- Sri K.C.Srihari
The real craving of man keeps him in constant restlessness,
and he works only to gain his real goal
The above saying emphasizes the need to have a real craving
so as to keep one in constant restlessness so that one works
towards his real goal.
We are aware of what craving is. The cravings for sweets,
craving for children, craving for money, are few examples
highlighting the general tendency that we see commonly.
This general tendency of man is best described by the Master
in the ‘Craving of the soul’ as follows “Man is generally
charmed so much by the environment as he has made for
himself unconsciously, that he seldom thinks of rising above
it. But how this is to be made possible? When we ponder over
it, we find that we have set up in us a community of
thoughts, feeding it with impulses, nurtured in the nursery
of the brain, views from all corners resound the same note
in their ears giving additional strength, and intensifying
the effect of the environment further”. He goes on to say
“when once we have realised that these are the spoiling
agents, it means some diversion has come in. This may be
taken as the first step towards vairagya or renunciation,
and our thought is then set on something better and nobler.
Our duty is to grasp it firmly and stick to it at all
cost.”
This would be the first step in developing the real
craving. Most of time the craving is to satisfy the senses
and such a craving will not fulfill that of the soul that
seeks something nobler and lasting. We must realize the
temporary nature of events and their effect on us. The
repeated influx of pranahuti is required so that the
spoiling agents are brought to our notice. It is not enough
that we take notice of it. We are expected to take such
actions as to keep our thoughts on something better and
nobler.
‘All cost’ in the above quote would require a strong
determination on our part. A determination to avoid
companies that are not spiritual, an aspect that was
discussed during our recent Basant celebrations where we
were exhorted saying that to the extent we think about
things other than the Master, to that extent we stand to
lose. Turbulent times in our lives are but tests given by
the lord to test our determination. The lives of our masters
are examples for us to follow in times of trials and
tribulations. It is this determination that is required to
develop the constant restlessness.
There are many aspirants in the system who develop a state
of complacency as they are satisfied with the changes felt
in themselves. That by itself is not a small achievement,
although compared to the ocean that we have to swim, it
might just be a small oasis. Some aspirants are also
seemingly determined to reach the goal. It is observed that
when troubled times are there the intensity in their sadhana
is more. The moment the circumstances change, their sadhana
also lapses and they lose interest.
To work towards gaining the real goal, Master says “The
abhyasi's part is to be perfectly obedient to the Master. I
mean to say that he should comply with the directions given
to him, having faith, or at least trust, in the Master, and
confidence in himself.”
We are asked by the Master to work with love, patience and
co-operation. It is to be noted that all of these are
possible only when the higher mind is dominant at all times.
If I may offer you a hint as to how take the right decision
during times of crisis, ask yourself this question “what
would Master do in this situation?” If we yield to the
solution that comes to us rather than to our ego, we would
have taken a step further towards our goal.
Master says it is when “The Supreme is convinced of the
devotee’s earnestness of purpose” (commandment 3) that
Divine help comes taking us towards the real goal. When our
attention is fixed upon spirituality and we aspire to find
out by asking the question ‘what He is in Himself’. Our
real goal is not whether we have been put in universal
consciousness or not, but a restlessness for that stage of
oneness with Him. There is no end to this oneness.
The real goal of life or realization is to realize that we
are masters. Only that we are not constantly aware of it.
It is for this awareness only that our mind, deeper
conscience, cognition and ego have to be purified by
thorough cleaning.
The goal is not a thing that is something far off but is our
true nature. To quote from Imperience Beckons - “The Goal,
the imaginary goal of complete oneness with God during
meditation is not the Goal advocated by Sri Ram Chandra.
That is not what He is asking us to achieve, whatever we say
of our state of mind during our meditation shall find
expression outside and when can it be? When we are a total
'Zero', not when we become zero during meditation, which
most of us become-most of us have achieved that stage. Most
of us have achieved a stage of oneness with Him, in
meditation we are finding ourselves calm, absolutely
undisturbed, no thought, and everything is fine in deep
Samadhi. Still when others see us, they see us as X, Y, Z.
They don't see Divinity in us. The reason for that is we
have still hidden Him inside, the Divinity is still inside
the cave.” Imperience Beckons (pg 98-99)
Becoming zero would require us to demolish our individuality
even as explained by Rev. Sir in the seminar ‘Demolition of
the past is a chapter in the Natural Path’ where the
following stages were described in detail
·
Limited Individuality
·
Annihilation of the false
·
Annihilation of the apparent
·
The individuality
·
Annihilation of all desires
·
Annihilation of self (lover)
·
Demolition of our individuality in the Master
One might think that the last step is the end. But the
system is ‘Towards Infinity’ (perfection) and as such there
is no end towards that perfection
When we say we have become one with the Master, it means
only this – that our expression is reflecting the
experiences that we get in our meditations. We start
working for the Master as his body. Our state of mind
during meditation expresses in us where we do not judge
others. Our nature having become that of unconditional
love, it becomes natural to pray for others.
Master wants everyone to move towards the center and is ever
restless to take people there. When the Master is restless
to have everyone move towards the centre and if we say that
we are working for the Master and are one with him, we
cannot help but be restless. Then we work only for His
purpose. Excuses then will not be given as to any lapses in
sadhana. When our union with the Master becomes complete,
the restlessness of the Master becomes our restlessness and
we work only for the goal that everyone must move towards
Him.
Pranams
|