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Delusion about the nature of the Self casts a shadow on the Awareness, which is self -illumined,
non-dual, uncreated and transcendental, just like the moon that casts its shadow on the ever-shining sun.
— Vivekachoodamani . V 141
— Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
"Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. In order to be happy one should have good health, a well-balanced mind, a prosperous life, the right work, a thankful heart, and above all, wisdom or knowledge of God." - Paramahansa Yogananda
An object that is unknown and not evident cannot be erroneously understood.
An object that is evident and known cannot be erroneously understood.
Knowledge of a thing can be in accordant with the object’s name, form, and meaning. It is intrinsic.
When the knowledge of a thing is incongruent, incorrect, and nonsensical, the object is recognized but not as it is. The cause for this is deficiency is in perception and inference. The means of knowing is faulty.
Atma/Self/Divinity is self-evident, we are aware it is self-evident, and we know it is always present. That it is recognized but not as it is, is due to faulty perception, inference, and the the use of the wrong means of knowing.
Atma/Self/Divinity is known by self-inquiry, and it is the only object of self-inquiry and nothing else.
Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s commentary on the recognition of the Self/Atma/Divinity within.
— Vivekachudamani. Verse 141
The entire world is within Ishvara’s order, and you are not alone in that order. You are a participant along with other beings - trees, animals, humans, as well as the earth and waters and elements. Interacting with each of them responsibly is sva-dharma, your duty. What is our duty and what is to be done is evident, so is what is not to be done. The choice is not always easy. One needs to deliberately use the will to understand the situation and do the right thing.
Karma-yoga involves recognizing Ishvara as the Universal Order and the Law Giver. The Order is everywhere, inside and outside. When you trust the Order of the Universe and submit to it, you are no longer under the hold of anger and desire. You can stop being a ninja and constantly fight the world. This is how the ego dissolves and the mind gets purified. Only then the purified mind recognizes the brightly shining Self within.
— Vivekachudamani Verse 150.
— Commentary by Swami Dayananda Saraswatii
Bhagvad Gita 13.2:
The Supreme Divine Lord said:
O Arjuna, this body is termed as kṣhetra (the field of activities),
and the one who knows this body is called kṣhetrajña (the knower of the field)
by the sages who discern the truth about both.
"God is equally present in all, but He is most definitely expressed in the heart of the spiritually minded, loyal person who thinks only of Him. Through your loyalty to God you can establish your Oneness with Him. Loyalty attracts the Divine Attention. Thus when the storms of life gather, and the waves of trials buffet you, you can guide the boat of your life safely to divine shores by realizing His omnipresence." - Paramahansa Yogananda
Swami Turiyananda, a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, says: "The Lord is the protector of the humble-their friend and helper. Humbleness does not come as long as there is any egotism left." Humbleness consists in disinclination to proclaim one's greatness. Modesty is freedom from pretension. Pride is the result of a distorted perception about oneself. Pride is based on finite things, like one's beauty, possessions, and scholarship.
Swami Vivekananda taught that true religion results in transformation of character. Humbleness (Amanitva) , Modesty (adambhitva), and Absence of Ego (anahankara) are three related divine qualities described as signs of divine knowledge in the Bhagavad Gita (13.7-8)
Last edited by Tzaphkiel; 05-14-2023 at 10:38 AM..
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Submission is the path to Freedom.
