The Powerful effects of Karma and how it works and how ' Karmic' effects are carried from one Life Time to another, forms the basis of much of the Ancient Spiritual Philosophy of Patanjali's Aphorisms and the four spiritual paths from the Vedas
( the oldest spiritual literature known to mankind). In Toronto Canada a small group of students study the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda . Over The Last two weeks we took a look at the Laws of Karma and how Environment ,Time and space take us on our spiritual journey.. and how Raja Yoga is a pure lesson in Human Psychology and Mind Control..
PATANJALI'S YOGA APHORISMS: CHAPTER 4 : INDEPENDENCE.or FREEDOM
ततस्तद्विपाकानुगुणानामेवाभिव्यक्तिर्वासनानाम् ॥८॥
8.Swami Vivekananda's explanation from Raja Yoga : From these threefold works are manifested in each state only those desires (which are) fitting to that state alone. (The others are held in abeyance for the time being.)
Suppose I have made the three kinds of Karma, good, bad, and mixed, and suppose I die and become a god ( Angel/ demi god ) in heaven. The desires in a god body are not the same as the desires in a human body; the god body neither eats nor drinks. What becomes of my past unworked Karmas which produce as their effect the desire to eat and drink? Where would these Karmas go when I become a god? The answer is that desires can only manifest themselves in proper environments. Only those desires will come out for which the environment is fitted; the rest will remain stored up. In this life we have many godly desires, many human desires, many animal desires. If I take a god body, only the good desires will come up, because for them the environments are suitable. And if I take an animal body, only the animal desires will come up, and the good desires will wait. What does this show? That by means of environment we can check these desires. Only that Karma which is suited to and fitted for the environments will come out. This shows that the power of environment is the great check to control even Karma itself.
Our Spiritual Teachers The Reverend Swami Kripamayananda Maharaj Head of the Vedanta Society of Toronto and Professor Kumar Murty University Of Toronto Canada
( Renowned Mathematician and Teacher on Vedanta) were our guides in the last two Wednesdays of August.. We were gathered at the Vedanta Society of Toronto in Canada.We also refer to the Book " Meditation and Contemplation on Raja Yoga by Swami Sarvagathananda Maharaj the late head of the Vedanta Society of Boston USA.
( Renowned Mathematician and Teacher on Vedanta) were our guides in the last two Wednesdays of August.. We were gathered at the Vedanta Society of Toronto in Canada.We also refer to the Book " Meditation and Contemplation on Raja Yoga by Swami Sarvagathananda Maharaj the late head of the Vedanta Society of Boston USA.
While most of us found the passage and explanation in English ( By Swami Vivekananda) very self explanatory our spiritual teachers gave us some more examples which were more ' Earth Bound". They explained that many of the examples were from 'Ancient texts" researched by the publishers of Raja Yoga are not so ' Down to Earth" and relevant today.
Professor Kumar explained that of all the ' spiritual" Yoga's Raja Yoga ( Royal meditation) was the best tool for Psychology because it showed us how we can Train and Discipline our minds and make our minds an instrument to take us towards our goals. He emphasized that in this sense Raja Yoga was pure Psychology because it enables us to understand and 'watch' our minds.Our faith and who we pray to is not the object of study here as much as the study of Meditation and Mind Control and taking our mind to higher levels of spiritual progress.
The Two points he gave us were " Memory and Impression". He explained that when we have an experience and remember it that is Memory and when that Memory becomes deeply embedded we call it an ' Impression". Our Impressions ( Or Samskaras) make us react or behave in certain ways..the secret is to understand why we are reacting and control that impulse. Example..someone usually `Taunts' you and you react every time you see that person. Understand what you are doing an stop 'reacting' to them and they will 'lose control' to hurt you.
Impressions can be taught..example parents teach their children some " impressions" This may be good or may be bad such as " racial" or " Selfish and negative ideas about people'. Kids grow up with learned " Impressions' that were not necessarily their own experience. Politicians " teach" people to think in a certain way by instigating them as do people in society and Master Minds who seek control over millions.
Mind acts upon mind. Stronger minds act upon weaker minds. A participant raised the example of how " Con-men" or ' Social Engineers" deceive people because they understand the " Mind and weaknesses" of people. Another participant remarked that this Mind reading may be ' good or bad' example a Mother understands the heart ans mind of her child as a spiritual mentor or Swami or Guru / Pastor etc understands the minds of the devotees. Similarly Master Minds that lead Terrorist organizations etc also understand psychology and minds.
Our Teachers said that it was up to us the individual to decide whose " influence" we wish to fall under and the best way was to be " Free or Independent " Kevalam" not swayed by any. Stand on your " own grounds "
A participant said that she would rather be influenced by a true Spiritual Master than a an evil leader .Professor Kumar gave the example of Sri Ramakrishna and the kinds of people who went to him . Some people were spell bound by his spiritual talk and some were `restless' to get away from the place..they were more attracted to the " Entertainment Districts of Kolkatta and not the Holy Grounds of Dakshineshwar in those days.
Similarly the Internet or the " Air" are full of all kinds of messages and information..it depends on us..on what we chose and what attracts us...This ' Tendency" or deep " Impression on how we think, react or feel attractions and repulsion s toward are called " Samskaras'. So if you find yourself seeking spiritual information..that is your good "samskara" if Violence and Perversion attract you that is your Bad" Samskaras' Impressions from former lives..and you can overcome it with training the mind to " Go in another Direction"..Re- Direct the Mind or Ego. " Re - Program your samskaras"
Professor Kumar said that if you understand where the " Ego" of a person lies you can easily " control" them. Example..if a person is vain about their ability to sing and you tell them that they are poor singers they may " explode" ( Go Ballastic") . However if you tell them that they are bad hockey players( and they never play the game) they will not have any reaction.
Sri Ramakrishna would say that we have an " Unripe ego" runs towards self importance and " Ripe ego" Given to God. It is better to say I'm a devotee of God than to say..I'm the " Richest and best looking person " in this city.
Here training the Ego or Mind to go in a better direction is the lesson.".
Someone raised the point that too much of pride on one's faith leads to
" Fundamentalism/Fanaticism " and the conclusion from all was that true devotees of God..true spiritual aspirants cannot be " Fanatics' because Fanaticism is not Love it is " Hate disguised as Love for One God...and Fundamentalist leaders play on this
" weakness" of their followers or congregation.."Truth is one; sages call it by various names," the Rig Veda, one of Vedanta's most ancient texts, declared thousands of years ago.
We also discussed how through out Raja Yoga we have been studying the Importance of Meditation..Continuation and Culmination which leads to 'Samadhi' "Complete unbroken absorption on one point." This practice enables us to understand any subject we put our minds to and even go beyond it..
In relation to the Aphorism above the teaching was that it is " Desire" that creates " Karma and that Karma good, bad or mixed leads us to ' Bondage' However in order for some " Karma " to bear fruit..we must be in the proper place / time or situation..
Our Swami K had explained how we are carrying the effects of many kinds of ' karma" and the fruit is borne at different times in different ways.
For example a person has a great desire and " Stored" karma to be a great Musician..he needs to get out of his " cradle" and grow up a bit before he can fulfill this desire...There are not too many ' Babies' who emerge from the womb singing the
" Classics of Beethoven"...( though some sound like they do)..:)
Our teachers said " There are some places where the prevalence of ' Tamas"
( The dark negative energy) would be dominating such as in prisons, ghettos and war and crime ridden areas. It is very difficult for ' Sattvik" ( Good )energy to be manifested in such places ..so even if a person has a prevalence of " sattva" it is kept " under cover" until the right time and place enables a person to " reveal it" said our Revered spiritual teacher Swami Kripamayananda Maharaj. " However, very high and spiritually evolved souls can venture into these places and remind people that they are all " Sat Chit Ananda" which means Truth, Pure existence of the Soul and real happiness ( Bliss)' . Professor Kumar Murty gave us the example of how Sri Ramakrishna could even change people with a single touch or glance. In one example an aggressive and Tough Wrestler of the day who was feared by many had visited Sri Ramakrishna casually and was touched by him casually . Years later some one visited the Wrestler who had become a totally changed man. He was transformed into a pious, gentle, spiritual being who had given up all his former tastes and habits and taken to a spiritual life..and he claimed that it was that one touch and meeting with Sri Ramakrishna that has done this.
The Two points he gave us were " Memory and Impression". He explained that when we have an experience and remember it that is Memory and when that Memory becomes deeply embedded we call it an ' Impression". Our Impressions ( Or Samskaras) make us react or behave in certain ways..the secret is to understand why we are reacting and control that impulse. Example..someone usually `Taunts' you and you react every time you see that person. Understand what you are doing an stop 'reacting' to them and they will 'lose control' to hurt you.
Impressions can be taught..example parents teach their children some " impressions" This may be good or may be bad such as " racial" or " Selfish and negative ideas about people'. Kids grow up with learned " Impressions' that were not necessarily their own experience. Politicians " teach" people to think in a certain way by instigating them as do people in society and Master Minds who seek control over millions.
Mind acts upon mind. Stronger minds act upon weaker minds. A participant raised the example of how " Con-men" or ' Social Engineers" deceive people because they understand the " Mind and weaknesses" of people. Another participant remarked that this Mind reading may be ' good or bad' example a Mother understands the heart ans mind of her child as a spiritual mentor or Swami or Guru / Pastor etc understands the minds of the devotees. Similarly Master Minds that lead Terrorist organizations etc also understand psychology and minds.
Our Teachers said that it was up to us the individual to decide whose " influence" we wish to fall under and the best way was to be " Free or Independent " Kevalam" not swayed by any. Stand on your " own grounds "
A participant said that she would rather be influenced by a true Spiritual Master than a an evil leader .Professor Kumar gave the example of Sri Ramakrishna and the kinds of people who went to him . Some people were spell bound by his spiritual talk and some were `restless' to get away from the place..they were more attracted to the " Entertainment Districts of Kolkatta and not the Holy Grounds of Dakshineshwar in those days.
Similarly the Internet or the " Air" are full of all kinds of messages and information..it depends on us..on what we chose and what attracts us...This ' Tendency" or deep " Impression on how we think, react or feel attractions and repulsion s toward are called " Samskaras'. So if you find yourself seeking spiritual information..that is your good "samskara" if Violence and Perversion attract you that is your Bad" Samskaras' Impressions from former lives..and you can overcome it with training the mind to " Go in another Direction"..Re- Direct the Mind or Ego. " Re - Program your samskaras"
Professor Kumar said that if you understand where the " Ego" of a person lies you can easily " control" them. Example..if a person is vain about their ability to sing and you tell them that they are poor singers they may " explode" ( Go Ballastic") . However if you tell them that they are bad hockey players( and they never play the game) they will not have any reaction.
Sri Ramakrishna would say that we have an " Unripe ego" runs towards self importance and " Ripe ego" Given to God. It is better to say I'm a devotee of God than to say..I'm the " Richest and best looking person " in this city.
Here training the Ego or Mind to go in a better direction is the lesson.".
Someone raised the point that too much of pride on one's faith leads to
" Fundamentalism/Fanaticism " and the conclusion from all was that true devotees of God..true spiritual aspirants cannot be " Fanatics' because Fanaticism is not Love it is " Hate disguised as Love for One God...and Fundamentalist leaders play on this
" weakness" of their followers or congregation.."Truth is one; sages call it by various names," the Rig Veda, one of Vedanta's most ancient texts, declared thousands of years ago.
 |
| The Shrine at the Vedanta Society of Providence USA . Vedanta Pays honor to all great faiths. |
We also discussed how through out Raja Yoga we have been studying the Importance of Meditation..Continuation and Culmination which leads to 'Samadhi' "Complete unbroken absorption on one point." This practice enables us to understand any subject we put our minds to and even go beyond it..
In relation to the Aphorism above the teaching was that it is " Desire" that creates " Karma and that Karma good, bad or mixed leads us to ' Bondage' However in order for some " Karma " to bear fruit..we must be in the proper place / time or situation..
Our Swami K had explained how we are carrying the effects of many kinds of ' karma" and the fruit is borne at different times in different ways.
For example a person has a great desire and " Stored" karma to be a great Musician..he needs to get out of his " cradle" and grow up a bit before he can fulfill this desire...There are not too many ' Babies' who emerge from the womb singing the
" Classics of Beethoven"...( though some sound like they do)..:)
Our teachers said " There are some places where the prevalence of ' Tamas"
( The dark negative energy) would be dominating such as in prisons, ghettos and war and crime ridden areas. It is very difficult for ' Sattvik" ( Good )energy to be manifested in such places ..so even if a person has a prevalence of " sattva" it is kept " under cover" until the right time and place enables a person to " reveal it" said our Revered spiritual teacher Swami Kripamayananda Maharaj. " However, very high and spiritually evolved souls can venture into these places and remind people that they are all " Sat Chit Ananda" which means Truth, Pure existence of the Soul and real happiness ( Bliss)' . Professor Kumar Murty gave us the example of how Sri Ramakrishna could even change people with a single touch or glance. In one example an aggressive and Tough Wrestler of the day who was feared by many had visited Sri Ramakrishna casually and was touched by him casually . Years later some one visited the Wrestler who had become a totally changed man. He was transformed into a pious, gentle, spiritual being who had given up all his former tastes and habits and taken to a spiritual life..and he claimed that it was that one touch and meeting with Sri Ramakrishna that has done this.
In Sri Ramakrishna's life we see many example of dramatic transformations.One famous one was that of Girish Chandra Ghosh who was a famous Dramatist, Actor and writer. He was known as a man with a great weakness for wine, woman and many vices..yet in a few meetings with Sri Ramakrishna he became one of the most ardent spiritual seekers amongst the devotees of that time. So too was the case of a man named Kali Pada Ghosh who was a notorious Gambler and debauch who had abandoned and thrown his family into grief..after meeting Sri Ramakrishna he became a totally reformed person. . In The life of Sri Sarada devi the wife of Sri Ramakrishna there were even greater effects of her purity and holiness.
Her " Devotees' included such ' Greats" as a notorious Dacoit ( Bandit) named Amjad, a large number of alcoholics, ..mentally unstable individuals and women of un certain character, Her love and spirituality won them all over and not only did they reform but became examples of devotion and purity to others...Similarly in the Bible there are numerous stories of people who were stuck in the `sludge' since their birth and one touch and glance of the Christ gave them life and " lifted " them up..not only those who suffered physically but also spiritually and morally..
" We are all light" said professor Kumar.." We came from Light..That light has been covered by dirt..and with spiritual practice and spiritual company we will be able to " wash away" the dirt that covers our souls..Our revered Swami K said that all spiritual practices were meant to " Clean the garbage" in our minds and hearts and bring us closer and closer to the " light".
There was also a discussion on seemingly " Dual karmic" Forces in play in our lives. For example a person may be very spiritually inclined and also enjoy many of the "Worldly Desires" that present themselves. Our Swami explained that while it may seem like ' Duality' it is actually Two karmic forces manifesting in one Life and eventually the " purer" one will win. ( King Janaka was a legendary King who had Yoga and Bhoga..spirituality and love of wealth both).
There was also a discussion on seemingly " Dual karmic" Forces in play in our lives. For example a person may be very spiritually inclined and also enjoy many of the "Worldly Desires" that present themselves. Our Swami explained that while it may seem like ' Duality' it is actually Two karmic forces manifesting in one Life and eventually the " purer" one will win. ( King Janaka was a legendary King who had Yoga and Bhoga..spirituality and love of wealth both).
Our teachers also mentioned the cautionary words of Sri Ramakrishna who advised aspirants to first be careful of the company they keep and to become very spiritually " Strong" and God centered.." After the young sapling has become strong then goats and animals cannot touch/ reach it " Sri Ramakrishna would say. If we try to ' Save and guide others' when we ourselves do not have that God given " call' or we are not yet " realized souls"we are like a Log that sinks and takes everything that " hangs on to it" down too...True spiritual Souls are Like Ocean Liners they can cross the Ocean of this world and take hundreds of people with them towards spiritual Freedom..
Even today we see highly realized and strong souls who are able to reach out to prisoners and other people in trouble and reform them completely. One such example is that of the revered Swami Divyananda Maharaj of Belur Math Kolaka
( India) who visited Canada recently.This Swami has saved many people from Indian prisons and brought them into the main stream of life as reformed and responsible members of society.. Similarly the Christian nun Mother Teresa would reach out to the abandoned babies on the streets and give them a new life.
In the path of Vedanta , every person who is ' helped' or saved' is encouraged to keep following the Spiritual path they were born into to or prefer most.." Vedanta believes that all peace and truth giving paths come from one one same God and so no one is ever pressurized to become a follower of "This God or That God" in exchange for being " rescued or helped in life.." Swami Divyananda maharaj has rescued a large number of Muslim girls who were victims of crimes and landed up in
" Shelters" he helped return them safely to their own families.
Our revered Swami Kripamayananda Maharaj concluded by saying that when a person becomes totally pure and in tune with God's word he becomes an ' Instrument' in God's hand to do good to the world..power, money, help and support come from all sources when a person has tuned in with the " Mission which God has in his/ her Life" said our Swami Kripamayananda Maharaj.
( India) who visited Canada recently.This Swami has saved many people from Indian prisons and brought them into the main stream of life as reformed and responsible members of society.. Similarly the Christian nun Mother Teresa would reach out to the abandoned babies on the streets and give them a new life.
In the path of Vedanta , every person who is ' helped' or saved' is encouraged to keep following the Spiritual path they were born into to or prefer most.." Vedanta believes that all peace and truth giving paths come from one one same God and so no one is ever pressurized to become a follower of "This God or That God" in exchange for being " rescued or helped in life.." Swami Divyananda maharaj has rescued a large number of Muslim girls who were victims of crimes and landed up in
" Shelters" he helped return them safely to their own families.
Our revered Swami Kripamayananda Maharaj concluded by saying that when a person becomes totally pure and in tune with God's word he becomes an ' Instrument' in God's hand to do good to the world..power, money, help and support come from all sources when a person has tuned in with the " Mission which God has in his/ her Life" said our Swami Kripamayananda Maharaj.
Lunch Break
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