February 10, 2022 – Class Notes by Prema Palaniappan
Introduction
The intelligence quotient (IQ) is a measure used to earn respect from others. The spiritual quotient (SQ) is a measure of how much we respect ourselves. Between the two, there is greater utility in the SQ. People respecting us is fragile whereas respecting ourselves is firm and foundational. When one has a higher SQ, all that one does is more efficient. Our course is a form of tapah (to burn down our comfort zone). Until now, our comfort zone has been our IQ. Now, we are burning it down to build our SQ- to become more reflective. The Seeker’s Wordbook and the Moksha Patha have been designed for this. The Seeker’s Wordbook has a pointer, phrase, paragraph, and picture for us to ponder on. Every space of the Moksha Patha is a mirror to who we are – for us to question whether we have a particular vice or virtue. We will know our SQ is growing when we engage in more ekāgratā (focus). When we focus on an entity, we can understand it. With more focus, there is a decrease in rāga (attachment). When we get to know someone well and get to know the essence of who they are, there is no attachment. You love them and in that love there is independence.
Review
Step 50 – vṛtti – (thought)
Thoughts are powerful which is why we need to direct them. When we direct thoughts, it is called thinking. The Sanskrit word for human is manava – the one who manyate (thinks). When we are not thinking, we need to observe. These are 2 practices that should be going on in our minds. When we are actively using our mind, we should think. We should visualize our mind as a post office. In a post office, every letter and package that comes into the office is known by the administrator. Likewise, nothing should happen in our mind that we do not know about- either we are thinking or observing.
Step 51 – vasana (print)
The technical definition of vasana is smell. All that we do leaves a print on us. We should direct our lifestyle so that what is being printed on us makes us fragrant – more cheerful and more content. Whenever we are engaged in what is right and leads us to be more cheerful, we must pronounce it, write it out, or say it so that the print becomes deeper and deeper.
Discourse
Step 52 – artha (meaning)
The societal definition of artha is wealth. The reflective definition of artha is meaning. There is a discrepancy because defining artha as wealth is easy. To live for wealth is the path of least resistance. To live for meaning is difficult for us and therefore we do not do it. When one lives for wealth they become aartha (dejected). How can wealth be our purpose? It can be for a short period of time, but while we amass wealth we know it is not sustainable. We live for wealth because we are instinctive and everyone else is doing it. We know definitively that we are defining artha as wealth when we are busy. Being busy is a sign of wealth and not meaning. Stress comes with being busy. For those whose life is directed towards meaning, purpose pulls performance which pulls peace. They are intentional and engaged. They are serene. Humans, by design, need that which is authentic and deep and wealth is neither of these. We need to live our lives in such a way that we do not have to prove anything to anyone. It is our life. Svadhyaya (self reflection) is critical to shift from wealth to meaning. The more reflection we engage in, the more we can relate to our guide and map. If we find this class is not relatable, it is not the teaching; rather it is because we are focused on wealth and not meaning. Bhagavan Krishna is not concerned about one’s wealth but is concerned about their bhakti. He shares that we can offer a fruit or a leaf as long as we are offering with bhakti.
Step 53 – rūpa (form)
Every form has a name that is required to function. However, every entity has aspects that are deeper. The most surface aspect is our nama (name), deeper than that is the rupa (form), deeper than that is guna (quality), and the deepest is dhama or Presence (Spirit/Existence). Bhagavan Narayana has 4 hands up and each of his hands shows how to be closer to him. The first is to know His name, then His form, His qualities, and finally dhama where we are one with Him. We and Bhagavan are one. As we understand and appreciate this more, we will come to know the dhama is the same for all of us. When we move away from Presence, there are more differences; these increase as we move from dhama to guna to rupa to nama. We are all different but we are not separate including animals, plants and stones. By accepting each other, we have the understanding that we are not separate. By adapting to each other, we recognize and appreciate that we are different. Rūpa here is form but refers to the Absolute form Svarūpa.
Step 54 – varṇa (color)
When we refer to someone’s personality, we are referring to their varṇa. Bhagavan Krishna shares in Bhagavad Gita that the personality is best known as the guna and karma. Guna is our prints/vasanas and karma is our profession. A profession is not associated with payment but is our calling that occupies us. Our personality seed tends to be expressed through karma or profession but karma does not equate to guna. When we do not think deeply, varṇa becomes caste. Our unconscious (vasana) is a combination of tamas, rajas and sattva. These express in our subconscious (mind, intellect) which is our varṇa that expresses as our “conscious” – how we speak and act. More deep than the unconscious is Awareness – who we are fundamentally. On top of Awareness, there is a print, personality, and profession. So, our personality’s purpose is to know and unite with Awareness. Knowing the personality we have can help us find the path to Awareness.
How in tune are we with the Spirit? The Spirit is infinite. The more in tune we are with the Spirit, the more we can drop off our limits. This demands tapah which does not follow the path of least resistance.
Summary:
Step 52 – (artha) Practice: Self-reflection to shift from wealth to meaning.
Step 53 – (rūpa) Practice: Accept and adapt to each other.
Step 54 – (varṇa) Practice: Know the personality and we can find the path to Awareness
Discussion Subject (from last week)
How to be stronger than pressure?
Vivekji’s Observation
We always protect what we value. If we value our life, we will direct our life rather than letting society control our life.
Discussion Subject this week
How are we thinking differently now?
Vivekji’s Observation
Reflective and reactive are antonyms. If we do not respect any entity (a person, a book, etc) we cannot learn from it. That’s why respect is instilled from a young age. If we respect everything, we learn from everything. There is a significant deficiency in the way society is designed today – respect is not there and people have stopped learning.
This course has enabled us to have more faith in the pillars of Sanatana Dharma which means more faith in Infinity, Divinity, our Map, our Guide, and ourselves as disciples. The more reflective one becomes, the more one will feel this ladder is real and is the real facet of life.
Questions
Q: How to make a decision when there are conflicting responsibilities/dharmas?
A: Decisions should be based on these filters: the person is the lowest, purpose is higher and Presence is the highest. So if we put the options through the filter, the right decision is the one that touches the higher or highest. Practicing empathy is nearly impossible. Nobody knows us as we do. When we know that we work harder to understand everyone, we accept that not everyone understands us. So whatever happens, we need to be cheerful with that.
Q: What is the right way to practice mauna?
A: The highest form is Silence. As we come down in difficulty, it is to observe all that is happening in the inner world. When we go for a walk, we can notice the flowers, stones, etc but we need to notice our thoughts and sense of separation. Coming down more from observation is reflection. We need to ask fundamental questions like are we happy, what will we be remembered for, etc. Coming down more is japa and then, perception where we breathe in deeply or are tasting something or smelling something. Perception is body-based whereas observation is intellect-based.
Reflection Adventures of the Week
Vivekji’s observations on last week’s RAWs:
- Take Vitamin R3 daily and start no later than 6am. Run 30 mins, read that which is inspiring for 20 mins and research into yourself for 10 mins.
Observation: mauna is a catalyst to manana. When we close our mouth it helps us to open our mind. We can reflect on what someone else is saying
- Drink a cup of hot water (no tea or coffee) by yourself. During this time write and reflect about anything that is disturbing your peace.
Observation: anything that is disturbing us is either us complaining, blaming or annotating because we can only be disturbed if we allow ourselves to be disturbed. The more we are by ourselves, the more we can accept.
RAW for this week:
- Wear the same garments for 2 days. After 2 days, change to a new set and wear it for another 2 days. Repeat.
- Do not leave any of your own dishes in the sink.