Guest guest Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 SAI RAM Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are in the midst of discussions on the methods of purifying the mind. We will now try to uderstand as to what is meant by Danam. When we conserve our energy through Tapas and then redirect that energy by serving the world with devotion, we gain various results. Irrespective of whether the results are material, intellectual or spiritual, these results can in turn be shared with others. Danam involves giving away something without expecting anything in return . Beides giving money or food or used or new clothes one can give time, knowledge,emotional comfort, or even kind words to others. Unfortunately, some think amassing great wealth secretly and giving away a little publicly is charity. I am reminded of a humorous story which I want to share with you in this connection:- Once a priest who had just moved to a new town was unsuccessful in finding accommodation. Finally, someone offered him a place to stay but informed him that it was haunted. The priest stayed there one night and the next day announced that the ghost had gone. The citizens of the town were very surprised and asked the priest how this had happened. The priest replied , " I asked the ghost for a donation.! " This illustrates our tendency to be miserly. Japa: The general meaning of this word is the repetition of the Lord`s name, though the literal meaning is " that which saves one from the cycle of birth and death " . When the Lord`s name is chanted with devotion, the mind gains purity and single-pointedness. It then becomes absorbed in the name of the Lord. As we think, so we become ( Yad Bhaavam tad Bhavati). Incidentally, we can actually gain perfection in any field through japa of one kind or the other. For instance, If I want to become a doctor, I should keep saying to myself, " I want to become a doctor, I want to become a doctor " and consequently I will be putting forth the right effort and thereby become a Doctor. This is called 'Doctor-japa'. Tirtha. The true meaning of tirtha or pilgrimage , is " that which helps you cross the ocean of ignorance and confusion " (taranti anena iti tirtham). Saint Tulsidas has said that the greatest tirtha is seeking the company of noble and enlightened people. When on a pilgrimage to a holy place, we are tempted to enquire about the best place to stay and about the quality and variety of food available there and about all the places of interest in that town or city. Instead we should search for saintly people who live there, sit at their feet and learn what is really to be learnt from them. This helps in purification of our mind. (to be continued) With Loving SAI RAMs, G.Balasubramanian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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