Fw SOME THOUGHTS ON LIBERATION (MOKSHA)----10

[Guest guest]

Hari OMHuman beings are born with certain qualities and potentialities of body mind and intellect as a result of previous activities(karma) and tendencies(vasanas). This holds us in a strong grip. But we have the freedom to liberate ourselves. Our activities in the present body decide the future of the soul, whether it be complete or partial liberation from past karma or further bondage. The Grace of God can bring about liberation, however,great may be the previous bondage. This is so, not only because of the inherent power of Grace, but also because the soul`s efforts to obtain that Grace have themselves, like other motions of the mind,

Karmic potency. The Bagavad Gita teaches what these efforts should be,to which it gives the name of yoga. The Yoga of the Gita is a progressive and multiple process. There is nothing to lose in attempt and failure, as very sincere effort is a gain in itself. Gita talks of the following efforts:-

 

1. Control of the senses, purity of conduct, and regulation of the routine of life, worship, work, food, sleep etc.,

2.Unselfish and attentive performance of the duties which one is expected to perform by one`s natural fitness and by reason of one`s place or position in the social arena or set-up.

 

3.Cultivation of true detachment and an even temperament when faced with sucess or failure, joy or grief, etc.

4.Vigilant control of the motions of the mind, and the elimination of passions that disturb it-lust, anger, greed etc. etc.

5. Periodical turning of the mind inwards, for silent, concentartion and meditation and

6.Surrender toGod`s grace.

 

In practice, all the above efforts are mutually connected and inseparable. They are not mutually exclusive. We are free to adopt any of the yogas advocated in the Gita for the purpose of attaining Moksha (Liberation) by adopting a proper synthesis of those yogas.

 

(to be continued)

G.Balasubramanian