Swami teaches... Spiritual aspirations linked with body

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram

 

Light and Love

 

Swami teaches.... (14 February 2005)

 

Spiritual Aspirations Linked with Body

Human being can use the unique intelligence and memory enshrined in language

to widen his vision, to adjust own reactions to nature and society and to

benefit by the knowledge and experience of others. He/she can influence society

as much as society influences him/her. Human alone is capable of awakening

the serpent-power of the life-energy that lies dormantin him as the Kundalini

Shakthi and elevate it through chakras (higher fields of awareness), up tothe

thousand-spoked wheel on the very crest of the head. This is the uurdhwa Gathi

(the UpwardPath).

Human must act, speak and think without being deluded by the apparent, in

preference tothe real. Human ignores the Aathma (Divine Soul), which is the

only Reality, and allows himself tobe fascinated by Maaya (illusory energy),

which scintillates and deceives.

 

While on the pilgrimage of life, human's activities are three-fold - Akarma,

Sakarma andNishkaama Karma - the Thaamasik, Raajasik and Saathwik types of

Karma.

Akarma: It starts with high hopes and much fanfare but at the first touch of

disappointment, all activity is given up.

Sakarma: It is undertaken without discrimination. Whatever comes to hand

keeps one busy. Nishkaama: It is gladly done as duty, as worship, as

grateful homage, with no eye on the benefit therefrom. Human has physical

urges like hunger and thirst and needs like sleep and exercise. A person may be

a scholar in many fields of knowledge or a famous figure crowned with diverse

powers, but he cannot escape these urges and needs. Human has also spiritual

urges and needs. While the physical urges are transient and temporary, the

spiritual ones have deeper sources and longer satisfactions. They clamour for

purity and unity.

Constant recitation or remembrance of one manthra is believed by many to be

a method useful for purifying the mind. But, the same manthra cannot serve the

purpose for all. Those who identify themselves with the body-mind complex

need an embodied God, an idol, image or picture, and a Name to fix on.

"Dhaasoham" (I am your servant) will be such a person's spiritual attitude.

This manthra will purify and strengthen, also destroy egoist feelings. The

constant thought of dependence will destroy pride of power or scholarship or

authority over fellow-men, or riches and treasure. Nowadays, ninety-nine out of

hundred persons suffer from egotism and they need the curative manthra

"Dhaasoham."

Persons who have attained a higher stage believe that they are jeevis

(distinct individuals). Forthese, the manthra can be "Soham" (I am He) so that

the sense of distinctness can be eliminated. The next higher stage is the

Aathmic. When person reaches this level of consciousness, the idea of 'I' as

different from 'He' disappears. That is to say, So (He) and Aham (I) fade away

and Soham is elevated into OM. OM or Pranava is the Manthra for persons

conscious of the Aathma in them.

Reputation as a loving lovable person is to be striven for. Such reputation

has its origin in little acts of love, tiny upsurges of compassion. When it

expands and flows over vast areas, it becomes divine.

Falsehood grows quick and wild. When Truth is yet putting on its shoes,

Falsehood would have travelled round the globe. Untruth spreads fast; Truth

strikes root slowly and in all cases the mind is purified by Truth.

 

No one can go against the Divine Will. No one can alter the Lord's law. It

should be realised that the body functions because of the chaitanya

(consciousness) within it.

Human's s primary aim should be to achieve Atma Jnana (Self-knowledge). The

first step in this quest for Self-Knowledge is to understand the own nature.

(It is worth to note that the Atma does not grow with the body's strength nor

does it decay owing to the body's weakness).

When we regard the body as an instrument, we should realise that the

prescribed limits for its use have to be observed. In our actions, in our

speech, in what we see and what we hear, in our thoughts, we must seek to

promote purity and sanctity. Limits have to be observed with regard to food,

drink, speech and hearing etc. Everything in life depends on maintaining the

balance. Every action involves using of energy. If the energy in the body is

properly utilised, then balance will be maintained and the body will be in good

shape.

Indian ancients wished to live long for the sake of a Godly life and for

that purpose preserved their health in body and mind. You may have read in the

Mahabharata that Krishna was 86 years old and Arjuna was 84 at the time of the

Kurukshetra war. They were in the vigour of youth and fought great battles.

Bhishma, who was the Commander-in-chief of the Kaurava armies, was 116 years of

age.

It is essential to keep the body in good health as long as there is life,

just as you must ensure that your boat does not spring a leak till you cross

the river. If you are able to grasp the nature of the body, the senses, the

mind, the Buddhi, and the Atma, which is the Supreme Witness presiding over all

of them, you will be able to master the mystery of the cosmos.

Without a strong physique, human is subject to numerous ailments. The ancient

Romans, who were aware of this truth and who were the forerunners of western

civilization, displayed deep concern regarding the development of the body.

The body is a world in itself. It is not merely the outer form. It is the

collective embodiment ofvarious organs and limbs. Each organ has its own

beauty, which has to be fostered.Pure and sublime ideas can emanate only from a

healthy and strong body.

"Dahyati iti dehah" (The body is that which is burnt). This is the derived

meaning of the worddeha (the body). But the body experiences burning even when

it is alive. This is because of worries. "The body is inert. It is contaminated

and riddled with disease. It will not save you from the ocean of birth and

death. Therefore, cling to the lotus feet of Hari, Oh mind!" This was the

prayer of the sages.

Another name for the body is Sarira. The word is derived from the term,

"Siryathi iti sariraha"(That which is liable to decay). The body is subject to

many changes from youth to old age.

A third name for the body is Mandir (temple or shrine). It is described as

a temple enshrining the eternal divine Atma (individual soul). Every time

before you do anything, you have to put to yourself this question: "I am the

indwelling divine Atma in this body. As such, is it proper for me to do this

action or not?"

The body has also been called Kshetra. The Gita enjoins that one should know

what is kshetraand who is the Kshetrajna. You are the Knower of the field

dwelling within the kshetra (body).You have to remain as a witness and see that

the body is properly used. The holy places are described as Kshetras. Similarly

the kshetra of the body is a holy place for good thoughts and good actions.

The other meaning of the term kshetra is field. In this field of the body,

the fruits we reap aredependent on the seeds we sow. In the case of the human

body, you are bound to reap the fruits of the good or the bad thoughts you sow

as seeds. As you sow, so will you reap.

 

You must eat Satwic food. Our thoughts are determined by the kind of food we

consume. What is consumed by the mouth is not the only thing that goes into

the body. The othersense organs like the eyes, the ears, the nose and the hands

also "consume" objects from theoutside world. It is the need to get rid of the

evils associated with pollution of speech, hearing, sight, thought and action

(arising from the misuse of the five sense organs).

Even the hands must "consume" pure food. This means that you must perform

good acts withyour hands.

You will have to consider seriously what sort of places you should visit,

what kind of environment in which you should live and what type of persons with

whom you should associate yourselves. You should eschew all bad company, because

your thoughts are related to the company you keep.

 

You have to do your duty to your kith and kin. But while discharging your

duties, you have tokeep the Supreme always in mind. The worldly life has to be

led, with spiritual relation as thegoal. As long as you live in the world, you

have to conform to the ways of the world. But theideal must be based on the

recognition that nothing belongs to you - neither mother, nor father,kinsmen or

wealth. (Reet's compilation from, Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 16, "The uniqueness of

man," Chapter 15 and "Guidance for the Gurus," Chapter 21. Sathya Sai Speaks,

Vol. 23, "Sanctify the body," Chapter 10 and "The abode of the Spirit," Chapter

11).

 

Namaste - Reet