Satsang by Sri P Gopikrishna

23. SATSANGAM
(Read, Understand, Appreciate, Internalise and Assimilate to reach the Ultimate)

BLISSFUL & HAPPY NEW YEAR

AANANDAYAA DEYA SARVA DEVAANI;
AANANDAYAA JIIVANTE JIIVAAH;
AANANDAYAA PRALAYAANTAKA, VISHANGA VISHANTI

We emanate from BLISS
We sustain in BLISS
We merge in BLISS

For the New Year

Neither sun nor moon
nor star nor fire shines;
Everything reflects the light of the Lord.
May we realize him in our consciousness;
There is no other way to conquer death.

Shvetashvatare Upanishad

Chintamani, the Celestial Gem

Q.: How long will it take to gain chintamani, the celestial gem that grants all one's wishes?

M.: The example of Chintamani is found in Yoga Vasishta. Chintamani signifies the real nature of the Self. The story is as follows: A man was doing tapas in order to gain chintamani. A gem mysteriously fell into his hands, but he thought that it could not possibly be the chintamani because his effort had been too short and too little to gain the gem. He discarded it and continues with his tapas. Later, a sadhu placed before him a brilliant pebble cut into shape. The man was taken in by its appearance but found that it could not fulfil his desire as had been claimed. Similarly, as the Self is inherent, it should not be looked for elsewhere.

When the Sun is Risen

When the room is dark a lamp is necessary to illumine and eyes to cognise objects. But when the sun is risen there is no need of a lamp, and the objects are seen; and to see the sun no lamp is necessary, it is enough that you turn your eyes towards the self-luminous sun. Similar with the mind. To see the objects the reflected light of the mind is necessary. To see the Heart it is enough that the mind is turned towards it. Then the mind loses itself and the Heart shines forth.

Some of Bhagavan's personal instructions -- Moments Remembered

1. If you observe the breathing one-pointedly such attention will lead you spontanesously into kumbhaka (retention) - this is jnana pranayama.
2. The more you humble yourself, the better it is for you, in all ways.
3. By withdrawing the mind within, you can live anywhere and under any circumstances.
4. You should look upon the world only as a dream.
5. Do not allow your mind to be distracted by objective things and by thoughts. Except attending to your allotted duty-work in life, the rest of your time should be spend in atma nishta; do not waste even a second in inattention, lethargy.
6. Do not cause even the slightest hindrance or disturbance to others. Also, do all your work yourself.
7. Both likes and dislikes should be equally discarded and eschewed.
8. With attention focussed on the first person and on the heart within, one should relentlessly practice Who am I? When this is done one-pointedly, one's breathing will subside of itself. During such controlled practice, the mind might suddenly spring up; so you have to vigilantly pursue the vichara, Who am I?

To remain silent without thoughts is the Whole;
To remain without thoughts is Nishta;
To remain without thoughts is Jnana;
To remain without thoughts is Moksha;
To remain without thoughts is Sahaja.

Therefore, the state without any trace of thoughts is the Final State of Fullness, indeed!

... Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi

Deliverance (Mukti)

Death means the dissolution of the ego, and birth means the rebirth of the ego. There are births and deaths, but they are of the ego; not of You. You exist whether the sense of ego is there or not. You are its source, but not the ego-sense.

Deliverance (mukti) means finding the origin of these births and deaths and demolishing the ego-sense to its very roots. That is deliverance. It means death with full awareness. If one dies thus, one is born again simultaneously and in the same place with Aham sphurana known as 'Aham, Aham (I,I). One who is born thus, has no doubts whatsoever.
Simple Saadhana

"If you want to enjoy peace and happiness, practise this simple Sadhana. Adapt, adjust and accommodate. Lack of this divine quality of adaptability is the cause for disharmony, quarrels, riots and wars."

Forgive and Forget

"If anyone injures you, forgive him and forget the injury done by him. You will gain immense spiritual strength."
Duties

"All duties--domestic, social and the like--are only relative. The ultimate and chief duty of every human being is the attainment of Truth, God-realisation. The discharge of all duties is, in reality, to qualify man for this highest duty."

Victory

"Even a little victory in the inner battle with your mind and senses will develop your will-power and give you more assurance and courage. But do not be swayed by success. Be humble and grateful."