In the world we find even emperors sorrowing, the rich worrying, the powerful anxious, the man of accomplishment jealous....all are unhappy.
And yet, we see that the true renunciate....who has no comfort, no possession, no attachment, no belonging, walks through life's journey with serenity in his heart, a smile on his face, and flaming dispassion in his life.
In fact, Sureshwaracharya asks a rhetorical question: How can a true relinquisher not be happy?
The one who is complete in himself needs nothing to be happy. Infinite unconditional happiness within is accessed by this spiritual giant. He can lie down under the shadow of a nameless tree by a wayside temple and yet sleep more luxuriously than those fighting sleeplessness in their AC rooms and soft foamy mattresses. He may barely have anything significant to clothe himself, and yet walk around with greater fearlessness than the best of supermodels draped in rich designer wear. His sense of security cannot be violated by possession of enjoyment. He wants nothing. In him, there is no need of even self-control, because he has no urge for anything outside.
This sense of utter dispassion is called Vairagya. This kind of blunt and burning Vairagya cannot be attained by running away from things and people. It is not a sickly disgust for those around us. It is not even a painful abstinence. It is a joyous sense of fulfilment in which all needs and wants become completely insignificant. It is an intense self-sufficiency attained when we taste the richness within. Without insight into the Reality within, it is impossible to gather the courage to ruthlessly drop the enchanting outer world.
But once one finds access to the infinite bliss within, where is any need for anything outside? The purity of a desireless heart is the greatest luxury a human being can experience. His mind is free, his lifestyle simple, his dispassion thorough, his peace non-dependent, his attention inward, his joy unspeakable...
It is important that as seekers of the Truth each of us makes at least an attempt to live such a life of dispassion - not by running away from objects and people, but by re-kindling one's love for the Truth. Even such a sincere try at Vairagya can be more peaceful, happy and free than the greatest of possessions and enjoyments in the world outside. Try!!
7 Habits for Highly Dispassionate Living:
1) Satsang - Regular Satsang is a very powerful way to cultivate Vairagya
2) Simple Living - At least 10 days in a year, one must spend living in utter simplicity
3) Reflection on Texts Like Bhaja Govindam - Reflect on what you read. Without reflection, knowledge remains undigested and makes our personality stink without unnecessary ego of knowing!
4) Lives of Saints - Reading about the Lives of Saints & Sages is extremely catalytic in enhancing our Vairagya
5) Contemplate on the Truth - When we spend time in Meditation & Contemplation on a Daily basis, the mind becomes introvert
6) Moderation - Live a life of balance and discipline - not too much or too less of anything is good.
7) Live Away from Home - At least once a year, live away from home, in an Ashram for 5-7 days. Home is a great source of attachment.
TODAY'S REFLECTION IS BASED ON BHAJA GOVINDAM VERSE 18.
And yet, we see that the true renunciate....who has no comfort, no possession, no attachment, no belonging, walks through life's journey with serenity in his heart, a smile on his face, and flaming dispassion in his life.
In fact, Sureshwaracharya asks a rhetorical question: How can a true relinquisher not be happy?
The one who is complete in himself needs nothing to be happy. Infinite unconditional happiness within is accessed by this spiritual giant. He can lie down under the shadow of a nameless tree by a wayside temple and yet sleep more luxuriously than those fighting sleeplessness in their AC rooms and soft foamy mattresses. He may barely have anything significant to clothe himself, and yet walk around with greater fearlessness than the best of supermodels draped in rich designer wear. His sense of security cannot be violated by possession of enjoyment. He wants nothing. In him, there is no need of even self-control, because he has no urge for anything outside.
This sense of utter dispassion is called Vairagya. This kind of blunt and burning Vairagya cannot be attained by running away from things and people. It is not a sickly disgust for those around us. It is not even a painful abstinence. It is a joyous sense of fulfilment in which all needs and wants become completely insignificant. It is an intense self-sufficiency attained when we taste the richness within. Without insight into the Reality within, it is impossible to gather the courage to ruthlessly drop the enchanting outer world.
But once one finds access to the infinite bliss within, where is any need for anything outside? The purity of a desireless heart is the greatest luxury a human being can experience. His mind is free, his lifestyle simple, his dispassion thorough, his peace non-dependent, his attention inward, his joy unspeakable...
It is important that as seekers of the Truth each of us makes at least an attempt to live such a life of dispassion - not by running away from objects and people, but by re-kindling one's love for the Truth. Even such a sincere try at Vairagya can be more peaceful, happy and free than the greatest of possessions and enjoyments in the world outside. Try!!
7 Habits for Highly Dispassionate Living:
1) Satsang - Regular Satsang is a very powerful way to cultivate Vairagya
2) Simple Living - At least 10 days in a year, one must spend living in utter simplicity
3) Reflection on Texts Like Bhaja Govindam - Reflect on what you read. Without reflection, knowledge remains undigested and makes our personality stink without unnecessary ego of knowing!
4) Lives of Saints - Reading about the Lives of Saints & Sages is extremely catalytic in enhancing our Vairagya
5) Contemplate on the Truth - When we spend time in Meditation & Contemplation on a Daily basis, the mind becomes introvert
6) Moderation - Live a life of balance and discipline - not too much or too less of anything is good.
7) Live Away from Home - At least once a year, live away from home, in an Ashram for 5-7 days. Home is a great source of attachment.
TODAY'S REFLECTION IS BASED ON BHAJA GOVINDAM VERSE 18.
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