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ULLADU NAARPADU – Verse #19

ULLADU NAARPADU
(Reality in Forty Verses)

The famous Vedantic poem in Tamil by Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi
(consisting of two preliminary verses called Mangalam,
40 verses which form the main text ,
and another 40 verses called the Appendix)
Detailed Commentary in Tamil by Lakshmana Sharma,
adapted into English by Profvk

(Continued from ULLADU NAARPADU – Verse No.18

Lakshmana Sharma’s Introduction to Verse No.19

Anoter dual pair that constitutes an extension of the Ego is called Fate and Free Will. When man accomplishes something by the exercise of his intelligence he says it is the success of his will; when the accomplishment is not satisfactory he blames it on fate. He thinks the two are distinct opposites of each other. The truth of this is explained by Bhagavan in this verse.

Verse #19

Vithi mathi mUla vivekam ilArkkE
vithi mathi vellum vivAtham; vithi-mathikaTku
Or muthal Am thannai uNarnthAr avai thaNandAr.
cArvarO pinnum avai cARRu.

Sanskrit Version

Madhye devadhiyor-jayaM pratibhavet teshhAM vivAde ratiH
dhI-daiva-dvitayasya mUlam-aham-ity-ekaM na jAnanti ye /
anveshhAd-avagatya tatvam-ahamas-tAbhyAM vimukto muniH
samsakto bhavitA tayoH kimu punaH svajnAna-hIno yathA //

Translation (Lakshmana Sharma)

Only those love to dispute which of the two, fate and the will, will prevail, who have no experience of (the truth of) him, named ‘I’, who is the one root of both. Can that Sage that has become free of both, knowing the truth of the Ego by the Quest, ever again be entangled in these, like one that knows not the Self?

Translation (Prof. K. Swaminathan)

The debate, `Does free will prevail or fate?’ is only for those who do not know the root of both. Those who have known the Self, the common source of freewill and of fate, have passed beyond them both and will not return to them.

Translation (Osborne)

Only those who have no knowledge of the Source of destiny and free-will dispute as to which of them prevails. They that know the Self as the one Source of destiny and free-will are free from both. Will they again get entangled in them?

Word-by-word of the Tamil verse

vivAtham The debate (about)
vithi mathi vellum whether it is Fate or Freewill (vithi = Fate; mathi = Intelligence or Will)
ilArkkE is only for those who do not have
mUla vivekam Discriminatory knowledge of the root of
Vithi mathi Fate and Freewill.
uNarnthAr (For) those who have realised
tannai (their) Ego
Or muthal Am as the common source
vithimathikaTku of both Fate and Freewill
avai thaNanthAr and have renouced them,
cArvarO Would they get entangled
pinnum again
avai cARRu with them?

Commentary in Tamil by Lakshmana Sharma

It is the ajnAni, who has the I-am-the-body feeling, who thinks there is an apposition between Fate and Freewill. By that ignorance, he aims at a fruit of the action and does actions on that basis. Only when the expected result fails him, he thinks that Fate has been the obstacle. Note that if there were no Ego, one would not conceive of a result or reward for one’s action. And then there would be no distinction between Fate and Freewill. Those who think of this distinction as real are those who are overpowered by Ego. It is only they who enter into the debate of whether it is Fate or Freewill that prevails.
It is the Ego-mind which imagines a difference between Fate and Freewill. If one starts enquiring “For whom is this difference?” one will end up finding that the root of both is the ‘I’. Pursuing the truth of that, one discards the Ego and consequently all such differences. This is one of the main teachings of this work by Bhagavan.
The jnAni has neither any determination (sankalpa) to do something nor any indetermination (vikalpa) about doing or not doing something and so whatever he does he does not do it in anticipation of any kind of finish to it. Thus there is no place in his thinking for either Fate or Freewill. So this whole debate is meaningless for him.

(To be continued in Verse 20)

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Yoga Instructor Dominates Cupcake Contest

Nancy Cummings

Nancy Cummings

It is stated in the classic yogic texts that through the power of yoga and pranayama, the digestive fires grow bright. This enables the yogi to eat massive quantities of food and burn it up quickly.  Is there truth to that?

Nancy Cummings, a yoga instructor,  recently won a chocolate cupcake eating contest by eating 17 cupcakes in 5 minutes. She claims that her yoga practice has given her what it takes to eat and win.

“I am disciplined and focused and I can digest them faster,” said the slender 31-year-old brunette from Bay Ridge, who dipped each little chocolate cake into a glass of water before shoving it whole into her mouth.

Folks do not try this at home!! Failed competitors in such eating contests often feel sick afterwards.

Regardless of the special power to eat cupcakes that Nancy Cummings has, the yogic texts are very clear on the matter of food.

Sattvic food in moderate quantities only is recommended for yogis.  Cupcakes are not considered Sattvic. Eating 17 cupcakes cannot be considered moderate unless you are King Kong.

What is Sattvic food according to the Bhagavad-Gita? See the following article.

https://luthar.com/bhagavad-gita-and-the-sattvic-diet
For the source of this story see the link below.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/04/26/2009-04-26_sweeeet_she_gobbles_up_17_cupcakes_in_5_minutes.html
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Chair Yoga

Many senior citizens who lack flexibility in strength are discovering Chair Yoga.

Cecile Gegg, started teaching Chair Yoga for those who are no longer as flexible or as strong as they once were.

“Chair yoga is a relatively modern concept that is really big in California,” Gegg said. “It’s a way of adjusting yoga to our aging bodies.”

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God Contact! by Swami Sadasivananda

great_commission

There must be implicit faith and trust in God in all that He guides us through. When we are sensitive and perceptive, through meditation, experiences that come to us seemingly from the realm of the Higher Mind – from the sixth ‘sense’ that we use to hear the whispers from Eternity – are in fact direct contact with God!

    In truth, when we experience that heartfelt Presence, it is not at all a “feeling” but a direct advent, a gift, from God to us. God teaches, God guides, God draws us unto Himself 24/7. This is His business, and His shop never closes. During our early morning meditations especially, everything is on sale at huge discounts. In fact the rules of the sale are: “What you can carry away in your cart (heart), is free for the taking!

    So what actually happens when we are taken up to heights of bliss that smother us within the embrace indescribable Love and Compassion? Just this, a revelation unfolds from within when the mind is rendered still and pure through the transforming power of meditation, especially on God’s Name. God manifests from the core of our being! The joy and the completeness felt is a gift that comes to us through the use of the Name of God, which in fact, in reality, caused inner vision. The Name invoked the Named! God was not wowing us, God was teaching us the way home.

     Let’s analyze what actually happens. We are pulled away from our repetitions of the Name of God, or purely Om, and given a glimpse and a taste of what lies beyond the sensual mind. We temporarily lose our lower form of individuality to worship and adore God! We possess, even for a moment, that which is our birthright. And God knows, we have struggled nearly a whole lifetime to see and taste That, which though ours by right, is daily assaulted by sorrow, doubt and unbelief.

    Where is the teaching in all this? Just this! We should begin experiencing this very thing outside of meditation – to invoke and dwell in loving union (yoga) with the Lord through the practice of the Presence of God. His Presence is the purest manifestation of love. Love itself is the actual form of God!

    “When we are busied, as well as while meditating on spiritual things, even in our time of set devotion, whilst our voice is rising in prayer, we ought to cease for one brief moment, as often as we can, to worship God in the depths of our being, to taste Him though it be in passing, to touch Him though as it were by stealth. Since you cannot but know that God is with you in all you undertake, that He is at the very depth and center of your soul, why should you not thus pause an instant from time to time in your outward business, and even in the act of prayer, to worship Him with your soul, to praise Him, to entreat His aid, to offer Him the service of your heart, and give Him thanks for all His loving-kindness and tender-mercies?

    “What offering is there more acceptable to God than thus throughout the day to quit the things of outward sense, and to withdraw to worship Him within the secret places of the soul? Besides, by doing so we destroy the love of self, which can subsist only among the things of sense, and of which these times of quiet retirement with God rids us well-nigh unconsciously.

    “In very truth we can render to God no greater or more single proofs of out trust and faithfulness, than by thus turning from things created to find our joy, though for a single moment, in the Creator. Yet, think not that I counsel you to disregard completely and forever the outward things that are around us. That is impossible. Prudence, the mother of all virtues, must be your guide. Yet, I am confident, it is a common error among religious persons, to neglect this practice of ceasing for a time that, which they are engaged upon, to worship and love God in the depth of their soul, and to enjoy the peace of brief communion with Him.” *

PTA39

 

“Just as the ankola fruit falling from the tree rejoins it, or a piece of iron is drawn to magnet, so also thoughts, after rising up, lose themselves in their original source. This is bhakti (Love of God). The original source of thoughts is the feet of the Lord, Isvara. Love of His Feet forms bhakti.”  (1)

“Know that the wondrous jnana vichara is only for those who have attained purity of mind by softening and melting within. Without this softening and melting away of the mind, brought about by thinking of the feet of the Lord, the attachment to the “I” that adheres to the body will not cease to be.”  (2)

“One must bring one’s thoughts to bear on God. By long practice the mind is controlled and made steady.”  (3)

“Love itself is the actual form of God.”  (4)


“In Thy Presence is fullness of Joy.

Good when he gives, supremely good;
Nor less when He denies.
Afflictions, from His sovereign hand,
Are blessings in disguise.
Believe me, count as lost each day
you have not used in loving God.” *


                                                                    –    Brother Lawrence

* All sections in quotes within the body of the text are excerpts from a rare publication of the “Spiritual Maxims of Brother Lawrence” on the Practice of the Presence of God.
_________________________   
(1) Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi, recorded by Sri Munagala Venkataramiah, Sri Ramanashramam 2006, Talk 428.
(2) Padamalai, Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi Recorded by Muruganar, Avadhuta Foundation 2004, p. 186. (Reference is to Sri Ramana Jnana Bodham, vol. 7, verse 340).
(3) Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi, recorded by Sri Munagala Venkataramiah, Sri Ramanashramam 2006, Talk 91.
(4) Letters from Sri  Ramanashramam, Suri Nagamma, Sri Ramanashramam 2006, Letter #179.

Posted by Swami Sadasivananda at http://blog.spiritualpracticeofbhagavan.org/

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83-year-old granny Yoga master 3

 

Remaining flexible is the key to staying young. Yoga helps in that.

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83-year-old granny Yoga master – 2

 

This is awesome! I can’t do this!

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83-year-old granny Yoga master

 

Granny yoga master demonstrates a posture that takes a lot of arm strength. Wow! That is so cool. One can continue doing yoga into advanced age. It is simply a matter of practice. One should start slowly and gradually build up.

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Spring Renewal: Ready For Detox? by Rita Minassian

 

Cleansing our body inside out has become essential nowadays. The high level of pollution and the increased electro-magnetic activity in the atmosphere, hectic professional agendas and endless lists of preservatives in our food, contribute to increase the level of stress in our system. By stress, I don’t only mean high nervosity or anxiety but an imbalanced state that creates blocks and ultimately disease. Additional to a healthy lifestyle routine, anyone who has ever experienced a detox program agrees that helps to clear not only the body, getting rid of any excess weight, to restore and optimize our energy level, but clears the mind as well, bringing more focus and an overall sense of ultimate sense of well-being. Then our outlook on life changes drastically, a more positive approach of life is possible which is rule number 1 to prevent depression and an optimum healthy life.

But is this just a modern, trendy “must do” during intermediate seasons?… Certainly not. From ancient traditions spring detox has always been a universal concept.

Years ago, when I first experienced Ayurveda at Soukya Holistic Center in Karnataka-India, I ‘ve been told by my physician, world-renowned Ayurvedic Doctor Isaac Mathai, that the monsoon season usually starting  in May, is actually the best period for a Panchakarma: a complete 5 step mind-body detox program which ideally lasts for 7, 14, 21 or 28 days (the duration of a Moon cycle and a cell renewal cycle by the ways…). He explained that the rainfalls actually support the cleansing/detox provided to a patient according to their Dosha type (biological “moods”). I also believe that people feel more positive and refreshed inside out because of the negative ions generated by rainfalls.

Ghulum (bath attendant) providing a customer with 2 Ayurvedic procedures.

In Panchakarma, a combination of different techniques are used to remove stored toxins in the body which contribute to sap our immune system. Purgation is usually processed with clarified butter (ghee) to remove impurities from the colon or water for a nasya (instillation through nostrils). Blood letting is also used to renew the red blood cells in the body.

Specific massages, like daily Abhayangas (4 hand massage) bring back balance and harmony to the body and to the Chakra system. The Shirhodara (3rd eye cleansing and my favorite…) do wonder on quieting the mind, increases awareness and heal migraine and Parkinson. Goodbye anger, sadness, grudges or lingering guilt, they will all be swept out… It’s important to remember that while a imbalanced diet can obviously affect the body directly, negative thoughts are actually number 1 enemies to harmony and good health.

Meditation and yoga programs can be added to these medical techniques: a combination of postures (Asanas) with Mudras, breathing techniques (Pranayama) and Mantras, are powerful tools to unburden the body and mind.

It is interesting to mention that this period of spring cleaning corresponds as well to some religious and non religious practices found in different traditions. For example, according to the bible, spring is time for the Jewish community to get rid of all the “hametz” during the pre-Passover time: every single dust or crumb has to disappear from the house before the celebration of “Pessah”, liberation.

In Feng shui, spring is also an important time for a making up; what to keep, what to give, what to get rid of… In this ancient Chinese concept, old, useless items represent blockages for a fluent energy flow in the house, but also for the inner world (body system), and for the mind: any type of clutter, within the body and/ or in the environment has to be cleared to avoid disease.

Mother Earth, in her infinite abundance and generosity offers us everything to achieve this detox: plants, vegetables, essential oils, specific spices like curcuma and cinnamon among many others are on the top list of the “natural cleaning team” in Ayurvedic medicine. Aditionnal to the digestive system, a Panchakarma detox program will also support several other channels of elimination in our body: lungs, kidneys, skin, and lymphatic system, all your body will be thankful for this renewal. It goes without saying that a Panchakarma  has to be done by a physician specialized in Ayurveda.

Wether using ancient wisdom tools, planning a retreat in a traditional medicine clinic, or indulge yourself in a modern SPA resort, it’s time to find your ultimate place for detox and enjoy your rebirth!

Rita Minassian

www.ritaminassian.com

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Chakras: The Pathway to Enlightenment by Rita Minassian

Rita Minassian holistic therapist chakra-balancing 

The chakras energy centers, a Sanskrit word for « wheel » or « disk », are the keys to reach Enlightenment. Through their meaning, colors, symbols, we can embrace the whole history of humanity starting from its root toward its supreme realization we’re all walking toward.

 

The Mulhadara chakra (or root chakra) located at the base of the spine is the chakra of our fundation: it refers to our survival instincts, self preservation and security. During prehistoric ages, people’s first occupation was struggling to survive. All their activities were about eating, finding a grotto to protect themselves from dangerous animal’s attack or bad weather, and when the moment came, to protect their precious source of fire.

 

Middle ages and Renaissance period were the theater of conquerors around the world. Crusaders or  conquistadors were fighting to conquer territories like Holly land and south America in tremendous violence, while other one were competing for the power of a royal throne and wealth, killing or raping people without guilt.

 

Through centuries, humanity progressed to Svadhistana, our second orange chakra just below the navel. It connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement. It represents our capability to exchange and interconnect with the others. This need lead people to the sexual freedom in the 70’s: Woodstock and the use of the orange color during this period of time was the tangible representation of that desire to free the energy of Svadhistana chakra.

 

During the 80’s, we entered the Manipura chakra Era. This yellow solar plexus chakra represents, ego, identity and is oriented to self-definition. Time came for women who wanted some more recognition in society to adopt a “male look” through ties and shoulder pads on fashion at that time, businesswomen were becoming more and more numerous in companies, where self progression was motivating each step of corporate associates, male and female.  Ambition, self realization in a materialistic way: people just worked to achieve some personal goals through one rule, “Me first” …

 

Have you noticed how purple color overflowed fashion this year? For who knows the chakra color system it is surprising to talk about purple color instead of Anahata’s beautiful emerald green color… But shifting from  Manipura to Anahata, from ego to heart and Love, to generosity, non judgment, non violence, we need a lot of transformation and spirituality which is actually the symbol of purple color. Purple was also present during the 70’s when desire to enter the “New age” through a new spirituality was emerging. Anahata is a crossroads chakra, it’s very exigent and very simple at the same time: with loving ourselves and being in Peace, we allow ourselves to Love Unconditionally.

 

Anahata is also the “filter” for the Kundalini energy that climbs up from one chakra to another one and to transform it into a subtle compassionate energy and reach Vishudha chakra through the narrow space of our neck. Thanks to the  filter of Anahata, this blue communication chakra, we will express our thoughts in a compassionate way.   

 

This energy full of kindness will continue its path until arriving to Ajna chakra, or the 3rd eye chakra in the middle of the eyebrows (pituitary gland). It’s the place where our Yin and Yang energies meet: we then become more aware of our being and of our Universe. Ajna is the seat of our 6th sense that sees intuitively. Through it, we can use our insight and psychic skills. Nowadays, we can see more and more children around us with very strong intuitive skills and large consciousness:  some schools are aware of this phenomenon and accompany them with adapted programs. Some of them are known as “indigo children” because of the indigo color of their Aura, similar to Ajna chakra.

 

Finally, the run of the Kundalini energy will finally end to our crown chakra: Sahasrara and its “1000 petals” tinted in marvelous colors like purple (spirituality) white (purity) gold and silver (usually related to Guides and Angels)…

These numerous “receptors” connect us to our Higher Self, to our Guides and to Upper Forces. When everybody will reach the level of Sahasrara through a rich Spiritual life (which is not necessarily a religious life) people will access to wisdom, all-knowing, and bliss. That moment of pure Enlightenment will give us the opportunity to live in Harmony, at least…

   

The good news is that our evolution is rapidly increasing in the last decades than it used to be at the beginning of humanity, and hopefully our complete awakening will arrive quickly.

 

Each progress we make in our personal path toward Enlightenment is a help for our kinds: the more numerous we will be to raise our vibratory frequency, the better it is for the collective unconscious and our planet. From 1952 to 1958, in the island of Koshima in Japan, scientists established a theory which is called “The 100th Monkey”: the scientists trained monkeys to wash their sweet potatoes before eating them. After a certain number of monkeys trained, the scientists noticed that the monkeys on Takasakiyama island, a neighbor island of Koshima, started to wash their food also without being trained for it or having any connections with the trained monkeys … This experience shows us how the energy of a group can have effect on other ones attitude…

 

Everything that happens in this world finds its Source into upper world and upper force, using them for humanity’s Enlightenment is the choice we have through our free will. Like the lotus flower and its root in ooze becomes a beautiful flower with the help of the sunrays, such is human being and humanity in a holistic state: grounded into earth but push by a thirst for Light and Upper Forces to be able to grow…

 

OM MANI PADME HUM, this post is dedicated to the 7 billions of Lotus jewels around our beautiful planet walking toward Light.

 

Rita Minassian

www.ritaminassian.com

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What Is Reality? By Rita Minassian

Rita Minassian What is reality?

Very often in the past,  clients who would come for a consultation for the first time would start our session always asking the same question: Am I loosing it?… This question found an echo within me, the “me” who was in the same questioning many many years ago…

I hear you wondering, crazy about what? …

… About a dead father coming into dreams to “talk”, or about a sign given in such precise way that you feel like “someone” knows about your private thoughts or wishes and wants to give you a hand. Crazy about inner values changing and decisions made on gut-feeling basis, seemingly irrational for the majority of people because their based on what your heart tells to do you instead of following the “logic” of your mind…

Our education, the conditioning of our society can make us feel as if we are living in a reversed motion from our environment, this is the state of the “hanged man”.

The 12th card in the Tarot of Marseille shows a hanged man suspended upside down by one foot from a tree branch. In most decks the other leg is placed in a position to make it look like the number 4, symbolizing structure. The man always looks at peace, not upset in any way: he is much more an observer than an actor, such an interesting card…

We all go through period of time in our life where we really feel that our point of view about the world is changing: we feel we are stepping aside from the “normal” path, from the acceptable mould of society. It would be very wrong to think we’re stopping to be logical, on the contrary our look, our thoughts, moves and perceptions then start to be more in tune with deep core values and with the true flow of the Universe.

You’ll always come across people telling you you’re living in wonderland, to come back on earth, not to lose sense of reality…

Reality…which reality? Your reality, the neighbor’s reality, the butcher’s reality? the president’s reality?… What makes their reality more relevant than mine?

“It’s only a belief!” they say… But when a belief (or something in which you don’t believe at all sometimes) happens to take a form, to have an impact in your life, a tangible event, then that belief becomes an experience. The sum of our experiences makes what we call our reality. Then our personal reality cannot be compared to anyone’s: we can just live it and share it without pushing people to adopt it. In the name of what should we judge anyone? Then in the name of what definition of reality should my, your, anyone’s reality be judged?

People like ancient Vedic sages who created the science of Ayurveda by connecting to Nature, Soufis connected to higher state of consciousness through dances and trances, Christian saints who lived the passion of Christ, defiying time – space, starting to speak ancient Aramean language that they never learned, Prophets of the Torah who used to advise kings thank to their clairvoyance…and also, simple people, regular village people, sometimes children who were healing, seeing, perceiving a personal reality impossible to share with everybody because it was out of the standards, all of them were then crazy?

Nowadays, many scientists are also inquiring about those “parallel worlds”, and fortunately, nobody will be burned anymore on a church square! But still, it is sad that some of them still don’t dare to talk openly about their intuitions because of the judgement of the scientific community. Fortunately, quantum physicist like Dr. Michio Kaku present their fascinating work about the possible existence of other dimensions, different from the 4 dimensions commonly admitted, through understandable books for laypersons*.

The answer I give is “no”, you’re not crazy at all, unless thousands of people around the world, in history until nowadays are also totally insane. And more will come…

“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”  Arundhati Roy

* “Parallel worlds” , “Vision” Dr Michio Kaku.

Rita Minassian, www.ritaminassian.com