Saturday, July 08, 2006
GITA 108 DAYS - DAY 24
24. Contemplation is the source of virtues and vices
All our actions originate from contemplation and we get what we contemplate upon. We will end up doing our deeds in the same field where our mind wanders.
Nothing in life can be considered an accident. Typically, one would contemplate and decide ahead of time as to how to respond to a particular situation. The thought process that leads to such conclusions is Dhyana (contemplation or meditation). There are two types of Dhyanaas –demonic and godly (divine). In demonic contemplation, one would extol materialistic enjoyment (bhoga) as “hiraNyaaya namaH” – salutations to gold. In divine contemplation, one extols the sacrifice (thyaga) that is Lord NarayaNa.
Being constantly thinking about sense objects, we get attached to them. Lust (feeling that I must have ‘it’- a thing or being) is due to attachment, and when the lust is not fulfilled, our mind becomes furious. In anger, man looses his power of discrimination. In rage, all the values learned hitherto will be forgotten and intellect ceases to function properly. That is the beginning of complete destruction. One cannot predict what will happen after that and the person becomes crazy. Culture of the people of a generation takes form through their thoughts and contemplation.
One can say that he is educated only when the knowledge (sasthra) comes to his mind even in adverse circumstances. One can win over anger if he is reminded of the appropriate knowledge. How can some one get pleasure without peace of mind? Self control is essential and our mind should not flow hither-thither like a canoe in the windy water. Senses are capable of taking the uncontrolled mind through various paths. It is not that one should keep fighting the senses rather it is better to transcend the senses.
When it is day time, for a Yogi who has controlled his senses, it will be night time and vice versa. When others are attentive to sense objects, he will not have any interest in them. He will be fully awake in the spiritual realms when others have no interest in them.
All our actions originate from contemplation and we get what we contemplate upon. We will end up doing our deeds in the same field where our mind wanders.
Nothing in life can be considered an accident. Typically, one would contemplate and decide ahead of time as to how to respond to a particular situation. The thought process that leads to such conclusions is Dhyana (contemplation or meditation). There are two types of Dhyanaas –demonic and godly (divine). In demonic contemplation, one would extol materialistic enjoyment (bhoga) as “hiraNyaaya namaH” – salutations to gold. In divine contemplation, one extols the sacrifice (thyaga) that is Lord NarayaNa.
Being constantly thinking about sense objects, we get attached to them. Lust (feeling that I must have ‘it’- a thing or being) is due to attachment, and when the lust is not fulfilled, our mind becomes furious. In anger, man looses his power of discrimination. In rage, all the values learned hitherto will be forgotten and intellect ceases to function properly. That is the beginning of complete destruction. One cannot predict what will happen after that and the person becomes crazy. Culture of the people of a generation takes form through their thoughts and contemplation.
One can say that he is educated only when the knowledge (sasthra) comes to his mind even in adverse circumstances. One can win over anger if he is reminded of the appropriate knowledge. How can some one get pleasure without peace of mind? Self control is essential and our mind should not flow hither-thither like a canoe in the windy water. Senses are capable of taking the uncontrolled mind through various paths. It is not that one should keep fighting the senses rather it is better to transcend the senses.
When it is day time, for a Yogi who has controlled his senses, it will be night time and vice versa. When others are attentive to sense objects, he will not have any interest in them. He will be fully awake in the spiritual realms when others have no interest in them.
# posted by Sukumar Canada @ 8:50 PM 
