Sunday, November 27, 2016

The physical-vital ego & desire are one / Atman NItyananda




The physical-vital ego & desire are one

The physical-vital ego it is not different from desire. This ego and desire are one and the same energy.

This desirous ego identifies with the body and seeks pleasures through senses. It moves between pleasure and pain. It struggles to avoid pain and enjoy as much as possible pleasures, power, fame and name.

This physical ego cannot understand that the very seeking of pleasure is pain and also that all pain and suffering are caused by the pleasures; thus we deluded by this unintelligent ego we create our self-made prison of suffering.

Detached observation of th vital-ego, discriminative enquiry and self-awareness (the inner silent space of consciousness) are the fundamental means to get rid and dissolve this vital ego.

Japa nama, prayer, kirtan, reflection, repetition of the names, satsang,  of God, meditation, pranayama, self-analysis, self-enquiry, affirmations, cultivation of virtues, as well as other techniques like EFT, purification of 49 subconscious levels of mind, purification of Nadis and chakras, Bach remedies are all important means to dissolve this virus-like ego.

But most important even than practices is our attitude and our inner state. A high aspiration to realize the Truth and be free from this mechanical compulsive ego, self-confidence, faith, determination, tenacity perseverance, patience, forbearance, sincerity and constant diligent practice are necessary to succeed in this endeavour; difficult indeed but possible to whom that gives all his energy, heart and mind to achieve it.

Read also: 

FREEDOM IS TO LOVE WITHOUT CONDITIONS. / Atman Nityananda



Black Friday Shopping
FREEDOM IS TO LOVE WITHOUT CONDITIONS

Only he who is free from desires is free from illusions.

Only he who is free from desires is free from anger, fear and pride.

Only he who is free from desires is free from suffering and misery.

Only he who is free from desires does not judge anyone, and loves everyone as it is.

Only he who is free from desires lives free and happy (blessed), within himself with his own Self, the immortal ever blissful Atman (Divine Consciousness).

Friday, November 25, 2016

Our true Self (Consciousness), is beyond the lower and the higher ego ~ Atman Nityananda



Our true Self (Consciousness), is beyond the lower and the higher ego

We have two selves the higher and the lower one. The higher is eternal and the lower temporary. The higher or true Self is the Atman (pure Consciousness) which is identical with Brahman the universal Consciousness, (Spirit or God). The lower self is the ego and has two aspects, the lower or rajasotamasic ego and the higher or sattvic ego. In reality and more precisely the ego is not a self but an illusory identity which hasn't any reality in itself.

The higher Self (Atman), our essential nature is Satchitananda (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss absolute) is beyond the three gunas. Atman is causeless, formless, timeless, changeless and immovable. 
The lower self is made by the three gunas and the elements (5 subtle and 5 gross), it is  temporary (has beginning and end), is changing, has a cause (Divine shakti or Maya), has a form, it is conditioned by the qualities of nature, it is subject to pain and suffering.

Our goal as a human being is to realize that we are the Atman and not the body as we think and feel that we are. Although we are the Atman and never separate from God due to the ego we identify with the body and mind and we live as a separate body-mind entity. The goal of spirituality is the dissolution of the lower self or ego and the reestablishment in our immortal divine nature.

Mind and gunas*

Normally in the mind of every man exist all the gunas. In some prevails the sattva guna (which is very rare), to the majority the rajas and to others el tamas. According the guna that prevails in our mind, the mind it is endowed with certain mental and emotional qualities. The nature of the ego which is part of the mind is also determined by the three gunas. The ego associated with the rajas and tamas gunas it is named rajasotamasic ego and it is the lower ego. The ego associated with the sattva guna it is named sattvic ego and is the higher ego.

The lower ego (rajasotamasic)

The lower ego (rajasotamasic) identifies us to the body, drives the attention outwards and connects you with the outer world through the senses. It attaches to the objects, persons and situations and seeks through them pleasure, success, fame, recognition, power, comforts, possessions and money. Its nature is desire, lust, greed, pride, arrogance, vanity. It moves between rajasic and tamasic mental and emotional states.

The rajasotamasic ego feels always discontent, uneasy, anxious, incomplete, insufficient, bored. It always tries to overcome these negative states as well as the anger, resentment, fear, jealousy, hatred, restlessness, depression, by seeking some kind of pleasant or pleasurable experience.

More specific the tamasic aspect of ego doesn’t want and resists any effort for inner change and development of a higher consciousness. It keeps man in an 'animal' like state. All criminality, violence, exploitation, auto-destructive behavior, insensitiveness, drugs, alcohol, sexual and other perversions, dishonest, addictions, psychopath, are related to the tamasic nature of ego and mind.

The rajasic aspect of ego seeks pleasure, fame, power, money, possessions etc..The rajasic ego does thingsto improve the health, the vitality and the mental capacities, but only for the sake of accomplishing its goals for pleasure, fame, power, money, possessions etc.. According the circumstances and the doshic constitution (Pitta-Kapha-Vata) our rajasic ego make us hyperactive, agitated, volatile, restless, disturbed, distracted, nervous, anxious, superficial, noisy, disruptive, false enthusiasm, excitable, impulsive, ambitious, aggressive, controlling, critical, dominating, manipulating, angry, reckless, proud, vain, controlling, attached, greedy, lustful, materialistic, sentimental, needing security, seeking of comfort and luxury.

Due to hyperactivity, agitation, distraction and excitation of the rajasic mind we fall in tamasic states, because it is impossible to maintain our physical and psychological system in stress and hyperactivity for a long time without to collapse soon or later.

The rajasotamasic ego moves between tamasic and rajasic psychological states and activities. If in the mind there is more rajas the rajasic moments will prevail more time and more often than the tamasic ones and the opposite.

The higher or sattvic ego

The higher or sattvic ego which is the direct instrument of our Soul, seeks love, unity, brotherhood, harmony, purity, peace, equilibrium, creativity, auspiciousness. It seeks higher states of consciousness and a conscious connection with the divine consciousness.

By nature a sattvic ego and mind harmonious, adaptable, flexible, has quick comprehension, good in communication, strong sense of human unity,, good enthusiasm, positive spirit, capacity for positive change and movement, clear, perceptive, high capacity to discern the real from the unreal, the true from the false, good will, friendly, courageous, calm, peaceful, content, stable, consistent, loyal, loving, compassionate, forgiving, patient, devoted, receptive, nurturing, supportive, faith.

The sattvic ego and mind is our faithful servant that can lead us to liberation of the lower mind and the realization of our true nature or Atman (pure Consciousness). If we want to overcome suffering and diseases and live a life of fullness, love, happiness and peace, we must by any possible mean to increase the sattva quality in our mind. There is no other way.

We can increase sattva by two ways. Both are necessary. 1. By seeking outside, sattvic relations, associations, sattvic impressions and by eating sattvic food. 2. By practicing regularly in daily basis spiritual practices like study of sacred texts and spiritual books from enlightened beings, repeat mantras, and doing devotional practices, pranayama, meditation, self-enquiry.

Sattva is the fundamental factor for good health (physical and psychological) and for the achievement of Self-realization. We can success in life and spirituality by increasing the sattva quality in our psyche.

Spirituality is a process by which we dissolve our lower rajasotamasic mind by the power of the higher sattvic mind and finally overcome the sattvic one by identifying completely with our true nature (Atman, pure Consciousness) which is beyond the three gunas, (Atman is gunanita: beyond the gunas).

Practice patiently and steadily for your salvation from the lower qualities of nature and realize your ever free true nature, the Atman (Pure Consciousness) which is eternal freedom, peace and bliss without limits!

NOTE:

Mind and gunas*:
 Mental Types According to the Gunas
To have Sattva predominant in our nature is the key to health, creativity and spirituality.
Sattvic people possess an harmonious and adaptable nature which gives the greatest freedom from disease both physical and mental. They strive toward balance and have peace of mind that cuts off the psychological root of disease. They are considerate of others and take care of themselves. They see all life as a learning experience and look for the good in all things, even in disease which they strive to understand, not merely to suppress.
Rajasic people have good energy but burn themselves out through excessive activity. Their minds are usually agitated and seldom at peace. They have strong opinions seek power over others often regardless of the means. They are impatient and inconsistent in dealing with their problems and do not wish to take the time or responsibility to get well. They blame others for their problems, including their therapists.
Rajasic people can accomplish their goals and are generally in control of their lives. However, they are not awake to their spiritual purpose, and are dominated by the ego in their pursuit of happiness. Life brings them shocks, which can cause them great suffering, particularly when they lose control. Even when they achieve their goals they find that they are still not happy.
Tamasic types have deep-seated psychological blockages. Their energy and emotion tends to be stagnant and repressed and they do not know what their problems really are. They do not seek proper treatment and usually have poor hygiene or poor self-care habits. They accept their condition as fate and do not take advantage of the methods that may alleviate their problems. They allow other people and negative influences to dominate them and do not like to be responsible for their lives. They prefer not to deal with their problems or will not let others know about them, which only allows the problems to get worse. 
The admixture of gunas 
However, we must not forget the admixtures of the gunas. There is a higher rajas and tamas in the field of sattva and a lower sattva in the fields of rajas and tamas. Similarly there are rajasic aspects of tamas and tamasic aspects of rajas. The following are some brief descriptions. 
1. Rajasic Sattva: the acιive or transformative force of sattva, the power of, spiritual aspiration that struggles upward, ever seeking greater growth and unfoldment. It is also any energy of healing that brings about integration and wholeness. 
2. Tamasic Sattva: the destructive force of sattva that eliminates negativity: It is also the stability inherent in sattva, its capacity to endure through all obstacles. It is the capacity of a state of balance to sustain itself and to ward off disease or imbalance. 
3. Sattvic Rajas: the type of religion, spirituality or idealism of rajasic people. It has rajasic traits of aggression, outer expansion and the seeking of power Religions based upon militance, exclusivism and intolerance reflect this quality. 
4. Tamasic Rajas: the inertia of rajasic types, their resistance to any higher force, and holding to their own personal power and impulses regardless of the consequences for themselves or others. 
5. Sattvic Tamas: the religion, spirituality or idealism of tamasic people. It has tamasic traits of destruction, darkness, and delusion. It is the level of dark cults and superstitions. 
6. Rajasic Tamas: the aggression and violence ·of dull and ignorant people lι is perhaps the most destructive gunic quality. Tamasic types literally trample over others and, devoid of sensitivity, delight in harm and destruction. Deep sexual perversions come at this level. 

More about the mind and gunas:  

Thursday, November 24, 2016

THE LIGHT OF CONSCIOUSNESS - THE INNER SUN / Atman nItyananda

 
Perfection is attained when the  buddhi (intellect) becomes as pure as the Atman itself!
                                                ~ Swami Sivananda
 
 THE LIGHT OF CONSCIOUSNESS  - THE INNER SUN

When there are clouds in the sky we see the clouds due to the reflected sunlight on the clouds and thus we know that the sun shines in the sky; but we don't see the brilliant sun itself and we cannot enjoy fully the sunlight and the warm that brings with it.

Only when the sky is clear we can enjoy fully the sunshine and we can see the Sun clearly.

Similarly our ego covers the light of Consciousness of which the nature is Existence eternal, pure Consciousness, Peace and Bliss infinite. Due to reflection of Consciousness on our buddhi and ego we are aware that we Exist and we experience partially the peace and bliss of our inner Sun-consciousness.

When our ego subsides the Buddhi becomes clear like the sky and thus we 'see' clearly the inner light of Consciousness (without any distortion) and we experience completely the peace and bliss eternal!

A pure silent mind free from ego is what is needed to experience clearly that we are that Sun-like Consciousness full of peace and bliss without limits!

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

HOW TO BECOME RICH / Atman Nityananda

HOW TO BECOME RICH

It is hard to acquire a pure mind and a pure heart but it is the only 'thing' worthy to strive for.

There is no treasure greater than a pure heart and a pure mind.

He who possess it is the richest man of the world.

A pure mind and heart is the foundation of fullness, plenitude, freedom, peace and bliss eternal!

Live every moment of your life for Self-realization. Seek the company of saints or advanced spiritual aspirants. Practice with self-confidence, faith, devotion and determination.

Be ready to climb 'mountains' and cross 'oceans' in order to get your freedom.

Seek God, love God, remember God, repeat his name, sing his name, hear his name, dance with his name, control senses and mind, pray, meditate, inquire, discriminate between the Self and the no-self, develop patience, perseverance and forbearance, success is assured. The grace of God is always with you.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

YOU ARE THE CREATOR OF YOUR DESTINY ~ Atman Nityananda


YOU ARE THE CREATOR OF YOUR DESTINY

The mind becomes that which contemplate upon steadily. By feeling what we contemplate upon we accelerate the process.

It is only a matter of constant practice and time.

The most important factors of our evolution are the associations and relations we keep and the impressions and thoughts we permit to enter in our mind.

If you constantly think about the defects of others you will develop these defects.

If you constantly think about the virtues of others you will develop these virtues.

So If you contemplate constantly on peace your mind will become peaceful. If you contemplate on courage you will develop courage. If you contemplate on confidence you will develop self-confidence etc..

If you constantly think of God with love you become God.

READ ALSO:
Meditation on Mahavakhyas By Swami Sivananda
TAT TVAM ASI / 'That you are' ~ Atman Nityananda

 

Friday, November 18, 2016

The mantra " Om Nama Shivaya"

The mantra " Om Nama Shivaya"



  Om mama Shivaya by Turkantam

The mantra Om Namah Sivaya actually means "I offer to Siva a respectful invocation of His Name", and not merely "I respectfully invoke His Name".

Om Namah Shivaya mantra is sung by devotees in prayers and recited by yogis in meditation. It is associated with qualities of prayer, divine-love, grace, truth, and blissfulness.

Traditionally, it is accepted to be a powerful healing mantra beneficial for all physical and mental ailments.

Soulful recitation of this mantra brings peace to the heart and joy to the [Ātman] or Soul.

Sages consider that the recitation of these syllables is sound therapy for the body and nectar for the Soul (Ātman).

The nature of the mantra is the calling upon the higher self; it is the calling upon Shiva, the destroyer deity, to aid in the death (destruction of ego) and rebirth achieved during meditation.

This goes generally for mantras and chants to different gods, which are different aspects of the higher self.

It is called Siva Panchakshara, or Siva Panchakshari, the "five-syllable" mantra (viz., excluding the Om) dedicated to Siva. The Siva Panchakshari mantra is the most holy salutation to Śiva. The Panchakshara can be recited by Shiva devotees during pooja, Japa, Dhyana, homa and while smearing Vibhuti.

~~~

JAPA NAMA  
by Swami Sivananda

Japa Nama is an important limb of Yoga or divine life. A mantra is divinity. Japa is the repetition of the mantra or the names of the Lord.

In Kali Yuga, practice of Japa alone can give eternal peace, bliss and immortality. Japa ultimately results in Samadhi or communion with the Lord.
    
SANKIRTAN or  KIRTAN

 Sankirtan is the singing of Lord’s names with faith and devotion.

When you sing His names, feel that Lord Hari (God) or Ishta Devata* is seated in your heart, that every name of the Lord is filled with divine potencies, that the old vicious impressions in the subconscious mind (Samskaras) and desires (Vasanas) are burnt by the power of the name and that the mind is filled with Sattva or purity, that Rajas and Tamas are completely destroyed, and that the veil of ignorance is torn down. This kind of mental attitude brings the maximum benefit of Sankirtan.

It is not the number of Japa or the length of time of Kirtan that counts for spiritual growth but it is the intensity of Bhava with which the Lord’s names are sung.

COMMENT: Ishta Devata : The form you love to adore God.  viz. Krishna, Jesus Christ  etc.)


READ about the practice with mantra
THE PRACTICE and BENEFITS of JAPA NAMA by Swami Sivananda  
Sankirtan or Kirtan - Atman Nityananda

Monday, November 14, 2016

Let your life be a continuous process of Yoga ~ Swami Sivananda



Seek, and you shall find truth.
Inquire, and you shall understand.
Practice, and you shall experience.
Meditate, and you shall realize.
Live the divine life, and you shall find peace and happiness.

Let your life be a continuous process of Yoga.
Efficiency in action is Yoga.
Serving without bondage is Yoga.
Selfless work is Yoga.
Balance of mind is Yoga.
Ethical perfection is Yoga.
Meditation is Yoga.
Emotional integration is Yoga.
Pure devotion is Yoga.
Enlightenment is Yoga.
Cosmic Consciousness is Yoga.
Come now, become a Yogi !
May God bless you all


Sunday, November 13, 2016

SUFFERING LIES WITHIN US. ~ Atman Nityananda



SUFFERING LIES WITHIN  US

We suffer from what we carry within us and not by what is happening externally to us.

But also what happens to us, it is attracted by what we carry within us!

All suffering is modified sexual, emotional and mental energy crystallized in our energy field and subconscious mind in the form of fear, anger, hatred, depression, grief, jealousy, greed, arrogance, vanity, pride, agony, dissatisfaction, boredom, discontentment, loneliness, etc.

We create the above egoistic propensities due to our wrong relations we have with the external reality as well as the misuse and overuse of our body, vital energy, senses and mind.

Wrong relations and misuse and overuse of our system happen due to ignorance, desire and identification with the body and mind.

When we reestablish the balance and harmony within us, at all levels (which is the result of systematic daily practice and a sattvic way of living), and we are awake and connected with our essence, our Divine nature (Atman, Consciousness), suffering becomes an impossibility!

Friday, November 11, 2016

´Good’ and ‘Bad’ ~ Atman NItyananda


´Good’ and ‘Bad'

 Good and bad are two words that are easily misunderstood and misused, because their meaning is very general. An investigation will help us have a better understanding about the nature of 'good' and 'bad'.

The 'things´ of this world have a relative value. Thus, although there are 'things´ which most of the time have a beneficial effect, in some cases, they can be harmful to us (to our body, prana, mind and intellect), or to others as well. On the other hand there are 'things´ that most of the time have a ‘harmful’ effect, but in certain conditions (although very rare) can be beneficial. 
There are also many 'things´ that are neutral and under certain conditions have a beneficial effect and under other conditions a harmful effect. Our actions can be characterized as 'good' or 'bad' in relation the circumstances, our inner motivation and the way we do them. Thus the same action could be 'good' in one case, it could be wrong in another one and vice versa. Even a virtue when is applied in wrong place, wrong time and in a wrong way loses its positive quality.  

This is also symbolize in the TAO which refers to the dualities of life as Yin and Yan. In the Yin there is potentially the Yang and in the Yang the Yin.

Having all the above in our mind, I consider as ‘good’ what brings equilibrium, health, harmony, peace, happiness, freedom and leads us to the realization of Truth and the unity of life. On the other hand ‘bad’ what causes disequilibrium disease, suffering, imbalance, disharmony, separation, violence, rivalry, war and much more.

Moreover I define as 'good' what is in the 'right position' at a particular place and time and manifested in the proper way).For example, when the fire is in the kitchen and cooks the food is "good" but when it is out of control and destroys a forest or a city is 'bad'. 

In relation to gunas and mind, sattva is the quality that brings harmony, light, happiness while the rajas and tamas gunas cause disequilibrium, diseases and suffering. In their places rajas and tamas are beneficial and necessary qualities for the existence of the universe.

Humans on earth (for various reasons) haven’t developed enough the capacities of discernment, pure reasoning, reflection and detachment  and thus they fail to understand what really is 'good' and 'bad'. They fail to see when something is at its 'right place' and when it is not. 
Due to ignorance and lack of the capacities mentioned above, the majority has a difficulty to discern in every particular situation, what promotes health, harmony, happiness etc. and what the opposite, disequilibrium, suffering, illness, etc.. They have also difficulties to connect their actions with their consequences. But even if they are aware of it, in many cases they cannot follow their understanding, due to their ego; they cannot resist the egoic impulses that impel them act against their understanding and reason. They don’t have the strength to resist the impulse of desire or other psychological conditioning and thus they continue entrapped to what causes disequilibrium, suffering, illness to themselves and others as well.

Most people fail to discern the true from the false (in relation the things, situations and happenings of life), as well as between the Real and the unreal, the Self and the non self. They fail to see the truth behind the information that give us the senses, and most of all they fail to see clearly what is behind the illusory forms – viz. the true Self or Consciousness
When we fail to recognize our true identity, the Consciousness behind all phenomena, then we identify with the body and the mind's  mechanical reactions to the external impressions. Thus develops in us the egoic self  which obstructs the normal function of mind and intellect and the development of their higher capacities. Thus we become slaves of unconscious processes which cause disequilibrium, diseases and suffering.