Dear Sri Anil Ji, devotees,
I express below, some musings on this subject -
'Ignoring thoughts' is a useful process when one is agitated by thoughts and when one is predominantly under the sway of the emotions, the thoughts exhibit. But, I would like to bring into picture a different dimension to this. Self, is not some inert, lifeless, stone-like 'state'! We have seen the expressions of Sages in many scriptures, who have said in the likes that "That" is neither 'this' nor 'that' that is neither inert nor active. The word which is used to attitute to 'that' is "Turiya" which too, the Sages have said is only for the purposes of revelation alone and that, the very word is incapable of attributing "That"
One is asked to ignore thoughts, when one is controlled by thoughts, but, for the one, who is steadfast, thoughts are manifest by the will of the Self. For such a one, there is no requirement to ignore any thoughts. For such a person, thoughts are simply the waves in the ocean. Suppose one is walking down a busy road and happens to see a small puppy struggling in the middle of the road, it becomes his natural response to bring the puppy to safety.
In the quest for Self, don't you think, that thoughts and its suppression, restraint, is given too much importance over the true spirit of viveka itself.
Which is why, the words of all Sages have to be studied carefully, and preferably under a Guru. What the Sage says to one, need not be the same for the other.
Sri Bhagavan did say to the many to ignore the thoughts and remain still. But, the true purport ought to be seen with keen intellect. As it is said Yoga is Skill in action. So is stillness. Thoughts are expression of the Self. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad expresses the following:
In the beginning, there was only the Self. ... He
reflected, and saw that there was nothing but Himself,
whereupon he exclaimed, “I am” (Aham). Ever since, He has
been known within as “I.” Even now, when announcing
oneself, one says, “I am ...,” and then gives the other name that
one bears.
He was afraid. Even today, one who is alone is
afraid. But then he realized, “Since there is nothing else but
myself, what is there to fear?” It is only from [the presence of]
a second [entity] that fear need ever arise. However, he was
still unhappy. Even today, one is unhappy when alone. He
desired a mate. And so he took on the form of a being the size
of a man and woman joined in a close embrace; and then He
separated into two individuals: a man and a wife. Therefore,
as the sage Yajnavalkya has declared, this body, by itself, is
like half of a split pea. [In order to become whole again,] this
empty space must be filled by a woman. The male [half] then
embraced the female [half], and from that the human race
arose.
But the female wondered: “How can he unite with
me, whom he has produced from himself? Well then, let me
hide!” She became a cow; he became a bull and united with
her, and from that cattle arose. She became a mare; he became
a stallion. She an ass, he a donkey and united with her; and
from that solid-hoofed animals arose. She became a goat, he
a buck; she a sheep, he a ram and united with her; and from
that goats and sheep arose. In this way, he poured forth all
pairing creatures, down to the ants. Then he realized: “All this
creation is actually myself; for I have poured forth all this.”
One who knows this truth realizes that he, himself, is truly the
creator [living] within his own creation.
There is no question of ignoring thoughts once true viveka is dawned, that the thoughts are simply Manifested Self. Thoughts manifest/flow only at the will of the Self, unlike before, when thoughts flow/manifest due to fear of unknown. The ocean worry about the waves, when it realises its, just itself, throbbing. But, this may not hold true for a person who says he is thirsty being himself the great Ganges - as Bhagavan said.
The Self expresses itself in the form of Bhakti, Jnana, Prema, and so on, for the sheer joy of itself, knowing itself, loving itself. Like it is said in upanishads, one loves his spouse for his own Self and so on..
Sri Bhagavan came down when his Mother's shrine was built, he fed the squirrels, he communicated with monkeys, cow Lakshmi, Dogs, humans, he cleared and provided light to people, he led the devotees to safety, from the darkness of ajnana ignorance. He saved the broken egg with great care, he fractured his leg trying to save a cat from a dog chasing it, tears flowed when he heard the story of Kannapa Nayanar, he showed concern for his mother's health, he composed so many hymms in praise of Arunachala, he composed a prayer to Arunachala to heal his ailing mother.
Thoughts need not necessarily be untouchables. Thoughts are wonderful, They are verily the Self, yourself, ourselves. With the dawn of true viveka, ignoring thoughts also amounts to ignoring Self. Thoughts are great creation, manifestation of Brahma, thorough which the Self is able to become aware of itself. Otherwise, there is no way for the Self to know itself.
Sri Bhagavan has said that a Jnani's mind itself is Brahmam. Jnani's thoughts are verily the Vedas. His expressions and his thoughts only benefit and bless for its own Self.
.... some musings
ॐ
