Friday, February 17, 2017

Manas Buddhi Chitta Ahamkara - Part 18



Benefiting from the learning of four functions of Mind.

The cause of our suffering: The entire cause of our mental and emotional suffering is the false identification between Ahamkara and the data that is stored in Chitta. (Eventually, at a deeper level, the Self is seen to have falsely identified itself with the Four Functions of Mind themselves). By witnessing the Four Functions of Mind, while they are functioning, we increasingly come to see this mistaken identity, which leads to freedom. 

Buddhi becomes witness to this mistaken identity: It is the function of mind called Buddhi, which, once again, knows, decides, adjudges, and discriminates. In other words, Buddhi is the part that sees the situation clearly. Eventually, the Self or Atman is seen as witness to all of the Four Functions of Mind, including Buddhi itself. 

Purifying Buddhi is the most important goal: How does this clarity come? It happens by removing the clouds of spiritual ignorance (avidya) that are blocking the wisdom of Buddhi. Thus, the most important goal of all practices is purifying Buddhi
Three freedoms

There are three freedoms that come sequentially over time through this purifying or clarity of Buddhi

·Actions: First is freedom from the bondage of actions. As Ahamkara and Chitta become less associated through the colorings such as attachment and aversions (kleshas), there is greater freedom in actions.  

·Thoughts: Second is freedom from the bondage of thoughts. The degree of the coloring further weekens through the process of un-clouding the Buddhi

·Ignorance: Third is freedom from the bondage of ignorance (avidya). In this final stage, Buddhi has become so completely clear that it is able to see through all of the process of false identity. 
  
Going Beyond the Mind 

Mind directs, influences, and goes outward

It is imperative that one become aware of the facts that: 

·   Mind controls: It is the mind that is in direct control of the senses, breath, and body. 

·   Mind goes outward: It is the mind that influences the senses and causes them to go out into the external world. 

·  Mind desires: It is the mind that desires to perceive the world through the senses and then to conceptualize and categorize those sense perceptions.

· It's all about training the mind: All sadhanas (spiritual practices), techniques, and disciplines are actually means to train the mind (all of the Four Functions of Mind). 

·  Train mind to go beyond itself: The most important part of the training is to make the mind aware that Reality lies beyond itself, and that this Reality is the eternal aspect of the Self or Soul.

·   Mind is the finest instrument: The mind is the finest instrument that we possess. If it is understood well, the mind can be helpful in our spiritual practices (sadhana). However, the mind must be well-ordered and disciplined. Otherwise, the mind can distract and dissipate all of our potentials.

What Is Meditation? 

Put a piece of iron rod in the blazing furnace. It becomes red like fire. Remove it. It loses its red colour. If you want to keep it always red, you must always keep it in fire. Even so, if you want to keep the mind charged with the fire of God realization goal, you must keep it always in contact or touch with the fire of knowledge through constant and intense meditation.

Leading a virtuous life is not by itself sufficient for God-realization. Concentration of mind is absolutely necessary. A good, virtuous life only prepares the mind as a fit instrument for concentration and meditation. It is concentration and meditation that eventually lead to Self-realization.

God has hidden Himself in this world (immanent) and is seated in the cave of the lotus of your heart. He is an absentee landlord. You will have to seek Him through concentration and meditation with a pure mind. This is the real play of hide and seek.

All the visible things are Maya. Maya will vanish through Jnana or meditation on Atman. One should exert himself to get rid of Maya. Maya havocs through the mind. Destruction of the mind means the annihilation of Maya. Nidhidhyasana is the only way for conquering Maya. Lord Buddha, Raja Bhartrihari, Dattatreya, Akhow of Gujarat - all had conquered Maya and mind through deep meditation only. Enter the silence. Meditate. Meditate. Solitude and intense meditation are two important requisites for Self-Realization.


Love.




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