skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Brenda was a young woman who was invited to go rock climbing. Although she was scared to death, she went with her group to a tremendous granite cliff. In spite of her fear, she put on the gear, took hold on the rope and started up the face of that rock. Well, she got to a ledge where she could take a breather. As she was hanging on there, the safety rope snapped against Brenda's eye and knocked out her contact lens.
Well, here she is on a rock ledge, with hundreds of feet Below her and hundreds of feet above her. Of course, she looked and looked and looked, hoping it had landed on the ledge, but it just wasn't there. Here she was, far from home, her sight now blurry. She was desperate and began to get upset, so she prayed to the Lord to help her to find it.
When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but there was no contact lens to be found. She sat down, despondent, with the rest of the party, waiting for the rest of them to make it up the face of the cliff.
She looked out across range after range of mountains, thinking of that Bible verse that says, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth." She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."
Finally, they walked down the trail to the bottom. At the bottom there was a new party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?" Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across the face of the rock, carrying it.
Brenda told me that when she told her father the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he of an ant lugging that contact lens with the words, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me do, I'll carry it for You." I think it would probably do some of us good to occasionally say, "God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy.
But, if you want Me to carry it, I will."
Jai Shri Krishna,
Maha Shivratri, the night of worship of Lord Shiv, is celebrated on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna according to the Hindu calendar.
One reason for this celebration is the incarnation of Lord Shiv in the form of Jyotirlinga from the absolute formless God.
Let us on this auspicious occasion, look at what the Shivalay (temple dedicated to Lord Shiv) symbolises. Why is there Nandi, tortoise, Ganeshji and Hanumanji in a Shiv temple?
A Shivalay depicts the eight components of Yoga:
1. Yam
2. Niyam
3. Aasan
4. Pranayam
5. Pratyahar
6. Dharana
7. Dhyan
8. Samadhi
One enters the temple of Lord Shiv by ascending five steps each of Yam and Niyam.
As soon as we enter the temple, Nandi ji is seen first. Nandi symbolises Aasan. This means, sitting in one place and posture to compose and fixate the body. Nandi also symbolises Dharma, meaning, the goal of religion should be Shiv, salvation.
After Aasan, we practice Pranayam. Hanumanji symbolises pranayam, meaning our mind is unsteady like a monkey. In order to steady the mind, we practice pranayam through Yogic breathing. Why is Hanumanji powerful? Because a controlled mind is powerful.
Once the mind is still, we need to withdraw our senses, signified by the tortoise in Shivalay. Just as a tortoise withdraws all its limbs within its shell, we must withdraw our senses from the worldly desires. This process is known as Pratyahar.
Now, we must focus on our goal. This is called Dharna signified by Ganeshji. Ganeshji means the knowledge on how to attach ourselves to Shiv, or, how to attain salvation.
On gaining knowledge, we want to keep our uninterrupted attention towards Lord Shiv (Dhyan). This is depicted by Gangaji, Parvatiji and the continuous dripping of water onto the Shiv Linga in the Shivalay.
In Dhyan, the meditator and the object of meditation are two separate entities. The continuous concentration unites the two into one. This state is known as Samadhi, depicted by the Shiv Linga. The soul becomes one with God leading to salvation.
Hence, the temple of Lord Shiv symbolises the eight stages of Yoga.
Let us all celebrate MahaShivratri by singing along with Pujya Bhaishri to the following bhajan: Kailash ke nivasi
seva mein samarpit,
Sandipani Vidyaniketan
By Jaya Row
A very long time ago, the evolved individual in the Indic region discovered the laws that govern not only the outside world but the fascinating inner realm as well. The focus shifted from conquering the physical world to gaining control over the mind. And now and then a brilliant sage would appear periodically, to revive a society sagging from lack of values.
Adi Shankara was one such outstanding master. While he wrote commentaries on the subtle upanishads and the Bhagwad Gita, he also composed original texts that re-presented the same knowledge in a modern context. The Bhaja Govindam is one such that brings to us timeless vedic wisdom in nuggets.
Shankara begins by focussing on the two main aspects of human pursuits – wealth and enjoyment. You chase wealth and once you acquire it you wish to enjoy it. The Bhaja Govindam dispels the misunderstanding that spiritual life entails shunning of wealth, family and all good things of life. Do not renounce wealth. Give up the thirsting, craving, lusting after wealth which comes in the way of acquiring wealth.
Be content with what you have. Swami Rama Tirtha said, ‘If you are not happy as you are, you will never be happy’. Be aware of all that you have been blessed with. Then you will develop the irresistible urge to share, contribute, and give. Often, the richest people are tormented by the feeling of deprivation while those who have nothing feel supremely abundant. The law is – You give, you gain. You grab and you lose.
The whole world is in frenzy, chasing after enjoyment. The more you indulge, the less you enjoy. Vedanta restores the enjoyment you have already lost. The way out is mindful, regulated contact with sense objects. So the thrill of a sense enjoyment does not diminish. Your honeymoon with life never ends!
Vedanta helps maintain wonderful, meaningful relationships. It identifies attachment as the root cause of all conflict. Attachment springs from a deep sense of insecurity. When you are not self-sufficient you need the support of spouse and children; you become dependent on them. You feel threatened by others with whom they relate; you imagine they are your enemies. You are nasty and hateful to your greatest benefactors and are tormented by toxic thoughts. You are then shunned by the very people for whom you did all this to begin with!
Attach and you suffer, you lose. Your closest relationships become conflict-ridden and finally you lose them. So attachment is not an option. The way out is ‘detachment’ or true love. Love people for what they are. Have no expectations, make no demands and do not imprison them. True love begets love. The love you give is returned in ample measure and you have amazingly satisfying relationships.
Life is as uncertain as a drop of water on a lotus leaf. Any moment death may occur. Even during your life you are consumed by disease, sorrow and arrogance. Insure yourself by investing in higher thought. Keep the company of good people, loving and uplifting thoughts. This ‘As you think so you become.’ith meditation. You will move to the state of infinite Bliss.
To be happy, some resort to extreme indulgence. Others abstain, and still others live a mechanical life. But the way is karma yoga, bhakti yoga and jnana yoga. Act in a spirit of service and sacrifice; enlarge your circle of love and constantly reflect on the distinction between the permanent and impermanent aspects of life. Follow this up w
