Man & woman are like two wings of the same bird

[Guest guest]

My sutra:

 

I shall explain the nature of selfish desire & blind bodily appetites

ungoverned by reason and self control - this applies, indeed, equally

to men and women. For, neither man nor woman is intrinsically

superior or inferior but they together make up an inseparable

whole. Listen to this sutra but merely hearing (or reading) will NOT

result in detachment.

 

You have to do " shravana " (mindful listening with complete attention)

followed by manana (mindful contemplation) UNTIL erroneous

understanding is completely rooted out and the mind is totally

purified, still and eventually awakened.

 

 

The mind, whether of a man or woman may be fickle. A fickle mind

ruled by selfish desire, animal bodily appetites ungoverned by self

restraint and thinking devoid of reasoning are at the root of all

troubles for men and women equally. The web of conditioning is spun

by both nature and nurture and our minds can be caught in this sticky

web. Neither man nor woman is free from this process and neither is

superior or inferior in terms of ultimate human potential.

 

 

Since intrinsic joy and lasting contentment can only spring from a

mind that is spontaneously still and free from the fluctuations of

fear & hope, attraction & aversion, such stillness of the mind and

the eventual awakening to intrinsic and lasting joy is the ultimate

goal of all human beings. In the context of this ultimate human

objective, endless lust for bodily pleasure shall not be pursued

by wakeful persons, whether men or women, who desire liberation.

 

 

I hereby narrate the nature of human beings, whether men or women,

for the benefit of all. Human beings whose minds are ungoverned by

reason and self control are prone to error. This is universally true

for both men and women. Human beings, regardless of whether they are

men or women, if they are driven by unrestrained bodily appetites

and minds filled with selfish desire, by unrestrained lust and

uncontrolled greed are bound to overstep the limits imposed by law,

both social and moral.

 

There is nothing more sinning and sinful than an uncontrolled mind,

whether that mind belongs to a man or a woman. A person utterly

lacking in self restraint might have every comfort and convenience

but will still fall into error and misery. A mind ungoverned by

reason will ultimately succumb to greed, lust or anger. It will be

distracted easily from its main purpose. An indisciplined mind,

whether it belongs to a man or woman, will remain on the right path

only out of fear or for want of opportunity to do otherwise.

 

 

It is natural for the flesh to hunger for the flesh for both men

and women. Nature universally provides a natural law of physical

attraction and provides physical pleasure as an incentive to

facilitate survival of a species. This universal law applies equally

to men and women and therefore, neither is superior or inferior in

this regard.

 

 

Desire is like a fire in the mind and sense objects and sensual

pleasures are the fuel that can only serve to make the fire rage more

fiercely. On the other hand, contemplation and stillness of the mind

invokes an intrinsic joy and contentment in which all craving ends.

This goal of self discovery to awaken to an everpresent and intrinsic

joy is called enlightenment. This is not only the universal and

ultimate goal of human life but also an evolutionary imperative for

all human beings regardless of whether they are male or female.

 

 

Physical desire and sexual arousal are natural for both sexes and it

is nothing to be condemned or to be ashamed of. Rather, these natural

impulses must be governed by self restraint, reason and a well

governed mind, keeping in mind the moral discipline required to

progress towards the ultimate goal of life, an intrinsic,

total contentment and bliss that does not depend on any object,

emotion or thought. Such discipline to master and still the mind

in order to find intrinsic and lasting bliss is an evolutionary

imperative for every human being, man or woman. Neither man nor

woman is intrinsically superior or inferior on this path.

 

In conclusion, man and woman are like tqo wings of the same bird.

A one winged bird, however powerful, is crippled and cannot fly.

Let us love to learn but while doing so, let us also learn to love.

 

Love and best wishes to one and all,

 

Ashok