifies that Bhagwan should live in our head. If one has realized the Self — they are in tune and able to go from externalization to internalization, theory to practice, and effects to cause. Avidya is an effect, and our course is designed to let go.
Main Topic of Study
Last week: we talked about silencing the mind. We need to train ourselves to see the oneness in many facets of our life. There is one existence, and we should do this in the present. Avidya → Vasana → Eshana → Vrtti → Karma. All of these are effects and we have to go deeper.
An ideal is that which helps us evolve. The ideal is to shift from objects to the subject, and bring it in to our lives. Be quiet. In contemplation, in those glimpses of silence you let it be. You don’t react as much.
During our Meditation in Life course we have talked about the lifestyle and process. It involves introspection, detection, negation, and substitution. In addition, it involves the space, seat, sanctum, and senses. When we wrongly negate, we suppress. When we rightly negate, we sublimate.
We need to plant the right seeds to properly negate (i.e. till the wild field). Planting those seeds is called Sadhana. It is that which leads to Sadhya. It converts values to virtues. Bhagwan is the one who has all the virtues, all the time. Incense is a great example of negation and sublimation when it goes from a solid to gas.
Our creator wants the absolute best for us. Nature is a system that guides stones, plants and animals. They don’t suffer from Bhava Roga. They are “being” not “becoming.” We have a choice, and this is our test.
How can we live virtuously? It requires vigilance during any activity.
- Insight — At the beginning of any endeavor, there is an insight that the following “activity” will be like this. It involves an acknowledgment and recognition around how you feel about what may happen.
- Determination — During the meeting and/or moment you will not give up! This means one will complete the task.
- Surrender — Towards the end, one needs to realize they’ve created enough momentum and determination. This can’t be created without the Creator, so surrender.
If one does not negate/ substitute, then it is possible to be stuck and lose faith. We do not want that.
RAW for the week: Try to have a perfect week! No reactions, mistakes, forgetting, falling. (less fighting between the mind and intellect).
Upcoming classes
November 19th — Class
November 26th — Holiday
December 3rd — Happiness Series
December 10th — Class
Q&A
Q: Vivekji mentioned that the observer is “interested but not affected.” Can Vivekji elaborate on that?
A: One example is watching a movie — it interests you but doesn’t affect you. Another example involves reading a magazine on a plane.
Q: Please review the meaning of “nau” in the Gayatri Mantra.
A: Nau = We. It refers to “may we be happy”. In the ashram, it is the teacher praying for the student. In the Gayatri Mantra, we are praying for outside clarity (via the sun), so we can have knowledge and a stronger intellect on the inside. Let us all have clarity in our lives.
Q: Please review what to do when serving with someone unendurable?
A: When serving with someone unendurable, the answer is to leave. However, it is important to recognize and realize all that we’ve achieved thus far with determination. Additionally, have a role model and delete the terms “I’m tired/sick.” 95% of the time try and punch through it. Overall, you don’t stop being determined, it just shifts. Therefore, if one is lost it is clearly context-based rather than content. Don’t allow this to disturb one’s inner peace.
Q: Can Vivekji review the links between Avidya and Vasanas?
A: Yes, this starts with the 5 S’s. We have forgotten that we’re the Self, and that is called Avidya (ignorance), which leads to separation. That separation leads to feeling of Smallness (via the Vasanas). The vasanas manifest as Eshana or desires, which leads to increased sadness. The desires (and sadness) lead to more thoughts (Vrttis), which creates stress. Those thoughts manifest as Karmas (actions). However, those actions create a feeling of being stuck, which doesn’t get resolved until we change how we think. Therefore, thoughtlessness is when one is always calm and quiet.
