The illusory world
By Swamy Gautmananda
Courtesy The Hindu
The spiritual path can be trodden only when one turns away from material objects. Desire, lust and greed for worldly possessions are strong temptations that have to be staved off. The Bhagavad Gita says the life of renunciation is the primary characteristic of spiritual life.
Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual vision too cautioned against wealth and desire and extolled the value of honesty, openness and mental purity as the most essential requisites of the spiritually inclined, Sri Ramakrishna was able to rise above the differences in name and form that easily attract one’s attention. To understand the divine nature within beings, one has to introspect and engage in the task of identifying who is the real “I” in every person. Is it one’s body, mind or intellect recognised in relation to one’s name or status? Or is it the inner Self (Atma) that is free, immortal and unattached? Realising this divine spirit as the common denominator pervading all aspects of creation is the essence of Brahma Jnana. This Self is pure but when in association with the world and the body is unable to recognise its true nature. The air always remains pure though it carries good and bad smells. One should be able to view the inner Self as the agent of divine will that is in the physical body for a certain period of time to exhaust its karma. All are subject to Prakriti and none can evade the consequences of one’s actions.
Lord Krishna points out that the entire universe functions because of His Maya Shakti and abiding in the hearts of all beings, His power causes them to act as if they were mounted on a machine. But human beings falsely assume that it is through their effort that they live and act, just as the child seated on the toy horse or elephant in a merry-go-round thinks it rides when the unit is switched on.
This sense of ego, the sense of I and Mine (Ahamkara) that attaches itself to the Self is the cause of delusion. The Jivatma should understand that its very existence and ability to function are all due to the divine will. Human birth is a valuable opportunity to get release from the cycle of Samsara. Gaining the truth of the illusory nature of the world can tear the veil of Maya.
Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual vision too cautioned against wealth and desire and extolled the value of honesty, openness and mental purity as the most essential requisites of the spiritually inclined, Sri Ramakrishna was able to rise above the differences in name and form that easily attract one’s attention. To understand the divine nature within beings, one has to introspect and engage in the task of identifying who is the real “I” in every person. Is it one’s body, mind or intellect recognised in relation to one’s name or status? Or is it the inner Self (Atma) that is free, immortal and unattached? Realising this divine spirit as the common denominator pervading all aspects of creation is the essence of Brahma Jnana. This Self is pure but when in association with the world and the body is unable to recognise its true nature. The air always remains pure though it carries good and bad smells. One should be able to view the inner Self as the agent of divine will that is in the physical body for a certain period of time to exhaust its karma. All are subject to Prakriti and none can evade the consequences of one’s actions.
Lord Krishna points out that the entire universe functions because of His Maya Shakti and abiding in the hearts of all beings, His power causes them to act as if they were mounted on a machine. But human beings falsely assume that it is through their effort that they live and act, just as the child seated on the toy horse or elephant in a merry-go-round thinks it rides when the unit is switched on.
This sense of ego, the sense of I and Mine (Ahamkara) that attaches itself to the Self is the cause of delusion. The Jivatma should understand that its very existence and ability to function are all due to the divine will. Human birth is a valuable opportunity to get release from the cycle of Samsara. Gaining the truth of the illusory nature of the world can tear the veil of Maya.
1 comment:
Dear Appa,
This is a wonderful message posted by you. I think if every human being were to get rid of the "Ahamkara" only Peace will prevail in this universe.
love
Anand
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