Re-visiting the purpose of this course and this life by understanding the Enlightened:

• S/he is “Turiya svapnah” — they are beyond change (Turiya) and see the world of pleasure, possession, position as a shadow or a dream (svapna).
• S/he is in the state of “Bhaava-mukha” — having experienced Nirvikalpa samadhi (experiencing Oneness with no sense of individuality), they enter a state of Savikalpa samadhi (experiencing Oneness while also maintaining a subtle sense of individuality) in order to serve and guide us all.
• S/he is “Adi Kaarika Purusha”, an instrument of God. They are fueled by the power of God alone and directed by the will of God.
• S/he is “Paakaami” — like a ripe fruit. Just as a ripe fruit is ready to fall from the tree but is still attached to it, their ego is ready to fall but is subtly sustained in order to serve as an instrument of God.

Review of the course thus far:

• Chapters 1–12: We learned about the lifestyle that must be lived in order to be prepared for contemplation. We must live a lifestyle that is characterized by Sattva — that is aligned with Sat, Truth.
• Chapter 13: We prepared a seat and a clean, simple, and inspiring space and sanctum for contemplation.
• Chapter 14: We learned about the evolution of human endeavors — from first focusing on the functional to finally focusing on the fundamental. (Age of perception → Age of contemplation)
• Chapter 15: To prepare our minds for contemplation, we learned that we must raise the quality of thoughts, reduce the quantity of thoughts, and redirect the flow of thoughts.
• Chapter 16: We learned how to practice Japa, which harnesses meaningful repetition to reprogram the mind (raising, reducing, redirecting).
• Chapter 17: We learned about the sacred mantra Om. In order for the finite mind to hold on to the Infinite, a symbol is needed — that symbol is Om.

Chapter 18: The Gayatri Mantra

There are three times every day when our eyes cannot see clearly and need to adjust. It is at these three times (sunrise, noon, sunset), known as the Sandhyas, that the Gayatri Mantra is traditionally chanted, with the purpose of re-focusing our minds on our Goal. The mantra is:

Om Tat Savitur varenyam

Bhargo Devasya dhimahi

Dhiyo yo nah pracodayaat

Pujya Gurudev’s translation is: “We meditate upon the auspicious, Godly light of the Lord Sun. May that heavenly light illumine the thought flow in our intellect.”

This single mantra is considered the essence of all the Vedas and of all mantras. How might this be? In the mantra, the “Godly light of the Lord Sun” refers to the Atman within us — the Awareness which illumines all our experiences. The essence of this Gayatri Mantra is viveka — the mantra affirms the distinction between Spirit (Atman, Awareness) and matter (in this case, the intellect) and expresses our Goal of manifesting the Spirit in our lives. When we do not practice viveka (distinguishing between Spirit and matter, or Self and not-Self, or Reality and illusion, etc.), we think that we are one entity that has the properties of both Spirit and matter. This mantra clarifies that there are two distinct aspects of our experience — the Spirit, which is the illuminator, and matter, which is the illuminated. By chanting this mantra, we affirm that as we search for Self Knowledge and Independent Joy, we will direct our search towards the Spirit and not towards matter. When we truly understand this mantra, we understand where to look for our Self/Joy. Thus, we are no longer searching; we are seeking.

Review of last week’s RAW (hearing the word “Soham” in each breath): each inhalation and exhalation is a proof that God pervades all life.

Q/A (paraphrased):

• Q: I’ve heard that the Gayatri mantra must be chanted at home, sitting down, in the evening, and outside, standing up in the morning. What is the significance of that?
• A: These guidelines are based on the circumstances of life thousands of years ago and do not apply to today. What’s important is that we understand the essence of the Gayatri Mantra and put it into practice. It does not matter if we chant standing up or sitting down. There is also a social tradition that only male brahmins are taught the Gayatri Mantra in the Upanayanam ceremony. This does not have any justification; Vedanta is for all.
• Q: How does practicing viveka lead to loving others?
• A: When viveka is not practiced, we see difference where there really is no difference and begin treating people differently based on their race, gender, etc. When viveka is correctly practiced, we distinguish peace from pleasure/possession/position, we seek peace, and naturally begin to treat others like our own Self.
• Q: Are the three gunas (tamas, rajas, sattva) associated with SatChitAnanda?
• A: Yes. Sat (Existence) is associated with tamas (inertia), Chit (Awareness) is associated with rajas (activity), and Ananda (Joy) is associated with sattva (equilibrium).