RE: Kala

[Guest guest]

Jaya Guru Datta.

 

Another lovely question and contemplation from our Datta community through

Appaji's grace.

 

to me it seems that time is a product of our minds. We use it to measure

beginning, middle and end and where we are in the midst of that process.

Whether it's a task, a life, a culture or a planet, we place ourselves at

some " point in time. " Used as a tool of our sadhana, this measurement of

time can cultivate awaremess and knowledge. Used without discrimination it

only leads to confusion. Just as the ego seeks to (falsely) define who we

are by comparing and measuring ourselves to everyone else, the concept of

time tries to define where we fit into this infinite picture. Both are used

as measurements to give us a sense of where we belong, who we are, what is

our purpose. But this is only and illusion.

 

When we lose ourselves in those moments of deepest devotion we lose all

track of time. We exist only in the present, in a state of bliss. This is

the real time. This is what we seek, why we struggle with measurements at

all, to attain this state of ananda which is eternal. In this state, our

minds are at rest and therefore the concept of time is unecessary. In this

state, the past, present and future exist as one continuum. This is Datta!

 

When I ponder the scriptural significance of time I find such beauty and

elquence in these wondrous explanations. My favorite narrative on time is

found in the Cosmic Sleep of Lord Vishnu. What a breathtaking descriptionf

of time!

http://www.indiana.edu/~isp/cd_rom/mod_05/vishnu.htm

 

In the end, I feel that all these images and stories with their symbolic

meanings are indicative of man's search for our maker, our Source, and our

attempts to undetand the purpose of it all. Vishnu/Sri as the infinitely

compassionate aspect of that Limitless Source, have created all these tools

of learning to help us along the way. They have also given us the concept of

time to help us understand our path and our relationship to the Divine Self.

Used for this purpose, time is a friendly reminder of our ultimate goal and

divine destiny. Without this understanding, it becomes a source of fear,

regret and confusion. Thus, once again, the importance of sadguru's guidance

and grace is immeasuarable!

 

Sri Guru Datta.

 

Sahana