Monday, March 30, 2020
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Sri Brahmachaithanya Pravachan-March.29
Look on Worldly Life as a Mere Spectator
To recognize the reality is spiritualism; worldly life takes the unreal as real. What we perceive may not necessarily be real; and yet it may not be entirely unreal, non-existent. The Ultimate Reality has all the qualities that we attribute to it, and some more; in this sense, it can be called nirguna. Also, whatever attributes we apply to it are a matter of imagination, and it is therefore beyond all attributes; in this sense, too, it is nirguna. The structure of the universe is on the same pattern as the human body. Both possess the 'five sheaths', the pancha koshas, with the only difference that in the body they are in manifest form while, in the universe, they are latent.
Brahman, the Ultimate Reality, being single, felt bored with its solitariness, and so assumed the myriad forms which constitute the universe. Man inherited this trait from his creator, this liking for creating diversity. However, God remained aloof from his creation, and so stands as a spectator, and is untouched by pleasure and pain, whereas man got himself involved and entangled, and therefore suffers pain. One who can manage to keep aloof, mentally detached, will never suffer pain or sorrow. The spiritual quest is an attempt to disentangle oneself from all this mess. If one wishes that worldly activities should not give rise to sorrow, one should learn to live as a mere objective spectator.
We multiply our worldly activities with the aim of deriving pleasure, but as the joy arising out of anything is dependent on that object, it vanishes with the removal of that object. We should strive to find lasting joy.
To be alive is to have the vital force within oneself. This vital force being part and parcel of the Ultimate Reality, is constituted of existence, knowledge, and bliss. Therefore, so long as we live, bliss must be our natural characteristic. This pure bliss we should enjoy. This bliss is positive, while the pseudo-bliss that deep sleep brings is negative in nature.
The firm belief that the divine will is at the root of everything, that God is the real doer, gives the only real contentment. Real happiness lies in action itself rather than in the fruit or expectation thereof. The action of nama–smarana will easily and naturally lead to lasting happiness. One who genuinely feels that he knows nothing but nama, truly knows everything.
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Saturday, March 28, 2020
sri Brahmachaithanya Pravachan-March.28
Remembrance of God, and Sense of Duty
While talking, everybody employs the terms 'I' and 'mine'. Evidently, he has some duties in respect of both these. 'Mine' has a reference to the body and the things and persons related to it. The duty of the 'I' part is to realize God. The duties of the body comprise conduct with the persons with whom one comes in contact, with due regard to the requirements of religion, the shastras, and morality, according to the relation of the individual. 'Duty' means what it is proper to do, without expectation of any kind of return.
A man must pay equal regard to his duties in respect of both 'I' and 'mine'. It will not do to say, "I will fulfil my duty towards 'I' without regard to the duty towards 'mine'''. Suppose a man is in service. Evidently, he does not do it because the employer would not have found another person to do the job, but because this man wants the wherewithal to provide for himself and his family. Now suppose this man does not utilize his salary for their maintenance; of what use is his service so far as they are concerned? In other words; he is not doing his duty to them. Similarly, if a man devotes himself entirely to his inner self, neglecting his body and dependents, he is failing in that part of his duty. Therefore everyone should keep constant awareness of God and of his worldly duty, too. On the occasion of the birthday, one should introspect to find out what mistakes in this respect have occurred in the past and, avoiding them, steadily improve oneself. The enjoyment of a delectable dinner is heightened by the enchanting aroma of incense; we should similarly be sweet inside and outside; gentle in behaviour and speech, and filled within with the sweet divine name.
Just as a maestro moves apparently freely in a scale of notes, but is inwardly ever aware of the time measure, we should keep our attention riveted on God while attending to worldly matters. As it is God Himself who keeps the time measure, He never errs; and so, one who lives in unbroken remembrance of God will ever be right. The sun only sends his light, but this destroys darkness; similarly, nama creates love of God which, as its side effect, removes the devotee's defects.
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