“The secret of work consists in working for work’s sake and not for fruits. So all the work done by us in our daily lives will help us advance towards the perfect emancipation of the soul. Whoever performs his duties understanding the secret of work becomes truly unselfish and eventually gains knowledge of his real Self, which is immortal and divine.”
“Karma Yoga shows us the way by which we can become conscious of our true self and by widening the range of the limited ego can make it universal. The person must realize that every action produces similar reaction. If the action is in harmony with the moral and physical laws which governs our lives, then the reaction telling upon the doer of the actions will be good – peace, rest, fortune, health, and happiness. On the contrary if these laws are violated then the result will be evil, discomfort, loss of fortune, disease, and unhappiness. So a traveler on the path of Karma should not even think evil of another, because in the attempt to injure others we first injure ourselves. A Karma Yogi realizes that there is one being, or one spirit, in the universe. Seeing this same being or spirit in all living creatures, he should recognize the rights of all and should not injure anyone either mentally or physically.”
Acharya looked at Raghav who went into deep thought trying to understand the meaning of karma yogi. He wondered whether he faced the consequences for the last ten years because he wanted bad of others. But then from where does the notion of justice comes in?
The Acharya continued, “The aim of a Karma yogi is to live in the world as a master, not like a slave. Those who chooses the path of Karma Yoga seek absolute control over their desires and passions and direct their energies through their vital forces towards the highest ideal of life—freedom of the soul. They work for humanity through love, and show by example how perfect freedom can be attained by right work. So this is the path they travel to achieve the real truth. I will talk about Buddha’s story later. Now we move to our next yogic path called Jnana yoga.”
Acharya looked at Raghav and the disciples and asked,
“Are you really understanding what I am telling you?. Please feel free to ask if you have any doubts as I am reading what is written.” He looked at each but no one responded.
Acharya once more picked up the threads of the discussion.
“The next form of yoga is Jnana Yoga. Here I will give you the description as given in Vedanta. Jnana Yoga teaches us the realization of absolute truth, which is the one common source of all subjective and objective phenomena in the universe. It teaches that there is one life, one being, one reality, and all notions of distinction and differentiation, all notions of duality and multiplicity of existence are unreal and illusory.”
“This system is based on non-dualistic system. Its contends that subject and the object are two expressions of the one absolute being, that God and Man, the Creator and the created, are only different aspects of one Universal Reality. Mind, matter, intellect, sense-powers, names, and forms are manifestations of one substance called Brahman in Sanskrit. They appear to us as real but the truth is only relative reality. Brahman is described in the Vedanta as ‘that from which all animate and inanimate objects are born, by which they live, and into which they return after dissolution. It should be known and realized by all”.
“It is the essence of divinity. Our individual egos are painted by Maya, the inscrutable creative power of the infinite being. The aim is to unify God and the individual soul and show the absolute oneness that exists between them on the highest spiritual plane. The individual ego, in its true nature is divine, and this true self is known as Atman in Sanskrit. The knowledge of this oneness of the Atman or subjective reality with Brahman, the universal truth is described by Jnana yoga as the only means of attaining complete liberation from bondage of selfishness and from attachment to body and senses, which causes all unhappiness and misery.”
“So it shows the way to come out of Maya. It says that Atman is immortal, all-knowing, and free by its own nature. Jnan yoga claims that the sleep of ignorance cannot be removed by work, nor by devotion, nor by meditation, but by the light and power of the knowledge of the Atman or Self and of knowing its relation to Brahman. This knowledge cannot be attained through prayers. Realization dawns when the intellect and heart have been purified by unselfish and righteous work. The knowledge of the self will bring to the soul the realization of Absolute truth more quickly than the practice of Raja, Karma and Bhakti Yoga.” Acharya continued reading from the mobile phone.
“This path is for those earnest and sincere thinkers of truth who care nothing for earthly prosperity, success, social honor, fame, or fulfillment of personal ambitions, but whose sole desire is to know who they are in reality, what its true nature is and what relation exists between the soul, God, and the universe. In this path he will learn to sever all ties using the right discrimination between self and non-self never allowing oneself to be overpowered by any external or internal influence.”
“One who is on this path should march onward towards its realization, breaking down all names and forms with the hammer of right analysis. A Jnana yogi, in his search for Brahman, will reject all names and forms until he realizes the one Who is nameless, formless – the absolute being of the universe and merge into the infinite ocean of bliss. Knower, Knowledge and Known will become one. A sincere seeker will realize that the Atman is one with Brahman or the Eternal Truth. He will say ‘I am Brahman and I am the absolute source of Knowledge, Existence and Bliss’. He will dwell on the meaning of “Tat Tvam Asi” and will devote his time to meditating upon his oneness till the light of Brahman illumines his soul and transfers his ego into the essence of Divinity. A Jnana yogi does not seek any supernatural help or divine mercy for he is conscious of the omnipotent and omniscient nature of the Atman. He says that ‘I am neither mind, nor intellect, nor ego, nor senses. I am neither earth, nor water, nor fire, nor air, nor ether, but I am Existence, Knowledge and Bliss. I am He, I am He’
The Acharya looked at Raghav smiled and continued understanding that Raghav is actually not understanding the convoluted thoughts, “A Jnana Yogi realizes the absolute unchangeable eternal truth in this life and ultimately becomes one with it, because one who knows Brahman becomes Brahman and for the same reason one who knows God can be no other than God himself. This is the path one can take to realize the truth.”
The Acharya paused at this point having explained the three ways to find the truth. Raghav asked
“And what is the Raja Yoga that you mentioned in the middle of the discourse?”
Acharya smiled and replied, “So you are listening, I thought you were lost. Raja Yoga is the path that is mostly followed by yogis in the mountains. Raja Yoga or the royal method as the name suggests deals with development of the mind. As explained before, the mind is the most powerful master and he who controls the mind is the greatest of all and he knows the real truth. The one aim of this yoga is to have a perfectly healthy mind. The process strengthens one’s will power and leads the seeker of truth through the right paths. The man who possesses a vigorous mind can become the master of himself and can attain realization of the truth.”
Acharya then switches off the mobile and pauses and spontaneously continues looking at Raghav...
“Did I not confuse you with these convoluted arguments. Do you think truth is so convoluted.”
Raghav now looks confused assuming that Acharya will give some simple explanations after all the convoluted and confusing words used. Unlike yesterday when he was extremely clear, it seemed Acharya was playing some games with his mind. But he also understood that Acharya has his own ways to explain what is right. He replied smiling, “Yes you definitely achieved the task of confusing me”
Acharya laughed and continued on a serious note now without looking at the mobile,
“The truth is that the power of mind is more powerful than all senses but one needs to be in complete good health to realize this. If one develops the true power, one can direct our concentrated mental energy or chi tow
ards our higher self; the true nature of the individual ego will be revealed, and he will realize that our immutable self is the soul of all, and that is same as the ultimate reality of the universe. This is when we call Aham Bhramaswa - or I am the universe”
Raghav is now listening more carefully knowing Acharya will say something more than what is written there.
Acharya continued,
“The outer world exists only in relation to the inner nature of each individual. The external is only the reflection of the internal; that which we gain, that which we receive, is only the likeness or reflection of that which we is already in us. In other words Vedanta’s Raja Yoga way helps unravels the riddles of the universe but there are other ways too and so the idea of truth. The path that we practice is called the trikaya which was provided in the book named Lankavarata sutra” Acharya halts for a while
“But through our way, which we teach, after reaching Samadhi through this path one realizes that one’s true self is one with the universal Spirit, and he receives all the revelation and all the inspiration that a human soul can possibly embrace. This is when one realizes one’s higher self within and understand the true nature of mind.”
“This truth cannot be realized by any intellect. Those who are longing to know the truth, those who are searching for the ultimate reality of the universe can attain them through this path. After the individual has attained the final realization, the search after truth will stop; the mind will become calm and tranquil. At this point he enters the state of Nirvana where he is in one with the nature; he is neither living nor dead, he is living dead.”
The discussion was becoming very interesting now.
“In this philosophy we don’t speak of attaining Moksha in this form but we speak of Nirvana where all the chakras of the individuals are developed completely. It is then that the final realization of truth dawns. Buddha died on achieving Nirvana but many later reached to higher states.”
Raghav started to understand that Acharya’s ideas were close to Buddha’s philosophy but he wanted to know more.
“Now all what I had said is like a literature review about mind-culture to achieve the truth and the truth is actually far from it But tomorrow we need to talk about body-culture as the body is the vessel to the mind. One needs to have a healthy body to achieve the state of the mind and so we are here in Himalayas. So in this idea of truth, we have the form of yoga named as Hatha Yoga but we will discuss about it when we talk about the body tomorrow.”
Two days and Raghav still is getting amazed by Acharya’s sea of knowledge and the way he describes what Raghav really wants to hear.
“For the time being you need to be more acclimatized to these altitudes. Today the shishyas will guide you to even higher altitudes. Take you water bottle and chocolates with you. You will need them on this trip. And last but not the least enjoy the view. I see your health is recovering slowly.”
8.4: The Body Culture
Raghav returned from a trek towards Mount Chota Shivling which is a small peak in front of the formidable Mountain Shivling at 25000ft. Raghav pushed himself keeping pace with the shishyas but could only help but see the shishyas summiting the peak with such an ease while he could only reach halfway. The entire route was filled with scree and Raghav had a hard time coming down to the camp. His knees were in pain when he was down and went back to sleep. Next morning he wakes up to see them practicing martial arts just with the peak at the backdrop. He joins them after the meditation.
Looking at Raghav the Acharya asked
“You must have seen us practicing every morning before sitting for meditation.”
Raghav replied,
“Is this some kind of martial arts.”
“This is called Hatha Yoga. In the world from where you come from the most famous definition of HATHA YOGA is that teaches one how to conquer hunger, thirst, and sleep; how to overcome the effects of heat and cold; how to gain perfect health and cure diseases without using any medicines; how to arrest the untimely decay of the body resulting from the waste of vital energy; how to preserve youth even at the age of one hundred without having a single hair turn grey, and how thus to prolong life in this body for an indefinite period.”
“But the actual definition of this form of yoga cannot be explained by simple words. Some of these practices are esoteric in nature. If you happen to visit any of the monasteries, which I think you should do like the Naco, Tabo, Che you will get to know it better. These are Buddhist monasteries where you can learn about Hatha Yoga practices which are esoteric in nature. The walls are full of colorful descriptions which might to an untrained mind seem sexual in nature. Imagine the message they mean to give considering the fact that most monks abstain from any sexual activities.”
Acharya looked at Raghav smiling while explaining the definition of a form which cannot be explained easily. Acharya continued,
“Some of these monasteries had access to many recondite artistic materials of Hatha yoga practices most of which were destroyed or converted in the mainland of India. It only survived in these mountains because of the remoteness of these monasteries.”
“But continuing on the few accepted definitions, Hatha Yogis eat very little; they can also go entirely without food for days and even for months, and succeed in conquering sleep.”
Acharya looked at Raghav and asked,
“Do you think it’s possible?”
Raghav answered,
“Decades back I might have rejected this idea but now I believe anything is possible.”
Acharya smiled and continued,
“The principal idea of the yogis is that physical maladies are obstacles to the path of spiritual progress, while a healthy body furnishes one the most favorable conditions for the realization of the highest spiritual truths in this life. Now it’s generally accepted that there are all-together eighty-four asanas described in the science of Hatha Yoga.”
“In lay terms each of these, when practiced with special breathing exercises, develops certain powers latent in the nerve centers and the different organs of the system. This helps regulate the chi in the body. Eventually a hatha yogi who has realized the ultimate truth lives or dies according to his own will.”
Acharya looked at Raghav again and said,
“You know some political people and parties have hijacked this form of art to meet their political ambitions. Many of them had taken few hatha yoga asanas and sell them as their yogas. Yoga has become a business in India having lost its basics.”
Raghav responded,
“I cannot agree more to you.”
“Therefore the bookish definition is the exercises of Hatha Yoga should be practiced only so far as the earnest truth-seeker does not attain Râja Yoga, which alone will lead the soul to perfect freedom. Raj Yoga teaches one to manipulate the power inside the body otherwise called chi.”
Raghav smiles understanding the sarcasm.
“But, the next important question comes, where would one get the power of chi? It should come from somewhere like the energy you saw in our performance”
Acharya looks at the shishyas for answers but did not wait for the answers.
“The answer is pretty simple. Through continuous practice of Hatha Yoga one develops power in the various organs. By continuous practices all the chakras of the body become active. So a disciplined approach helps to develop these chakras.”
“You must have heard of the different chakras rite”
Raghav replies
“Yes read in books.”
“So as per the theory there are actually six chakras in the body namely muladhar, swadhistan, manipura, anahata,vishudda, ajnya; the seventh one is on the crown of the head sahasrara. Ordinarily these chakras are said to be pulling us downward towards materialism and the pleasures of the body, but in the yogi the chakras are facing upwards carrying the yogi towards spiritual fulfillment. The Hatha Yogi develops all the chakras and so he is the one who is very sensitive to people.”
Looking at Raghav Acharya continues,
“We are all familiar with muscle exercises but tell me how do you exercise your kidney or any internal part of the body? If one wants to live long you need to be able to exercise your internal organs but how do you do so?”
Raghav looks puzzled.
“Actually you can train your mind to exercise these. The Tibetan monks have developed the way to generate heat from your body to withstand the cold of these Himalayas. They call this practice Tsumo where they can sit in the icy cold temperatures without any clothes.”
“Here they manipulate the manipura chakra of their body to generate the internal heat to conquer the cold. Can you imagine how they do it?”
He again looked at Raghav and asked
“Do you want to see what I am talking of so that you believe me?”
Raghav replied, “Acharya, I believe every word that you say.”
Acharya proceeded,
“Well seeing is believing. Also if you want to stay here with my shisyas you need to get involved in these practices every morning to get back in shape. So let’s go towards the Neeltal today. You will also get some more doses of acclimatization in these high altitudes.”
THE MYSTIC: PART I - THE SEEKER (Part 1 - THE SEEKER) Page 24