Voice of Inner Silence - VoIS

God teasing the Seeker

2026-06-17T08:37:49.683+05:30

God teasing the Seeker

The Yatra of the Soul

God (or Source or Unknown or He or She or It or the Ultimate) has been teasing human being ever since the Creation began; but still human being is neither certain nor uncertain about His existence. But the very word God exists, because He exists. But the teasing continues…

This teasing has produced several religions, several scriptures, numerous traditions and cultures; several approaches to experience Him; several Meditation methods today exist but yet God is still elusive. All these things take us somewhere; but still elusive.

On one side we all seem to agree that He cannot be known; (He is also called Unknown) He is beyond understanding; He is beyond mind, brain, intellect and ego. Yet there are tremendous efforts going on, to reconcile our head and heart, whether it is with the help of rational thinking or Science. Yet the Experience or rather Imperience (Inner Experience) is ever-receding.

The unavoidable, terrible, incredible, Longing that appears to be intrinsic to every soul, seems to be natural, keeps the seeker restless till it finds what it seeks. It is the driving force of everything that is happening to us – good, bad, ugly, noble everything.

In this predicament, human being pursuing his longing consciously or unconsciously begins his search from somewhere OR from wherever he/she is. Generally the seeker begins from where he/she is. Generally it is from the idea of God that one naturally inherits from the religion or tradition in which he/she is born.

Conscious seekers are called spiritual seekers. Rest are all unconscious seekers. The broad difference is: Conscious Seekers search within themselves and Unconscious seekers search without. Unconscious seekers are generally material-oriented and Conscious Seekers are more spiritual oriented individuals.

All knowledge that is available to humanity – terrestrial or esoteric, is the outcome of deep inner contemplation. This is the proof that all knowledge is within the human being. Each soul pursues its evolution (inner and outer) appropriately from where he/she left in the previous incarnation.

Spirituality OR Conscious seeking is all about inner evolution. Therefore according to each one's evolutionary level, the soul gravitates towards the appropriate path for further evolution. It is important to note that there is no end to Evolution.

The journey of each soul is towards Infinite and unending. It is a goal that one never achieves and is ever-receding. But striving towards this Infinite makes the soul evolve. This whole Existence is a great cosmic drama and each being is playing its role. Only few souls perhaps become conscious and are able to witness this mystical drama and trying to make all others also to make aware of this, to minimize the effect of pain that the world otherwise offers constantly.

Now, among so many souls existing, one such conscious soul was lead to a spiritual path called Heartfulness-Sahaj Marg to pursue his longing. The teachings, directions to tread the path started making sense to pursue further and further without getting much affected by the external circumstances.

Like every spiritual practice heartfulness meditation also gives many experiences. Experiences without the guidance of the adept often take you in the wrong direction. Experiences are like carrot before the donkey to make the soul move further, but they are not the end. Most of the initial experiences are imaginary and illusions, not of much consequence. It is only in the advance stages these experiences indicate something related to the spiritual progress. Till then they are to be noted in a journal and forgotten.

Regular practice and uninterrupted stream of thought of what the soul is pursuing (called longing) is the fuel to keep moving further This sort of practice should result in growth or evolution more than the experience, says Sahaj Marg. Any spiritual practice should teach us regulation of mind and transcending the mind. As one meditates, progressively the discriminatory faculty should become sharper and sharper and lead to highest Wisdom. The Ego should dissolve and become humble, become humility itself. Mind should mature from thinking of the Divine to Feeling of the Divine. And thus the soul’s consciousness progressively gets refined until it dissolves totally in the Infinite Pure Consciousness that transcends this Existence and Time.

Every soul in this Creation is engaged in this infinite pilgrimage consciously or unconsciously. And it is important to note that everything that happens to each soul does contributes ultimately to the overall progress of the soul’s journey towards Infinity and that is inevitable.

And that is the reason the need for the soul to align itself with the Divine as much as possible to complete the journey at the earliest. Even Nature cooperates with such souls and does everything to speed up the process. Thus the need to be tune with Nature inside and outside.

He IS

2025-10-25T10:39:00.000+05:30

Backdrop of Pujya Chariji’s 77th Birth Anniversary Celebrations at

Hyderabad, July 24 2004

The Bird in the Picture – The Wandering Albatross.

The Wandering Albatross has the largest wingspan of any bird, and is named so, because it is a great traveller. Albatross is the living bird with the greatest wingspan, measuring almost 3.5 m. The body length is up to 1.35 m. Albatross bird roams on the windy oceans It spends most of its life in flight, landing only to breed and feed. Distances travelled each year are hard to measure, but one banded bird was recorded travelling 6000 km in twelve days. It can spend several months in the air, without ever touching land. Albatross lives up to 80 years of age.

About the Picture

The Bird in the Picture – The Wandering Albatross represents Beloved Master Pujyashri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachariji. He IS 77 in 2004 flying at 400 with huge wings serving humanity 22 untiringly in guiding them towards His Beloved Master Babuji Maharaj . The spiritual connotation of this Mahavakya is immense and profound. The purport of “ He IS” is left to the spiritual seekers to be meditated upon.

He IS
(From Principles of Sahaj Marg, Vol.13 )

Reality is what IS. What was cannot be Reality, what is going to be cannot be Reality, because one has passed off, and t he other is not yet. This brought me to the important idea of the Master and God. Whether God is or not, is not the question. Is He ‘IS’ to you? If not, He is not. Therefore sensible spirituality takes up and foolish religion denies, a Master. Spirituality says, “This guy, whatever he may be, is Real. He is there. He ‘IS’ to you. What He is, is not the consideration. He IS. Accept Him. Through him, now try to realize that which He is putting before you as goal, with His guidance, with His help.”

- Parthasar athi Rajagopalachari

Serve to Deserve

2025-10-25T10:27:00.000+05:30

(Backdrop of 104 th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Pujya Babuji Maharaj, the Heartfulness Master at, Hyderabad, April 30, 2003)

Serve to Deserve

I hope all of you will understand the deeper significance. I don’t have to spell out the consequences of not serving. My Master Babuji Maharaj used to say – there is only one way of making Him happy. That was to do His work faithfully without thinking of your own self. Selfless service does not mean only that you don’t get money for it or reward for it. Selfless service means not to think of yourself at any time under any circumstances.

- Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari

Become like a candle

2025-10-25T10:16:00.004+05:30

(Backdrop of 78th Birthday celebrations of Beloved Chariji Maharaj, the Heartfulness Master in 2005)

Become like a candle

We should be the leader s of society, not just one but all of us. Each in our locality, in our section, in our office, like a candle in every dark room. It is enough. One candle removes the darkness. If you light more candles, that is only to increase the illumination. To clear t he darkness, to permit me to see, one candle is enough. So we must each one be like candles in our sections of society. Wherever we go there must be illumination, there must be some

fragrance of the spiritual growth. It was one of my Master’s standard statements that if you light the

candle, insects will automatically come towards it: “ Chirag jalao to kide apne aap ud ayenge.”

So we have to become such candles, humble, lowly; but remember that even the highest source of illumination is measured in ter ms of candle power. So in society, changes must be measured in terms of the individual’s man power. So it is not a small thing. It is as big as total darkness of a room being dispelled by one single candle.

But we must have the courage to burn ourselves, as Babuji said, “The ultimate example of a spiritual sacrifice is the candle which burns itself to illuminate others” – self consuming – let us try to

become that.

- Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari

Loving Detachment

2025-02-06T18:45:00.002+05:30

Loving Detachment

It was Pujya Gurudev Daaji's suggestion that every abhyasi should write an article on the above subject after contemplating on it. This suggestion was part of the message given on the occasion of Basant on Feb 3, 2025 at Kanha Shanti Vanam, the Global Headquarters of Heartfulness.

Taking as an order from Beloved Gurudev, I attempt to share my little understanding so far about "Loving detachment".

According to the Masters of Sahaj Marg, humans should direct their love ONLY towards God. When human love is directed towards God it becomes an unconditional love or divine love. This love is very sacred and beyond the carnal love, the sibling love, the parental love, the brotherly love etc. these being at the lower end of the Love spectrum.

Directing Love to the Divine or God or attaching oneself to the Divine within, naturally results in detachment of all unwanted thing on the way. This is also called the detached attachment to the divine. All bondages or attachments are loosened through this attachment to the Divine within. This I feel is the Loving detachment that happens as a consequence of heartfulness practices though we continue to love in a pure way. Real Love is free from all attachments.

This is naturally made to happen through simple and effective heartfulness practices of Meditation, Cleaning and Prayer.

Meditation teaches us how to hold on to the Divine Presence within and slowly it becomes our second nature.

Cleaning helps us to get rid of all the obstacles, attachments and reinforces the process of holding on to the Divine.

Prayer helps us to surrender to the Divine and thus refines the being handling the guilt that cannot be handled by Meditation and Cleaning. It thus reinforces the Loving detachment.

Attachment to the Divine Presence within results in Loving detachment with all the other worldly attachments that are hinderances to God realization. In fact, we are detached from all these with an attitude pure Love that and thus refining the performance of handling them. In some way, we deal with worldly attachments with the absolute perspective of unconditional Love.

Some thoughts on Spirituality

2025-02-06T10:47:00.001+05:30

Some thoughts on Spirituality

Let's do some soul-searching: do we really need God? Or are we 'thinking' that we need God? We need to answer this very honestly to ourselves. Then begins the real journey of Spirituality. Do we really crave for Him? if yes, for what?

Some thoughts on Spirituality

Actually in my understanding of Spirituality, it is Universal, an approach to go beyond everything. There cannot be Spirituality without Meditation. And hence Spirituality is synonymous with Meditation; they go together.

Let's explore Meditation. nd its purpose. It is an evergreen topic and almost the buzz word of today as someone said.

The very purpose of any Meditation is to regulate the ever-wavering mind; It is all about regulating the thought traffic. Meditation is also about transcendence to go Beyond into higher realms of Consciousness, that can makes one a better and better human being and then turn into a Divine being. In fact, the mind helps one to evolve his/her Consciousness if regulated.

The purpose of life is To Evolve Everything in this Creation is evolving Consciously or Unconsciously. Evolution is a Natural process. Therefore Nature always supports Evolution. A Spiritual Process is one that helps one to Evolve Consciously; and one will discover the cooperation Nature immensely. A Spiritual process or an ideal method of Meditation helps the seeker to hasten this process of Evolution. And human being is the privileged creature that evolve consciously and attain greater evolutionary heights. There is no end for Evolution.

Gross, Subtle and Causal Bodies

The human system comprises of Gross, Subtle and Causal Bodies. Gross body is the physical body; Subtle Body or bodies mainly are Mind, Intellect, Ego and Consciousness. Causal body is the subtlest body without whose presence, the other two bodies do not exist.

What is that which evolves in this human system

Gross body or the physical body cannot evolve; it can only age. Its evolution if at all is very limited. Causal body or the Soul/Atma is already said to be pure and therefore nothing to evolve. Therefore it is only the Subtle body that evolves and has no limitations whatsoever.

Three States of Consciousness that a man dwells in

There are three levels in which a human being dwells generally:

1) Waking State (Jaagrudavastha)

2) Dream State (Swapnavastha)

3) Deep-sleep state (Sushupti avastha)

There are other states that can be achieved through yogic processes such as Meditation:

4) The Fourth State (Turiya)

5) The Turiyaateet

and beyond; there is no end.

Evolution of Consciousness

As said earlier, it is the subtle bodies that evolve viz., Mind Intellect, Ego and Consciousness. Chit, Manas, Buddhi, and Ahankar in Sanskrit. All these 4 Subtle bodies are collectively called Antahkaran in Sanskit. It is the evolution of Antahkaran that happens through systematic Meditation techniques under an able guide.

Chit or Consciousness can be understood as sky in which Mind (Manas), Intellect (Buddhi) and go (Ahankar) are embedded just as planets are embedded in sky. Therefore when the Mind, Intellect and Ego are purified, there is evolution in Consciousness to that extent.

Religion not opposed to Science

2024-03-30T19:32:00.002+05:30

Religion not opposed to Science

"In the opinion of the house, Religion is not opposed to Science." I participated in the debate competition organized by Vivekananda Seva Samiti on the above topic, on the dias of Sri Rama Krishna Math, Hyderabad in Feb 1984 for college sudents. I spoke for the topic. The following is the gist of what I spoke. I was presented with a book bt Swami Ranganathananda at the end of the program.

Respected elders and my dear friends,

Before proceeding with the argument that "Religion is not opposed to Science" I would like to place before you my ideas about Religion and Science.

We cannot deny that there is "something" within every being apart from the material composition of the body which is not the body; that which is the source of thoughts and ideas and that which suffers both pains and pleasures. This "something" is what we call the "soul".

Religion says that this soul is divine, infinite truth and immortal. And this soul is clouded by the physical body with worldly passions and ignorance. And true religion is the realization of this divine nature existing in every individual by shattering ignorance and renunciating the worldly comforts. What do we get realizing God? We live in eternal bliss. It would be appropriate to quote Swami Vivekananda who defines religion as, "Religion is realization, not talk nor doctorine, however beautiful they may be; it is being and becoming; it is the whole soul changed into what it believes. That is religion." This realization is based on a set of spiritual laws concerning the cause, nature and purpose of the universe.

And what is science? Science is the systemaitised study of facts about man and his environment. And the existence of the universe is a fact. Every fact has a cause behind it and some laws governing it. Therefore there must be some cause behind this universe. So Science as many scientists define is a sincere pursuit of this truth. The objectives of Religion and Science being the same, we cannot say that religion is opposed to science.

Even though the objectives are same, their ways of approaching the truth are different. The way of approach of Science is that, it proceeds from known facts to the unknown ones. It is basically concerned with the physical and material world. It rests on theories and experiments. When experiments coincide with theories, they are transformed into laws or principles. These laws aor principles are in turn applied in everyday life which have led to so many discoveries and inventions which are responsible for easy and comfortable life, that a present man is leading now. Religion is directly concerned with cause which it believes it to be the inner world. It is also based on theories and experiments. Having been successful with the experiments, the theories were developed into laws known as spiritual laws. These can be verified only through experience. These spiritual laws inculcate in man the basic qualities of man such as discipline, concentration, control of senses, moral and ethical values. These qualities make a man think systematically and create in man the devotion for cause which gives a fragile man significance and value. And systematic thinking helps man to penetrate into the very depths of the facts around him and to extract maximum information about them. These are pre-requisites for any man to strive in any discipline. Thus we can say that religion accelerates the pace of science.

Religion has been describing God with different kind of phrases such as God is beginningless and endless, He is infinite, immortal etc. These things make a man hard to imagine the nature of God and thus becomes averse to religion and orients towards science. Since analogies reduce confusion and make understanding easy, we can observe some. Some scientist rightly points out that, "anything that science discovers is beyond the reach of direct observation; we cannot see energy; nor the gravitational force nor the molecules of gases nor the explosions in the nerve cells. It is only the premises of science and not conclusions which are not directly observed. In mathematics, we find that a number line extends from - infinity to + infinity, which means that the line is beginningless and endless. In physics, it has been proved that the sum total of cosmic energy is constant. That is it cannot be changed. It is neither created nor destroyed. Thus energy is immortal. And anything immortal is divine. Now, we can understand the nature of the soul.

Hence I conclude that the truths which were being cherished in the bosom of religion for ages are now being explained in a more authoritative language and Religion is only glad about it. Therefore Religion is not opposed to Science in any way as long as it is the sincere pursuit of the truth.

Three Qualifications of a Student to succeed in God-Realization

2024-03-30T18:35:00.001+05:30

Three Qualifications of a Student to succeed in God-Realization

(My notes when I was 21 years old)

Reference do not remember, perhaps Swami Vivekannada)

Three things are necessary for the student who wishes to succeed to realize God.

First: Give up all ideas of enjoyment in this world and the next. Care only for God and Truth. We are here to know Truth, not for any enjoyment. Leave that to brutes who enjoy as we never care. Man is a thinking being and must struggle on until he conquers death, until he sees the light. He must not spend himself in vain talking that bears no fruit. Worship of society and popular opinion is idolatory. The soul has no sex, no country, no place, no time.

Second: Intense desire to know Truth and God. Be eager for them, long for them as a drowning man longs for breath. Want only God, take nothing else, let not "seeming" cheat you any longer. Turn from all and seek only God.

Third: The six trainings:

First: Restraining the mind going outwards.

Second: Restraining the senses

Third: Turning the mind inward.

Fourth: Suffering everything without murmuring.

Fifth: Fastening the mind to one idea.

Sixth: Think constantly of your real nature.

Get rid of superstition. Do not hypnotise yourself into a belief in your own inferiority. Day and night, tell yourself what you really are, until you realise, actually realise, your oneness with God.

A New Humanity - Daaji

2024-01-29T08:01:00.001+05:30

A New Humanity - Daaji
Sunday, January 28, 2024, Kanha Shanti Vanam

Namaste everyone.

We are to embark on a new, a great celebration that will trigger a reinforcement of what our Hierarchies have been dreaming of—a new humanity. One cannot remain jailed in this human form. Transcend, become humane; then you already know the next step, which is Their responsibility, to become divine. Further, they promise from Divinity to Absolute. This is the journey of Sahaj Marg, our Heartfulness Way.

Babuji says: in order to prepare ourselves for that, all sincere seekers of Divinity, those who are really keen on transforming themselves, may become joyful, blissful carriers of spirituality and participate more intensely.

We begin with this: he says, insist with those abhyasis who are sincere and seeking to transform themselves as best as possible, without exerting too much, take a few individual face-to-face sittings with preceptors before the bhandara, starting today. One sitting today, two sittings tomorrow, and it goes on, even if you take sittings during the bhandara. Meditate, take more sittings, but don’t exert yourself to the point of exhaustion. One or two sittings a day is enough, half an hour only.

Before you do this exercise, try to study your inner spiritual state and your emotional state. Babuji also conveys: hang your miseries, your pain, on his shoulders. He says, I’m willing to take all your pains and miseries. Give them to me. Free yourself from all that. How will you do that? Is it as easy as saying, “Babuji, have these problems of mine?” Yes it is. Try it and see what happens.

I’m mesmerized by this message. That is Their generosity and that is Their promise, also. Thank you.

Inventure and Imperience

2024-01-16T12:28:00.001+05:30

Inventure and Imperience

There are now two new beautiful additions to the Spiritual literature of the world and vocabulary, that more pointedly indicate all about spirituality - Inventure and Imperience.

Spirituality is all about inner adventure which is now called Inventure, the word coined by Revered Master Kamlesh D Patel (known affectionately as Daaji), the Global Guide of Heartfulness Meditation.

Spirituality is also all about the inner experience, that is now termed as Imperience again coined by a great philosopher and advanced Preceptor of Heartfulness Meditation.

Adventure is so called, (generally means the external journey), because it is a journey taken up boldly to discover something we know not what; prepared or geared up to face any challenge that can happen on the way; the results can be thrilling and revealing; even the right goal is discovered as one moves on. Inventure is also exactly like that except that the journey is within the inner recesses of our mind and heart. There is a bottomless-pit within each one of us, full of challenges. The ONLY difference if at all is there is that there can be someone who invisibly facilitates this journey called Yatra; and this invisible help is called Guru.

Spiritual imperiences are infinite and indicators of our movement, revelations and expansion of consciousness and thus result in the real spiritual evolution of the individual.

Some important Milestones and Revelations - Daaji

2023-09-12T21:08:00.006+05:30

Pujya Daaji (Kamlesh D Patel)

Global Guide, Heartfulness

After Pujyashri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachariji, (the then President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission), attained Mahasamadhi on December 20, 2014 Pujya Daaji took over the reins of Shri Ram Chandra Mission as the Fourth Master in the lineage. Immediately he took over the responsibilities of his role of Dissemination and Expansion of the Mission. Here are few of the milestones of his work so far and some of the important Revelations in brief. We shall deal with each of them in more detail in subsequent blogs. All the readers are requested to spend quality time meditating on each his works in their own way and try to appreciate the Vision and contribution of this great Master in such a short time.

2015 Jan

Christened The Sahaj Marg Spiritual Movement that started in 1945 as Heartfulness Movement to make it Global.

Feb 22, 2015 (Empowering Prefects, India with New permissions from Hierarchy of Masters)

New Permissions for Preceptors World across empowerment by the great Hierarchy of Masters; Sittings can be given to multiple people vis-à-vis one-on-one sittings earlier. Absentia Sittings, Remote Sittings, Group introductions etc were introduced. This was announced first to Preceptors of US in Jan 2015.

2017 – installed the Statue of Babuji Maharaj in Kanha Shanti Vanam on the Star building

2019 – Introduced Dhyanotsavs

Introduced Dhyanotsavs starting with Karimnagar, Telangana, India in Feb 2019, a public event offering the simple Heartfulness practices to the general public.

October 19, 2019 (Mergence of Tukdoji Mahraj into our hierarchy of Masters)

“… I am more than delighted to see Revered Tukdoji becoming part of Hierarchy of Masters starting with Lord Krishna, Lalaji, Babuji, Swami Vivekananda, Paramahansa Shri Rama Krishna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Kabir Sahab, Buddhaji, Nanak Saab & now …” – Daaji Tukdoji Maharaj is called Rashtra Sant of Maharashtra with a huge following near Nagpur. He happens to have boen also on April 30^th.

2020 – Kanha Shanti Vanam inauguration

Kanha Shanti Vanam, the World’s Largest Meditation Hall, was inaugurated by the then President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovind ji on Basant, Feb 2, 2020.

2020 Covid Time, introduced Dil Se programs

Pujya Daaji started interacting with abhyasis of various states and countries through Zoom Network under the Dil Se series.

Awarded Honorary Doctorate

Pujya Daaji was conferred with Honorary Doctorate by the Venkateswara University, Tirupati and is now Dr. Kamlesh D Patel.

August 29, 2021 (Janmashtami)

Pujya Daaji revealed the Seven Shlokas that were uttered by Lord Krishna in the battle field of Mahabharata as revealed by Babuji Maharaj. Also 3 Shlokas in addition after the war to Arjuna, on the first day; (Daaji calls them 7 Gems titles as Gitopadesh)

Oct 31, 2021 (Golden Liquid Cleaning Technique Revelation)

Pujya Daaji revealed new Golden Liquid Claeaning technique after Satsangh.

Jan 26, 2023 – Padma Bhushan Awarded

Pujya Daaji was awarded with Third highest Civilian Award Padma Bhushan on Jan 26, 2023 in the field of Spirituality by the Government of India.

June 21, 2023 – Introduced YogaMahotsavs

The Mission has organized YogMahotsavs all across the country and a few countries abroad teaching Yoga, Pranayama, Mudras and simple Heartfulness Meditation practices.

July-Aug 2023 Ekatma Abhiyaan in MP

With the support of the Govt of Madhya Pradesh, India, the Volunteers of Heartfulness attempted to teach meditation to 1.2 crore people of this state over a period of one month.

August 13^th, 2023

… All the new understandings, newer revelations are shared in writings, in talks, writings through books, writing through messages, writings through the articles in Patrikas – Daaji

https://www.youtube.com/live/_Pakvd0EKXs?si=dL3uz6PrrsHp2phi

Sep 2, 2023

Pujya Daaji has revealed in a recent interview that the name of the Rishi who practiced Pranahuti 72 generations before Raja Dasharath was Rishabhnath.

https://youtu.be/WQgTATFvgOQ?si=HFNwzoRQ0TFGD38M

The Significance of "The Heart" in World Scriptures

2023-08-03T09:38:00.006+05:30

The Esoteric Heart

Perhaps, the subject of Heart and the significance of Heart in the life of human being needs to be understood again and again. Because it is the Heart that guides the human being every moment spontaneously. Being away from the heart causes the ultimate stress in a human being. Moving towards the heart progressively reduces the stress. Therefore the need to follow the heart cannot be over-emphasized.

But unfortunately, human being is so intimately associated with the head/mind that until this is convinced, he/she doesn't accept things from the heart; as if one needs the endorsement of intellect for everything. In fact, even the intellect/head needs to follow the heart and not act independently. Osho says - The heart knows that it is the boss and therefore silent; and intellect pretends to be the boss and makes lot of noise for its survival. Pujya Daaji says - The heart and the mind are two extreme ends of the same thing. One end that is pure is called heart and the other end that coloured bu our impressions is mind.

It is very interesting to note the significance of heart mentioned in all the scriptures irrespective of the religion. And therefore the need to get to the heart of everything in life. It can be possible as they say only when one thinks, feels and decides with heart. It is very important to deeply understand that the heart has no religion or caste or colour, Let us see some of the references in the great scriptures of the World, as below:

Heart as the Source of Intention: "…But Allah knows what is in their hearts. So turn away from them and admonish them and speak to them a far-reaching word." (Quran 4:63)

Cleansing and Purification of the Heart: "Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…" (Quran 13:11)

The Source of Thoughts and Intentions: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)

Guidance and Trust in God: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Transformation and Renewal: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26)

The Seat of Devotion and Love: "Within the heart, He dwells, and without the heart, His expansion continues. The heart is the temple, and within it is the dwelling of the Divine." (Guru Granth Sahib, 79)

Elimination of Ego and Egotism: "When one's heart is illumined with the Lord's Name, the darkness of ego is dispelled." (Guru Granth Sahib, 1085)

Bhagavdgita, Chapter 18, Verse 61: ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति। भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया॥ Translation: "The Supreme Lord resides in the hearts of all living beings, O Arjuna, and by His divine potency, He causes all beings to revolve as if mounted on a machine."

Meditating on Pujya Daaji's thoughts: Correct Thinking, Right Understanding and Honest Approach to Life

2023-07-26T17:30:00.006+05:30

Pujya Daaji

My Gurudev Pujya Daaji, reveals three steps to our individual transformation viz., Correct Thinking, Right Understanding and an Honest approach to life. All these three to be done consciously. I humbly share my understanding after hearing his talks and after pondering over them for few days.

We may encounter the following questions in the process of understanding these three directions given by Daaji:

When is one's 'thinking' considered as 'correct'?

Simply put, thinking is correct when there is peace within; absolutely correct when there is absolute peace or absolutely no ripple in the heart, intense peace within.

When is one's 'understanding' considered as 'right'?

Correct thinking process leads automatically to right understanding. We can feel our understanding is right or correct when there is conflicting wave with the peace that is already in in the heart that was the effect of right thinking.

How is 'thinking' connected to 'understanding'?

Thinking, before it is translated into words or action should transform into right understanding. And this happens when we apply or relate our thought process to the life and situations around. So thinking in the form of understanding is something that gets converted into words and actions

What is honest approach to life?

Honest approach to life is that which creates no fear or guilt but creates peace in the heart.

Therefore all three directions suggested by Daaji create real peace within, which is the sure sign of correctness of all three. The peace within indicates, that there is no doubt; if there is doubt, thinking or understanding is not correct absolutely. And so we can correct consciously.

Some more thoughts:

What IS 'correct thinking'? How to know our thinking is correct? Thinking is done by the mind. Everything that ne thinks affects the heart where everything is felt. Therefore correct thinking is when the heart feels undoubtable peace; great peace within. The mind is influenced by various things such as our belief systems, religious philosophies, our nationalities, our languages, our colours, our traditions, cultures, our past and so many things that are often in conflict with the heart, the real experiencer and there is no peace within. Those are the moments when we realize the need to rise beyond these things or transcend these things to arrive at the real peace. Therefore thinking can be correct only when the heart is experiencing deep peace. ONLY when we transcend all the factors that interfere with peace. And this sort of peaceful state of mind or the meditative mind can be arrived at and deepened only when we practice meditation regularly. So correct thinking is the first step for us to transform ourselves.

Correct thinking leads to the right understanding of things around us - the situations, the life and people around, the Nature, our own self, and helps us to arrive at to make the right decisions.

Right understanding helps us to have an honest approach to life. That is, it does not allow pretensions; allows us to be as we are. Honest approach is the attitude that we inculcate with correct thinking and right understanding. Honest approach to life allows us to be humble and in tune with Nature easily.

World peace can be achieved only when there is peace within the heart of every individual. Individual peace can only be achieved though correct thinking, right understanding and honest approach to life, one leading to the other. And Correct thinking is possible only through meditation. Therefore to transform, correct thinking is the first step.

Opening of the Heart

2023-06-18T10:53:00.009+05:30

Opening of the Heart

All scriptures, great Masters have always insisted that the heart should be open and then it evolves like a blooming lotus. The opening of the heart is also compared with blooming lotus. And the heart is often depicted as the lotus heart or HrudayaKamal. Heart is always compared with lotus. And as they say there is Sahasra Dal Kamal (a thousand petalled lotus) on the crown of your head, the destination of the spiritual journey.

(Please enjoy the video of blooming lotus above in a meditative mode and draw your own insights about your inner life.)

How does the heart open?

This is the question we often face during our inner practices. We can get a clear clue from the blooming of lotus that it is effect of the sun's rays that makes the lotus to flower or bloom or open. We can infer that our heart opens with the rays of Hid grace like sun's rays. Only Grace can open the heart.

Is the heart closed?

It appears so otherwise we will not think of opening. And all the Masters of Spirituality will not insist on the opening of the heart for success in spiritual evolution. Misery, lack of clarity and restlessness is the proof of our closed heart.

What makes the heart close?

If we can peep into our hearts dispassionately we will find that the harbouring of the following things are the reason for a closed heart: Fear, Negativity, Lust, Anger, Miserliness, Attachment, Arrogance, Jealousy, Prejudice. They are invisible realities in all of us; for whatever reasons. These things cause enormous stress in every layer of our being (broadly body, mind and soul) and make our life miserable. And every being consciously or unconsciously is praying intensely or longing intensely to get out of this mess that we got into somehow. And the stress caused is progressively increasing day-by-day instead of decreasing; the peace of mind is decreasing progressively every day.

When does the Grace happen?

It is ONLY when the prayer or longing of the being for release is genuine, intense and we are able to wait patiently that the Grace descends, happens. And the heart starts opening up.

What is the role of Spiritual practice in this?

Assiduous spiritual practice facilitates the Grace to continue on the seeker's heart; allows the heart to open more and more, layer by layer, petal by petal. Spiritual practice is a conscious effort to attract God's Grace.

What is the role of Character?

The role of character is vital in the opening of heart. Constant vigil on the character and working on it facilitates the blooming of the heart easily. Vigil on the character is watching our Words, Deeds, Thoughts, Behaviour and Intentions.

What is the role of the Guru?

Guru is the bridge between the being and the God; God with form is Guru and Guru without form is God, say our Masters. He is the catalyst to hasten this process. That is why the need for surrender , saranagati, eeshwara pranidhaana towards the Guru.

What happens when the heart opens up?

The heart when it open up starts evolving to the highest possible state open to humankind. The heart becomes what it ought to be from what it is. It becomes the light for others to help them find the light too.

Just imagine a lake FULL of lotuses and imagine the world FULL of open hearts; It is the opening of our hearts that this world becomes a better place to live in making us better and better human beings.

The Heart

2023-06-17T08:55:00.005+05:30

The Spiritual Heart

Every human being has a heart and has two aspects - physical and spiritual. We all are aware of its importance and the main functions. If heart stops, everything stops in a human being; life ceases to exist.

The physical heart is located where everyone feels the lub-dub (72 beats per minute as they say normally) vibration on the left of their chest generally. For some people the physical heart can be on the right side of the chest also. Wherever it may be located the function of the heart is the same. The main function is to collect the impure blood from all nooks and corners of the body and get it purified through lungs and then supply to all the parts of the body.

The physical heart is to be managed with right nourishing food, right healthy exercises, and right care in a regular way.

The Spiritual heart is also called the Centre of our existence. It is also felt almost near the physical heart though it is spread all over from head to toe according to the spiritual Masters. It is also the seat of experiences or imperiences (inner experiences) viz., emotions, feelings, inspirations and finer and finer experiences as one becomes subtle through a spiritual process. It is also where the Divine resides, the Witness of everything that happens in us. It is a place where the inner voice emanates and guides. It is also where one suffers or enjoys.

The spiritual heart is to be managed with right thoughts, right words, right habits, right behaviour and right character. And this is made possible only by paying enough attention on the heart. The Spiritual affects the Physical. Also the physical affects spiritual though not as intensely as the spiritual affects the physical. Hence the need to take care the spiritual heart on a very regular basis. This is done through a set of yogic meditational practices.

The Mind and the Heart

In the esoteric literature or spiritual literature, the Mind is interchangeably used for Consciousness as they point to the same thing. The Mind determines what a human being is. And it is the Mind that is the only thing can be changed in the human system created by Nature. The other two things the body and the soul cannot be changed or evolved; the body only ages and does not evolve as Pujya Gurudev says; the soul is a presence and purity by itself and hence no need of anu change. Therefore it is only the Mind that has to change for a human being to change or evolve.

Now, the Mind is a thinking faculty; thinking is its function. The Mind can be fickle or calm but thinking cannot be stopped; mind can only be regulated and disciplined; The thought-traffic can be regulated through meditation that allows us to transcend to beyond. Thus the Mind helps us to change, evolve and transcend to other higher realms of existence.

And what does heart do? The heart takes all the impressions and has been taking all impressions ever since it came into its existence from the Source and also the Witness. These impressions when repeated several times are solidified into tendencies; and the tendencies start ruling one's life. because Mind follows the tendencies or deep impressions. The Heart is the other extreme end of the Mind as Gurudev puts it. But the mind and the heart appear to be disconnected and mind tries to act independently, ignoring the heart. And that is where this imbalance in us creeps in. That is something to be corrected to restore the lost balance. This is what is possible through regular meditational practices and thus a great sense of well being is experienced.

Human Effort and God's Grace

2023-06-14T12:06:00.003+05:30

Whether one likes it or not, accepts it or not, realizes it or not, nothing happens or materializes or realized without Human effort and God's Grace. The whole life of humans revolves around this divine law.

There is no success without this combination as depicted in Bhagavad-Gita. The following Shloka says, wherever there is Krishna, the Lord of Yoga and the archer Arjuna, Victory/Success is certain.

यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः ।
तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ॥ 18-78॥

Here Arjuna represents Human Effort; but human effort alone is not enough for success; Lord Krishna represents the Divine Grace that supports the effort and completes it.

It also implies that human will should be in tune with God's will for the Grace to descend. Therefore the need for one to tune with His will. Nothing happens without His will.

It also teaches us that one should live a life that attracts the Divine Grace by moulding one's life according to the divine principles or following the heart/inner voice within.

Yoga-Abhyas is all about our effort to attract His Grace. Grace is something that happens irrespective of one's deservingness.

It does not happen just because we desire. Even to desire Grace, we need to deserve; and one who desires generally does not deserve; and one who deserves generally does not desire.

We do not desire His Grace, we wait for His Grace while we work for our deservingness.

Forget Thyself - Babuji

2023-05-31T12:53:00.008+05:30

Forget Yourself - Babuji

Know Thyself is one of the three delphic Greek maxims as Google says. "To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom" said Socrates, we all are aware.

But Babuji said, "Forget Thyself" in his highest wisdom. One can know thyself more easily by forgetting one's own self. He not only uttered it, but he also gave humanity a Way, a Path that leads to this state of consciousness. And that Path is called Sahaj Marg.

Let us dwell on what is this Forgetting Thyself? To my understanding, when we observe our lives, man's performance of anything is at peak when he/she forgets himself/herself; that is when he/she is lost in the thing that they are involved in doing. Be it reading a book OR be it engrossed in a work OR be it serving somebody OR even thinking of the Divine. In all these acts, human being experiences that he is lost and the performance is best. Therefore the "Forget Thyself" is the highest state of mind or consciousness worth aspiring for. And when this Consciousness gets more and more refined, it leads us to the Beyond, the higher realms of Consciousness. There is no end to this journey. "Forget Thyself" also means that one gets lighter and lighter as one loses more and more of 'I'ness. Thus we can say, "Forget Thysel;f" state denotes a state of egolessness and therefore the Consciousness very subtle without any sort of heaviness.

Sahaj Marg Path teaches us from day 1, how to forget one's self gradually, slowly but surely. The Heartfulness Institute offers this Path of Sahaj Marg to any one who is willing to try and 15 years of age. Our existing quality of Consciousness gets purified and refined and becomes finer and finer every time we meditate. Every time one meditates, the Masters say there is a significant shift in one's consciousness. And this shift in consciousness leads to the transformation of human being from animal consciousness to humane consciousness to divine consciousness. And the journey continues infinites in this evolution of consciousness. The human being becomes better and better.

Thoughts on Simplicity

2023-05-22T09:21:00.007+05:30

Personification of Simplicity

According to the Masters of Heartfulness Sahaj Marg Meditation, there is a lot of emphasis on becoming simple if one wants to realize or experience God. And Babuji Maharaj says "God is Simple." One can realize God by becoming Simple as God is Simple. God can be realized completely as He IS, ONLY by becoming like Him. But human being is very complex, for whatever reasons. Somehow if one gets rid of complexities that he acquired, one becomes Simple, says Daaji.

Being Simple also means to live a Simple Life. Simple things are often very difficult to understand as we tend to think in a complex way. What is Simple Life? In life, there are desires and needs. Needs are fundamental to existence. Desires are human creations. To lead a simple life, one needs reduce one's desires and come down to NEEDs first and then even NEEDs must become minimum said Chariji.

Babuji explains Simplicity in yet another way, saying that when all the qualities removed from a human being, one becomes absolutely simple. Heartfulness Sahaj Marg Meditation is designed towards That.

By becoming simple, the life the human being leads becomes simple that is free of any complexities, a very plain life that oozes simplicity around. When one is Simple, Wisdom is at the peak; Ego at the lowest; Mind crystal clear.

Simplicity also means getting rid of the entire karmic burden, desires and ego and becoming absolutely light in the spirit. This opens up the higher realms of Reality that helps one to soar higher and higher and the Consciousness keeps expanding refining itself 360 degrees, infinitely, where 'I' ness becomes non-existent.

Babuji's statement makes it clear about this kind of existence; He once said, "When I say 'I', I do not know whether it refers to my Master, or to God or to my self." A statement worth meditating upon deeply.

However this cannot be achieved overnight unless sufficient preparation has been done consistently in the past lives. Yet it can be achieved gradually at one's own pace, if practised with commitment and interest, through the Simple Heartfulness Yogic practices, even in a part of one's own lifetime. To be Simple is neither easy nor difficult; It is easy if one wills it strong enough, it is difficult if there is no interest.

Character and Spirituality

2022-12-28T21:10:00.008+05:30

Character Building/Morality and Ethics and Spirituality

Character building is a Conscious process and a brick-by-brick process. Spiritual process can bring about inner change/transformation but character formation should be conscious effort of the individual that matches the inner spiritual progress. Character development does not happen automatically; it happens very slow even if it happens; therefore the need for conscious effort. If Character development does not match or is not aligned to the inner spiritual progress, such progress remains futile. Therefore no Character, no spiritual progress.

Spiritual progress happens only when there is shift in consciousness every time we meditate. That is exactly what happens to one who meditates regularly in the Heartfulness Way. There is significant shift in Consciousness (because of the Divine transmission or Pranahuti), that we are supposed to recognize and savour at the end of every meditation for few minutes what Daaji calls AEIOU process. And we are supposed to try to remember with an inner attention throughout the day of this shift in consciousness that we recognized in the everyday morning meditation. With this constant inner attention (inner consciousness) to our inner condition we carry out our daily chores, karmas, which slowly turns into devotion.

Character development and Morality are synonymous; There is no character without moral life. Morality is all about practising the values consciously, faithfully. Spiritual progress gives the solid base that is required to hold on to values.

We can find evidences in our puranas, some characters who progressed spiritually very much with their penances but lacking very badly in Character. It is possible that a person can be spiritually advanced but with no moral character to match and that leads to self-destruction. It is like the flame in a lamp burning brilliantly inside but it is covered by black sooth preventing the lamp from illuminating.

Individual Consciousness and Collective Consciousness

All that see around – happiness, misery, tragedy, bliss in the life in and around us is a play of Consciousness, a manifestation of Consciousness. Consciousness is the real thing behind all that is visible. No Consciousness, no Existence. Consciousness is both inside and outside just like space is inside and outside. In fact, everything exists in consciousness, it appears.

Apparently every being animate or inanimate has consciousness. Every individual possesses consciousness. And this Consciousness defines what the individual is. Collective Consciousness is the total effect of the Consciousness of all individuals. Change in individual consciousness affects the collective consciousness. For instance, unless each soul is at peace, there can never be real world-peace. Each individual has to be addressed at the level of consciousness to affect the collective consciousness. And there the need to meditate for every individual for changes in the collective consciousness to happen. Because it is only through meditation that real shift in consciousness happens that can be experienced by every individual after sufficient practice.

Samskaras and Craving

2022-12-28T21:09:00.004+05:30

Complexities & Impurities/Samskaras/Karma/Vasanas/Tendencies

Call by any name, they are the obstacles to our evolution; they do not lie outside, they very much reside inside. They do not allow us to be what we we ought to be. That is we are what we are. We are yet what ought to be. They are all impressions made by us in the past, the whole of our past.

Yogic processes are the remedy for getting rid of these things incrementally under a an able Master or Guru.

They are in huge volumes like mountains of Samskaras. There is certainly a possibility of these Samskaras becoming zero.

And that is aim of a Spiritual process; to make it happen here and now not after death.

Zero Samskaras is said to be the state of liberation.

Craving/Restlessness/Longing/Intense Desire/Spiritual Thirst or Hunger

Again call by any name, it is innate and intrinsic to every soul. The Soul longs very intensely, one knows NOT for what? The Soul is ever restless. And this restlessness manifests in so many hues and colors, such as being restless for earning money, power, knowledge, fame happiness etc. and assuming we gain all these things, even then the soul is restless. There is always some unknown deficiency that is felt. It is like a bottomless pit. It is very challenging to quench its thirst, fulfill its hunger.

And so this search is ignited intensely at some point and we try to purse this voice that has no language, it is a deep urge that cannot be avoided and drives one to the intended goals.

Craving is great fuel to move forward in the field of spirituality especially. What I understand is in other fields, all accomplishments/failures are more or less the results of working out of our Samskaras, called Bhog in Sanskrit.

It is ONLY in the spiritual quest, that the soul's hunger seems to be little fulfilled, confirms that we are proceeding in the right direction. But nevertheless the longing becomes more and more intense as one feels apparently closer to the thing that is being craved for.

This quest has revealed all the scriptures that we have today and more are being discovered/revealed; It appears to be an unending process.

But the pursuit of a spiritual process is something that is fulfilling and makes one feel being getting closer and closer to the thing that the soul is restless for.

How does the Craving for Reality begin?

It is intrinsic or innate character of every soul; some are conscious and some are not. When we use this word Craving, it means a Conscious Craving.

How to increase the Longing?

It can trigger any time of the life; the sooner the better as it is driving force or fuel for spiritual growth/evolution.

One can increase the longing by associating oneself with the thirsty seekers either in person or through books, or serving humanity voluntarily or any other method that occurs to the heart.

One cannot value Spirituality without Craving; and that is why it cannot be forced on anyone. Food is valued only when one is hungry. Pursuing a spiritual practice even mechanically on a daily basis also triggers or invokes the unconscious Craving.

Craving for Reality in some is unconscious because one is more engaged and busy with Samskaras.

The Mind and the Heart

2022-12-28T21:08:00.003+05:30

The Mind

Mind is the kingly thing in the human system; the most critical and a very delicate instrument.

Mind is NOT our enemy. Mind makes or mars our life. It is to be handled very carefully and very delicately.

One should have a friendly attitude towards one's own Mind. Then Mind will listen to us, we can master it over a period of time and practice.

Mind includes Mind, Intellect, Ego and Consciousness.

Like eyes see, ears hear, tongue tastes, nose smells, Mind thinks; Thinking is the function of Mind.

Consciousness is like the sky in which Mind Intellect and Ego are embedded like planets in the sky. Therefore change in Mind, Intellect and Ego effects a change in the Consciousness.

Intellect's function is to discriminate. It is Not our enemy too.

Ego is there to implement what is decided by the Intellect. So Ego is also not our enemy when tamed. Ego is very useful to compete with one's own self.

But all these subtle bodies are to purified and thus refined. This is possible ONLY through Meditation.

As our life revolves around these subtle bodies, and also determines what we are, there comes the need to refine to refine our Consciousness.

Thus regulating, purifying and refining the Mind is critical to all if one wants to be better and better in the real sense.

Where does the Mind reside? It is spread all over the body; it is not an organ. It is intangible. All subtle bodies are intangible and invisible.

There are two ends of the Mind - one is Intellect and the other is the Heart; It is a spectrum with Intellect and Heart as two extreme ends.

The Heart

The Heart is a very sacred part of our being. Because it is where the Divine resides, one can feel through Meditation.

There is a physical heart, an organ that beats untiringly without rest lub-dub, lub-dub. When this heart stops everything stops. This physical heart is from where the impure blood is purified through lungs and supplies to all nooks and corners of the body to continue its existence.

There is a Spiritual heart where one has his/her experiences. The Experience is related to the heart. It is the Centre of our Existence. It is also the seat of emotions. Our life is guided by the feelings that we have in heart and the inspirations captured through them. This heart is also the Centre of our Individual Consciousness.

Incidentally or as per cosmic plan perhaps, the spiritual heart is also at the centre where the physical heart beats.

The path that follows the Heart-centered Meditation is Heartfulness. We shall explore it later.

The heart is the compass of our life. It always guides in the only direction that we must proceed in life. And the heart's actions are spontaneous unlike actions through mind. Unfortunately for whatever reasons, human being has moved away from following the heart and so the stress and misery in and around us. The solution is to go back to heart and follow it. Heart never misguides. It pops up every time we do something wrong.

Moving away from heart is walking into darkness of stress at all levels. Make a U-turn and walk into the Light of pure awareness by following it.

But it is NOT easy because we have come too far, and the heart is unfortunately clouded or shrouded by so much unnecessary stuff that it appears to be polluted.

So the need to pay attention on our heart, clean the heart, pray from the heart, live with our heart slowly by practising Meditation with this orientation.

Let us remember that we can never avoid heart nor we can avoid God.

Some more thoughts about Spirituality

2022-12-28T21:07:00.007+05:30

Some more thoughts about Spirituality

Spirituality is all about Spirit. If there is NO Spirit it is just a ritual. When you add the spirit or heart it becomes spiritual.

Spirituality is all about looking within; exploring within; watching our thoughts, emotions and actions and beyond.

Spirituality is about transcending senses, transcending mind, and traversing the higher realms of Consciousness.

This journey causes refinement in the human being at all levels.

Spirituality is a journey from Gross to Subtle to the Subtlest.

Spirituality is a journey of inner transformation from what we are to what we ought to be.

Spirituality is also a journey from known to the Unknown.

Spirituality begins when we transcend religion or outgrow religion and not rejecting religion.

Spirituality disciplines the mind, calms the mind, makes the mind more peaceful, tranquil and thus enhances the performance in everything that we do.

Spirituality helps us to excel in everything that we do.

Spirituality is all about moving towards inner perfection.

Spirituality is the need of the hour for ALL.

About God

God is NOT a person.

God is to beyond senses, cannot be touched, smelt, seen, heard or tasted; But He can be experienced deep inside our heart; And that is why one Needs to meditate.

God is simple, human being is complex; Unless one becomes Simple like God, one cannot realize God.

What is preventing one to experience God who resides in every heart? It is our complexities and impurities; It is our desires, Samskaras (karma) and ego. To be devoid of all these things is being like God.

Meditation gives you an incremental experience of God or the Divine.

The closest qualities of God - Peace, Inner Silence (absence of thoughts), Tranquility, Bliss, Wisdom, Love etc.

Some thoughts on Spirituality

2022-12-28T21:06:00.001+05:30

Some thoughts on Spirituality

Let's explore Meditation. nd its purpose. It is an evergreen topic and almost the buzz word of today as someone said.

Gross, Subtle and Causal Bodies

What is that which evolves in this human system

Three States of Consciousness that a man dwells in

There are three levels in which a human being dwells generally:

1) Waking State (Jaagrudavastha)

2) Dream State (Swapnavastha)

3) Deep-sleep state (Sushupti avastha)

There are other states that can be achieved through yogic processes such as Meditation:

4) The Fourth State (Turiya)

5) The Turiyaateet

and beyond; there is no end.

Evolution of Consciousness

As said earlier, it is the subtle bodies that evolve viz., Mind Intellect, Ego and Consciousness. Chit, Manas, Buddhi, and Ahankar in Sanskrit. All these 4 Subtle bodies are collectively called Anathakaran in Sanskit. It is the evolution of Anatahkaran that happens through systematic Meditation techniques under an able guide.

Spirituality, Mysticism, Sufism, Yoga

They all speak the same thing and approach is same - looking within. Yoga or Spirituality is both art and science of looking within.

The Need for Guru or Guide, an Adept in this journey is crucial in this inner-exploration

As in any other field, a seeker needs an adept who is familiar with the Path to guide and support to trek the path. Guru is like catalyst in this process.

How to search for a Guru

We cannot search for a Guru, Guru happens. We cannot decide who can be our Guru with our limitations. We just wait for the Guru to happen with hunger for spirituality.

How to know whether the Guru we found is right for us?

The heart recognizes immediately. Our rational mind rebels. Nevertheless we need to convince our logical mind. We can test him/her the way we feel and arrive at a conclusion. But we should not waste our time testing Guru all our life. Once we are convinced, we should bind ourselves with him forever and start obeying him.

My suggestions however

Talks on the Gita - Vinobha Bhave Publishers: Sahaj Marg Hierarchy Publication Trust

The Supreme Yoga - Yoga Vasishtha Swami Venkatesananda Motilal Banarasi Das Publishers

Ashtavakra Gita - Ramakrishna Mission Publications

Authentic Yoga - Yoga Sutras of Patanjali PY Deshpande Publishers: Heartfulness Education Trust, Kanha Shanti Vanam Hyderabad

All books are available in Amazon

Consciousness

2022-07-14T14:07:00.004+05:30

Consciousness is today's buzz word than ever before, both in the Scientific Community and of course among the seekers of Truth. Though this Consciousness has been dealt with very thoroughly by our ancient rishis long back. Let's try to explore this a bit.

What is Consciousness?

The meaning given in an online dictionary says: Consciousness is the state of being conscious; awareness of one's own existence, sensations, thoughts, surroundings, etc.

Spirituality says, Consciousness has everything to do with Mind, Intellect, Ego. The Consciousness is like a sky that has Mind, Intellect and Ego embedded in it. Mind (the thoughts), Intellect (The discrimination faculty that decides what is right and what is wrong) and Ego (a faculty that implements what is decided by the Intellect through something called Will) in theire pure form. These are the main tools of Consciousness by which we either rise or fall in the evolutionary journey.

The Consciousness also contains infinite layers where all the impressions/tendencies called samskaras/vasanas/karma/complexities and impurities/vrittis of the soul, that are formed during it's evolutionary journey towards the Perfection or the Pure State.

The Consciousness is spread all over layer of Life Force Layer(Pranamaya Kosha) and Physical body layer (Annamaya Kosha) also.

Therefore, Consciousness is also said to be the expression of the soul. It is the Consciousness that defines the human being. It is the change/transformation in consciousness that brings about the change/transformation in the human being. So change in Consciousness is critical for the human being to change: that is change in mind(thoughts), intellect(refined) and a ego(subdued and humble) brings about the desired evolutionary change, the change for the better.

Individual Consciousness and Collective Consciousness

There are two types of Consciousness apparently viz., the individual Consciousness and the Collective Consciousness.

Individual Consciousness is what every individual human being has; and the Collective Consciousness is the sum total Consciousness of all the individuals in a group or a planet as a whole. There is a French word for this - egregore.

Every individual Consciousness affects the Collective Consciousness. Therefore the need for emphasis on the individual consciousness. Evolution of the Collective Consciousness can happen only through individual Consciousness. And evolution has no limit. It is a journey towards Infinite.

The very purpose of individual Consciousness is to evolve.

How does the Consciousness Evolve?

Consciousness evolves naturally, every soul is evolving naturally at it's own pace, but it is very time-consuming. It is a very Natural Process whether we know it or not.

But this process of evolution can be hastened or accelerated if done consciously in line with Nature. Then all evolutionary forces that includes Nature contribute thus making the process faster.

This process of hastening the evolution is called a spiritual process or Meditation. All Meditations are or should be directed towards this spiritual evolution and not anything else. The biggest miracle is the human transformation to the highest; there is no other miracle aboove this.

Some meditations are simple and easy, some are tough, some are very time-consuming, some are almost difficult to practice. The soul generally and naturally chooses the process that it is comfortable with.

3 States of Consciousness that a human being generally exists

There are three states of Consciousness where the human being exists:

1) The Waking State (Jagrudavastha in Sanskrit)

2) The Dream State (Swapnavastha)

3) The Deep-Sleep State (Sushupti Avastha)

All these three states of Consciousness have to be transformed into finer states of Consciousness which are many.

Higher States of Consciousness

We shall talk about two higher states of Consciousness that a human being can possibly dwell in:

1) The Turiya State or the Fourth state: This state of Consciousness is experienced in deep meditations; The experience of deep-sleep state is experienced in the waking state that is during Meditation. This is Turiya the forth state.

2) The Turiyatit State : This state of Consciousness is experienced when this Turiya State continues during all the rest of the time even after such meditation where Turiya is experienced.

What happens when the Consciousness evolves to higher states?

Firstly an individual becomes better and better human being till he comes truly divine.

The main faculties of human being called Anthahkaran viz., Mind (Manas), Intellect (Buddhi), Ego (Ahankar), and Consciousness (Chit) becomes subtler, purer and finer and therefore powerful, effective and evolutionary. Therefore sharper skills develop that makes man more effective and also to explore higher and higher levels of consciousness;

Anad that is Evolution.

Heartfulness Meditation - a Path for Evolution of Consciousness

Heartfulness Meditation is a simple system of Raja-yogic Meditation that promotes a heart-centric life that has very effective tools for the evolution to happen in the human being at an individual level.

Basically there are four main practices or tools to be practiced on a daily basis that contribute to our evolution of Consciousness in an incremental fashion.They are:

1) Heartfulness Relaxation Method that relaxes the body and mind, thus prepares one for Meditation (a 5-7 minutes process)

2) Heartfulness Meditation with the aid of Divine Transmission, that teaches us how to mediate on heart. (at least for 30 minutes to start with).

3) Heartfulness Cleaning, a unique process that involves inner purification of Chakras, the various centres of human evolution.

4) Heartfulness Prayer, a tool that allows one to connect with the innermost core of one's being the higher Self and be centred as one progresses.

A regular practice of these four tools results in a shift of consciousness on a daily basis that develops into a meditative state of mind in the individual, a yogic state with which a human being performs better and better in all facets of his life. Progressively the quality of consciousness gets more and more refined and subtle. There is progressive increase of peace in the heart and stress minimized. The individual will be in a better position to face the everyday challenges without panicking and being least stressed. Only experience is the best giver of the real knowledge. Anybody above 15 years of age is welcome to try and get benfitted enormously.

Moksha or Liberation

2022-06-22T10:39:00.002+05:30

Moksha can be understood as a higher consciousness that is worth aspiring to. Moksha essentially means liberation. Liberation from what? From the bondage of the dualities that we are all caught in. For example, Day-Night, Light-Darkness, Contentment-Desires, Restlessness-Peace, Compassion-Frustration, Courage-Fear, Clarity -Illusions, Pleasure- Pain, Knowledge-Ignorance etc. We are torn and bound within these pairs of opposites. The World that we are living in is full of these dualities or pairs of opposites. It is our Consciousness/Awareness that is bound or free. So Moksha is the state of higher Awareness that takes us beyond the dualities of life that we call bondage. This bondage is the cause of our miseries and suffering we all can easily experience. We cannot have one without the other; that is bondage. However there are yogic practices to achieve this higher consciousness.

The Higher State of Consciousness called Moksha when one achieves lives in a way that is untouched by these dualities and so no impressions are made that is the cause of re-incarnation. And therefore there is a choice of having a re-birth or no rebirth. The soul will be enjoying this choice. And this is something that can be experienced when one is still in body also. Not only after death. Therefore it is a matter of achieving or arriving at a higher consciousness called Moksha. There is still a tremendous spiritual journey to trek after this. This is the least a human being must aspire to. Therefore Moksha is an evolutionary state of Consciousness that is possible to be experienced here and now.