(B12)- Similarity does not mean identity!

[Quick links]

 

 

 

 

 

Many of us often make the mistake of jumping to conclude identity, based on similarity between two things. If two things are similar, that does not mean that they are identical. A cow has 4 legs and so also a dog. That does not make cow and dog same! 

 

The Vijnyaana Vadi Buddhists see the similarity between the dream world and our wakeful world and jump to the conclusion that since dream world is nonexistent, our wakeful world also does not exist! The brahma supporters reject this reasoning. Let us see how.

(B11)- It is all in the Mind!

[Quick links]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was another sect of Buddhists who denied the existence of the material world. They said that “all that exists is only the minds. What we think as something existing outside is actually inside our mind!”

(B10)- Liberation or Nirvana for whom?

[Quick links]

 

The Buddhists have a fantastic theory of existence which neither needs the concept of soul nor the God. They say that there is no one who experiences anything. But still they say that you need to toil all your life to free yourself from all the suffering! That is the focal point of Buddhism. The Brahma supporters ridicule this theory of Buddhists not only as illogical but something that contradicts our day-to-day experience. This is how they pull down the Buddhist theory –

(B09)- Nothing is permanent!

[Quick links]

 

 

In the previous episode we noted that the Buddhists rejected the concept of soul as well as God. These two were central to the philosophy of the Brahma supporters. Definitely there is a serious difference. Before we sort out the differences, let us first listen to what the Buddhists have to say.

NewBook: Krishna’s 4 paths to Ultimate happiness

[Quick links]

 

 

I am happy to announce the release of my 23rd book namely “Krishna's 4 paths to ultimate happiness”. Though not exactly a book on Yoga in the conventional sense, the subtitle of this book reads as “Complete Yogic science of the Bhagavad Geetha”. 

 

Like the Bhagavad Geetha, specifically in this book, I use the word Yoga in a wide connotation – to mean a path to ultimate realization or happiness. This path also includes conventional Yoga as a form of meditative practice, in addition to other paths such as Jnyaana Yoga, Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga.

(B08)- There is neither soul nor any God!

[Quick links]

 

As we discussed in the previous episodes, the supporters of Brahma or God somehow managed to silence their opponents in the Vedic camp. Prominent among these opponents were the Samkhya and the Vaisheshika. 

 

These opponents, though they accepted the authority of the Vedas, were not willing to accept the concept of God. Not at least as a source of the created world. They had their own reasons which the Brahma supporters vehemently refuted.

(B07)- Hit the enemy at his weakest point!

[Quick links]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing our discussion on the debates on Brahma or God, in this episode let us see how the Brahma supporters face the criticisms by the Vaisheshikas or the ancient Indian atomic theorists.

(B06)- Ancient Indian Atomic theorists

[Quick links]

Did you know that there existed atomic theorists in India more than 2000 years before Dalton and others developed our modern atomic theory? 

You may not find their theories as elaborate as the atomic theories of today. But the fact is that they did come up with such a theory thousands of years ago! And without any sophisticated gadgets that we have today. They did not even have an ordinary microscope for that matter. Isn’t that amazing?

(B05)- Does God get bored?

[Quick links]

We human beings get bored sometimes. And we end up doing all kinds of silly things. But does God also get bored sometimes? Does he also do silly things?

(B04)- Punching holes in opponent’s claims

[Quick links]

In the previous episode we saw how the ancient Samkhya philosophers put forward their claims. In one stroke they make the idea of Brahma or God totally irrelevant. 

Apparently, they can explain ‘everything’ without taking recourse to any mystical entity called God! How does the Brahma supporters take on this onslaught of the opponent?

(B03)- Here comes the main wrestler!

[Quick links]

We were talking about the debates between rival Indian groups about their ideas on Brahma or God.

While we discuss these things, we should keep in mind that we are talking about a time period when many of the major world religions of today did not even exist. When even the concept of God was not a matter of mere faith but something that had to pass through the rigors of logic and reasoning. The people in those times too had their scriptures, but they did not accept anything with closed eyes. They questioned everything, even the God!

(B02)- Five blind men and the elephant

[Quick links]

Once there were 5 blind men. They wanted to ‘see’ how an elephant looks like. Being blind they obviously cannot ‘see’ the elephant. But they were inquisitive and they went on their expedition. After ‘seeing’ the elephant one by one, they gathered in a place to exchange notes on their elephantine experience.

(B01)- Why should one care to know about God?

[Quick links]

In many faith-based religions, this question does not arise at all. It could even be a forbidden question to ask. It is sacrilegious to question the existence of God. 

Acceptance of God is the most basic prerequisite. There is no religion if there is no God. But not so in ancient India. India had a completely open system where anyone was free to question anything including God.

(B00)- Let us talk big

[Quick links]

Several years ago, I was part of a large institution. This institution used to organize frequent lectures by eminent scholars in various fields. 

The Head of this institution used to invite me to attend to all these lectures. The funny thing was that the topics of most of these talks were not directly connected with my field of expertise nor something that was of my interest. That used to puzzle me.

(Mind70)- Let us progress together

[Quick links]

Each one of us has our own idea of what our goal is. 

One goal that many Yoga enthusiasts have is to enjoy health. To achieve that goal, they ‘twist and turn’ their bodies with the hope of making the body stronger and resistant to illnesses. 

They may practice breathing exercises of Yoga to minimize their stress. Since stress is linked to our proneness to illness, they hope to achieve healthy life using these techniques.

There are others who may long for the bliss experienced by meditation. They indulge in regular meditation and enjoy the bliss that results from a tranquil mind.

There may be some advanced Yoga practitioners who aim at realizing the ultimate truth. That realization may bestow them eternal peace.

A Buddhist may slog to free himself from the endless cycle of births and deaths. Prolonged meditation may enable him to achieve that.

But have you observed something common in all these goals?

(Mind69)- All unifying aspect of Yoga

[Quick links]

In the last episode we looked at various things Yoga can achieve. Depending on where you are and where you want to go, you can stop at any intermediate goal. But the real target of Yoga is ultimate realization – the realization of the ultimate truth about this existence – existence as a totality.

What this ultimate realization is, is explained in the ancient Upanishads, believed to have been recorded 5000 years ago. The sages who recorded these Upanishads arrived at this ultimate truth after prolonged meditation or practice of Yoga.

(Mind68)- Ultimate goal of Yoga

[Quick links]

Depending on what state you are in, and what your expectations are, the goals of Yoga can be different.

(Mind67)- Where did Buddha go when he died?

[Quick links]

With no offense meant, this is an important question. Buddha himself once faced this question and he handled it in his own way.

NewBook: The ultimate book on Yoga

[Quick links]

 

I am happy to announce the release of my 22nd book namely “The ultimate book on Yoga”. This also happens to be my 5th book on Yoga.

I have been working on this book for quite some time.  

(Mind66)- The ‘Pot space’- ‘Free space’ puzzle

[Quick links]

We concluded the previous episode by questioning the Kaivalya concept of Patanjali.

(Mind65)- Burnt seeds don’t germinate!

[Quick links]

If you have ever done a bit of gardening, you very well know how difficult it is to keep the weeds at bay. No matter how many times you pluck them out, they regrow once again.

That is because these weeds leave back their seeds before you pluck them out. And these seeds sprout back into new weeds at proper times. So, you will forever face the menace of these weeds.

One way is to carefully eliminate the seeds one by one so that there is nothing left to germinate. But that is a difficult proposition. Now-a-days we have several chemical sprays that render these seeds ineffective. They literally burn out these seeds. And burnt seeds don’t germinate.

Patanjali says that our mental impressions that delude us are like the seeds left behind by our past Karma. They re-germinate however much we try to suppress them. We have to somehow get rid of these seeds or render them ineffective.

(Mind64)- The five things that bind us to the world

[Quick links]

We were talking about the preset impressions that all of us are born with. Patanjali calls it Avidya or wrong knowledge.

How does this Avidya cause problems?

(Mind63)- We have a firmware that is hard to erase!

[Quick links]

We concluded our previous episode by wondering why we cannot remain in an ever-blissful state even after we attain the ‘self-realization’ through the practice of Yoga.

The ultimate state of Yoga namely the ‘Samadhi’ is supposed to take us back to our real state – namely a blissful state. But when we come out of this Samadhi, we once again get trapped into a mix of happy and sad states of mind. Why?

(Mind62)- Does Samadhi have any practical use?

[Quick links]

It was mandatory in many ancient Indian scriptures or philosophic texts to spell out the ultimate purpose of whatever was going to be espoused in the text before starting the discussion
.
So, does Yoga have any practical utility? Well, I am not talking about byproducts of Yoga such as health benefits, stress reduction and so on. I am talking about the utility of reaching the ultimate state of Yoga namely the Samadhi. Does it have any utility?

(Mind61)- Is Samadhi a self-induced slumber?

[Quick links]

In the previous episode we tried to answer two important questions about the ultimate stage of meditation, namely the Samadhi.

Firstly, we argued that Samadhi may not always be a result of some form of mental conditioning. 

We also reasoned that the blissful experience that one goes through in the initial phases of Samadhi may not be originated in the brain, though our brain experiences it and we get aware of that.

Moving on, one important question about Samadhi is whether it is some form of deep sleep or unconscious state that we enter into as a result of meditation.
 

(Mind60)- Samadhi - Does it all happen in the brain?

[Quick links]

I am happy to be back exactly after two months. I know lot of things would have happened in these two months. It is sad that there were so many deaths. I wish they did not happen.

During the pause, I was observing that many of you were re-reading/listening past episodes. 

Some asked me quite a few interesting questions both as comments as well as through the “Ask me” page in my blog. Some even communicated with me through other modes as well. I have always tried to respond in the best possible way. I am thankful to all of you.

I took the break mainly because of my voice related problem. I am better now and so I decided to break this silence. But instead of twice a week, I would be talking to you once a week – every Wednesday 12 PM PST. I am doing it both to avoid straining myself, and also to give you more time to ponder over the things I will be discussing in future episodes. 

The topics I will be discussing from now on are going to be a bit more technical and intense. But I will assure you that I will provide you details which probably you will not find elsewhere. At the same time, I will put every effort to provide authentic information and make it easy to understand.

So, let us get back.
 

Baba's Miracle!

[Quick links]

I am sorry that I am still not in a position to record my voice. So, you have to read these posts on my blog. I hope to get back soon with my regular series on Mind that I paused a month ago.

The havoc created by Corona unnerves even a seasoned Yogi. So many deaths not just in underdeveloped countries but even in those countries supposedly advanced and on the cutting edge of innovation. 

Our scientists are struggling to come up with either a cure or a vaccine for this dreaded virus that has already upset our lives and appears to ruin it altogether. But no hope at sight.

All of a sudden, here comes an Indian Yoga Guru who claims that he has a cure for this dreaded disease! Before you dismiss this as yet another ‘Indian rope trick’, please read on. Maybe you will find some food for thought.

(Mind59)- Let us take a break!

[Quick links]

I started this long series of talks on Mind beginning November last year. I spent a month each, discussing various scientific and philosophic aspects of Mind.

(Mind58)- Samadhi with awareness

[Quick links]

Many people associate different meanings to the Yogic state called Samadhi. Most people imply a sudden loss of awareness, or an experience of proximity to the divine, and so on.

(Mind57)- Once the fun starts all actions stop!

[Quick links]

We were discussing the strange and unusual experience that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to go through every now and then. What was it?

Let me start with a simple analogy.

(Mind56)- Can you experience Samadhi without meditating?

[Quick links]

Samadhi is the final stage of meditation. It is the eighth step of Yoga. As the meditation continues for a prolonged duration, one slips into this state of Samadhi.

The question is – “is meditation a necessary precondition to attain samadhi?”.

(Mind55)- What happens when you meditate?

[Quick links]

In the past few episodes, I rushed through a selection of meditative practices from various disciplines, both ancient and modern. 

I am sure there are many more ways. 

In one of my books namely “Meditation – Important things you need to know”, I have hinted that most meditations ultimately lead you to the same destination irrespective of their form and origin. The time taken to reach the destination may differ in each case though.

(Mind54)- Kundalini based meditation of the Hatayogis

[Quick links]

For many people, Kundalini is an inalienable part of Yoga. 

They talk about the dormant mystic power Kundalini, an array of energy centers called Chakras spread all over the spine starting from the lower tip of the vertebral column to the top of the skull. 

 

(Mind53)- Meditation – The Buddha’s way

[Quick links]

 







Meditation is the crux of Buddhism. But then what exactly is this meditation is something not very clear.

(Mind52)- Bhagavad Gita’s way of meditation

[Quick links]

As I discussed a few episodes ago, the ancient Indian scripture namely the Bhagavad Geetha has an entire chapter devoted to Meditation. It is called Dhyana Yoga, chapter 6.

(Mind51)- A meditation technique straight from Upanishads

[Quick links]

Upanishads may be the most ancient of the philosophical texts that deal with meditation and the ultimate realities of the world. They are parts of ancient Indian Vedic scriptures, which the Indians believe to be eternal and authorless.

(Mind50)- What to do with a focused Mind?

[Quick links]

In the previous episodes, we climbed the 4 steps of the Yoga ladder and came up to the step namely Pratyahara. The first 4 steps namely Yama, Niyama, Asana, and Pranayama gradually shaped our mind into a well-focused Mind.

(Mind49)- What happens when you have a single pointed Mind?

[Quick links]

A single pointed mind is a prerequisite for advanced stages of Yoga practice. The initial steps of Yoga namely Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama are meant primarily to take you to that state. A state where your mind does not wander around.

(Mind48)- How does a focused mind minimize stress?

[Quick links]

A stress-free mind is a boon since it keeps us healthy. Whether we are really interested in the end results of Yoga practice or not, all of us want to live a healthy life.

As we discussed a few episodes ago, there are three ways Yoga minimizes stress.

(Mind47)- Which focusing technique is the best?

[Quick links]

Having a focused mind is definitely an advantage in many ways. Such a mind not only minimizes stress but also helps you in achieving greater success in life.

(Mind46)- Are you a ‘physical’ person?

[Quick links]

Many of us are good at ‘physical’ activities than at intellectual tasks. Anything that involves action, appeals to us and we can do that easily.

If I ask you to sit in one place and concentrate, probably you will find it very difficult. But you may be good at sports, may be good runners, good musicians, good cooks, and what not. But merely sitting and thinking is not your cup of tea. You just can’t keep your mental focus.

(Mind45)- Are you a good talker?

[Quick links]

Many of us may not be good listeners. But we are good talkers. I mean, may not be proficient talkers but profusive talkers 😉

Can we use this talkativeness to hone our focusing skills? Afterall, tongue is a very powerful tool that we have.

(Mind44)- Are you a good listener?

[Quick links]

In my younger student days, I was such a good listener that I could reproduce whatever the teacher said in the class just by listening once!

Later I extended this to ‘easy reading’ or ‘lazy reading’ if you wish - where I used to loudly read a chapter from my book, record it on a tape – I am talking about those good old days – and play the tape back. 

Just listening to the tape once, I could remember the entire chapter for a long time without ever having to re-read it again!

If you are a good listener like me, then the focusing technique I am going to narrate next, is for you.

(Mind43)- How long can you keep your eyes open?

[Quick links]

There is a legend that once two warring brothers Bharata and Bahubali engaged themselves in a ‘staring war’!. They were two princes who ruled India more than 2000 years ago. They wanted to settle a succession dispute among themselves by engaging in a ‘war of staring’ or DrShti Yuddha. 

They did not want to indulge in bloodshed. They kept staring at each other without batting an eye lid. Whoever winked first, is the loser. A completely nonviolent way of settling a dispute!

(Mind42)- Are you mindful or Mind FULL?

[Quick links]

In the previous episode we were discussing the Pranayama technique of Yoga that helps us in honing our focusing skills. 

Towards the end of that episode, I also made a passing reference to methods that also go by the same name, but come from a different source and have an altogether different purpose.

(Mind41)- Pranayama – Yoga’s way to improve concentration

[Quick links]

Many modern Gurus interpret the word Pranayama to mean controlling of the life force or Prana. They are right if they are talking about the air we breathe in and out. That is definitely something that keeps us alive.

(Mind40)- Developing a sharp focus is the key to success

[Quick links]

Let me start with a nice little story. This story may be a bit out of context. But let me narrate it in a new way. This is a story from Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the Guru of Swami Vivekananda.

(Mind39)- One good Yoga exercise

[Quick links]

Though I don't wish to add the prefix ‘Yoga’ to this exercise, I will add it to satisfy the masses who think that it is part of Yoga 😉

I don’t know the exact origins of this exercise which is quite popular these days. It may be a few decades old. It tries to combine various aspects of Patanjali Yoga as well as Hatayoga in one single ‘one fit for all’ kind of exercise.

It has many of the Hatayoga asanas, breathing regimes, devotion, mantra chanting, aesthetics, all combined in one. Some Gurus even try to superimpose it with figurative aspects of Yama and Niyama as well!

(Mind38)- A Sanyasi’s stone soup!

[Quick links]

A sanyasi is a recluse who is supposed to keep aloof from worldly matters. He is not supposed to have any processions of his own, nor he is supposed to entertain any desires for pleasures.

But come on, he is also a human being! 

Once there was a sanyasi who had a desire to drink soup! But he has no resources. Nor he can ask anyone to make some soup for him.

GardenTalk15- Hope is OK. But needs to be tempered by skepticism.

[Quick links]

I have been discussing about some new ways of gardening for the past several weeks. The topic I started with was “self propelled endless store of nutrients”