Rough Notebook-Open Forum

[atmavichar100]

Q. How to get rid of the mind?
A. Is it the mind that wants to kill itself? The mind cannot kill itself. So your business is to find the real nature of the mind. Then you find there is no mind. When the Self is sought the mind is not. Abiding in the Self, one need not worry about the mind. [Talk 146]
The illumination is experienced in the right side of the chest, in the Heart, when Self is realized. [Talk 81]
Kundalini and chakras exist for beginners who practice that path of Yoga; but for the one who is practicing Self-enquiry, they do not exist.
- Conscious Immortality

[atmavichar100]

CONVERSATIONS WITH ANNAMALAI SWAMI
Q: Swami kept mauna [silence] for at least a year in the 1940s. In those days it must have been very peaceful and quiet here.
Nowadays the area is filled with the noise of loudspeakers, buses, trucks, radios, etc. I feel that I would also like to keep mauna for some time. But is there any point in keeping silent when there is so much noise around?
AS: Mauna means inner silence, not outer silence. If there are a lot of noises and disturbances outside, we should take them as manifestations of God. If we take the attitude that they are disturbances, we are resisting ?what is?. This will only create anxiety within us. If we see all that is as divine, nothing will ever disturb us.
You should not make judgments about the world. You are thinking, ?A quiet environment is good; a noisy one is bad?. If you have thoughts like these you will inevitably get caught up in the workings of the mind. There is nothing wrong with the world or with the environment you live in.
The only defects are in the mind which is looking at the world. If you change the outlook of the mind, the world automatically changes. Alternatively, you can give your whole mind to God.
The saint Jnanasambandhar said. There is a way that we can
live happily in this miserable world. That way is to give our minds to God.'
Bhagavan said: 'Surrender your mind to God and see all forms as God. Have impartial love towards all beings. One who lives like this, he alone can be happy.'
- Living by the Words of Bhagavanp. 318

[Subramanian.R]

Dear atmavichar,

I request you to write about Sri Ramalinga Swamigal and His Jyoti Darsanam today.

Arunachala Siva.

[atmavichar100]

Since Yesterday was Thai Poosm  sharing the article below that best describes the significance of light worship in Satya Janan Sbai founded by Vallar at Vadalur and how the worship is conducted during normal poosam days as well as on Thai Poosam day .
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The Sathya Jnana Sabhai is the unique Sanctuary in the world for the worship of the Supreme Divine. The deathless divine master Ramalinga Vallalar with the Supreme Will built this Sanctuary in the year 1872 and named it Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga Sathya Jnana Sabhai. Sathya Jnana Sabhai means the Gnostic Centre of the Supreme Truth (the divine Truth-Consciousness) and it is the Sanctuary of Light for the adoration and worship of the Arut-perun-jyothi Aandavar (means the Divine Lord of the Supreme-Grace-Light). The Sathya Jnana Sabhai is an octagonal shape shrine facing south direction. The long chain around the Sathya Jnana Sabhai is made of iron metal that is not rusted till date. The metal rings have two holes and they are connected together in a line as if a single mould and it is said that it signifies the two nostrils of nose through which human beings breathes. The first Jyothi Darshan took place on the Thai Poosam ? 25 January 1872.
 
The Jyothi Darshan takes place in Sathya Jnana Sabhai on every Poosam days. What is Poosam? Poosam is a star name. Poosam is a propitious star and it is one of the brightest stars. There are total seven veils before the Jyothi (the Light), the veils are unveiled during the Jyothi Darshan (6 veils are unveiled during the monthly Poosam Jyothi Darshan and all seven veils are unveiled during the Thai Poosam (Thai is the name of the Tamil month and Thai Poosam comes either in January or February). These veils represent the mayas ? the illusions blocking the radiance of the Soul, the Self-Light as well as the Supreme-Grace-Light. These veils are as follows:
 
1.    Black colour veil ? signifies Mamayai (Maya Saththi, Asuddha Maya Saththi)
2.   Blue colour veil ? signifies Aaruyir (Suddhaa Suddha Maya Saththi)
3.   Green colour veil ? signifies Paraveli (Kiriya Saththi)
4.   Red colour veil ? signifies Chithuru Veli (Para Saththi)
5.  Golden colour veil ? signifies Poruluru Veli (Iccha Saththi)
6.  White colour veil ? signifies Meipathi Veli (Jnana Saththi)
7.  Mixed coloured veil ? signifies Karudhu Anupavam (Adhi Saththi)
           
The significance of Sathya Jnana Sabhai is to lead us to realise the Self-Light within us as well as the Supreme-Grace-Light in the Supreme Abode above (the transcendental Suddha Shiva Veli) and everywhere ? the realisation of the Supreme-Grace-Light within and without. Here in this Sathya Jnana Sabhai a lot of divine miracles and wonders would take place according to Vallalar. Here one would get enlightenment and all Siddhis (divine powers and divine perfection ? divine transformation), therefore, Vallalar also calls this holy place as a Siddhipuram ? the Sanctuary of Siddhis.
 
Vallalar has advised people who take non-vegetarian food and kill living beings to avoid entering the Sathya Jnana Sabhai. One should follow Jeevakaarunyam and also other spiritual disciplines (Indhiriya, Karana, Aanma and Jiva Ozhukkam) to go inside the Sathya Jnana Sabhai. The rules of Sathya Jnana Sabhai must be followed and the sanctity of the Sathya Jnana Sabhai should be maintained. This Sanctuary would help everyone to receive the Arulamudham ? the nectar of the Grace and Arutsaththi ? the Grace Power and the Grace-Light if each and every one who goes there maintains discipline and silence and open to the Arutperunjyothi with ardent adoration. Vallalar calls all to receive the Supreme-Grace-Light, how wonderful it would be to heed the great call. Vallalar says that those who come to Vadalur may get good boons. Get a great boon and live divinely ? the blissful Supernal Life.


Jyothi Darshan in Sathya Jnana Sabhai, Vadalur on Poosam Days
 
Every month on the propitious Poosam Day (actually the Poosam Star comes once in 27 days cycle according to Tamil calendar), the Jyothi (the Light) is shown by unveiling 6 veils between 7.45 PM and 8.45 PM approximately (In this 1 hour, 3 times the Jyothi (the Light) is shown ? each time 15 minutes approximately and 5 minutes pause will be there in between the Jyothi Darshan). Note the last veil ― the seventh one remains there covering the one third of the portion from the top approximately. On Poosam days, hundreds and thousands of devotees come to Vadalur to have the Jyothi Darshan in Sathya Jnana Sabhai.   
 
Thai Poosam is the biggest festival in Vadalur. The most auspicious day is Thai Poosam, on the Thai Poosam Day (once in a year, in the Tamil month of Thai that comes in January or February), in the Sathya Jnana Sabhai, the Jyothi (the Light) is shown by unveiling all the 7 veils at 6 AM, 10 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM, 10 PM and the next day 5.30 AM ? each time the Jyothi (the Light) is shown for about 1 hour. (In this 1 hour, 3 times the Jyothi (the Light) is shown ? each time 15 minutes approximately and 5 minutes pause will be there in between the Jyothi Darshan). On Thai Poosam, very great numbers of devotees (several lakhs of people) visit ? Vadalur is thronged with devotees and pilgrims.
 
Come to Vadalur to have the Jyothi Darshan. During the Jyothi Darshan, avoid talking and socialising. Do concentrate only on the Jyothi Darshan ? it is time for prayer and worship and glorification of the Arutperunjyothi Almighty and it is also a time for receiving the Divine Grace of the Arutperunjyothi Almighty. Have Jyothi Darshan and carry with you the supernal blessings of Vallalar and the nectar of supreme Grace-Light of the Arutperunjyothi Almighty.   
 
Daily Poojai in Sathya Jnana Sabhai, Vadalur
 
The daily poojai is performed in the Sathya Jnana Sabhai. There another small earthen oil lamp is kept before the veils for worship. (NB: The Darshan of the Jyothi behind the veils is only on the Poosam days.)
 
Daily Poojai Time: 11.30 AM to 12 Noon, and 7.30 PM to 8 PM
 
We offer our infinite gratitude to the Arutperunjyothi Almighty ? the Divine Lord of the Supreme-Grace-Light and to the sanmarga master Vallalar, the deathless divine being of the Supreme-Grace-Light.
 
Glory to the Arutperunjyothi Almighty!
Glory to the deathless divine master Vallalar!
May all beings receive the Supernal Grace and live blissfully!
 
NB: It has been planned to update the content of supernallife.com regularly. Please do see it from time to time ? please do visit all the pages and keep on visiting on a regular basis to know about the Supernal Life which will help your right pursuit of the Supernal Life.
 
 Arut-perun-jyothi   Arut-perun-jyothi
Thanip-perung-karunai   Arut-perun-jyothi

[Subramanian.R]

Dear atmavichar,

Thank you.

Arunachala Siva.

[atmavichar100]

Simshuba is involved in publishing and Distributing Rare, Out of Print and Limited circulation books on Hinduism. The focus is on original Sanskrit works and their translation by Scholars. Only  Dharma centric interpretations are published and distributed


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Ph. 919600087691

Email: Books@simshuba.in

[atmavichar100]

DIPA MA?S ( A Great Buddhist Teacher ) LESSONS FOR SEEKERS
?Simplify?
"Live simply. A very simple life is good for everything. Too much luxury is a hindrance to practice.?
Even though Dipa Ma and her family lived in two tiny rooms, most visitors perceived those rooms as spacious and filled with light. One student observed that while we in the West think we need a lot of physical space, what Dipa Ma had was a vast psychic space.
In every way, Dipa Ma lived in the greatest simplicity. She refrained from socializing. She did not engage in unnecessary talk. She didn?t involve herself in other people's concerns, especially complaints. Her guideline for herself and her students was to live honestly and never blame others.
Often Dipa Ma simply rested in silence. "Whenever I get time alone, I always turn my mind inward," she said. She did not spend time at any activity that was unnecessary to her life.
Just as in meditation we practice giving our full attention to one thing at a time, Dipa Ma did each thing completely without worrying about the next.
"Thoughts of the past and future," she said, "spoil your time."
In whatever she did, she was fully present, with ease, stillness, and simplicity. Dipa Ma encouraged her American students to simplify their material needs. In entering one household she exclaimed, "Why so many things? Why so many pairs of shoes? Why ten boxes of tea? Why? The accumulation of things only increases the want. You will not find any pleasure in plenty."
- Dipa Ma: The Life and Legacy of a Buddhist Master

[Subramanian.R]

Today is Eripatha Naynar, Guru Puja.  He is liberated on Masi month, Hastham star day.

I have already written about Eripatha Nayanar's life story. Members are requested
to go through my serial post on 63 Saiva Saints.

Arunachala Siva.     

[Subramanian.R]

Today is Sundaram Iyer's liberation day.  Sundaram Iyer, the poorvasrama father
of Sri Bhagavan attained liberation today.

Arunachala Siva.   

[atmavichar100]

Worth Reading article about how parents are facing problems nowadays
பெற்றோருக்கு வயதாகிவிட்டால், அதிலும் தள்ளாமை வந்து விட்டால், அவர்களுடைய நிலைமை பரிதாபத்துக்குரியதாகி விடுகிறது. புண்ணிய வசத்தால் சத்புத்திரனைப் பெற்றிருந்தால், அவர்களை அவன், அன்பும், ஆதரவும் காட்டி சந்தோஷமாக வைத்திருப்பான். இப்படிப்பட்ட நல்ல பிள்ளைகளை தான் சத்புத்ரன் என்கின்றனர். இன்னும் சில புத்திர ரத்தினங்களும் இருக் கின்றனர்...
பெற்றோர் படாதபாடு பட்டு, படிக்க வைத்து ஆளாக்கி, உத்தியோகம் கிடைக்க செய்து, ஒரு கல்யாணத்தையும் முடித்து வைக்கின்றனர்.
பையன் கல்யாணமாகி, மாலையும் கழுத்துமாய் வந்து நமஸ்காரம் செய்யும்போது, உள்ளம் பூரித்து, அகமகிழ்ந்து ஆசீர்வதிக் கின்றனர். அதன் பிறகு தான் பிரச்னையே ஆரம்பமாகிறது. மனைவியின் பின்னாடியே சுற்ற ஆரம்பித்து விடுகிறான் பையன். மனைவி சொல்லே மந்திரமாகி, பெற்றோர் இரண்டாம் பட்சமாக போய் விடுகின்றனர். மனைவி நல்ல குணம் உள்ளவளாக இருந்தால், மாமியார், மாமனாருக்கு மரியாதை கிடைக்கும். எதைச் செய்வதானாலும் அவர்களிடம் ஒரு வார்த்தை சொல்லிவிட்டுச் செய்வாள். எது நல்லது, எது வேண்டாதது என்று கேட்டு செய்வாள்.
கொஞ்சம் வசதியுள்ள குடும்பத்திலிருந்து வந்த பெண்ணானால் மாமியாரை, மாமனாரை அவ்வளவாக மதிக்க மனமிராது. "அவர்களை என்ன கேட்பது, எனக்குத் தெரி யாதா?' என்பர். இவள் சொல்கிறபடி ஆடுகிறவனாக கணவன் இருந்து விட்டால், வயதான பெற்றோர் பாடு பரிதாபகரமாகி விடுகிறது. பெற்ற பிள்ளை கூட, மனைவியின் பக்கம் சேர்ந்து, இவர்களை ஒரு பாரமாக நினைக்க ஆரம்பித்து, இரவு, பகலாக ஆலோசித்து, இவர்களை ஏதாவது, "முதியோர் இல்லத்தில்' சேர்த்து நாம் நிம்மதியாக இருக்கலாம், நினைத்த சினிமாவுக்கு போகலாம், இஷ்டம் போல் வரலாம், சந்தோஷமாக இருக்கலாம்...' என்று தீர்மானம் போடுவான்.
"முதியோர் இல்லம்' எங்கே இருக்கிறது என்று சிரத்தையாக விசாரித்து பெற்றோருக்கு ஆயிரம் சமாதானம் சொல்லி, அவர்களை அங்கே கொண்டு போய் சேர்த்து, பணத்தையும் கட்டி விட்டு வந்து விடுவான். பெற்றோரும் மனம் நொந்து போய் அந்த இல்லத்தில் தங்கி, திரும்பிப் போகும் பிள்ளையை ஏக்கத்தோடு பார்த்துக் கொண்டே கண்ணீர் சிந்துவர்.
ஆனால், பெற்றோரின் வயோதிக காலத்தில் அவர்களுக்கு வேண்டிய சவுகரியங்களைச் செய்து கொடுத்து, அன்பையும், ஆதரவையும் அளிக்க வேண்டும் என்று சாஸ்திரம் சொல்கிறது. அதை விட சிறந்த தர்மம் வேறு எதுவுமில்லை. ஆலயங்களுக்குப் போக வேண்டாம், தீர்த்த யாத்திரை செய்ய வேண்டாம், ஷேத்ராடனம் செய்ய வேண்டாம், இவைகளில் கிடைக்கும் புண்ணியத்தை விட, மிக அதிகமான புண்ணியம் பெற்றோரின் வயோதிக காலத்தில் மனம் குளிரும்படி நடந்து கொண்டாலே கிடைத்து விடும்.
பிள்ளையைப் பெற்று, வளர்த்து, ஆளாக்க என்னவெல்லாம் செய் திருப்பர் என்பதை பிள்ளைகள் எண்ணிப் பார்க்க வேண்டும். இவன் பிறந்தவுடன் அனாதை இல்லத்திலா கொண்டு போய் சேர்த்தனர். கண்ணும், கருத்துமாய் பாதுகாத்து, இரவு, பகல் பாராமல் ஊட்டி வளர்த்தனர். அப்படிப்பட்ட தாய், தந்தையருக்கு கடைசி காலத்தில், "முதியோர் இல்லம்' தானா கதி! தாய், தந்தையருக்கு வயோதிக காலத்தில் பணிவிடை செய்வது எவ்வளவு பெரிய புண்ணியம்.
***
வைரம் ராஜகோபால்

[Subramanian.R]

Today is Kari Nayanar Guru Puja. Kari Nayanar attained salvation at Siva's feet on this day.  Masi month, Purada Star day.

About Kari Nayanar, I have already written in the serial post on Siva's 63 Saints.
Members are requested to go through the same.

Arunachala Siva. 

[Jewell]

SEEKERS OF FIRE


There is a long way yet to go,
O you who have received the call!
Where is the end? I do not know
If there be such a thing at all!
I only know the fire burns
Somewhere, beyond our shadowed ken,
And that a something sweetly yearns
Deep in the loneliest hearts of men.
There is a way that winds and goes
Towards the lover, through the mists
Of centuries, and no one knows
For certainty if he exists.
But when we dream such dreams and taste
Such sweetness in the heart, he must
Bloom like a rose beyond the waste
Of doubt?s unyielding desert-dust.
O soul! move on from age to age,
Move on, my God-enchanted soul!
Making your every goal a stage
In some forever-distant goal;
And may each end be but fulfilled
Into beginning; nor forget
The spiral process he hath willed
For feet that need to travel yet.
Be still, O traveling soul! be still!
Even in movement learn to rest!
Unite your will unto his will
And then, throughout your lonely quest,
You will discover that you are
The self-same master whom you seek
From evening-star to evening-star,
From mountain-peak to mountain-peak.
The light is brimming in your eyes,
Your breath has scented all the wind;
In every footfall hidden lies
The goal that you are out to find.
The emptiness of time and space
Grows to a fullness sudden-sweet,
Each step becomes a resting place
For the once-weary traveling feet.

Harindranath Chattopadhyaya

[Subramanian.R]

Today is Kochengat Chozha Nayanar Liberation Day.

Masi month, Sadhaya star day.

I have given the detailed life history of Kochengat Chozha in my serial post on
63 Saiva Saints.

Arunachala Siva.

[atmavichar100]

'.. EVEN ONE STEP IS HARD TO TAKE..'
Nagamma asked me to get her the Asramam book in which Telugu poems are written so that she could copy in it those of L.N. Sastri. I took it out and gave it to her. Then I told Bhagavan: ?It seems that this L.N. Sastri is a great poet. Nagamma is all praise for his poems and tells me he is about the best Telugu poet who has come to Bhagavan for the past five or six years.? G. Subba Rao said: ?Yes, I agree, he is a great poet.?
Bhagavan said, ?He is a pandit in the Raja?s College at Vizianagaram. Nobody would take him for such a great poet. He looks a very ordinary man. He wants to become someone who can compose extempore poems on any given subject.
But all this is only activity of the mind. The more you exercise the mind and the more success you have in composing verses or doing satavadanam (giving attention to many things at a time) the less peace you have. What use is it to acquire such accomplishments if you don?t acquire peace? But if you tell such people this, it does not appeal to them. They can?t keep quiet. They must be composing songs. As Nayana used to say: ?In going forward one can run any distance at any speed, but when it is a question of going backward, that is turning inwards, even one step is hard to take.?
Day by Day, 9-5-46

[atmavichar100]

CONVERSATIONS WITH ANNAMALAI SWAMI
Q: Bhagavan often told devotees to 'Be still'. Did he mean ?Be mentally still'?
AS: Bhagavan's famous instruction ?summa iru' [be still] is often misunderstood. It does not mean that you should be physically still; it means that you should always abide in the Self.
If there is too much physical stillness, tamoguna [a state of mental torpor] arises and predominates. In that state you will feel very sleepy and mentally dull. Rajoguna [a state of excessive mental activity], on the other hand, produces emotions and a mind which is restless.
In sattva guna [a state of mental quietness and clarity] there is stillness and harmony. If mental activity is necessary while one is in sattva guna it takes place. But for the rest of the time there is stillness. When tamoguna and rajoguna predominate, the Self cannot be felt. If sattvaguna predominates one experiences bliss, clarity and an absence of wandering thoughts. That is the stillness that Bhagavan was prescribing.
Living by the Words of Bhagavan, p. 273