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Compassion, contentment are two very valuable words, because the whole life of the seeker can be contained in them. Contentment within and compassion without must be balanced. Be always satisfied within your own self and ever-compassionate towards others, never contentment based on others nor compassion for one's own self
Unrest and turbulence follows in the wake of dissatisfaction. Your mind will concentrate on all that you do not have and see only insufficiency and misery.
When there is satisfaction towards one's self, then you begin to feel and notice all that you have. And when you begin to realise all that you have, you are filled with gratitude towards existence that has given you so much.
Contentment towards oneself, and compassion towards others: give happiness and peace, whether others receive it from you or not, and don't worry or be discontented on that account -- it is your own affair. So keep it to yourself if you tried your best and could not relieve a person of his pain or suffering. Let it not dishearten you; don't reproach yourself, but maintain your contentment.
The words compassion and contentment are priceless; only change their direction and they become dangerous. If we are satisfied with our own lot we enjoy infinite peace and tranquility in life; we become wholly fulfilled. If we can be compassionate and sympathetic towards others, we shall wipe out poverty and misery. Kindness and compassion develop into a sense of service to others that fills you with prayer and worship, because it then becomes the path that leads to godliness.
If you are kind to others but dissatisfied with your own self, you will end up being a social worker; you will never become religious. If you are satisfied with yourself but have no compassion for others, you become a lifeless holy man. Having lost all that is precious and meaningful in life, such people run away to the jungles. They are satisfied with their own selves but without an iota of compassion. They succeed in finding their own happiness but they are the ultra-selfish people. If you look into their eyes there is no sign of pity, only a ruthless stare.
He who embodies both compassion and contentment -- in right proportion and direction -- attains the supreme comprehension of life. He will then know what religion is; he becomes truth incarnate. The ideal is: satisfaction within and compassion without; meditation within, love and kindness without.
Buddha describes a similar ideal utilizing the words compassion and wisdom: wisdom within, compassion without. Until such time that both of these are present, whatever the knowledge, it can only be false. The lack of either leaves knowledge incomplete.
By merely being compassionate to others you do not reach anywhere; you have to do something within yourself also. No matter how many difficulties you endure to serve the downtrodden and the sick, if you do not cultivate contemplation within, awaken your remembrance and meditate, you can reach nowhere.
Just as you walk on two feet and birds need two wings to fly, just as you need two eyes to get a proper view of the world that surrounds you, in the same manner you need two wings for the ultimate journey. The True Name, Courtesy Osho International Foundation, www.osho.com
Solitude is an attitude. A man who adopts an attitude of detachment towards the external environment is always in solitude. It is possible that despite being involved in all sorts of worldly activity, a person may maintain perfect equanimity. That’s solitude. Another may stay on a hilltop, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, yet he may not be able to experience serenity of mind. Therefore, even though this person is deludes him.
The state that transcends much better placed to experience peace of mind, solitude speech and thought is mouna; it is meditation, the total absence of mental activity. Overcoming the mind, said Ramana Maharshi, is meditation; but deep meditation is eternal speech. Silence is the perennial flow of ‘language’. It is interrupted by speaking; for words obstruct this mute language. It is quite possible that lecturers may keep the audience involved and amused for hours without transforming them. Silence, on the other hand, is permanent and benefits entire humanity in a subtle manner. One may therefore conclude that true silence is unceasing eloquence -- it is a state when words cease and powerful thoughts of the sage begin to penetrate the depths of the seeker, bringing about a change in his thought patterns.
Thought moves with tremendous velocity. Those who entertain sublime and pious thoughts help others who are in the vicinity and at a distance also. A saint who has overpowered his mind through meditation sends out into the world thoughts of harmony and peace. They travel with lightening speed in all directions and enter the minds of persons and produce in them also similar thoughts of harmony and peace. Whereas a worldly man who harbours thoughts of jealousy, revenge and hatred sends out discordant thoughts which are like wireless messages broadcast in ether, and are received by those whose minds respond to such negative vibrations.
According to the Maharshi, preaching is simple communication of language; it can really be done in silence only. A man, who after listening to a religious sermon for an hour, might go away without being even marginally influenced; he has wasted his time. In comparison, a man who sits in a holy presence and goes away after some time with his outlook on life radically changed, is much better off. Which is better, to preach loudly without effect or to sit silently sending out positive vibrations?
Again, how does speech arise? From abstract knowledge emanates the ego; this, in turn, gives rise to thought, and thought gives rise to the spoken word. So it would not be wrong to say that the word is the descendant of the original source. If the word can produce effect, consider how much more powerful must be preaching through silence? But most people do not understand this simple truth -- the truth of their everyday experience. Rather, they are eager to know what lies beyond, about heaven, hell and reincarnation.
We may conclude with the following words of Ramana Maharshi: “Those who have discovered great truths have done so in the still depths of the Self. But really there are no others to be helped. For the realised being sees only the Self, just as the goldsmith sees only gold while valuing it in various jewels made of gold. When you identify yourself with the body, name and form are there. But when you transcend body-consciousness, the ‘others’ also disappear. The realised one does not see the world as different from himself”.
Jai Shri Krishna,
Buddhism is a religious system founded in India in the 6th Century B.C. by Siddhartha, better known as Sakyamuni, Gautam or Buddha, the enlightened one. Gautam Buddha, whose birth anniversary the world celebrates this month, was born around 560 B.C. He came of noble lineage but took to asceticism after being deeply disturbed by the presence of disease, old age and death. Lord Buddha spent his life preaching while migrating.
On this divine occasion of the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, we present a small Zen narration by Pujya Bhaishri.
One evening, at dusk, when the sky was red and the birds were returning to their nests, four people came to Lord Buddha and brought a blind person with them. Lord Buddha was seated peacefully under a tree admiring the colours in the sky and pondering.
The adventitious people held the blind man's hand and said to Lord Buddha, "Lord! This man was born blind. He has never seen light. Even then, when we talk and explain numerous times regarding light to him, he refuses to accept that light exists. Therefore, we have brought him to you. Lord, please teach him about light."
Lord Buddha remained quiet for some time. He mercifully looked at the blind man then turned to the four people and calmly said," friends, this blind man does not require my teaching. If I preach to a person who has never seen light in life, even if the person decides to accept in his mind that there is light, then this will be the man's blind faith agreeing. The faith in light without experiencing it will keep him away from its true experience."
Lord Buddha continued to say, "This man may accept the arguments we raise on light in his mind for a second despite not having experienced it, but such a preaching based on blind faith will be detrimental to him rather than make him a true seeker of light. In fact, you are better off taking him to a doctor for treatment. Once he is treated, he will gain his sight and thereby experience light himself. Thereafter, my preaching will not be required."
One does not need to be educated about light but needs to experience light. Truth/ light/ God is not merely a subject to discuss and talk about. Truth/ light/ God must be experienced and implemented in our lives.
Seva mein samarpit,
Sandipani Vidyaniketan
The Only Hindu Temple Built By the British
In 1879, when there was British were ruling in India, Lt. Col. Martin of Agar Malva was leading the army in the war against Afghanistan.
Col. Martin used to regularly send messages of his well-being to his wife. The war continued for long & Lady Martin stopped getting messages. She was very upset.
Once riding on her horse, she passed by the temple of Baijnath Mahadev. She was attracted to the sound of Conch & Mantra. She went inside and came to know that the Brahmanas were worshipping Lord Shiva. They saw her sad face and asked her problem. She explained everything to them. They told her that Lord Shiva listens to the prayers of devotees and takes them out of difficult situations in no time. With the advice of the Brahmanas she started the ‘Laghurudri Anushtthan’ of the Mantra: ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ for 11 days. She prayed to Lord Shiva that if her husband reaches home safely, then she would get the temple renovated.
On the last of the ‘Laghurudri’ a messenger came and gave a letter to her. Her husband had written: ‘I was regularly sending messages to you from the battle grounds but suddenly the Pathans surrounded us from all sides. We were entrapped in a situation where there was no scope of escaping death. Suddenly I saw a Yogi of India with long hair, carrying a weapon with three pointers (Trishul). His personality was amazing and he was maneuvering his weapon with a magnificent style. Seeing this great man, the Pathans started running back. With his grace our bad times turned into moments of victory. This was possible only because of that man of India wearing a lion skin & carrying a three-pointer weapon (Trishul). That great Yogi told me that I should not worry and that he had come to rescue me because he was very pleased with my wife’s prayers.’
Tears of joy were falling down the eyes of Lady Martin’s eyes while reading the letter. Her heart was overwhelmed. She fell into the feet of Lord Shiva’s statue and burst in tears.
After a few weeks Col. Martin returned. Lady Martin narrated the whole incident to him. Now both husband & wife became devotees of Lord Shiva. In 1883 they donated Rs. 15,000 for renovating the temple.
The information engraved slab for the same is still there in the Baijnath Mahadev Temple of Agar Malva.
This is the only Hindu temple built by the British.
Om Namah Shivaya
How To Become Super Achiever
A Muslim youth of my acquaintance, born in a village and madrasa-educated, can speak two foreign languages fluently – Arabic and English -- without ever having studied for a university degree. I asked him once to tell me the secret of his unusual success. He uttered a single word: “Junoon”or madness, meaning that if you have unflagging determination to achieve your target, you will certainly do so.
That youth was a common man. But this formula is also true of those who are known as great minds. One such case is that of Albert Einstein,Albert Einstein was born in the nineteenth century to a poor family. He started out with no means whatsoever, living in destitution and misery. But, from the very outset, he was an ambitious person and was blessed with a very special sagacity – the determination to pursue his goal to the very end. This determination became his greatest asset, and finally he emerged as the greatest scientific mind of the world.
This is no mystery. It is a formula of nature, and applies to every individual. Everyone is born with great qualities. Potentially, every man is a superman and every woman is a superwoman. What is required is an insatiable desire to turn this potential into actuality. Success is not a gift. It is the
Always remember that you are created; you are not creator. You have to know your limitations, your external compulsions. You have to know the law of nature. Missing out on any one of these two aspects of life will lead only to disaster.
Be ambitious, but not an adventurist. Be confident, but never lose your modesty. Be clear about your target, but never try to achieve it at the cost of another person’s success or peace of mind. You have to be a good planner, but keep away from any kind of corrupt practice. It is good to be a self-made person but not by usurping others’ rights. In short, never succumb to a negative experience: try to turn negativity into positivity.
Always remember that it is not your intention or your desire that determines the course taken by the external world. It is a wise adjustment between your desires and external realities that leads to great success.
It is a fact that no one can overrule your ambitions but it is also a fact that you cannot overrule the laws of nature. So always be a realist. Acceptance of reality is the most important principle of any kind of success.
Every human being, great or small, is determined to live between two different sets of compulsions – limitations and advantages. So you should know your limitations while you avail of the advantages. Never go beyond your limits and never try to avail of that which is ultimately beyond your reach. Always try to maintain a balance between these two different aspects of life, and the result will certainly be success.
Life is not a smooth journey, being fraught with all kinds of odd and unwanted situations. Accept the reality rather than try to fight it. Don’t forget this wisdom, if you want to see your name listed along with the super achievers.
Jai Shri Krishna,
When Bhagavan Shri Ram completes his leela and at the end decides to return to his abode (Vaikunth), he doesn’t go alone, but takes everyone in Ayodhya with him including insects, dogs and other animals. Everyone proceeds with him to the river Saryu to reach his abode when suddenly, someone realised Shri Hanumanji was not with them. The devotee said to God, “Your greatest follower, Shri Hanumanji, cannot be seen and the first person worthy of entry in your abode should be a follower like him.”
One follower turned behind and saw that Hanumanji was standing outside Ayodhya watching everyone leave and bidding farewell to Shri Ramji with tears in his eyes. Shri Ramji summoned Hanumanji who immediately presented in front of Shri Ramji. Shri Ramji said, “Hanuman, come with us. Why are you standing there all alone? I am taking everyone with me and you deserve to be in my abode first.”
Hanumanji replied, “Lord, please answer one question, will I get to hear your katha in your abode?”
Ramji smiled and said, “Oh! I will be present there myself!”
To this Hanumanji said, “Lord, you will definitely be there, but this servant is asking if your katha will be there?”
Ramji responded, “Hanuman! My katha is only available on this earth. I will be present in my abode, but my katha will not be.”
Hanumanji said, “Lord, then you proceed to your abode. Please command this servant of yours to stay here. Until your katha is present on this earth, bestow me with your blessings that I will continue to listen to it.”
To this Ramji said, “so be it!”
Hence, Shri Hanumanji did not proceed to Shri Ramji’s abode due to the longing for Ram Katha.
Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya, Ram Lakhan Sita man basiya
Meaning: You are an ardent listener, always keen to listen to Shri Ram’s katha.
You dwell in the hearts of Shri Ram, Shri Lakshman and Shri Sita.
Shri Hanumanji either listens to Ram Katha or narrates it, and whoever Shri Hanumanji has narrated the Ram Katha to, has indeed attained Shri Ram. For example, Shri Hanumanji narrated Ram Katha to Sugriv and Sugriv met Shri Ram; Shri Vibhishanji acquainted Shri Ram after listening to Ram Katha from Shri Hanumanji as seen in Sunderkand in Shri Ram Charit Manas.
Shri Hanumanji narrated Ram Katha in Ashok Vatika which Maa Sita heard. Hence Maa Sita re-united with Shri Ram:
Ram Chandra goon barne laagaa, sunatahi Sita kar dukh bhaagaa
Meaning: As soon as Shri Hanumanji narrated the Ram katha, Shri Sitaji's grief disappeared.
Shri Hanumanji is such a great and thoughtful narrator. One who listens to him without doubt, gains darshan of Shri Ram. In addition, he is also a great listener. He listens to Ram Katha with complete affection. It is tradition to invite Shri Hanumanji at the beginning of every Ram Katha, as who can be a better listener than him? And Indeed, Hanumanji does arrive to listen to Ram Katha.
Come let us all celebrate this auspicious day of Shri Hanumanji’s birthday and pay our obeisance to him by singing along with Pujya Bhaishri to the divine Hanuman Chalisa.
Let us all pray to Shri Hanumanji to bless us all with his grace so that we can affectionately listen to Shri Ram Katha every day.
Jai Jai Shri Bajrangbali!
Soon after receiving a mail on Anita Moorjani's Interview in Manila on her book Dying To Be Me,was reminded of Sri Ramana Maharishi's experience of death which is posted here.
Death Experience
The turning point in Venkataraman’s life came spontaneously in mid-July 1896. One afternoon, the youth for no apparent reason was overwhelmed by a sudden, violent fear of death. Years later, he narrated this experience as follows:
It was about six weeks before I left Madura for good that a great change in my life took place . It was quite sudden. I was sitting in a room on the first floor of my uncle’s house. I seldom had any sickness and on that day there was nothing wrong with my health, but a sudden, violent fear of death overtook me. There was nothing in my state of health to account for it; and I did not try to account for it or to find out whether there was any reason for the fear. I just felt, ‘I am going to die,’ and began thinking what to do about it. It did not occur to me to consult a doctor or my elders or friends. I felt that I had to solve the problem myself, then and there.
The shock of the fear of death drove my mind inwards and I said to myself mentally, without actually framing the words: ‘Now death has come; what does it mean? What is it that is dying? This body dies.’ And I at once dramatized the occurrence of death. I lay with my limbs stretched out stiff as though rigor mortis had set in and imitated a corpse so as to give greater reality to the enquiry. I held my breath and kept my lips tightly closed so that no sound could escape, so that neither the word ‘I’ or any other word could be uttered, ‘Well then,’ I said to myself, ‘this body is dead. It will be carried stiff to the burning ground and there burnt and reduced to ashes. But with the death of this body am I dead? Is the body ‘I’? It is silent and inert but I feel the full force of my personality and even the voice of the ‘I’ within me, apart from it. So I am Spirit transcending the body. The body dies but the Spirit that transcends it cannot be touched by death. This means I am the deathless Spirit.’ All this was not dull thought; it flashed through me vividly as living truth which I perceived directly, almost without thought-process. ‘I’ was something very real, the only real thing about my present state, and all the conscious activity connected with my body was centred on that ‘I’. From that moment onwards the ‘I’ or Self focused attention on itself by a powerful fascination. Fear of death had vanished once and for all. Absorption in the Self continued unbroken from that time on. Other thoughts might come and go like the various notes of music, but the ‘I’ continued like the fundamental sruti note that underlies and blends with all the other notes. Whether the body was engaged in talking, reading, or anything else, I was still centred on ‘I’. Previous to that crisis I had no clear perception of my Self and was not consciously attracted to it. I felt no perceptible or direct interest in it, much less any inclination to dwell permanently in it.
The effect of the death experience brought about a complete change in Venkataraman’s interests and outlook. He became meek and submissive without complaining or retaliating against unfair treatment. He later described his condition:
One of the features of my new state was my changed attitude to the Meenakshi Temple. Formerly I used to go there occasionally with friends to look at the images and put the sacred ash and vermillion on my brow and would return home almost unmoved. But after the awakening I went there almost every evening. I used to go alone and stand motionless for a long time before an image of Siva or Meenakshi or Nataraja and the sixty-three saints, and as I stood there waves of emotion overwhelmed me.
