Nirgunache Bheti – Biography of Sri Nisargadattaji Maharaj - Released

Namaste,

Dear Divine Souls,

“Nirgunache Bheti” (Marathi Version) and “Tatvamasi” Tat-Tvam-Asi (English Version) which is the biography based on Sri Nisargadattaji Maharaj practising Advaita philosophy is released on 28th August on the occasion of Nisargadatta's Punyatithee ( Samadhi Day)

To know more about the film please click here.

It is available for purchase with an introductory offer at www.abideinself.com

Direct link for download

To know more about his Sadhana days and his philosophy please click here.

Nisargadatta Quotes

Info Courtesy of Shri Nitinbhai – Devotee / Disciple of Sri Maharaj.

Aum

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Rise of Kundalini

1. When Kundalini shakti reaches the Heart Center (Anahat Chakra), one attain control over lower three centers (charkas) and sees the presence of God Everywhere. This is his first glimpse of God.

 

If not careful, consciousness will drop to lower conters.

 

2. When Kundalini shakti reaches the Throat Center (Vishuddhi charka). A person now will not have any interest in worldly activities. He does not like to discuss on worldly matters

 

Still, If not careful, consciousness will drop to lower centers.

 

3. When Kundalini shakti reaches 3^rd eye or center between eyebrows (Agya or ajnya charka), He realises God. He thinks his meditation is over. Still this is not the final state. There is still a thin transparent layer between him and Brahman.

 

Now even though a person slips his consciousness, it will not go beyond Heart Center.

 

4. Lastly, when the Kundalini shakti reaches the Crown Center (sahastra charka), he becomes one with Brahman. Such a person will stay in this state for 21 days and then his body drops permanently. Only avatars or some saints who are chosen by God for lok kalian (benefit of society).

 

Source: Sri Ramakrishna Jivan Charitra / Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

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What can you achieve by mere lecturing and scholarship without discrimination and dispassion?

"What can you achieve by mere lecturing and scholarship without discrimination and dispassion? God alone is real, and all else is unreal. God alone is substance, and all else is nonentity. That is discrimination.

"First of all set up God in the shrine of your heart, and then deliver lectures as much as you like. How will the mere repetition of 'Brahma' profit you if you are not imbued with discrimination and dispassion? It is the empty sound of a conch-shell.

"There lived in a village a young man named Padmalochan. People used to call him 'Podo', for short. In this village there was a temple in a very dilapidated condition. It contained no image of God. Aswattha and other plants sprang up on the ruins of its walls. Bats lived inside, and the floor was covered with dust and the droppings of the bats. The people of the village had stopped visiting the temple. One day after dusk the villagers heard the sound of a conch-shell from the direction of the temple. They thought perhaps someone had installed an image in the shrine and was performing the evening worship. One of them softly opened the door and saw Padmalochan standing in a corner, blowing the conch. No image had been set up. The temple hadn't been swept or washed. And filth and dirt lay every where. Then he shouted to Podo:

 

You have set up no image here,
Within the shrine, O fool!
Blowing the conch, vou simply make
Confusion worse confounded.
Day and night eleven bats
Scream there incessantly. . . .

"There is no use in merely making a noise if you want to establish the Deity in the shrine of your heart, if you want to realize God. First of all purify the mind. In the pure heart God takes His seat. One cannot bring the holy image into the temple if the droppings of bats are all around. The eleven bats are our eleven organs: five of action, five of perception, and the mind.

"First of all invoke the Deity, and then give lectures to your heart's content. First of all dive deep. Plunge to the bottom and gather up the gems. Then you may do other things. But nobody wants to plunge. People are without spiritual discipline and prayer, without renunciation and dispassion. They learn a few words and immediately start to deliver lectures. It is difficult to teach others. Only if a man gets a command from God, after realizing Him, is he entitled to teach."

 

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

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What is Advaita Vedanta? Can it be applied in today’s Practical Life?

Article on Advaita Vedanta is divided into following Q & As

 

1. What is Advaita Vedanta?

2. Who can practice Advaita Vedanta?

3. Can Advaita be applied in todays’ Practical life? If yes than what are the benefits achieved by practicing Advaita Vedanta?

    a. Psychological benefits

    b. Physical benefits

4. Summary of benefits

5. If we neglect our family and society, how can we live?

6. Bargaining

7. Bribe

8. What is the need to stay detached and live spiritual life?

9. Do Advaita Vedantins believe and respect others spiritual paths like duality, Yog, Karma Kand, tantra etc?

 

 

What is Advaita Vedanta?

 

A + Dvaita = Advaita

 

Dvaita = Duality,

 

A-Dvaita = negation of Duality i.e non- duality

 

Vedanta means the end parts of Vedas, which contains the essence of Vedas.

 

In advaita Vedanta, one meditates on the SELF and establishes himself in the true nature. Some of them call it meditation on the absolute Brahman. A vedantin does not consider himself different from the God / Atman / Brahman.

 

Followers of advaita practice meditation on Aum / Om [1,6] or practice Self Enquiry as prescribed by Sri Ramana Maharshi [2]

 

Who can practice Advaita Vedanta?

 

Advaita is not for everybody. Emotional characters are generally not suited to practice advaita. Ramana Maharshi in Ramana Gita [3] says that ones who have purified their mind through sadhana (meditation) or by Sattvik Karma in past lives can practice advaita Vedanta. He further says that one who does not give much importance to his body and senses and has no interest in the worldly affairs instead of being surrounded by worldly issues are considered as eligible for Self Enquiry [3].

 

Shastras says of fours sadhans (qualities) are necessary (Sadhan chatusta Varnana)[4,5,6]

1. Vivek - discrimination between Real and unreal. i.e. only Atman, Brahman is real, everything else is unreal

2. Vairagya - dispassion in society (worldly matters)

3. Shatsampatti (6 values)

    a. Sham – Control over mind

    b. Dam – Control over 5 senses

    c. Uprati – Saturation point (control over mins and saturation brings the saturation of slinging or attachment in any worldly attachment)

    d. Titiskha – To stay neutral in favourable and unfavourable circumstances

    e. Shraddha – Faith in Yourself (I am doing nothing wrong in practicing this path), Guru, God and Shastras.

    f. Samadhan – To stay focused on the practice.

4. Mumukshatva – Burning desire for liberation.

 

Once you have Vivek and Vairagya along with firm determination for liberation, all other qualities gradually develop within. Regular prayers and surrender to God also help a lot. Being prepared to leave everything for SELF realization is an asset.

 

Can Advaita be applied in todays’ Practical life? If yes than what are the benefits achieved by practicing Advaita Vedanta?

 

Yes, Advaita can be definitely applied in today’s practical life. To understand this let us understand the concept and philosophy of Advaita.

 

In Advaita Vedanta, the followers are instructed to neglect each and every thought expect “who am I” or Aum. Meditator will only give the importance to thoughts relating to Atman. When worldly thoughts pop up or mind tries to create a scene, an alert meditator becomes aware of this and just neglects the thoughts, creations of mind. After some time, the force of thought decreases and one can gradually shift the awareness to the mantra Aum or to Self Enquiry. After regular practice, mind becomes calm and one experiences inexpressible peace – deep silence.

 

Psychological benefits:

 

Since, one has the habit of “letting go” things and not giving much importance to worldly issues, even though one is surrendered by issues, they do not influence the mind as much as before. So one stays calm under testing times. This is not achieved in a day, but with regular practice. Surrender to God will remove all the stress, tension, all other negative emotion and also relieves us from the burden of Responsibility.

 

Advaita teaches one to stop complaining about the life and leave the way God makes us to leave. This develops the attitude and understanding of fellow human beings. One stops blaming others and just accepts he / she with both positive and negative qualities. Tolerance naturally develops within.

 

Physical benefits:

 

When day-2-day issues, burden of responsibilities does not influence the advaita mind, mind remains cool and calm. Mind has a definite connection with the body and it highly influences the body. So when mind is fit and strong, all the diseases of mental, emotional origin stay away keeping one physically fit.

 

When the mind is calm, brain is calm. constant focus on one thought refreshes the brain and makes it stronger. Brain, which was very busy in multitasking, shifts from other frequencies to Alpha waves form -70mV to +30mV in a harmonious sinusoidal waves. This induces harmony in body and pineal and other major glands release peace hormones, which calms down the nervous system. Brain, which was engaged in many activities, can now focus on other activities which were sidetracked like regeneration of cells, which happens in deep sleep, making one fresh and healthy.

 

Summary of Benefits

 

Let us summarize the benefits of Advaita Meditation on SELF

 

1. One develops a habit of “Let-go”.

2. More Control over emotions and mind.

3. Stays Calm under testing times.

4. Stays neutral and unbiased.

5. Accepting each and everybody “as they are” with positive and negative qualities.

6. Tolerance

7. Decreases expectations from others.

8. Uninterrupted divine feeling of Peace and Bliss.

9. Removes orthodoxy and superstition.

10. Makes one broad minded.

 

This results into a stronger and healthy mind. This will avoid all diseases of mental and emotional origin.

 

We understand, respect and appreciate advaita philosophy, but we live in the world. If we neglect our family and society, how can we live?

 

Advaita teaches one to be an observer. It does not say to renounce the world. It teaches one to stay detached and continue to do your day to day activities (like job, business, etc…) In Sri Ramakrishna’s words, stay like mud fish. A Mud fish stays in muddy waters but itself remains clean. Mud does not stick in the skin of Mud fish [7]. One can live in the world as before and be a vedantin. It is practically possible to live an advaita life. Staying detached is much better than clinging to the world and worldly issues which are temporary.

 

Please elaborate this more, I mean I understand but …

 

Ok,

 

Gita says one should be a Samadarshina (see God in all) but not Samvartina (not to treat each an every body in similar way.

 

I did not get you.

 

Let’s take an example.

 

Suppose, a cow comes to your doorstep. You will feed her with green grass. Then dogs keep barking at cow. Annoyed cow goes away. Now, Dogs are at door step, What will you give? Food like Roti or any thing that dog can eat, but not grass. Dogs leave and a you hear “Narayan Hari”  - a monk is standing at your doorstep. What will you offer him? A stale food? No. First we will invite him to step in our house, give the best food, the one which we have kept for ourselves, touch his feet and give some dakshina (a donation) like a cloth or some money and escort him. Than a mahavat (elephant rider) along with an elephant comes. Now what will you offer? A cloth??? No, some fruits like banana or any other thing that an elephant can digest [8].

 

NO, since my Guru has taught me to see god in everybody, so all are equal. So I will offer grass to cow, to a dog, to a monk, to an elephant and even to a tiger!!! How foolish.  Give the kind of food that one can digest. Cow can digest Grass and a monk cannot digest grass [8].

 

So treat one according to his /her mindset.

 

Another eg:

 

You have your family. When you look at your son, you become father. When you look at your father, you become son. When you look at your wife, you become a husband. Can you look to your mother with the same eye that you look at your wife?.

 

So one person, cannot behave in the “SAME” manner within his own family. How can one behave in the same way to others. In Sri Ramakrishna’s words, a mother loves all hers children, but gives the food according to their digestive power. She cannot give heavy food to a month old baby.

 

The essence is, treat each and everyone according to his / her status, but see God in all. So you cannot override the decision of your boss.

 

Bargaining

 

Sri Ramakrishna scolded one of his disciples when he did not care about the quality of vessel thinking that I have surrendered to God. Shopkeeper gave a cracked vessel. Sri Ramakrishna said that the shopkeeper is there to earn money and he did not surrendered to God before dealing with you. You should have checked the vessel and then bought it. One should be practical. [7]

 

You can definitely bargain and check the quality when shopping, but weather the deal strikes or not, as soon as you leave the premises (shop), just be aware of the mantra or surrender to God or know that I am not the body, mind or intellect. Do not give much importance to the issue.

 

Just forget and forgive. This is the true leaving.

 

Bribe

 

Another very important thing is; things which our mind gives importance to only disturb us. So one should not try to offer a bribe, but incase somebody insists on this, then you can give him. Yes you can. Since you did not initiate this so your mind will not give undue importance to this issue and it is easy to forget this issue. It is the prakruti (nature) of person X to ask bribe, that’s it, why to change him? God is capable of everything and he will take care of him. So be neutral. Of course, offering a bribe to a Mr. X and initiating such talks (from our side) for marketing and selling our products, does a lot of harm. So DO NOT PRACTICE SUCH THINGS. Do not offer the Bribe, try to avoid it, but if unavoidable, then you can give. Only thing is do not feel the guilt can keep thinking you as a sinner. Just relax, forget the issue, get back to normal life, keeping chanting God’s name.

Now, if somebody does not say directly for a bribe and you understand and realise that he wants bribe … don’t be a fool, you know what to do.

 

Kindly note that other paths like Karma Kand and Yog give much importance to the moral conduct. This is not meant to Challenge them. Not does this mean to give a licence to do whatever you like to do.

 

The mental state of the advaita vedantin is to be aware of the Mantra as much as possible. When dealing with any issue, awareness that I am not the body, or the feeling of peace, or feeling of surrender to God / Brahman should be there. After the issue is over, again surrender to God and be neutral. Things which are compulsory cannot be avoided, but optional things like watching late night movies, enjoying late night dinners, etc can be replaced with sattivik activities like meditation, reading shastras, listening to spiritual songs.

 

Once a man can meditate for 3 hours and excels in spirituality, many issues do not occur in life. God clears the way and helps one to practice spirituality. So do not think of ifs and buts, just go ahead.

 

What is the need to stay detached and live spiritual life?

 

Our worldly enjoyment is temporary. When there is no expectation from anyone and when one does not react to the presence / absence and the behaviour of others, peace within does not gets disturbed. One experiences constant peace and bliss and is definitely long lasting then worldly happiness. As one excels in advaita meditation, feeling of peace and bliss stays for a whole day. One definitely needs to live a spiritual life, which is more stable than normal average life.

 

Do Advaita Vedantins believe and respect others spiritual paths like duality, Yog, Karma Kand, tantra etc?

 

Definitely. A True vedantin does have any superiority complex or consider other paths as useless. Only thing, which is necessary, is to think that Advaita path suits me the best. Vedantin bends in front of others paths, Gods and Gurus of different paths and sects, but practices only one path i.e. advaita Vedanta. Vedantin stays indifferent to other paths, but does not dis-respect them. Vedantin never quarrels with anybody but prefers to stay neutral and silent [8].

 

 

References:

[1] Mandukya Upnishad

[2] “Who am I”, Sat Darshan Chalisi (40 verses on Reality), Self Enquiry – Sri Ramana Maharshi

[3] Sri Ramana Gita Chapter 7 – Eligibility to practical Atmavichar (Self Enquiry)

[4] Tatva Bodh – Adi Shankaracharya

[5] Vivek Choodamani (Chudamani) – Adi Shankaracharya

[6] Bhagawat Gita

[7] Sri Ramakrishnadev – Jivan Charitra in Gujarati, Sri Ramakrishna – The Great Master by Swami Saradananda, Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna by M.

[8] A discourse on Bhagawat Gita

 

Disclaimer: The author has NO intention to hurt, challenge any system or faith.

 

Aum

 

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What is the Purpose of mind?

What is the purpose of mind?

Mind is in between body and soul. Mind wants constant happiness, but does not know how to reach it. Mind wants love but does not know where to find it. The real purpose of mind is to know who we are, but the mind itself with its desires and restlessness is itself an obstacle to perceive the soul. Mind takes the support of the body to fulfil its desires, and goes on reminding that we are the body and that we should enjoy world making it difficult to allow us perceive the truth of soul and not the body.

The goal of life and the purpose of mind is to to perceive and experience we are the Soul, Atman or Brahman.

 

Source: Extracted and edited from: ‘Lineage of Kriya Yoga Masters’ by Paramhansa Prajnanananda, pg 164

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In Meditation one must be absorbed in God

About half past ten Narendra and his Brahmo friends were meditating in the Panchavati. After a while Sri Ramakrishna came to them. M., too, was present.

 

Sri Ramakrishna said to the Brahmo devotees: "In meditation one must be absorbed in God. By merely floating on the surface of the water, can you reach the gems lying at the bottom of the sea?"

Then he sang:

 

Taking the name of Kali, dive deep down, O mind, Into the heart's fathomless depths, Where many a precious gem lies hid. But never believe the bed of the ocean bare of gems If in the first few dives you fail; With firm resolve and self-control Dive deep and make your way to Mother Kali's realm. Down in the ocean depths of heavenly Wisdom lie The wondrous pearls of Peace, O mind; And you yourself can gather them. If you but have pure love and follow the scriptures' rule. Within those ocean depths, as well, Six alligators lurk* lust, anger, and the rest — Swimming about in search of prey. Smear yourself with the turmeric of discrimination; The very smell of it will shield you from their jaws. Upon the ocean bed lie strewn Unnumbered pearls and precious gems; Plunge in, says Ramprasad, and gather up handfuls there!

 

Narendra and his friends came down from their seats on the raised platform of the Panchavati and stood near the Master. He returned to his room with them.

Sri Ramakrishna continued: "When you plunge in the water of the ocean, you may be attacked by alligators. But they won't touch you if your body is smeared with turmeric. There are no doubt six alligators — lust, anger, avarice, and so on — within you, in the 'heart's fathomless depths'. But protect yourself with the turmeric of discrimination and renunciation, and they won't touch you.

 

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

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Will my mind calm down?

Disciple: I had never realized that I had such a disobedient mind, it is worse than a mad monkey. Will also my mind calm down?

Prajnananandaji: The mind is mischievous. As soon as you try to discipline your mind, the mind start a non-cooperating movement to maintain its independence.

At the beginning a conscious person also has to recognize his weaknesses and negativities. Transformation is in itself progress. Knowing one’s weakness is strength. If thoughts come, just watch them and let go instead of trying them to control. Try to change their quality*

*changing quality means convincing the mind that meditating and chanting God’s name is the best thing to do. Bring more Sattvik thoughts, thoughts which are about the glories of God, Atman, etc.

Source: Extracted from ‘Lineage of Kriya Yoga Masters’ by Paramhansa Prajanananda, pg 131

Read More about mind

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Spiritual Discipline

Sri Ramakrishna: "Bhakti, love of God, is the essence of all spiritual discipline. Through love one acquires renunciation and discrimination naturally."

Narendra (Swami Vivekananda): "Isn't it true that the Tantra prescribes spiritual discipline in the company of woman?"

Sri Ramakrishna: "That is not desirable. It is a very difficult path and often causes the aspirant's downfall. There are three such kinds of discipline. One may regard woman (Woman is the symbol of the Divine Mother.) as one's mistress or look on oneself as her handmaid or as her child. I look on woman as my mother. To look on oneself as her handmaid is also good; but it is extremely difficult to practise spiritual discipline looking on woman as one's mistress. To regard oneself as her child is a very pure attitude."

Sri Ramakrishna: "Nothing is impossible for God. Nobody can describe His nature in words. Everything is possible for Him. There lived at a certain place two yogis who were practising spiritual discipline. The sage Narada was passing that way one day. Realizing who he was, one of the yogis said: 'You have just come from God Himself. What is He doing now?' Narada replied, 'Why, I saw Him making camels and elephants pass and repass through the eye of a needle.' At this the yogi said: 'Is that anything to wonder at? Everything is possible for God.' But the other yogi said: 'What? Making elephants pass through the eye of a needle — is that ever possible? You have never been to the Lord's dwelling-place.”

 

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

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See the positive side of life

"One day Jatindra (A titled aristocrat of Calcutta.) came to the garden of Jadu Mallick. I (Sri Ramakrishna) was there too. I asked him: 'What is the duty of man? Isn't it our duty to think of God?' Jatindra replied: 'We are worldly people. How is it possible for us to achieve liberation? Even King Yudhisthira had to have a vision of hell.' This made me very angry. I said to him: 'What sort of man are you? Of all the incidents of Yudhisthira's life, you remember only his seeing hell. You don't remember his truthfulness, his forbearance, his patience, his discrimination, his dispassion, his devotion to God.'

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

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Meeting an Aghori – Swami Rama

Aghor is a very mysterious study which is rarely mentioned in books and hardly understood even by yogis. It is esoteric path involving solar science and is used for healing. This science is devoted to understanding and mastering the finer forces of life. – finer than prana. It creates a bridge between life here and hereafter.

In 1942, I was on a journey to Badrinath. On the way, five miles from Shrinagar there is a Shakti temple. Two miles from there lived an Aghori baba. if any one approached him, He used to call villagers by names and through pebbles at them. I asked a local pandit to take me to this baba. We reached there just before dark.

Baba was seventy-five years of age, six feet five inches tall and well built. He had long hair and a beard and wore loin cloth made of jute. He had nothing in his cave except a few pieces of gunnysack. Pandit wanted to leave but, baba asked pandit to fetch a pot of water from river. Then he handed a cleaver and said, “there is a dead body floating in the river. Pull it offshore, chop-off the thigh and calf muscles and bring a few pounds of flesh to me…or I will chop you and take your flesh. Which do you prefer?” The poor pandit, out of fear, went to the dead body and started cutting it up. He accidentally cut his two fingers, which started bleeding profusely. When the pandit came near, the aghori baba touched the cuts and they were healed instantly. There was not even a scar. He ordered pandit to put them into an earthen pot and cook.

We both said, “Sir we are vegetarians”. Baba said, “Do you think I eat meat? I am pure vegetarian.” After ten minutes he ordered the pandit to serve food. When pandit began filling my bowl we were astonished to find an indian sweet – rasgula. I had been thinking of it as I was walking to baba’s cave. It was very delicious. Baba gave leftover sweet to the pandit to distribute among the villagers. This was done to prove that we were not fooled by means of hypnotic technique. After I meditated for two hours we began talking about the scriptures. He was extraordinarily intelligent and well-read and no doubt, a very learned man.

Aghor is a path which has been described in the Atharva Veda, but in none of the scriptures have I ever read that flesh should be eaten. I asked him, “Why do you live like this, eating flesh of dead bodies. He replied, “Why do you call it a ‘dead body’? It’s no longer human. It’s just matter that is not being used. You are associating it with human bodies. No one else will use that body, so I will. I’m a scientist doing experiments, trying to discover the underlying principles of matter and energy. I’m changing one form of matter to another form of matter. My teacher is Mother Nature; she makes many forms, and I am only following her law to change the form around. I did this for that pandit so that he would warn others to stay away…..I throw pebbles, but never hit anybody.”

He said he behaved that way knowingly so that no one would disturb him as he studied and so that he would not become dependent on the villagers for food and other necessities. He had the power to transform matter into different forms, like changing a rock to sugar cube. One after another he did many such things. He told me to touch sand – and the grains of sand turned into almonds and cashews.

I asked, “What is the use of doing all this. He said, “What do you mean by ‘use’? This is a science, and a scientist of this knowledge should use it for healing purposes (remember, the cuts on pandit’s hands healed instantly with no scar left), and should tell other scientists that matter can be changed into energy and energy into matter (E=mc²)^[1]. The law that governs energy and matter are one and the same. Beneath all names and forms there lies one unifying principle, which is still not known in it’s entirely by modern scientists. Vedanta and the ancient sciences described this underlying principle of life. There is only one life force, and all the forms and names in the universe are but varieties of that One. It is not difficult to understand the relationship between two forms of matter, because the source is one and the same.

When water becomes solid, it is called ice; when it starts evaporating, it is called vapour. Young children do not know that these three are forms of the same matter, and essentially there is no difference in their composition. The difference is only the form it takes. The scientists today are like children. They do not realise the unity behind all matter, nor the principles for changing it from one form to another.”

[1] an entire chapter on this can found in Autobiography of a yogi by Paramhamsa Yogananda.

Source: Extracted from Living with the Himalayan Masters - Swami Rama. p 319-324.

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Nirgunache Bheti – Biography of Sri Nisargadattaji Maharaj.

Sri Nisargadattaji Maharaj (or Maharaj) (1897 –1981) was a famous Marathi Saint following Advaita Tradition. His core teachings are given in the Book, which is a collection of his teachings, “I am That”. This is an old philosophy, practised since time immemorial by Indian Saints including some very famous saints like Sri Adi Shankaracharya and Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Saints teach what they have practised (i.e. preach) and help others to Swim the ocean of Maya and Realise their True SELF. In order to understand teachings of a Saint in a better way, a biography / Autobiography of the saint focusing more of his spiritual practices during his Sadhana days i.e. when he was a student following Advaita Vedanta is very very helpful.

Under the influence of Maharaj’s teachings and his divine grace, the disciples have diligently worked to frame his life and his teachings in a Non-commercial movie in Marathi language titled “Nirgunache Bheti” which means “An encounter with the Attribuless Brahman” or simply “Meeting Attributeless Brahman”. An english version titled “Tatvamasi”, with subtitles for easy reference is also being developed.

The intention of this movie is to make the people aware of Maharaj and let his message reach the right souls, those inclined and interested in advaita. This movie, I feel, will be highly influential and helpful for those who are interested in discovering the Deeper Meaning of Life.

The film is released on 28th August on the occasion of Sri Nisargadatta's Punyatithee (Samadhi Day) through a web portal www.abideinself.com.

Some more details about the film:

• Few important events of his life in chronological order (Life of a saint is teaching itself)
• Interviews with his Close disciples, who were able to get essence of his teachings.
• Very rare 20 minute live archival footage of talks with Nisargadatta in early/mid 70's not seen by the world so far.
• Some rare audio discourses including Bhajans sung by Sri Maharaj.

Natural scenery along with soul soothing background music also plays an important part in the film.

To make frame an entire life and teachings of a great saint in just 99 minutes is indeed a daunting task and needs many brain storming sessions to collect, read, understand & digest thousands of teachings, quotations, events in his life from thousands of devotees and then filter them & organize them in a sequence.

Such a task can only be accomplished by the Grace of God. Blessed are those who spread the words of Vedanta. My Namaste to all those who are involved in the film making directly or indirectly and wish from the bottom of my heart, a grand success to great effort, an effort to express the inexpressible…

Here is a glimpse of this film (7 minute promo uploaded at You Tube)

English Version: Tatvamasi – You are That (Movie time: 87 minutes)

 

 

2. Marathi Version: Nirgunache Bheti (Movie time: 99 minutes)

 

Direct links

English Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQVPOoskFE

Marathi Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wX0j_JmO2k

To know more about his Sadhana days and his philosophy please click here.

Nisargadatta Quotes

Info Courtesy of Shri Nitinbhai – Devotee / Disciple of Sri Maharaj.

Edited by INDIASPIRITUALITY.

 

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Sri Totapuriji’s Advaita advise to Sri Ramakrishna

Sri Totapuriji was Advaita Guru of Sri Ramakrishna. He advised Sri Ramakrishna to meditate on attributeless (nirguna) brahman.

 

Brahman is the one and only Reality, ever-pure, ever-illumined, ever-free, beyond the limits of time and space, beyond cause and effect. Though is looks like it is divided by names and forms due to Maya (illusion), which makes the impossible possible, Brahman is really one and undivided. When a seeker is merged in the state of supreme eternal bliss and peace of Samadhi, he does not perceive time and space or name and form – which is the production of Maya.

 

So, one should immediately give up whatever comes under the influence of maya, as it is unreal. Dive deep in the search for Self and firmly establish yourself in it through Nirvakalp Samadhi. You will then find the world of name and form vanishing into nothing, and this small ego merging into cosmic consciousness.

Source: The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

 

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Sri Bhole Baba - 5

“અભિમાન રખતા મુક્તિ કા સો ધીર નિશ્ચય મુક્ત હૈ

અભિમાન રખતા બંધ કા સો મૂઢ બંધનયક્ત હૈ

જૈસી મતિ વૈસી ગતિ લોકોક્તિ યહ સચ માન કર

ભવબન્ધ સે નિર્મુક્ત હો, હો જા અજર ! હો જા અમર” !

                                    - અષ્ટાવક્રગીતા - પૃ. -૮૫

 

આત્મા અમલ સાક્ષી અચલ વિભુ પૂર્ણ શાશ્વત મુક્ત હૈ

ચેતન અસંગી નિઃસ્પૃહી શુચિ શન્ત અચ્યુત તૃપ્ત હૈ

નિજ રૂપ કે અજ્ઞાન સે જન્મા કરે ફિર જાય મર

ભોલા સ્વયં કો જાન કર, હો જા અજર ! હો જા અમર

                 - વેદાંત છંદાવલી (અષ્ટાવક્રગીતા - પૃ. -૮૮)

“આ અહંકાર આવે છે ક્યાથી ? તે પ્રમાણે વિચાર કરનારનો અહંકાર પડી જાય છે. આ જ આત્મવિચાર છે.

                                       - અષ્ટાવક્રગીતા - પૃ. –૮૮

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After God-vision no trace of Old Self is left

"Once Krishnakishore asked me (Sri Ramakrishna), 'Why have you cast off the sacred thread?' In those days of God-vision I felt as if I were passing through the great storm of Aswin, (The Master referred to the great cyclone of 1864.) and everything had blown away from me. No trace of my old self was left. I lost all consciousness of the world. I could hardly keep my cloth on my body, not to speak of the sacred thread! I said to Krishnakishore, 'Ah, you will understand if you ever happen to be as intoxicated with God as I was.'

"And it actually came to pass. He too passed through a God-intoxicated state, when he would repeat only the word 'Om' and shut himself up alone in his room. His relatives thought he was actually mad, and called in a physician. Ram Kaviraj of Natagore came to see him. Krishnakishore said to the physician, 'Cure me, sir, of my malady, if you please, but not of my Om.' (All laugh.) "One day I went to see him and found him in a pensive mood. When I asked him about it, he said: 'The tax-collector was here. He threatened to dispose of my brass pots, my cups, and my few utensils, if I didn't pay the tax; so I am worried.' I said: 'But why should you worry about it? Let him take away your pots and pans. Let him arrest your body even. How will that affect you? For your nature is that of Kha!' (Narendra and the others laugh.) He used to say to me that he was the Spirit, all-pervading as the sky. He had got that idea from the Adhyatma Ramayana. I used to tease him now and then, addressing him as 'Kha'. Therefore I said to him that day, with a smile: Tou are Kha. Taxes cannot move you!'

"In that state of God-intoxication I used to speak out my mind to all. I was no respecter of persons. Even to men of position I was not afraid to speak the truth.

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

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Look to a saint as an embodiment of Spirit and not just a mere body

"Once a holy man came to the bank of the Ganges and lived near the bathing-ghat at Ariadaha, not far from Dakshineswar. We thought of paying him a visit. I said to Haladhari; 'Krishnakishore and I are going to see a holy man. Will you come with us?' Haladhari replied, 'What is the use of seeing a mere human body, which is no better than a cage of clay?' Haladhari was a student of the Gita and Vedanta philosophy, and therefore referred to the holy man as a mere 'cage of clay'. I repeated this to Krishnaldshore. With great anger he said: "How impudent of Haladhari to make such a remark! How can he ridicule as a "cage of clay" the body of a man who constantly thinks of God, who meditates on Rama, and has renounced all for the sake of the Lord? Doesn't he know that such a man is the embodiment of Spirit?' He was so upset by Haladhari's remarks that he would turn his face away from him whenever he met him in the temple garden, and stopped speaking to him.

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

Do not look to a saint or a person who has renounced everything for the sake of God as ‘just another person’ or disrespect him. He is an embodiment of Spirit. God resides in the hearts of Such holy men.

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Faith dissolves superiority complex

Sri Ramakrishna: "After I had experienced samadhi, my mind craved intensely to hear only about God. I would always search for places where they were reciting or explaining the sacred books, such as the Bhagavata, the Mahabharata, and the Adhyatma Ramayana. I used to go to Krishnakishore to hear him read the Adhyatma Ramayana.

"What tremendous faith Krishnakishore had! Once, while at Vrindavan, he felt thirsty and went to a well. Near it he saw a man standing. On being asked to draw a little water for him, the man said: 'I belong to a low caste, sir. You are a brahmin. How can I draw water for you?' Krishnakishore said: Take the name of Siva. By repeating His holy name you will make yourself pure.' The low-caste man did as he was told, and Krishnakishore, orthodox brahmin that he was, drank that water. What tremendous faith!

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

(Truly, faith had already dissolved the caste barrier and superiority complex of Krishnakishore. This incident also helped the man, who drew water for him, dissolve the inferiority complex and induced faith in God.)

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Selfishness v/s. selflessness – SWAMI RAMA

One day I, still in my teens, was quite hungry and was about to start eating when my master said, “an old swami has come. He’s hungry and you must give him your food.” I denied. He said, “You won’t die. Give it to him. But don’t give it just because I am ordering you. Give it as an offering of love.” The swami came in. My master said, “I am so glad you have come. Will you bless this child for me?” But I said, “I don’t need your blessings. I need food. I am hungry.”

My master said, “If you loose control in this weak moment you will lose the battle of life.” I helped him wash hid feet and gave my food. Later I found that he had not eaten for four days.

He took the food and said, “God bless you! You will never feel hunger unless food comes to you. This is my blessings to you.”

There is a narrow barrier between Selfishness and selflessness, love and hatred. After crossing it one enjoys doing things for others, without seeking anything in return. This is highest of all joys, and an essential step in the path of enlightenment. A selfish man can never imagine this state of realization, for he remains within the limited boundaries built by his ego. A selfless man trains his ego and uses it for higher purposes. Selflessness is the common characteristic that we find among all great men and women of the world. Nothing would be achieved without selfless service. All the rituals and knowledge of the scriptures are in vain if actions are performed without selflessness.

Source: Living with the Himalayan Masters – Swami Rama

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Symbolism in Hinduism

Hinduism is often labelled as a religion of 330 million gods. This misunderstanding arises when people fail to grasp the symbolism of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus worship the nameless and formless Supreme Reality by various names and forms. These different aspects of one reality are symbolized by the many gods and goddesses of Hinduism. Each is but a symbol that points to something beyond, and as none exhausts God's actual nature, the entire array is needed to complete the picture of God's aspects and manifestations. Symbolism plays a greater role in the religion and art of India, than in those of other nations.

Source: http://www.chinmayava.org/activities.html?28e5bbf660cb545fc854f5c048c7be7c=3e8e281da8adb8d95dc54097bc4f6f19

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Vibheeshana Geeta (Gita)

Vibheeshana Geeta: This text is based on discourses of Lord Rama to Vibheeshana in Ramayana. In Vibheeshana Geeta, Sri Rama outlines the necessary tools for human beings to complete the voyage of life safely and to attain spiritual progress and mental purification. The entire Vibheeshana Geeta emphasizes the importance of faith, values and devotion. Youth will be able to appreciate and understand that there are bound to be ups and downs in life, but devotion can help take one through it easily.

Source: http://www.chinmayava.org/activities.html?28e5bbf660cb545fc854f5c048c7be7c=3e8e281da8adb8d95dc54097bc4f6f19

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Quotes of the day updated

Namaste,

Quotes of the day on blog and toolbar are updated for august.

Aum

INDIASPIRITUALITY

My Mind Started Chatting even more loudly during meditation, what should i do?

I tried to practice (meditation) but, as soon as I sat on the floor, my mind started chatting even more loudly. What should I do?

Prajanananandaji: It is not the body that comes with you life after life, but the mind. Life after Life you have kept the mind in an extrovert state. Even in this lifetime, since childhood and for years and years, you have kept your mind untrained, restless and in an extrovert state. It is only since a few hours that you are trying to discipline your mind. Previously you have always followed commands of your mind. By simply sitting down on the floor, you pretend and expect to have a silent peaceful mind! Please have a little patience!!

The mind is a bundle of thoughts. Let thoughts come, watch them but do not entertain them. If you welcome a thought it will give rise to a chain of related thoughts, Avoid those thoughts than can be avoided. Watch your thoughts, but do not welcome them. By avoiding repeatedly a thought, the thought will die.

Source: Source: Lineage of Kriya Yoga Masters by Paramhansa Prajanananda, pg 130

Another explanation:

Let us understand some basic definitions as given in Shastras.

Intellect: Quality of taking decision. (Tatva Bodh, Vivek Choodamani)

Mind: Mind is nothing but continuous flow of thoughts (Tatva Bodh, Vivek Choodamani. Sri Ramana Maharshi says the same thing in ‘Who am I’)

The nature of mind is extrovert. In general, mind follows five senses.

We have made our mind the slave of senses. It should be vice versa, as mind is more subtler than body and senses.

Body –> Senses –> Mind –> Intellect –> Atman (Self)

In order of increasing subtle nature, body is grossest and Self is subtlest. A Subtle element is more powerful than gross element.

Why cant I meditate?

We all have an extrovert nature. If Mind has any desire. then to fulfil the desire mind takes the help of body via prana [1]. So when body fulfils the desire (say wish to eat a delicacy) mind gets satisfaction and not the body. Meditation or Japa, takes the mind and senses to an introvert state which is opposite to the nature of mind.

In meditation, when you decide to be aware of Japa mantra or a specific process (kriya), mind revolts and shows off its power. It creates more and more thoughts, more and more scenes. You tend to get involved in these thoughts or scenes. As soon as you get involved, the meditation is broken, but unaware of this the meditator experiences a relief. This relief is due to the fact that the fight between mind and intellect is over. Mind has foxed the meditator.

Do not use force in meditation

By forcing the mind one can achieve temporary success, but a time will come when the mind will show its power and you will not be able to meditate for even 5 – 10 mins. As soon as you sit in meditation, you may feel to quit.

In the beginning, meditator applies force and tries to forcefully concentrate. This results into a mental fight,resulting into mental fatigue, stress and impatience. One comes out drained out and tired after the meditation.

It is not advisable to force your mind to meditate. Better and correct way is to convince the mind that meditation is the best option then any of the worldly thought. Reading scriptures which give importance to none other then SELF or atman are very very helpful. Listening to devotional songs or attending listening recorded discourses / satsangs (spiritual retreats) also helps a lot. Shastras help one to get one direction. It fills one with words, needed to convince the mind during meditation. Out of the two choices available (1. to get involved in the thoughts & 2. let go thoughts and continue chanting), proper convincing of mind is necessary, to select the right choice. After regular practice, one will be able to get more grip. Less the force, more time one can spend in mediation.

When one goes to learn to swim, he comes out of the swimming pool tired. Later after he learns to swami efficiently, he goes for swimming to relax!!!.

Same is the case with meditation. Shastras say that initially it feels like you have been poisoned, later you experience that you are filled with nectar of bliss and immortality. So just hold on and do not quit.

Once you have the practise of ‘Let Go’ of thoughts, the power of thoughts begin to decrease. Once you are fully aware of Japa Mantra, or of any kriya, as given by a master, thoughts fade away. Gradually, after constant practice, you will be able to meditate easily and come out of meditation more refreshed and relaxed. Now you will begin to enjoy your meditation.

[1] In Ramana Gita, Sri Ramana Maharshi says that Mind is Jnana Shakti and Prana is Kriya Shakti. Mind has knowledge about work but cannot do the work. It has to take the support of Prana Shakti to do the work.

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Sakti alone is the root of the universe

"But why should God make us run about?" thought M.

Immediately Sri Ramakrishna said: "It is His will that we should run about a little. Then it is great fun. God has created the world in play, as it were. This is called Mahamaya, the Great Illusion. Therefore one must take refuge in the Divine Mother, the Cosmic Power Itself. It is She who has bound us with the shackles of illusion. The realization of God is possible only when those shackles are severed."

Sri Ramakrishna continued: "One must propitiate the Divine Mother, the Primal Energy, in order to obtain God's grace. God Himself is Mahamaya, who deludes the world with Her illusion and conjures up the magic of creation, preservation, and destruction. She has spread this veil of ignorance before our eyes. We can go into the inner chamber only when She lets us pass through the door. Living outside, we see only outer objects, but not that Eternal Being, Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute. Therefore it is stated in the Purana that deities like Brahma praised Mahamaya for the destruction of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha.

"Sakti alone is the root of the universe. That Primal Energy has two aspects: vidya and avidya. Avidya deludes. Avidya conjures up 'woman and gold', which casts the spell. Vidya begets devotion, kindness, wisdom, and love, which lead one to God. This avidya must be propitiated, and that is the purpose of the rites of Sakti worship. ( In this worship a woman is regarded as the representation of the Divine Mother.)

"The devotee assumes various attitudes toward Sakti in order to propitiate Her: the attitude of a handmaid, a 'hero', or a child. A hero's attitude is to please Her even as a man pleases a woman through intercourse.

"The worship of Sakti is extremely difficult. It is no joke. I passed two years as the handmaid and companion of the Divine Mother. But my natural attitude has always been that of a child toward its mother. I regard the breasts of any woman as those of my own mother.
"Women are, all of them, the veritable images of Sakti. In northwest India the bride holds a knife in her hand at the time of marriage; in Bengal, a nut-cutter. The meaning is that the bridegroom, with the help of the bride, who is the embodiment of the Divine Power, will sever the bondage of illusion. This is the 'heroic' attitude. I never worshipped the Divine Mother that way. My attitude toward Her is that of a child toward its mother.

"The bride is the very embodiment of Sakti. Haven't you noticed, at the marriage ceremony, how the groom sits behind like an idiot? But the bride — she is so bold!

"After attaining God one forgets His external splendour, the glories of His creation. One doesn't think of God's glories after one has seen Him. The devotee, once immersed in God's Bliss, doesn't calculate any more about outer things. When I see Narendra, I don't need to ask him: 'What's your name? Where do you live?' Where is the time for such questions? Once a man asked Hanuman which day of the fortnight it was. 'Brother,' said Hanuman, 'I don't know anything of the day of the week, or the fortnight, or the position of the stars. I think of Rama alone.'"

Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

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