Advaita Vedanta, Your path to "Nothing" yet "Everything". : May 2020

Advaita Vedanta- Your path to ‘Nothing’ yet ‘Everything’.

Date- Akshay Tritiya 2020 [Work started on this date]

Written by Rajesh Latkar

Only thing, I repeat the only thing I am interested in is “SELF REALIZATION”.

The rest obviously follows and will set things right. It will surprise you how “that” realization will balance your life.

It is all there in the ancient knowledge - the scriptures. But the interpretation has to be by a Guru or a higher level Gyani/Jnani

You will wander endlessly with all those books and that misguided devotion if you are not directed to walk on the right path by your Guru or Gurus. Yes, you can have multiple Gurus [not more than four preferably] of the same Parampara [Spiritual lineage]. If they are from different philosophies you go for another spin!

I would be nowhere without my Gurus.

Naman to Shri Adi Shankaracharya [AS]

Naman to Shri Swami Vivekananda [SV]

Naman to Shri Raman Maharshi [RM]

Naman to Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj [NM]

All these enlightened Gurus belong to the highest philosophy ever known to man –ADVAITA VEDANTA [AV].

Advaita Vedanta is a Darshan [philosophy] that talks about Atman is Brahman and non duality of the absolute truth, Brahman. That’s the shortest description for AV.

I am listing some points related to Advaita Vedanta. They are teachings by my respected Gurus and my thoughts [my life experiences in spirituality, my discussions with Jnanis, Sadhus & Sanyasis]. There is no chapter, no chronology, no pattern and it’s not required because everything gravitates towards the subject of absolute truth –Brahman. It better be that way, if the point is not talking about/heading towards Brahman it better be not there. Brahman is the invisible string that runs through all the points.

1. The simplest thing to understand is so difficult to understand because of your complex mind. The simplest thing to understand is so simple if your mind is not complex. Make your mind childlike with VISMAY [Surprise, which is non corrupt and full of pure childlike curiosity]

2. Everything is nothing and nothing is everything. [NM]

3. The smart mind, the smart words, the smart presentation, the suave look may not be of any use in finding the absolute truth. Infact sometimes you will have to fight with them to reach to absolute truth. ‘Them’ are hurdles to know ‘That’.

4. AV talks about ‘Path of KNOWLWDGE’ to achieve final liberation from pain and sufferings of this world.

5. Your individual pure Consciousness [Atman] and the universal consciousness [Brahman] are not separate. There is no other [Advaita, nondual] like Brahman.

6. You are not your body, your mind, your intellect and your ego. You are Atman.

7. Atman [Individual pure consciousness], Brahman [Universal consciousness], Maya [Illusion], Avidya [Ignorance], Moksha [Liberation] are the main pillars of Classical Advaita Vedanta [AS-Adi Shankaracharya]

8. Adi Shankaracharya [8^th century] is the father figure of Advaita Vedanta.

9. Shri Adi Shankaracharya is one of the tallest figures in making/shaping what our Culture, Land, Heritage, Sanatan, Vedanta, Advaita Vedanta is today. Naman to Guru ji.

10. The life we see and experience [Empirical World] is an illusion. It is a world of Maya [Illusion]. It is a world of duality, ever changing. [AS]

11. When you realize/become Brahman by removing Avidya which was hiding/covering it from you, Maya vanishes. You see the WORLD OF BRAHMAN where there is no duality. It is silent, still, never changing, no distinction, no duality. You are Brahman.

12. Language can not describe Brahman so a technique called Net Neti is used to describe Brahman by negating many things, removing attributes and reaching to what is left. This helps Jnani evolve faster.

13. Liberation is possible by walking on the path of knowledge and by doing meditation regularly. [AS]

14. Ask yourself “Who am I?” sit in silence meditate and contemplate [RM- Ramana Maharshi]

15. If your identification with “Body” and “Mind” is “I”, it is wrong.

16. It’s going to be a hell of a tough struggle in the beginning but all worth it in the end. Show patience.

17. “Vishwas” [ a combination of belief, trust, sureness, assurance] and “Bhakti” [Total devotion and Pure love] will help you maintain that patience. Stay in there on “the path of knowledge” and “meditation”. More power to you. Don’t give up.

18. All the problems, suffering, pain are outside and all the solutions, inner peace, absolute truth, pure bliss are inside you. Turn inside and find your true self.

19. Find the Divinity inside you. [SV-Swami Vivekananda]

20. Swami Vivekananda is the father figure of Neo/Modern Advaita Vedanta of today’s time. [SV]

21. Just by knowing that this body is not you, you experience a state called Vairagya [Dispassion, Detachment, Renunciation] [NM- Nisargadattta Maharaj]

22. Vairagya is a much maligned word but it is actually not as bad. You can still do everything that you are doing in life but with great balancing. With age growing and knowledge finally you will get fully disinterested in the world of duality though.

23. There are two levels of truth. Vyawaharik Satya [Satta] [Empirical world] [World of Maya] and the level above that is the real level of absolute truth, it is Paramarthik Satya [Satta] [The world of Brahman], where everything is Brahman and everything is created by Brahman. Brahman is non dual. No power is bigger than Brahman.

24. There are three states of being. Jagrat State [Awake state], Swapna State [Dream State], Shushupti State [Deep sleep state]. There is a state beyond these three states and that is called Turiya State [ State of absolute truth]

25. Jagrata State corresponds with Vyawharik World [World of Maya] [World of names and forms] [Ever changing world of duality] while Turiya corresponds with Paramarthik World [World of Brahman/world of absolute truth] [silent, still and unmoving world of Brahman].

26. Turiya state is a result of combination of deep Meditation and intense Contemplation. One can be in that state with Guru’s teachings, after years of practice with Bhakti, Samarpan, Vishwas in your heart.

27. Meditation, Meditation, Meditation.

28. Meditation is very difficult to understand for a common man. He has no patience, he counts immediate & tangible gains of the world of duality. He does not trust Gurus. You need maturity to understand meditation.

29. No philosophy is of any use if it can not be applied in making our lives better. So Swami Vivekananda, in modern times, used Advaita Vedanta in social welfare, personality development, and setting higher goals and to increase confidence. [SV]

30. Swami Vivekananda spoke about four paths to reach Moksha. Karma Marg, Raj Marg, Bhakti Marg and Gyan/Jnana Marg. He made Advaita Vedanta philosophy useful for humanity. In addition to “Self realization” Swami ji made AV “Socially relevant”, added the aspect of “Service to humanity”. [SV]

31. Just sit in silence, ask “who am I?” meditate and contemplate [RM]

32. Contemplation is divided in three parts. Shravan, which is contemplation on thoughts from Shrutis [Scriptures like Vedas, Upanishads, Geeta]. Manan, which is contemplation on thoughts, emotions, events from empirical world, your Anubhav and Guru’s thoughts/guidance/teachings on the same, thirdly is Nididhyasan, which is contemplation on the subject of Brahman with Gurus teachings & interpretations. One may choose any of the Mahavakyas for contemplation.

33. The most important Mantra is Om.

34. Chanting Mantras before Meditation helps in cleaning your mind and making it ready for meditation.

35. Gayatri Mantra, Mantras for your Ishwar and Guru Mantra are important.

36. Light warm up exercises like Surya Namaskars [6 to 12] and Nadi Shudhi Pranayam [2 mints] are useful to make meditation effective, it helps in keeping the posture still and body aligned with gravity.

37. 10 minutes of meditation is generally good. 20 minutes of contemplation must follow the meditation. After all we are on Gyan/Jnana marg [Path of knowledge] where contemplation is vital.

38. There is no knowledge without Gurus’s guidance. Every opportunity to show your love and gratitude to your Guru/s is not enough, never enough.

39. Brahm Satya, Jagat Mithya. Brahman alone is truth, the world is mere appearance. [AS]

40. AtmaNishtha means your true loyalty to your true self. That is finding out “Who am I?” [RM]

41. If scriptures tell you that fire is cold and your Anubhav [Experience] tells you that fire is hot, go with your Anubhav. That is how Adi Shankaracharya rated Anubhav. [AS]

42. Any philosophical thought in Advaita Vedanta goes through three qualifications/tests. A] What scriptures say? B] What Yukti [Reason] says? C] What Anubhav [Experience] says? [AS]

43. Mind loves concepts and definitions. It imagines and gives logic to everything. The absolute truth is much beyond that. [NM]

44. We never worry or show Ashcharya [Curious surprise] towards waking state [Jagrat Awastha], dream state [Swapna Awastha] and deep sleep state [Shushupti Awastha]. We take it all for granted, then why show so much Ashcharya towards Turiya state? Just be there, be in meditation, rest will follow.

45. Meditation is to be done till the last day of your life in Vyawharik World.

46. Anything that smells of duality must be viewed with caution. In the Empirical world that is a common occurrence though. Gyaani/Jnani [Spiritual seeker] observes, notes and continues with his search.

47. Everyman’s aim in life [Purushartha] covers four points. Dharma, Artha, Kama & Moksha [Final liberation from the cycle of birth & death, rebirth, pain & suffering].

48. Advaita Vedanta shows the path to Moksha with the Path of Knowledge [Gyaan/Jnana]

49. AV promises that Moksha [Liberation] state during this life time before death.

50. When one reaches the stage of Moksha, he is called Jeevan Mukta.

51. A person who is Jeevan Mukta experiences absolute/ extreme Vairagya. His mind merges in his Atman. There are no emotions, no attachment, no duality.

52. Modern man is an absolute corrupted version of a man who lived in ancient times. The ancient man gave top priority to find “who am I? Most things modern man takes pride in are far less important than “who am I?”

53. Keep higher goals, be confident, be hardworking. There is nothing that can not be achieved? [SV]

54. A Jnani [Seeker] knows how to balance his life in the empirical world [Vyawaharik World]. He wants everything but his priorities show empathy, his distribution of benefits show equality, his sharing of resources are right. There is no greed. It takes another Jnani to see that Jnani.

55. Vidya [Knowledge] is not endless search of “some useful information and a lot of unnecessary information”. It is simply removal of Avidya [Ignorance]. Simplicity is not understood and respected by the modern man. He wants something complicated to challenge his mind. If it is not complicated it is not important. What a tragedy!

56. The modern world undermines simplicity and overrates Avidya [Ignorance] due to Maya.

57. When light appears where is darkness? When knowledge comes where is ignorance? They both go away effortlessly. This is simplicity. Similarly, with presence of Brahman, Maya goes.

58. Eat well, eat consciously. Spend time in making food, spend proper time in enjoying every morsel while eating your meals.

59. Drink clean water slowly and consciously.

60. Don’t waste a wise man’s time by arguing with him. Don’t waste your time by arguing with an ignorant or non-dharmik, non-spiritual person.

61. What you eat is not my business but is the universe happy? Your geography, natural resources basically decide your community’s food habits. However a higher level Jnani should prefer vegetarian food and avoid non-vegetarian food. More importantly the small quantity and simplicity in food matters the most. Raw foods like fruits are welcome. Indulging in food is a big distraction from spiritual studies.

62. Gomata [Holy Cow] is absolutely somewhere at the top, at the level of Ishwar. We must save her.

63. My name, my ethnicity, my image, my gender, my age, my education, and my possessions they all mean NOTHING. I am atman, I am everywhere. Atman has no attributes, no possessions.

64. Bhay [Fear] and Ichcha [Desire] are two big players in the world of Maya. They keep you busy and keep you away from the absolute truth.

65. If my approach towards art and music is not enhanced multiple times after I started walking on the path of spirituality, I am doing something wrong.

66. When you start meditation immediate changes are in managing your anger [Anger management], becoming kinder [Empathy & sympathy], becoming a good listener, doing one thing consciously and enjoying it, getting interested in deep thinking, connection with nature & enjoying simplicity in life. These are nothing but small small enlightenments for a new Jnani [Seeker].

67. Enlightenment is not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and listening to a divine voice that promises you something.

68. Higher level Jnani becomes fearless and has no personal desires. He is a brave man who will protect/defend Sanatan from any attack. It is my duty and karma to protect my civilization, culture, heritage from invading political ideologies.

69. Ahimsa paramo dharma, dharma hinsa tathaiv chaha. [Non violence is the ultimate duty but you have to choose the path of violence to protect your Dharma [Religion] from the evil.] This is an important lesson Arjuna learnt from Lord Krishna. [Bhagwad Geeta]

70. Imagine if Arjuna had not lifted his Dhanushya [weapon] what would have happened? Shri Krishna [Ishwar] advised him to fight a war to protect Dharma and defeat the evil forces.

71. Ishwar is sagun sakar [ with form and name] while Brahm [Brahman] is nirgun nirakar [nameless and formless]. Ishwar is Brahman with name and form in the world of Maya [Empirical world]. Ishwar is a Roop [Representative Image] of Brahman in the Vyawaharik satya. We worship, pray, love, show devotion to Ishwar in this ever changing world of duality, emotions, expectations, distinctions, inequality, ego, intellect, birth and death. The ultimate and absolute truth is Brahman where there is no Ishwar, no Maya, no duality.

72. Pray to Ishwar in Vyawaharik world with all sincerity and wish for the Ashirwad [blessings], guidance, protection, grace and his Kripadrishti [Kind sight].

73. Life is beautiful, live it fully means live it “consciously”. Take informed decisions. Stay on the path of spirituality that will help balance it. Your idea of “living it fully” and an ignorant’s idea would be different.

74. It is your [as house holder] duty as part of Kaam [Entertainment is a part of your Purashartha] to be happy and to keep your family and friends happy. The tricky area is attachment though. Sanyasis have no family so there is no attachment.

75. Three most neglected aspects of meditation are gravity, posture and preparation for meditation. How can you concentrate if your body and mind is not ready for it?

76. Respect your body, don’t abuse it. It is your real home, where you stay in the world of Maya.

77. Advaita Vedanta needs a new version after Shankara’s Advaita Vedanta and Neo Advaita. An Advaita version that starts “the exodus of the modern busy man from fake, meaningless life to absolute truth and meaningful life of Advaita Vedanta”.

78. Anyone can adapt the life of an Advaitin. You don’t have to be a yogi, a swami, a sadhu to do that. Just find out “who am I?” That is life of a common man in tune with the teachings of AV.

79. Do work outs, physical exercises and breathing exercises to keep a healthy body. Swami Vivekananda is an inspiration [SV]

80. A healthy mind and a healthy body help build confidence and with higher confidence one can set higher goals [SV]

81. Imagination is an important aspect in the world of metaphysics. With Guru’s guidance you evolve faster with imagination. Without Guru you will go in the wrong direction.

82. Keep cows if you have enough space and enough time to take care of them. The whole ecosystem around you will turn healthy.

83. In the world of Maya another thing that chases you is “Superstitions”. Shake them off and move on. Guru’s thoughts and confidence matters here.

84. Guru is so important in Advaita Vedanta. It is not so important in some other Darshanas [Philosophies] of Sanatan like Yoga. AV is a path of Jnana [Gyan, Knowledge] where correct interpretations of scriptures and staying focused on “self inquiry” happens with Guru’s grace and guidance.

85. No Guru, No Moksha.

86. Forget words. Start meditation. Words will distract you. Meditation will take you “there”.

87. My four Gurus were never born and they never died they are always around to guide me/us. Atman is forever.

88. All modern religions use “Fear” and “Desire” to run their ecosystem. More like “Reward and punishment”. Actually, Fear and Desire are part of many illusions created by Maya. When others are stuck in the world of Maya, AV talks about the absolute truth, which is beyond Maya, which is Brahman.

89. Maun Vrat [Not talking during the day & keep looking inwards, contemplate] once every week and Vrat or Upawas [fasting] once a week helps every Jnani. The first one cleanses your mind and the second one cleanses your body, especially guts.

90. None of my Gurus ever told me to stop living. In Purushartha [aims in life] Dharma [doing things rightly], Artha [Livelihood], Kaam [Entertainment], Moksha [Liberation] all these aims must be lived with fullest vigor, enthusiasm and consciousness.

91. Sit in silence and contemplate whenever you get time.

92. To spread “meditation” is my Guru’s Aadesh [Order]

93. Are you kind to animals? Do you have pets? If not get one. You will know, what is selfless love?

94. Don’t beware of Dogs. Beware of not being aware of consciousness.

95. How important Gurus guidance is? “Upanishads” [also known as Vedant] contain the greatest knowledge ever known to man, the word Upanishad literally means “sit-down-near”, really means “sit-down-at-Guru’s feet-and learn- respectfully-be grateful”

96. If you are “low in imagination” you will be always low in dealing with pain and suffering. When Maya confuses you, unleash your imagination to blunt it.

97. “Heavy words” are for those who try to impress and are eager to get impressed. Metaphor, manifestation, analogy the list is long. When the absolute knowledge is Sahaj [simple] to understand, why complicate it? Better to meditate more than search the dictionary.

98. A bookworm with no Bhakti in his heart will struggle while an uneducated person with Bhakti [Pure Love, Fondness, Devotion, Worship], Vishwas [Belief, Trust, Assurance, Sureness], Samarpan [Devotion, Dedication Total Surrender] in his heart will progress faster on the path of spirituality. Bhakti alone can take him there. That is the power of Bhakti.

99. AV respects science. Science trusts Anubhav [Experience] and Yukti [Reason/Rationale] and so does AV.

100. Every Jnani [Seeker] goes through his unique journey. All find the same thing “self”.

101. There are levels in Jnanis. There are learners and there are higher, highest levels in Jnanis.

102. Make every effort possible to keep yourself happy and blissful. That is the true nature of “self”. Look at any baby, her Atman is devoid of any education, learning and conditioning and therefore her nature is pure bliss, smiles and innocence.

103. Be “childlike” not “childish”. Non spiritual people are like “Adamant children who never grew up into men”. They have childish obsessions for their Toys [possessions], Friends and family [Controlling Attachment]. They have no concern for the spiritual development of their friends and family. Everything has a selfish interest, so every loss is self loss. Then they cry like children.

104. Don’t act like you are a pious man if you are not. It is fine, but you can grow into one. We are here to find our true self and then achieve Moksha. You are not here to impress someone and hide something. Nobody except you matters. Who is stopping you to become pious?

105. In the world of Maya many appearances are deceiving, possibly yours too. It’s just that you are a better actor. In the world of Maya, Mithya [Falsehood] sells well. It is accepted easily. However, the changed you is only interested in Brahman. In the world of Brahman there are no changing appearances, no Mithya, no duality. So don’t worry, we all evolve for better.

106. In the world of Brahman there is no experience. The experience, experiencer, the subject/object of experience, all three are not separate.

107. Finding “your true self” is Atmabodh, Atmagyaan, Brahmavidya, Atmavidya, Atmadrashan, Swaropdarshan, Swabodh.

108. Sanatan is monism. The whole world thought otherwise [SV]

109. Atman is Brahman. Brahman is Parmatma, Parambrahma, the absolute truth.

110. Brahman can never be understood using words/language. You become “that” when you walk on the path of knowledge combined with meditation. Brahman is imperishable, unmanifest, omnipresent, unthinkable, unchangeable, immutable, eternal.

111. Whoever pronounces Mahavakyas for effect, most likely he does not understand them.

112. Enjoy the Sport/Game you enjoy. It provides us a tonic to live well. A happy mind connects easily with consciousness.

113. Chant Mantras in praise of Brahman, Ishwara and Guru. It makes your mind absolutely clean and ready for concentration in meditation.

114. Your Atman is your biggest Guru. Your external Guru comes after that [NM]

115. Watch the nature very carefully. There are animals, birds, bees, plants and trees giving us subtle messages. They are teaching us all the time. Watch & hear them consciously. They are our teachers too.

116. Food must not be wasted at any time. Food must be consumed in small quantity.

117. Don’t get impressed by Dekhava [the grand show of Maya] [NM]

118. An ordinary man who has understood the absolute truth is more extraordinary than the so called extraordinary man who is impressed by the ways of Maya & has no knowledge of Brahman.

119. A detached man is always in solitude [RM]

120. Like every skill you need to practice to perfect it. Meditation too requires practice especially in correct posture for meditation, breathing, concentration, staying still and merging with surroundings. Sadhana stage comes much later after a lot of practice in meditation for years.

121. Try to detect “duality” in things that are not helping you realize the “absolute truth”. You can see it, smell it, hear duality. Understand them and stay away from them.

122. Why beat around the bush? Why get entangled in the games of words that promote duality? Find a silent place, sit still and meditate.

123. The path of spirituality, the path of knowledge, the path to reach the Parmatma [Absolute truth] is so simple, so wide and so straight [with Guru’s guidance] but it is your mind with Maya, wrong education, wrong conditioning which makes it ever winding, long, narrow, confusing and seemingly never ending.

124. Do you like your job? Is it not helping you know your true self? The top priority has to be “finding your true self”. Jobs may come and go.

125. No philosophy is of any use if it is not helping the mankind [SV]

126. Ishwara is a Roop [Form representation] of Nirgun Brahman [Formless Brahman] similarly Annaa [Food] is representation of Brahman in food form [Life giving element] and Om[ Om Mantra] is representation of Brahman in sound form. All this in the Vyawaharik World [Empirical World]. In Paramarthik World [World of Brahman] there is in only Nirgun Nirakar Brahaman [Formless Brahman]. There is no duality, no distinction, no separation.

127. There are two levels of realities. Vyawaharik Satya [Empirical World, World of Maya] and Paramarthik Satya [World of Brahman]. We live in Vyawaharik Satya and it’s reality/existence can not be denied. We live/travel through Vyawaharik Satya [Duality] and finally reach the world of Brahman [Non duality]. Brahman [Non dual absolute truth] is the ultimate reality. Our ultimate destination.

128. In the world of spirituality any information that is not helping us lead to the knowledge of Brahman is useless. Unnecessary information will clutter your thoughts and keep you stuck in the world of duality.

129. Sahaj [Simple, easy, no stress, natural, intuitive] Pravrritti [attitude] helps in realizing Brahman. Asahaj Pravrritti [uneasy, stressed, fake, insincere attitude] will not help. Stay relaxed and stay conscious.

130. Trust thoughts that are intuitive. Nisargadatta Maharaj was so full of wisdom that he spoke intuitively and all, everything always made sense. [NM]

131. Measured, calculative, dramatic, clever, bookish, non-experiential thoughts must be viewed with caution.

132. Beware of wrong books. Dogs are welcome.

133. It is easy to trust a man who is selfless. If Yogis, Swamis, Sadhus, Jnanis, Munis are not selfless then view them with caution. A common Jnani [Seeker] becomes selfless by getting rid of his attachments. It is tough but a Jnani is always in the process. One day he succeeds.

134. Anger is a misunderstood emotion. When used as a reaction to “injustice, unlawful unprovoked attack, back stabbing, treacherous threat to life and dharma” it can be your strength. You can use that reaction to inspire, strengthen, prepare yourself. When anger is used to “cover up lies, play victim, fake much larger intensity than the reality, incite and fool mobs, dramatic and/or cunning misguidance” it is a weakness or it is evil.

135. Guru understands your Dukhha [Pain, suffering] better than yourself. He has the vision, wisdom and experience to understand it and he has the knowledge to offer the relief too. The relief happens through Atmagyan [self realization].

136. You don’t “know, experience, understand or meet” Brahman. You become Brahman.

137. Most written History is written by men who undermined the power of metaphysics and believed mostly in lies and propaganda. They wrote what suited their employer mostly. Dharmik history is much better.

138. We use way too many words.

139. Turn inwards there is nothing outside-only Maya.

140. Stillness and Silence are not useless [NM]

141. True Satsang is Vishwas on Guru, love for Guru. Obeying his teachings [NM]

142. Fear means duality.

143. Modern way of accepting Vairagya in the Urban Jungle means balancing life. There is no need to wear saffron, tilak, beads and grow beard. Modern day Vairagya is simple “Atmagyaan” [finding your true self] every ‘right’ thing will follow that in your life. Just trust your Guru.

144. Set higher goals, become someone or not become someone in life, both is fine. The highest goal is “know yourself”. That is highest achievement.

145. Gulp the word DEATH if it tries to scare you. [NM]

146. Spirituality, meditation devotion, path of knowledge, hygienic places & Gurus is “OUR PATH”, NOT blind faith, too many rituals, superstitions, unhygienic conditions, & fake Gurus.

147. Eat that Mango with total dedication and consciousness. It will taste ten times better than just eating it in haste and with no consciousness. The mango is happy, person eating the mango is happy and the nutrients are making the body happy.

148. “Balancing with gravity and keeping correct posture in line with your spine” is a neglected aspect in meditation. One of the reasons why the meditation does not produce desired results. Correction in that will give the desired results.

149. Not all those who wear saffron, robes and grow beards are knowledgeable.

150. Not all those who are suited booted are wise. If you don’t know “who you are?” You are as ignorant as anybody else. Dressing is just an outer packaging. An appearance to impress others. A norm loved and promoted by modern societies. Modern does not mean wiser.

151. You become special because of your thoughts and knowing “who am I?” you don’t become special because of your material “possessions” and “dressing style”.

152. To save my Dharma is my responsibility. To fight for my Dharma is my duty.

153. Dharma will never be destroyed ever but that does not happen passively. It happens with active defensive mechanism as advised by The Geeta, Gurus and Leaders.

154. Native cultures are always full of ancient knowledge. No political ideology has the power to wipe it off. It is against human evolution to destroy your research wealth [Ancient cultures/knowledge] and expect the humanity to progress.

155. Upanishads hold the highest knowledge.

156. Aranyakas are neglected part of Vedas. It gave a lot of importance to going into wilderness/jungles and meditate. Aranyakas and Upanishads are inseparable in some cases.

157. It is difficult to pin point, whether your school education, college education, or your environment in which you grew up made you an ignorant. However, knowledge of “Upanishads” and meeting “Guru/s” can change the whole thing instantly.

158. When nothing comes to your mind say “Om”. Don’t waste any free moment.

159. Touch the earth, walk on it, sit on it, feel it. Your constant connection with earth keeps you grounded physically and spiritually.

160. The English word “God” does not represent “Brahman”. It probably represents “Ishwar” or “Deity”.

161. Staying closer to scriptures and Gurus is important because sometimes translations from Shrutis [Scriptures] in other languages change the meanings. Pure highest knowledge does not need/depend on Vani [languages]. However, there are different levels in Jnanis , not all Jnanis understand it that’s why misinterpretation due to translations should be avoided as much as possible.

162. At the highest level there is no Vani [Language] no Vichar [Thought]. Only the absolute truth.

163. No technology, no software, can replace metaphysics. It can be a great aid to understand metaphysics.

164. I so wish higher education meant higher spirituality. Not yet, a long way to go.

165. How much of your time you actually own [And use it in self inquiry, meditation, workouts] and how much of your time your employer owns? What is the answer of the highly educated person?

166. If you have not real struggle, suffering and pain, will you still crave for Moksha?

167. Respect “Deep Sleep” understand it, how it gives you “relief” and “joyful rest”. It is like a rebirth everyday which many don’t value. Your study helps you do better “meditation” and “contemplation”.

168. Loose, cotton or linen cloths are best for meditation.

169. Any journey starts with the first step in that direction. We all want freedom from DUKKH, also flatly described as 'suffering and pain'. It is that and much more like grief, sorrow, misery, stress, anxiety, sickness, aging, uncomfortableness, disappointments, regrets, abuses, loss, separation, and more. We take the first step and then keep walking till we get MOKSHA.

170. In today’s modern times, AI [Artificial Intelligence] is progressing so well. It seems that we shall be communication without using “Words”. Will the effect and the play of Maya on humans drop down?

171. I started writing listing these points on [Akshay Tritiya 2020] one of the most auspicious days and also during Covid 19 lockdown in India which is one of the worst times ever faced by the present humanity [arguably yes]. Two major thoughts were at the top, “Spirituality” and “Survival”. It is “spirituality” that removes fear and becomes your strength is such times. Never miss “meditation” and “contemplation”. They work in ways [ probably we don’t understand ], in a combination that makes you fearless.

172. In the world of SM [Social Media] your political views are important for your life and the life of your people. It is fine to stand up for your ideology. If not you who else would? Would you like it to be misrepresented by others?

ADDITIONAL

Music better be a part of your life. Rhythm, melody, harmony is all there in Bhajan, Kirtan, Japa, Shloka. Bhakti is enhanced with Music. Any music that takes you closer to Parmatma is great . Be it Bhajan, Kirtan, even Rock, Pop, any songs that make you tap your feet and move your body. Dancing is even better with Music. Your inner self is dancing when you dance.
Self realized Atman is devoid of Dukkha. He is childlike, innocent, always in present.Now he is a highest level Jnani too with all the knowledge and meditation he sees only oneness in everything.

Memories