A LIFE OF COMPLETE GRACE : 27^th July 2011

(published in Times of India on Aug 16^th 2011.)

An Exhibition offers many wondrous objects and sights. A dazzling display of fine enamel work caught the eye of many visitors. The stall keeper was an experienced salesman and was extolling the workmanship of some very delicate pieces. He was explaining the difference between two bowls. One was made of alloy and the other from brass. The brass bowl with enamel work was able to reflect whatever the object that was placed in front of it. The alloy with enamel, though smooth and shinning was unable to reflect any object, while the brass enamel was giving out reds and yellows and flowers and light. Seeing this at the exhibition with hordes of passerby’s, I was immediately reminded of the famous lines of Shri Adi Sankara “maune maunee gunini gunavan….” from Jeevanmukti Annada Lahari. (Verse 8 given below)

“Maune maunee gunini gunavan pandite panditashcha

Deene deenas sukhini sukhavan bhogini praptabhogah

Moorke moorkho yuvatishu yuva vagmin praudhavagmee

Dhanyah ko’pi tribhuvanajayee yo’vadhoote vadhootah.”

“A silent one among the silents, virtuous among the virtuous, a scholar amidst scholars. Suffering among the suffering, joyous among the joyful, a contented man in the company of pleasure seekers because he has attained all pleasures. A fool in the company of fools, a youth when he is with the young women. Eloquent among men of eloquence, such a man is blessed indeed in the world; whoever he is the one who is avadhoota amidst avadhootas (saints free from attachments).”

Seeing the reflective surface it was clear that to have the quality of imaging ones surroundings one must have cleansed all grit and grime out of ones mind, thoughts, and inner space. Without removing the impurities however glossy and brilliant the surface is made, it will not reflect as that surface where all traces of impurities have been cleansed. It is as though the very self identity that one cultivates through learning and education has to be taken out. Is this necessary?

As the verse above suggests an awakened individual is one who is fluid, pliable and accommodative. Take the ordinary coconut and throw it into the water. Whichever side is thrown it rights itself and floats. It has a 360 degree surface and not one angle, a side, an opinion or a defense. Similarly, an awakened person will also adapt to his situations and surroundings. The individuality is for functioning and not to project a self portrait a constant reiteration of ones importance. A wise person realizes  that the more one attempts to stand apart the more one is condemning oneself to a limitation to an idea.

The process of keeping the individuality pliant and supple is called “antah karana suddhi”, cleansing the inner instrument the mind. The mind serves as the gateway to Self realization and also the getaway to a self imposed identification. With the mind I can cognizes and awaken to the Truth of the Self, or I can get lost in the continuous activity of establishing my self importance. In fact Shruti suggests that failure to use the mind to discover the nature of the Self is tantamount to self immolation, so heinous is the sin of attaining a human birth and failing to know oneself.

The practices of antah karana suddhi is the sadhana that a seeker, a sadak has to adopt to reach the sadhya the goal. Here the goal is not separated by either time or space but only from ignorance. The practice of antah karana suddhi is to dissolve the ignorance, the self identity, to allow the Self to be reflected. Knowing the Self is being one with the creation, with mankind, myself. No more a sense of emptiness or separation.

Reading and study of the Upanishads under the guidance of a Preceptor, reflection and contemplation on the declarations of the Upanishads, Meditation of being with Oneself, Pranayama, engaging in work for the benefit of the society or community, Charity and non violence of thought, speech, deed, daily prayer, a life of probity are some of the disciplines one can take up for one’s daily application to further spiritual growth.

A man of completeness, a man who is one with all is now the reflection of a million lives; no longer separate from the creation but a part of the Totality! He is one with the Self, one with the Truth; there is no more you and me, I and they. Such a person is the reflection of happiness, nay Happiness Itself!