Opening Prayers
Recall: In our earlier class we looked at the list of scriptures available to us and how Vedas contain knowledge in every field of worldly science.
Before we look at the vision of our scriptures let us analyze our vision or how we perceive the world. The caterpillar story was told in which a caterpillar struggled to reach the top of a post and found its friend already flying high as a butterfly because as a caterpillar, it spent a life of quietude in a cocoon and realized its potential to fly.
We are all like caterpillars running after name, fame and wealth only to find out they are not the real source of happiness. But we are in essence the butterflies and how do we recognize that. We have to learn to be still like the caterpillar, quieten our minds and recognize who we are.
Let us understand our vision first. Our vision influences our thoughts, accordingly we choose, accordingly we act, accordingly we get the results of joys and sorrows. Our vision is clouded by impurities of the mind, restlessness of the mind and lack of knowledge of the Supreme Self. How do we solve these three kinds of problems? The answer is Vedas.
The Vedas are divided into three kandas or sections that directly address these basic problems.
Karma kanda removes the impurities of the mind,
Upasana kanda removes the restlessness of the mind and
Jnana kanda removes ignorance by revealing the highest knowledge.
Let's talk about the impurities of the mind:
All activities can be classified into two categories: perception and response.
The key question is - How are we perceiving and responding?
Think. What is the motivating factor behind doing things we like to do and avoiding things we do not like to do?
In scriptural language - our activities are said to be 'vasana anusarin' - prompted by Vasanas.
All our perceptions, actions and responses are controlled by our likes (raga) and our dislikes (dvesa), which are direct manifestations of our vasanas.
These likes and dislikes are what we call the impurities of the mind.
The Two Wolves story was told to show which wolf we feed inside us - the one with anger, greed, superiority etc.. or the one with kindness, truth, faith etc..
Impurities of the mind (our likes and dislikes) must be eliminated, and this is the purpose of the karma kanda portion of the Vedas. Karma kanda talks of certain daily disciplines required according to our stage in life.
Restlessness of the Mind:
If the mind becomes pure then it becomes steady and concentrated.
There is a need to be in this state for some time before removing the restlessness of the mind.
Upasana means 'worship' or 'sitting near'. 'Upa' - near & 'asana' - sit.
Example - A log of wood when it is placed near a fire eventually catches fire.
Upasana Kanda has wonderful meditation prescriptions in which we are given a symbol, representing a greater ideal, upon which to fix our mind. With the help of meditation or Upasana, the mind becomes a powerhouse of energy and the mind is ready for the highest knowledge.
Ignorance of the Self:
With a pure and steadfast mind the quest for knowledge begins. Jnana kanda which contains the Vedanta or Upanishads provides the subject matter to find the highest knowledge which is learned by sitting near the feet of the master.
God according to Kena Upanishad.
That which is not seen, but because of which the eyes are able to see; that which cannot be described by words, but because of which our speech is able to describe other things; that which is not heard by the ears, but because of which ears are able to hear; that is Brahman.
Telescope and light bulb examples were given to explain the above.
Character as defined by our Gurudev:
"Character is formed from the repeated choice of thoughts and action. Make the right choice and we shall have a firm and noble character.
Actions are the louder expression of thoughts. The quality of thoughts is ordered by the nature of our inner belief and faith. Our scriptures mold our inner belief and faith"
- Swami Chinmayananda
Geeta Chanting
Closing Prayers.
Regards,
Rukmani & Partha