Mind and Intelligence – 4

 

Introduction

To delve deeper into preparing ourselves as students of the Chidakasha Geeta, we must recognize that the ultimate aim is to align our minds and hearts with higher wisdom. The Chidakasha Geeta, as a repository of profound spiritual teachings, requires the aspirant to refine their inner faculties—specifically the mind (Manas), discrimination (Vivek), and intellect (Buddhi)—so they resonate with the divine truth it conveys.

Channeling the Mind with Vivek and Buddhi

The mind, by its nature, is restless and often swayed by desires and attachments. To bring it under control, it must be guided by:

1. Vivek (Discrimination): This is the ability to discern between the transient and the eternal, the unreal and the real. Vivek helps the aspirant detach from fleeting pleasures and direct focus towards the pursuit of truth.
2. Buddhi (Intelligence): This is the seat of higher reasoning, clarity, and decision-making. When Buddhi is aligned with Vivek, it becomes a powerful tool to navigate the spiritual path and overcome the distractions of the lower mind.

However, for Vivek and Buddhi to take charge of the mind, a higher force is required to harmonize and elevate these faculties. This is where the transformative power of love (Prema) comes into play.

The Power of Love in Spiritual Transformation

Love, as the greatest unifying force, has the ability to calm the mind and guide it towards higher intelligence. When love is directed towards the divine—be it in the form of Lord Rama, Sadguru, or the formless Brahman—it awakens a sense of surrender, devotion, and purity. This selfless love:

• Dissolves ego and attachments.
• Softens the heart, making it receptive to divine grace.
• Bridges the gap between the restless mind and the discerning Buddhi, creating harmony within.

Shree Samartha Ramdas, the great saint and philosopher, emphasizes the importance of holding on to Lord Rama, the embodiment of supreme consciousness (Brahman). For a Sadhak (spiritual aspirant), unwavering devotion to a form of the divine acts as a stabilizing anchor amidst the storms of worldly existence.

Sadguru as the Manifestation of Brahman

The Sadguru, as a living embodiment of the formless (Nirakara) Brahman, plays a crucial role in guiding the aspirant:

• Facilitates Connection: Through the Sadguru’s form (Akara), the aspirant can establish a tangible and emotional connection with the infinite formless reality.
• Embodiment of Knowledge: The Sadguru mirrors the qualities of Brahman—pure consciousness, wisdom, and bliss—offering the Sadhak a practical example of living in harmony with divine truth.
• Bestower of Grace: The Sadguru’s grace (Kripa) can dissolve ignorance and kindle Vivek and Buddhi in the Sadhak, enabling them to access higher dimensions of consciousness.

Practical Steps for Preparation

1. Devotional Practices: Regularly meditate on or chant the name of Lord Rama, focusing on his qualities as the embodiment of supreme consciousness.
2. Surrender to Sadguru: Cultivate humility and faith, recognizing the Sadguru as a guide who facilitates your connection to the infinite.
3. Self-Inquiry: Practice self-reflection to discern between lower impulses and higher aspirations, allowing Vivek and Buddhi to guide your actions.
4. Love as a Foundation: Anchor all practices in love—love for the divine, the Sadguru, and all beings—creating a fertile ground for spiritual growth.

In essence, preparing ourselves for the study of the Chidakasha Geeta involves harmonizing our inner faculties with the power of love and surrendering to the divine guidance of the Sadguru. This ensures that the teachings not only resonate intellectually but also transform us at the core of our being.

सदा सर्वदा प्रीति रामीं धरावी । दुखाची स्वयें सांडि जीवीं करावी ॥ देहेदुःख तें सूख मानीत जावें । विवेकें सदा स्वस्वरूपीं भरावें ॥१० ॥

Ever hold on to the love for Rama; The grief from your heart relieves, striving yourself; Akin to pleasure bodily pain accept. With discrimination, in your true Self forever stay ॥ 10 ॥

“Ever hold on to the love for Rama;”

The phrase “Ever hold on to the love for Rama” carries profound spiritual significance. It calls upon the seeker to cultivate steadfast devotion to Rama, a symbol of Supreme Consciousness, Dharma, and the eternal truth. In the context of Vedantic philosophy, Rama is not just a historical or puranic figure but an embodiment of the ultimate reality, the Brahman, manifesting in a form that devotees can relate to and love.

Nurturing Love for Rama

1. Selfless Surrender: Love for Rama implies surrendering to the Divine will. This surrender is born of trust and faith, allowing the devotee to let go of ego, doubts, and fears. In surrender, the heart finds peace, and the mind finds clarity.
2. Anchoring the Mind: Worldly distractions are numerous and often lead to restlessness. Devotion to Rama acts as a stabilizing force, providing the seeker with a focal point that draws the mind away from fleeting pleasures and toward eternal bliss.
3. Transformational Power of Love: Love is a universal force of transformation. When directed toward Rama, it purifies the heart, burns away impurities (vasanas), and aligns the individual with higher values of compassion, righteousness, and truth. This love becomes a catalyst for spiritual growth.

From Dwaita to Adwaita: Role of Sadguru

In Advaita Vedanta, the ultimate goal is to realize non-duality (Adwaita)—the understanding that the individual self (Jiva) and the Supreme Self (Brahman) are one. However, this realization is not easily accessible to most seekers due to the layers of ignorance (Avidya) and attachment to duality (Dwaita).

1. Sadguru as the Bridge: The Sadguru, a realized master, embodies the state of unity with Brahman. Through their presence, teachings, and grace, they make the abstract concept of non-duality tangible and relatable. A Sadguru often uses devotion (Bhakti) as the initial pathway to transcend duality.
2. Love for the Sadguru: For many seekers, direct love for the impersonal Self is challenging. However, the Sadguru, as a living embodiment of divine truth, becomes a medium through which this love can be expressed. This love is not mere attachment but a recognition of the divine within the Guru, leading the seeker closer to self-realization.
3. Progression from Form to Formlessness: In Bhakti Yoga, the journey often begins with devotion to a personal deity or form (Saguna Brahman, such as Rama). With the Sadguru’s guidance, this love gradually expands beyond form to embrace the formless (Nirguna Brahman), leading to the realization of non-duality.
4. Grace of the Guru: The Guru’s grace (Kripa) is indispensable. The Guru dispels ignorance, corrects the seeker’s misconceptions, and provides the inner strength to persevere on the spiritual path.

The Devotee’s Journey

The phrase emphasizes the importance of constant and unwavering devotion as the cornerstone of spiritual practice. Whether directed toward Rama or the Sadguru, this love dissolves the ego, strengthens faith, and fosters a deeper connection with the eternal truth. As the seeker holds on to this love, they are guided step by step from the dualistic experience of separation to the Advaitic realization of unity.

Ultimately, “Ever hold on to the love for Rama” becomes a timeless instruction to cherish the transformative power of devotion and grace, allowing the seeker to merge with the infinite.

“The grief from your heart relieves, striving yourself;”

“Akin to pleasure bodily pain accept.”

“Akin to pleasure bodily pain accept” encapsulates a fundamental spiritual principle rooted in samatva (equanimity). This teaching reminds the seeker that both pleasure and pain are transient experiences arising from the body and senses, and neither represents the eternal, unchanging essence of their true Self. By cultivating acceptance and balance, the seeker transcends the dualities of life, moving closer to spiritual liberation.

Understanding Pain and Pleasure

1. Transient Nature: Both pleasure and pain are impermanent. They arise due to external circumstances, interactions with the material world, and the body’s responses. Recognizing their temporary nature helps the seeker detach from over-identifying with these experiences.
2. Beyond Dualities: Pain and pleasure are two sides of the same coin, bound by the laws of duality (dvaita). Clinging to pleasure or resisting pain strengthens the ego and perpetuates the cycle of attachment and aversion.
3. Acceptance as Freedom: True freedom lies in accepting both pleasure and pain as equal manifestations of the same divine will. By doing so, the seeker reduces mental agitation and fosters inner peace.

The Role of the Sadguru in Developing Equanimity

1. Becoming Equipoised Like the Guru: The Sadguru embodies equanimity, remaining unaffected by praise or blame, joy or sorrow. As the seeker deepens their connection with the Guru, they begin to mirror this state of balance, learning to accept life’s circumstances with the same steadiness.
2. Surrender of Dualities: Through devotion to the Sadguru, the seeker learns to surrender both joy and pain. In doing so, they release personal ownership of experiences, trusting that the Guru’s wisdom will guide them through all situations.
3. Discrimination Between Real and Unreal: The Sadguru imparts the knowledge of viveka (discrimination), enabling the seeker to distinguish between the ephemeral (body, senses, emotions) and the eternal (Self). This clarity allows the seeker to see pain and pleasure as illusory and unrelated to their true essence.

Seeing the One Essence in All

As the seeker progresses, they come to recognize the underlying unity in all experiences:

1. Oneness Beyond Opposites: Pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow, success and failure—all arise from the same universal source. Realizing this, the seeker perceives the One Essence (Advaita) that pervades everything.
2. Transcending the Body-Sense Identity: By identifying with the Sadguru’s teachings and grace, the seeker transcends bodily limitations and realizes their true nature as beyond duality.
3. Acceptance as Worship: Accepting both pain and pleasure as divine gifts becomes an act of surrender and worship, deepening the seeker’s spiritual connection.

Practical Steps for Sadhaks

1. Cultivate Awareness: Observe the arising and passing of sensations of pleasure and pain without judgment or attachment.
2. Practice Detachment: Remember that neither pleasure nor pain defines who you are. They are merely fleeting experiences.
3. Seek the Guru’s Guidance: Strengthen your relationship with the Sadguru, whose teachings and grace will help you remain balanced.
4. Meditate on Oneness: Reflect on the interconnectedness of all experiences and the unity underlying all dualities.

Conclusion

To “accept bodily pain akin to pleasure” is to embrace the profound equanimity that leads to liberation. With the Sadguru’s guidance and the seeker’s commitment to surrender and self-discrimination, the dualities of life lose their power to disturb. The seeker rises above bodily experiences, anchored in the realization of the eternal, unchanging Self and the omnipresent One Essence.

“With discrimination, in your true Self forever stay.”

“With discrimination, in your true Self forever stay” encapsulates the essence of spiritual wisdom: the practice of viveka (discrimination) leading to Atmanishta (abidance in the Self). This teaching urges the seeker to recognize the eternal truth of the Self (Atman) amidst the fleeting illusions of the material world, thereby attaining liberation.

Understanding Discrimination and Abidance in the Self

1. Viveka (Discrimination):
   Viveka is the ability to discern the real (unchanging, eternal Atman) from the unreal (the transient body, mind, and world). This discrimination helps the seeker understand the futility of chasing ephemeral pleasures and anchor their focus on the everlasting truth.
2. Atmanishta (Abidance in the Self):
   Atmanishta is the state of being firmly established in the awareness of one’s true Self. It is a result of sustained discrimination, surrender, and spiritual practice, where the seeker transcends dualities and abides in the blissful, undisturbed essence of the Self.
3. Freedom from the Unreal:
   By staying rooted in the Self, the seeker rises above the turmoil of the external world. The body, senses, and mind no longer dictate their experience, as they remain anchored in the eternal truth.

The Role of the Sadguru

1. Grace as the Catalyst:
   The grace of the Sadguru is instrumental in awakening and strengthening the seeker’s discrimination. The Guru’s teachings illuminate the path, making it possible to distinguish between the real and the illusory, and to let go of attachments to the transient.
2. Viveka and Buddhi (Intellect):
   Under the Sadguru’s guidance, the seeker develops a refined intellect that sees beyond surface appearances. The Guru teaches the seeker to direct their attention inward, toward the Self, rather than outward to the impermanent world.
3. Knowledge of Oneness:
   The Sadguru reveals the underlying unity of all existence. This realization of the One pervading the universe (Advaita) liberates the seeker from ignorance and the cycle of birth and death.

Liberation Through Discrimination

1. Understanding the Real and the Unreal:
   • The Real: The Self (Atman), which is eternal, unchanging, and the source of true bliss.
   • The Unreal: The world of forms, thoughts, and emotions, which are subject to change and decay.
2. Shifting Identification:
   The seeker gradually shifts their identification from the body and mind (the unreal) to the Self (the real). This shift dissolves ego-based suffering and leads to inner freedom.
3. Breaking the Cycle of Samsara:
   By knowing and abiding in the Self, the seeker transcends the cycles of birth and death, attaining the ultimate goal of spiritual life: liberation (moksha).

Practical Steps for Sadhaks

1. Cultivate Awareness:
   Regularly reflect on the nature of the Self and the impermanence of the world. Meditation and self-inquiry are invaluable tools.
2. Seek the Guru’s Guidance:
   Surrender to the Sadguru and imbibe their teachings, which provide clarity and remove doubts.
3. Practice Detachment:
   Gradually let go of attachments to transient pleasures and pains, focusing instead on the unchanging truth.
4. Contemplate Oneness:
   Reflect on the interconnectedness of all existence, dissolving the illusion of separation and duality.

Conclusion

“With discrimination, in your true Self forever stay” is both a call and a promise. By practicing viveka and abiding in the Self with the grace of the Sadguru, the seeker transcends the illusions of the material world, realizes the One Essence pervading all, and attains liberation. This is the culmination of spiritual striving, where the seeker’s individuality merges with the universal truth, bringing unshakable peace and eternal joy.

Insights:

1. The Call to Devotion:
   The verse underlines that pure, unwavering love for the Divine is the foundation of liberation. This love is not bound by rituals or form but is a heartfelt connection with the Supreme.
2. Active Participation in Spiritual Growth:
   Bhakti (devotion) does not negate the importance of effort. One must actively strive to cleanse the heart and align with Dharma. This striving leads to the dissolution of grief and ego.
3. Equanimity as Liberation:
   The acceptance of pain and pleasure alike reflects a mind that has transcended worldly identification. Such a mind, rooted in the Self, remains unshaken by life’s ups and downs.
4. Wisdom and Abidance in the Self:
   The ultimate teaching of the verse is to stay anchored in the eternal reality of the Self through wisdom. This state is achieved when the seeker continually discriminates between what is real (the Self) and unreal (the world).

Connection to Bhagavan Nityananda’s Teachings:

Bhagavan Nityananda often emphasized surrender to the Divine and equanimity in life’s experiences. His phrase “Sabh Mithi” resonates with this sloka’s teaching—it reflects the realization that everything, whether pain or pleasure, is sweet in the light of the Self. Bhagavan’s life and teachings also echo the importance of steadfast devotion (Bhakti) combined with wisdom (Viveka) to transcend sorrow and stay rooted in the eternal truth.

जनीं सर्वसूखी असा कोण आहे । विचारें मना तूंचि शोधूनि पाहें ॥ मना त्वांचि रे पूर्वसंचीत केलें । तयासारिखें भोगणें प्राप्त झालें ॥ ११ ॥

Whoever there be, in happiness complete? Oh, Mind! yourself search and see with thought replete; Oh, dear Mind! garnered from actions past, Have you reaped the fruits, alas! ॥ 11 ॥

Sloka 11 of Manache Shlok invites introspection and deeper self-awareness. Here’s an explanation to illuminate its meaning and guidance for the seeker:

“Whoever there be, in happiness complete?”

“Whoever there be, in happiness complete?” poses a profound reflection on the fleeting and incomplete nature of worldly happiness. Swami Samarth’s question invites the seeker to delve deeply into the human condition and recognize the impermanence of material joys, which are invariably accompanied by sorrow and dissatisfaction.

The Nature of Worldly Happiness

1. Transient Joys:
   Worldly pleasures, whether derived from possessions, relationships, or achievements, are momentary and dependent on external circumstances. They arise and fade, leaving behind an insatiable craving for more.
2. Duality of Pain and Joy:
   With the body, mind (manas), and intellect (buddhi), a living being (jeeva) is inherently subject to dualities—pleasure and pain, gain and loss, joy and sorrow. These dualities are inseparable aspects of life, beginning the moment a child takes its first breath.
3. Unfulfilled Yearning:
   Even in moments of perceived happiness, there remains a subtle longing for something more enduring and fulfilling. This is the soul’s innate yearning for its eternal, unchanging source.

Swami Samarth’s Challenge to the Mind

1. Reflection on Universality of Suffering:
   Swami Samarth asks the seeker to identify one person entirely free from sorrow, pain, or unhappiness. This rhetorical challenge highlights that all beings, regardless of status or wealth, experience suffering.
2. Acceptance of Life’s Play:
   Life is a constant interplay of shadow and light, joy and sorrow. Recognizing this interplay as an integral part of existence leads to a deeper understanding and acceptance of life’s inherent nature.
3. The Limitation of the Mind:
   The mind, caught in its habitual patterns of seeking and avoiding, fails to grasp the futility of searching for lasting happiness in the ephemeral. Swami Samarth’s question gently redirects the mind toward introspection.

The Path to Complete Happiness

1. Turn Inward:
   True, lasting happiness cannot be found in external pursuits. It lies within, in the realization of the Self (Atman), which is the source of infinite joy.
2. Grace of the Guru:
   The Sadguru, like Swami Samarth, guides the seeker to transcend the dualities of life and recognize the eternal truth. With the Guru’s teachings, the seeker learns to accept the play of opposites with equanimity.
3. Seek Liberation from Duality:
   By practicing detachment and discrimination, the seeker gradually transcends the cycle of joy and sorrow, realizing the One Essence that underlies all experiences.

Practical Insights for the Seeker

1. Contemplate the Nature of Happiness:
   Reflect on the impermanence of worldly joys and the universality of suffering. This awareness inspires a shift in focus from the external to the internal.
2. Embrace Life’s Dualities:
   Accept that pain and joy are both part of the human experience. Neither defines the Self, which is beyond these dualities.
3. Rely on the Guru’s Wisdom:
   The Guru’s grace and teachings help the seeker navigate life’s challenges, revealing the path to true, lasting happiness.

Conclusion

“Whoever there be, in happiness complete?” is a profound inquiry into the nature of true fulfillment. Swami Samarth reminds us that worldly happiness is fleeting and incomplete, urging the seeker to look beyond the ephemeral and discover the eternal joy of the Self. With the guidance of the Guru and a steadfast inward focus, the seeker can transcend the cycle of dualities and find the bliss that is complete and unchanging.

“Oh, Mind! yourself search and see with thought replete;”

“Oh, Mind! yourself search and see with thought replete;” is a profound call to self-inquiry, urging the seeker to introspect deeply to uncover the root causes of their discontent. This verse emphasizes the transformative power of thoughtful introspection (vichara) and guides the mind toward understanding the fleeting nature of external pursuits and the ego’s role in perpetuating dissatisfaction.

The Role of Introspection

1. Turning Inward:
   The mind, often preoccupied with external distractions, is invited to direct its attention inward. This process of atmachintan (self-reflection) allows the seeker to examine the underlying causes of their restlessness and dissatisfaction.
2. Understanding Ego’s Role:
   Shree Samartha Ramdas points to the ego as the primary source of discontent. The ego’s constant desires, comparisons, and attachments to fleeting pleasures create an unending cycle of longing and dissatisfaction.
3. Recognizing Impermanence:
   Through thoughtful inquiry, the mind begins to discern the transient nature of worldly experiences. Pleasures and pains, successes and failures—all arise and pass away, leaving the soul unfulfilled.

Bhagavan Nityananda on Contentment

1. Contentment as the Ultimate Boon:
   When asked what one should seek from God, Bhagavan Nityananda advised asking for santosh (contentment). Unlike material wealth or fleeting joys, contentment provides lasting peace and joy, rooted in acceptance and detachment.
2. Contentment as Inner Fulfillment:
   True contentment arises not from acquiring more but from realizing that the Self is complete and needs nothing external for happiness. It is a state of inner sufficiency.
3. The Foundation of Peace:
   A contented mind is free from the turbulence of desires and aversions. It remains steady amidst life’s dualities and serves as the foundation for spiritual growth.

The Process of Self-Inquiry

1. Vichara (Thoughtful Inquiry):
   The seeker is encouraged to ask fundamental questions:
   • “What am I truly seeking?”
   • “Why does happiness feel fleeting?”
   • “Who am I beyond this body and mind?”
     This questioning peels away the layers of illusion and reveals the truth of the Self.
2. Recognizing the Illusion of Ego:
   By observing the ego’s tendencies to seek validation and accumulate possessions, the seeker sees its limitations. This recognition weakens the ego’s hold and redirects focus toward the eternal.
3. Discovering the Self:
   With the grace of a Sadguru and persistent self-inquiry, the seeker moves beyond identification with the transient and realizes their true nature as infinite consciousness.

Practical Application for Seekers

1. Daily Reflection:
   Set aside time each day for quiet introspection. Reflect on your thoughts, desires, and actions, observing how they contribute to your state of mind.
2. Practice Contentment:
   Cultivate gratitude for what you have and release the need for external validation or possessions. Trust that true joy comes from within.
3. Seek Guidance:
   The Sadguru’s teachings help guide the seeker through the maze of the ego and illuminate the path to lasting peace and joy.

Conclusion

“Oh, Mind! yourself search and see with thought replete;” is a timeless reminder of the power of self-inquiry and introspection. Shree Samartha Ramdas and Bhagavan Nityananda both highlight the transformative potential of contentment and self-reflection. By discerning the ego’s role in discontentment and recognizing the impermanence of external pursuits, the seeker is guided to discover true fulfillment within. With the grace of the Sadguru and a steadfast inward focus, the mind finds peace and the soul rests in its eternal bliss.

“Oh, dear Mind! garnered from actions past,”

“Oh, dear Mind! garnered from actions past,” beautifully introduces the profound principle of karma—the law of cause and effect that governs the soul’s journey through time. It highlights how the mind, shaped by past deeds, carries the imprints (samskaras) that determine one’s present tendencies, joys, and sorrows. This verse calls for awareness of the consequences of one’s actions and a conscious effort to align them with dharma.

Understanding Karma

1. Actions as Seeds:
   Every action (karma), whether physical, verbal, or mental, is like a seed planted in the fertile soil of life. These seeds sprout into future experiences—joy for righteous actions, and sorrow for harmful ones.
2. The Cycle of Birth and Rebirth:
   Accumulated karma binds the soul (jiva) to the cycle of birth and death (samsara). This unending cycle continues until one breaks free by realizing the Self.
3. Joy and Sorrow as Karmic Fruits:
   The dualities of life—happiness and grief—are the results of one’s own past actions. This realization fosters responsibility and accountability for one’s choices.

A Sadhak’s Perspective

1. Avoiding Harm:
   A true seeker (sadhak), aware of karma’s effects, refrains from actions that harm others. They strive for ahimsa (non-violence) in thought, word, and deed, knowing that such acts only bind them further.
2. Selfless Actions:
   Inspired by teachings like those in Tati Ugda Dnyaneshwara, a sadhak cultivates actions motivated by love, compassion, and surrender to the Divine. By renouncing selfish motives, they diminish the karmic burden.
3. Guru’s Guidance:
   With the Sadguru’s wisdom, the sadhak learns to offer all actions and their results to the Divine, dissolving the ego and its attachments. This surrender breaks the chain of cause and effect.

Connection to Tati Ugda Dnyaneshwara

In Tati Ugda Dnyaneshwara, Muktabai reminds the seeker to purify the mind and align actions with pure intentions (shuddha bhavana). A pure mind refrains from accumulating negative karma and instead becomes a channel for Divine will.

Practical Applications

1. Mindful Actions:
   Before acting, pause and consider:
   • Does this action align with dharma?
   • Does it uplift or harm others?
   • What is my intention behind this act?
2. Self-Reflection:
   Regularly review past actions to understand their effects. This introspection helps refine future behavior.
3. Karma Yoga:
   Embrace Karma Yoga—acting selflessly without attachment to results. Dedicate all actions to the Divine, as taught in the Bhagavad Gita.

Breaking Free

While karma binds, grace and viveka (discrimination) liberate. A sadhak, under the Sadguru’s guidance, transcends the effects of past actions by:

• Cultivating pure intentions.
• Practicing selfless service.
• Realizing the Self, which is beyond all karma.

Conclusion

“Oh, dear Mind! garnered from actions past,” is a call to introspect and recognize the impact of karma on one’s life. It encourages the seeker to adopt righteous actions, avoid harm, and align with the teachings of the Guru. With awareness of the karmic law, the sadhak moves closer to liberation, transforming every action into a step toward eternal freedom.

“Have you reaped the fruits, alas!”
The verse ends with a poignant reflection: are you satisfied with the fruits of your actions? The mind is prompted to acknowledge that worldly pursuits often leave a sense of incompleteness, urging the seeker to shift focus toward higher, spiritual aspirations.

1. The Illusion of Complete Happiness:
   Worldly happiness is inherently fleeting and incomplete. No one can achieve permanent contentment through external means, as they are bound by time and change.
2. Self-Reflection is the Key:
   The mind must introspect deeply to recognize its attachments, desires, and the futility of chasing ephemeral joys. This inquiry lays the foundation for turning inward toward spiritual truth.
3. Karma and Its Consequences:
   Understanding the role of past actions (karma) in shaping the present helps the seeker develop acceptance and equanimity. It also inspires one to act righteously, aiming to break free from the karmic cycle.
4. The Call to Seek the Eternal:
   By realizing the inadequacy of worldly pleasures, the seeker is guided to seek true, lasting happiness in the Self, which is beyond the dualities of gain and loss, joy and sorrow.

Connection to Bhagavan Nityananda’s Teachings:

Bhagavan Nityananda often highlighted the futility of chasing temporary happiness and the importance of inner reflection. His teachings remind us that true contentment arises from abiding in the Self and transcending the bonds of karma. Bhagavan’s phrase “Moolasthaan Sambhaal” (Take care of your source) resonates here, urging the mind to return to its eternal, blissful essence.

मना मानसी दुःख आणूं नको रे । मना सर्वथा शोक चिंता नको रे ॥ विवेकें देहेबुद्धि सोडूनि द्यावी । विदेहीपणें मुक्ति भोगीत जावी ॥ १२ ॥

Oh, dear Mind! shelter no grief in your heart; Oh, dear Mind! nor sadness nor worry; Bondage of body, with discrimination abandon, Thus in delight, to Freedom hearken! ॥ 12 ॥

Sloka 12 of Manache Shlok continues the introspective journey by encouraging the mind to rise above grief, worry, and attachment to the body. Here’s an explanation of its deeper meaning and guidance:

“Oh, dear Mind! shelter no grief in your heart;”

This phrase, “Oh, dear Mind! shelter no grief in your heart,” is an invitation for introspection and transformation, urging the mind to transcend its habitual tendencies to dwell on sorrow and pain. Here’s a deeper elaboration:

Understanding Grief and Its Origins

Grief arises from attachments and expectations rooted in ignorance of our true nature. When the mind identifies with fleeting, impermanent aspects of life—such as relationships, possessions, and achievements—it inevitably experiences sorrow when these attachments are disrupted. This is because the mind’s focus is outward, rather than inward, where the eternal and unchanging Self resides.

A Loving Call to the Mind

The phrase employs a tender and compassionate tone, recognizing that the mind is not an adversary but a tool that can either bind or liberate us. By advising the mind not to “shelter” grief, the verse reminds us that grief is not a permanent resident of the heart; it is only a transient visitor that need not be given refuge.

The Role of the Sadguru

When strong connectivity to the Sadguru (the Enlightened Teacher) is established, the mind undergoes a profound shift:

1. Worldly Attachments Fade: The Sadguru, as a manifestation of unconditional love and supreme joy, redirects the mind’s attention from ephemeral worldly pursuits to the eternal truth. This shift weakens the grip of attachments that are the root cause of sorrow.
2. Mind Becomes Anchored in Joy: By focusing on the Sadguru, the mind naturally aligns with higher vibrations of love, peace, and contentment. As the Sadguru’s grace envelops the seeker, grief diminishes and is replaced by an abiding sense of fulfillment.
3. Transformation Through Devotion: The mind that is attached to the Sadguru becomes steady, calm, and free from turmoil. The Sadguru’s teachings and presence serve as a mirror, revealing the seeker’s true nature as Sat-Chit-Ananda (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss). In this state, grief has no foothold, as the seeker transcends the dualities of joy and sorrow.

Grief as an Opportunity for Liberation

Sorrow, when viewed from the perspective of spiritual growth, becomes an opportunity rather than an obstacle. It points to areas where attachment and ignorance persist, inviting the seeker to surrender these tendencies at the Sadguru’s feet. Through this surrender, the mind becomes lighter, more expansive, and open to higher truths.

A Mind Anchored in Sadguru

When the mind ceases to harbor grief, it experiences profound clarity and equanimity. The Sadguru’s presence fills the heart with love and joy, dissolving the roots of pain. This leads the seeker to a state where the dualities of the world—pleasure and pain, gain and loss—no longer disturb their inner peace.

In essence, “Oh, dear Mind! shelter no grief in your heart” is both an instruction and an assurance that liberation from sorrow is possible. The mind, when connected to the Sadguru, transforms into a vessel of divine joy, untouched by the vicissitudes of life.

“Oh, dear Mind! nor sadness nor worry;”

“Oh, dear Mind! nor sadness nor worry;” is a compassionate exhortation to the mind to relinquish the burdens of sadness and worry, which arise from a limited perspective of reality. This verse invites the seeker to transcend these emotional disturbances through self-awareness and the grace of the Sadguru.

Understanding Sadness and Worry

• Products of Separation: Sadness and worry stem from the mind’s perception of duality and separation. Believing itself to be isolated from others and from the Divine, the mind clings to attachments and fears their loss or disruption.
• Illusions of Control: Worry arises when the mind attempts to control outcomes in an ever-changing world. Sadness, on the other hand, often follows when expectations are unmet or attachments are lost. Both are rooted in ignorance of the transient nature of worldly phenomena.

The Role of the Sadguru

The Sadguru plays a pivotal role in dissolving sadness and worry by guiding the seeker to recognize the eternal truth:

1. Graceful Shift in Perception: Through the grace of the Sadguru, the Sadhak (seeker) begins to perceive the world as transient and fleeting. This understanding weakens the hold of attachments and reduces the tendency to worry about impermanent circumstances.
2. Revelation of Oneness: The Sadguru illuminates the truth that the same One Divine Consciousness pervades all beings and situations. When the seeker experiences this unity, the dualities of life—such as gain and loss, joy and sorrow—cease to have a grip.
3. Freedom from Fear: Recognizing the One in all creatures eradicates fear, for the Sadhak sees themselves as part of an interconnected whole. Sadness and worry, which rely on a sense of separation, dissolve in this realization.

Transcending Emotional Disturbances

The key to transcending sadness and worry lies in aligning the mind with the eternal and unchanging:

• Awareness of Transience: By understanding that everything in the material world is subject to change and decay, the Sadhak ceases to place undue value on fleeting phenomena.
• Anchoring in Steadiness: The Sadhak, guided by the Sadguru, learns to anchor themselves in the eternal, developing equanimity in the face of life’s ups and downs.

Living in the Experience of Oneness

When the mind experiences the One in all, it naturally becomes steady and serene. The Sadhak no longer identifies with the small, individual self but rests in the universal Self. This profound shift eliminates the root causes of sadness and worry, allowing the seeker to abide in inner peace.

Conclusion

“Oh, dear Mind! nor sadness nor worry;” is both an instruction and a promise. It reassures the seeker that these emotional disturbances are not intrinsic to their true nature. With the guidance of the Sadguru and the realization of Oneness, sadness and worry dissolve, leaving the Sadhak in a state of unshakable steadiness and joy. The mind, once troubled by illusions, becomes a clear and calm vessel for the divine light of truth.

“Bondage of body, with discrimination abandon,”
The seeker is encouraged to practice viveka (discrimination) to understand that they are not the body, which is transient and subject to decay. True freedom lies in detaching from this identification and realizing the eternal Self.

“Thus in delight, to Freedom hearken!”
Freedom (moksha) is the ultimate goal. By transcending grief, worry, and bodily attachment, the seeker experiences the joy of liberation, a state of inner delight and eternal peace.

1. The Transience of Grief and Worry:
   Emotions like grief and worry are impermanent and arise from mistaken identification with the ego and the body. Recognizing their fleeting nature allows the mind to let go and move toward equanimity.
2. Detachment from the Body:
   Attachment to the body creates fear, sorrow, and limitations. The verse points to the need for viveka—understanding the distinction between the physical body and the true Self—to overcome this bondage.
3. Freedom as Inner Joy:
   When the mind releases its attachments and false identifications, it naturally attains a state of delight. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but arises from the realization of one’s true nature.

Connection to Bhagavan Nityananda’s Teachings:

Bhagavan Nityananda often emphasized the importance of detachment from the physical body and worldly concerns. He taught that the Self is beyond sorrow and joy and that abiding in the Self leads to true freedom. His advice to “rest in your source” aligns with this verse, which calls for recognizing and living from the state of inner delight and liberation.