Guest guest Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 SAI RAM Dear Brothers and Sisters, One of the Members has commented in his mail to this humble self that what was stated in the postings so far are more academic in nature. He wants 'practical tips' for realizing the Self or Atma. With this end in view, let me try to share some of my understandings in this regard. Our Sastras(scriptures) explain and propound in descriptive narrations, the various theories that explain life and its behaviour, the individual and his relationship with the world outside, the world and its cause, the Reality and the place of the individuals in It, and the nature of the Eternal, Immutable Truth. But this is not all. Our Sastras also contain very many technical methods by which we can achieve in ourselves a direct experience of the Truth just as it is indicated in the descriptive portion of the Upanishads. The Hindu philosophy is not a mere dream of some good-hearted honest thinker, but is an unlimited charter of freedom offered to the limited mortal. The path, the techniques and the details guiding the seeker are all complete and scientific. The various instructions, in the aggregate, known as the Sadhana,which, at its various stages, will be seen by us henceforth in these postings. At the outset itself it needs to be stated here that there is necessity for a true teacher to guide a real and sincere aspirant towards his fuller spiritual unfoldment. A true teacher is one who is not only well-aquainted with the Sastras and the ability to explain/guide a seeker in the spiritual path (Srotriya) but also one who is well-established in the Experience of the Infinite ( Brahmanishtam). When such a perfect teacher and a true student meet, the student must strive to establish a true, deep and intimate spiritual relationship with the teacher (Guru). This is not limited to a mere intellectual appreciation of his philosophy, nor in its content it is a mere emotional love for him. A combination of these two--appreciation and love-- when offered at the altar of any is termed as reverence(Acharyopasanam). Cultivating this healthy intimacy of reverence in an atmosphere of study and discussion over a period of time is what is called Guru Seva. Through the process of serving at the feet of the teacher one gains the knowledge of what is the goal, what is the path and how we may progress steadily on through right effort, and reach the State of Fulfilment. This early preparation takes us to the path,to the great goal. The Lord declares in the 13th chapter of Gita, " By knowing this my devotee becomes fit for reaching My state " (to be continued) With Loving SAI RAMs, G.Balasubramanian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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