MORE ON RAAGA....
When a man constantly thinks about
objects, attachment for those objects arises. From attachment is born desire,
and from desire is born anger. From anger comes delusion, from delusion comes
loss of memory, from loss of memory comes destruction of intellect, and once
the intellect is destroyed, he perishes.
(Bhagavad Gita Verse 62-63, Chapter 2)
Here is the entire sequence of events as mentioned in the 2 shlokas:
Constant thinking of material objects -> attachment -> desire -> anger -> delusion -> loss of memory -> destruction of intellect -> individual perishes.
A person has thoughts about a second-hand car on sale -> gets
attached to that car deal -> desire to buy that car on sale is created.
Now, at this point, he has purchased the car and is extremely attached to it. Even without going forward in the sequence, we can see that the material desire to procure that car has taken the person away from performing his svadharma.
Now, at this point, he has purchased the car and is extremely attached to it. Even without going forward in the sequence, we can see that the material desire to procure that car has taken the person away from performing his svadharma.
His equanimity has already been disturbed. He is dragged back
into the material world, and has taken one step backwards from moksha or
freedom.
Let's move forward in the sequence:
Let's move forward in the sequence:
The car breaks down or meets up with an accident or someone mischievously
makes scratches on the car -> he is angry that it has broken down -> he
completely loses his equanimity -> takes anger out on his family member
-> family environment is agitated.
Here, not only has he completely lost his equanimity, but has also caused pain to other members of his family. So, the message here is that constant pondering and thinking about objects eventually leads to moving away from equanimity, hence it is to be avoided, or at least minimized to the extent possible.
NON-ATTACHMENT
Attachment is an attraction or a like which we express in many
different ways to people, situations, possessions and definitely in our own
projections and expressions. In fact, we do not know how to live without
attachment.
Detachment is a very strong word. Our understanding of detachment
is to repulse something to which we are attached or attracted. This is where
the negative qualities of the human mind come to the surface and make a person
insensitive and self-centered. Reactions that happen due to the influence of
such negative individual traits can often lead to discord and disharmony.
Yoga says no to detachment. Do not avoid situations in life or
even in yourself, but learn to accept the existence of the things that are
around you.
Once you have accepted them and know their nature, then it is
possible to become non-attached. The word 'non-attachment' does not really
exist in English, but it exists in Sanskrit in the form of vairagya, meaning to
be free from attachment, without rejecting anything. It represents a state of
mind that is continuously observing the nature of events and is unaffected.
Non-attachment can easily be developed provided we can expand our awareness to
see the reality behind things.
The word vairagya is composed of two words: raga meaning
attraction and vi meaning not to be affected. Vi is a prefix which in
combination with raga means 'not being affected by attraction'. It goes without
saying that once we are attracted to something, the possessive qualities of our
nature and ego manifest. Sometimes that attraction can be positive, sometimes
negative. We have to look at things from their positive as well as their
negative aspect. When attraction is negative it is limiting; when attraction is
positive it is freeing. It gives a different vision of things.
Positive attraction is known as non-attachment, acceptance of
situations without reacting negatively to them. It is like the prayer of St
Francis of Assisi: “Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is,
discord let me sow love.” This is not a philosophical statement but a very
practical one.
So, non-attachment is a state of mind which is full of viveka,
discrimination. In fact, we can even call it viveka. Have the ability to
discriminate and act accordingly. That is the yogic concept of non-attachment.
ATTACH,
TO DETACH
Above all, Golden rule is, turn your mind inward, from senses to
God. Through the path of devotion- surrender or through the path of Wisdom,
channelize your mind from senses to the power within, the source within, the
love within, the God within.
You cannot hold on to the same attachment forever and try and
deliberate to detach from it. Attach to higher source, Attach to God, you won’t
even have time and inclination to attach to the world.
An often repeated tamil poem
verse used by the author in his sessions is as under:-
“Mangaada Seeragathai Tandeerel, teden perungayam, er agathu
chettiyare”
(If you grace me with the higher and never diminishing ( mangada)
abode of thy love (seer agam), Why will I ever run after the
diminishing, temporary desires of this body ( teden perum kayam), O lord of Chidambaram!).
(If I am turned towards you, focused on your, immersed in your
love( surrender session- devotion transforming to love), then why and HOW can I
turn towards senses and run towards desires caused due to attachment/ Raga of
this body?)
Love
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