Guest guest Posted May 18, 2007 Report Share Posted May 18, 2007 SAI RAM Dear Brothers and Sisters, (continued from posting no.60) We are trying to understand the 'Practical tips for Self-Realization' as desired by a member. In the previous submission we were trying to understand as to what is meant by Vairagya. These are not academic but practical. Sankaracharya has defined vairagya (detachment) as " that desire to give up all transitory enjoyments gained through seeing, hearing etc. and also experiences gained through equipments ranging from a mortal body to the form of Brahma " . Detachment in this context calls for not only a detachment from external objects and circumstances that are conducive to joyous experiences, but it is a mental condition in which the mind no longer runs after the phenomenal world in the hope of gaining peace or joy. The idea is that through discrimination (viveka) when one has come to, at least,intellectually appreciate that sense objects have not in themselves any intrinsic value for joy and that they are ephemeral, naturally the mind will never take wandering flights into the realm of objects with a craving for them. True vairagya is that sense of detachment that arises from a full application of one`s discriminative faculty. As stated earlier, by suppressing desires we gain nothing but restlessness. Mere self-denial, no doubt can, to some extent, be achieved through one`s persistent will power, but such an enforced artificial self-denial will fail to bring about the required inner calmness in the seeker. But a detachment arising out of a correct knowledge of the Higher is the healthy attitude which can help the seeker to discover for himself, in himself,a secret stamina to go forward. In short, vairagya arising out of viveka alone can be said to supply the right type of fuel for the vehicle of the mind in its journey towards Self- Realization. Thus for realisation of Truth, the Supreme Goal detachment based on knowledge is the only efficient means. Constantly reading, reflecting meditating and ,thus remembering the Real is the methos of developing viveka, in the light of detachment(vairagya) will automatically come , which is the healthiest attitude for a seeker to maintain towards the fields of pleasure that come around him. (to be continued) With Loving SAI RAMs, G.Balasubramanian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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