… and mind leads to liberation

After reading my last post, a friend sent me a SMS saying, “Yes, mind is my biggest foe.”

Before one gets me wrong let me clarify that mind is the only assistance we have for coming out of misery and experience joy of liberation. For this one should again carefully read my post titled as “Asakti in Paramatma liberates”.

It is the mind through which one experiences the bondage, suffocation and suffering. It is the mind which reaches the conclusion that any effort in the external world cannot take one to a state of lasting happiness. It is the mind which then tries to find and finds a way out. It is the mind alone which then puts one onto the path so found and leads one to attain a state of completeness (not limited by the capacity of the body and mind), i.e., fulfillment..

Mind has to be treated as an innocent child full of energy and vigor. It has to be affectionately tackled. With freedom and love it will do your bidding and excel. Tackled with force, it will revolt, become perverted and complex and take one deeper into suffering. Bhagawat says, “Jab mann idhar udhar bhag jaye to use bahal fusala kar vaps le aao (when mind strays away from the spiritual practice, cajole it and bring it back to the practice).

Now one may wonder who is to tackle and whom? Can the mind persuade or control itself? Is there something other than the mind to guide it? In this connection, scriptures refer to four aspects of our being, namely, Mann, Chitt, Buddhi and Ahamkaar. These (aspects of mind) get activated in the presence of consciousness (Atma or Paramatma). Mann and Chitt are often used interchangeably.

Mann or Chitt aspect of our being is the one which in association with sense perceptions [Ras (taste), Dhwani (sound), Roop (sight), Sparsh (touch) and Gandh (smell)] develops craving (moha) or aversion (raag and dwesh) for the persons and things in the manifest world and thereby becomes attached to them. When things do not go as per its preferences or prejudices, it is thrown into anger, fear, guilt, depression etc. And this is what suffering is.

Buddhi (an aspect of mind only) is something like a processor in a computer. Based on the software application (value system received from external sources), it can analyse the information and give an output (decision). A person borne in a Hindu family has one set of value system and his preferences and prejudices will be shaped by that. A person indoctrinated by terrorists will find a cause to bring about destruction and sacrifice his life for that.

Buddhi is part of body and is jad (not conscious). The scriptures proclaim, “Buddhi mein kabhi gyana shakti nahin hai (Balkand 7-36, Adhyatma Ramayan)”. But coming in contact with consciousness (atma), some consciousness manifests in it. And consciousness coming in contact with boddhi aquires the sense of Karta and bhokta, i.e., Ahamkaar. It is said –

“The way when water and fire come contact each other, water becomes hot and fire becomes a little cold (less intense); same way when jad (buddhi) comes in contact with chetan (atma), chetna manifests in buddhi and as atma comes in contact with jad-buddhi, jadata (sense of doership and bhoktritwa) manifests in atma (Balkand 7-37, Adhyatma Ramayan).”

When universal consciousness (paramatama) having come in contact with budhhi feels itself as Karta and Bhokta, it feels limited by the capacity of body and mind and is called a “jeeva”. This ‘jeeva’ feels as if it were an entity separate from everything and everyone around. This feeling of separateness and being limited is what is referred to as “ahamkaar”.

But being reflection of parmatama (infinite) in buddhi, ahamkaar or jeeva aspires to become infinite and being associated with buddhi (limited) can never succeed in doing so. And this is the whole struggle! This manifests in feeling of inadequacy, insecurity, lack of purpose, hollowness or emptiness within. Osho says, “jeevan ki ekmatra samasya, bheetar ka khalipan (only problem in life is emptiness within)”.

Not knowing this, out of ignorance, ‘jeeva’ tries to feel itself bigger and bigger with the help of acquisitions in the external world. One tries to achieve excellence in any aspect connected with body (sports, beauty, figure etc.) and mind (relationships, knowledge in various fields like literature, science, management etc.). One wishes and tries to excel (do better than others) in one’s field of activity – try to become bigger and bigger politician, businessman, scientist, dancer, painter etc. But feeling of emptiness does not leave one, whatever one’s attainments are. It is an effort in the wrong place as the emptiness is within and cannot be filled with things and relationships outside. Further this effort to surpass others gives rise to competition and triggers emotions like jealousy, depression, anxiety, violence etc.

In due course, experiencing suffering and failure to succeed in attaining completeness (being infinite) through efforts in the external world, buddhi comes to understand the futility of this effort. This lead mann to vairagya and opens itself to other possibilities. Then from the one’s who know (saints) and scriptures, one finds the path for inner exploration and experiences the self (infinite) – ahamkaar is dissolved in consciousness (paramatama).

Mind (of which Buddhi is an aspect) is thus a friend which helps one to achieve vairagya (takes it beyond its preferences and prejudices), decide to follow the path of inner exploration and take one to a stage from where, with grace of guru, one can experience what is beyond it (buddhi). It is something like a computer connected to worldwide web (www) through internet. One can then download other applications from the web (existential intelligence) and is not limited by the installed applications (information stored in the brain and its processing).

Beware of mind – it survives on suffering

While passing through difficult phases in our lives, some of us come in contact with some spiritual aspirant or a Guru. He tells us some practice (reading of some scripture, chanting some mantra, pranayam, meditation etc.).

Most of us who seriously pursue a practice often have some positive experience (beginner’s luck) soon and one thinks, "Oh my problem is over!" In that state, for many, external situations do not seem to matter any more. But soon the negative state returns. We ask our mentor, he asks us to continue. We continue for a while and start feeling disillusioned, doubt our own experience, doubt efficacy of the practice and in many a case give it up.

This is a limitation of sakaam sadhana (practice with an object) that when expected results are not achieved, one starts getting frustrated and one’s belief is shaken (this is also often shown in films and TV serials). But this is how most of the people start. Of course, gradually one is led into nishkaam sadhana (practice without an object) – practice itself becomes a source of joy and not a means for that.

This is a common experience and therefore a clearer understanding of the matter will help many. In this connection, I would narrate experiences of a few friends.

One of my young friends is afraid of darkness and ghosts, disillusioned with his work environment and does not find any meaning or purpose in life. I directed him to Supeji who advised him to write "Sri Ram Ram Ram" and chant Tarak Mantra “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.” He chanted the mantra and it worked very well for him. In a couple of month’s time he sent me a mail asking me how to control his ego as his memory has increased 20 times and there is lot of improvement in his concentration and grasp and consequently he considers himself to be superior to everyone around! I told him forget about that and continue with the practice. Soon his negativity was back, he could not concentrate on his studies, he had so many questions to ask (questions exist only in the troubled mind – not when one is happy) and wanted to give up the mantra. Fortunately, after repeated chats, he is continuing. God bless him!

Another friend of mine had left her job. Joined another one and left that also. Thereafter she did not have anything meaningful to do (desire to do something and earn was strong) and felt frustrated and depressed. I took her to a few masters. One of them gave her a mantra. When she started chanting it, she could not stop crying for a few days. I asked her to continue as this was a process of unburdening of sub-conscious mind (a kind of catharsis). After a few days she felt quite light. Later she was given Tarak Mantra by Supeji and she started doing it.

I also persuaded her to attend a 4 day meditation course conducted by Nithyanandji. She was averse to the idea of staying in the Ashram (quality of accomodation and hygiene not being of the standards she is used to) but somehow went. A day later she rang up my wife to tell, “Abhi aakar Swatantra ki khub pitayee karungi, kahan fansa diya!” as on first day there is much of preaching with a view to reorient one’s thinking and problem of adjustment in new environment is also there. Completed the course in another three days and remarked “Swatantra, howsoever, one may try to resist, he has such a power, if one is there with him for a couple of days, one would fall in love with him”. Obviously her experiences in meditations were quite rewarding (inspite of her reservations). She continued with one of these meditations for a few months.

Thereafter she went to Mungale Sir, who asked her to read Ramayana. She started reading it. On some days she felt ecstatic and told me how while reading Ramayana she gets revelations (some old question or confusion suddenly gets resolved) and she experienced the state of timelessness. She also told me that even though the external situation remains, as it was, it does not matter to her any more. Only a couple of months when she asked me, “How are you?” I said what I usually say, “Masti mein as usual!” Her response was wonderful! She said, “Wait I am also coming there!” I was very happy that she is finally arriving.

She has continued with one or more of these practices for more than two years (earlier she had done a course with Sadguru Jaggi Vasudeva but did not continue with that for long as closing eyes triggered fear in her – this also reflects on the repressed emotions buried within, which require to be cleared before one can breath free). The situation on work front did not show any improvement and it deteriorated on the home front.

A couple of days back, she rang me up to tell that she does not find any point in continuing with these practices as without them also the situation could not be any worse. One has to stay clear of this dangerous logic churned out by the mind. Practices are required to come out of the negative states of mind. In negative states mind tries to deceive one by getting one convinced about inefficacy of the spiritual practice. If one drops the practice, one will continue to be in a miserable state enabling the mind to continue to retain control. This is the way it continues to be relevant (need to plan and do something is there only when there is some problem, i.e., one is not happy and contented) and it thrives only on crisis and sorrows. In blissful state it is dissolved!

Yet another friend of mine had a number of problems on home front as also on work front. She wanted shortcuts and was averse to any serious sadhana which I suggested. She faced the problems boldly and with confidence for some time. Thereafter, over a period of couple of years, situation continued to deteriorate and finally she broke down (mentally as well physically). Circumstances thus forced her to give in and she took to meditation (for which she must have been destined) and received blessings of Gurus. Within three days, one of her major problem was over. I told her that the God has given her a positive signal so soon just to motivate her and that she should continue. She said, “Yes sir, I also feel that way”. After a couple of months another of her major problem (most pressing one) was over. I again told her to continue which she did.

With passage of time, as is usual, she took the major positive changes for granted and the remaining problems (which no doubt are serious) appeared to her to be too huge (there was no change for the worse) and she often felt depressed. The mind again reasoned that there is no use of the practices and she wanted to discontinue them.

Now this is surprising that a person expects transformation in one’s mental state or external circumstances (these are consequences of actions of past many lives) in a few months or a couple of years whereas one devotes 20 years of life without any complain for just gaining working knowledge to make a living which all wild animals do without making any fuss about it. But when it comes to one’s real transformation – ultimate purpose, one does not have patience.

Osho used to say that sometimes after a week or so of meditations (chaotic breathing, jumping and crying – his meditations for the beginners involve that) many a participant asks that I have been doing it for so many days and I have not yet experienced state of Samadhi or God.

Sadhana should not be burdened with expectations. One day a friend of mine went to a Guru. Seeing him the Guru remarked, “Appaki sadhana per bahut bojh hai! Bojh hataiye, isko halka kariye (There is lot of burden on your sadhana. Remove the burden, make it light” Later that friend told me that it is true. Whenever he was meditating before leaving for the Airport or for some other work, he used to think that let check-in, immigration and security check be fast. And it used be help.

Sadhana should be done like any other routine activity during the day like going to toilet, eating, watching TV, chating on computer or phone etc., not with a thought that one is doing something great! Then there will be no expectation and no impatience which invariably leads to frustration.

Another very serious problem is that many a Sadhaka do have real and wonderful experiences like revelation and state of timelessness my friend experienced (these are the glimpses of the self which sadhaka will have once in a while) but doubt their reality when the mind is back with all its problems and covers the real self.

Osho used to say that many a disciple when they have experience of peace and joy, ask, “Is it real or an imagination – am I just dreaming?” One is so accustomed and used to sorrows that it is difficult to believe that one could be in a state like that. As a Hindi song goes “Sukh hai ek chhanv dhalati, aati aur jaati hai, dukh to apna sathi hai”. They do not doubt sorrow and do not question it by saying, “Is it an imagination?”

Reality is actually other way round. Our real nature is sat-chit-anand but we have illusion of sorrow caused the mind because of its preferences and prejudices. Real self is just covered by the mental layer. While doing any spiritual practice, sometimes for a moment mind is silent and one gets a glimpse of the self. One should doubt the sorrow (an experience caused by one’s learned ideas of good and bad and consequent preferences and prejudices – a mere idea having no substance) and not the experiences of peace and joy (a revelation of one’s true nature). Having tasted it once, one should continue with the practices.

But of course, the sub-conscious and unconscious layers of the mind have accumulated suppressed feelings of deprivation, hurt, guilt, anger etc. of a number of lives. When one takes up a spiritual practice and conscious mind becomes a little peaceful, the rarified space allows suppressed feelings from the sub-conscious layer to get released through the conscious mind. It is painful. But this is the only way. No miracle will happen!

If one goes through the autobiographies of the evolved one’s, one would find that all of them had to pass through this painful process. It is also described as dark night of the soul.

One Ms Sobha Rajgopal Menon (shikshika0@rediffmail.com), a follower of Ram Chandra Mission (Chennai) has shared her experiences in the form of her spiritual autobiography in a book titled as “Joy-ride towards divinity”. At times (for long durations of many months) she used to feel to be in close communion with her master and feel ecstatic. But a few times she had long bouts of depression so much so that she had to leave her job also. She persevered and finally she could call it a “Joy-ride towards divinity”.

Perseverance and patience are the keys. To pass through difficult phases, one can help oneself by continuing to be in contact with the fellow travelers and the Gurus.

One should also understand that if one gives up a spiritual practice or contact with guru, what better alternative does one have (an activity perceived to be useless because of ignorance is any day better than a negative one)? In that time, one will relive the negative experiences again and again and thus strengthen them – as anything we pay attention to is empowered. With time, they will be replayed with more intensity, taking the person deeper and deeper into sorrow.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, if one believes that what one is going through is the result of one’s own past karmas and thereby does not have anger, ill-will and hatred against others, negative karmas are worked out and one is left lighter. On the contrary if one does not accept it; the anger, ill-will and hatred will be recorded as new negative karma (called ‘Agami’) which will fructify in a new negative circumstance or relationship in this life or a life hereafter.

Shastra pathan, satsang and following Guru’s instructions is the only way to a blissful existence which everyone knowingly or unknowingly hankers for.

Health and life style … … contd.

Ayurveda beautifully sums up main reasons for disease in so far as they relate to lifestyle (which one is in position to control to a large extent) in one sloka. My father, an Ayurveda practicener, used to often recite part of a sloka – “Heen (too little) mithya (not at all) atiyoge (excessive) kaal (time) dravya (food) karmanam (physical or mental work)”. In other words, disease is caused if one is irregular in terms of timings and quantum of food, work and rest. Buddha also said that one should avoid extremes and follow middle path.

A saint was asked by a seeker about the way of his sadhana. Saint replied, “I eat when I feel hungry, take water when I feel thirsty and sleep when I feel sleepy”. The seeker asked, I am asking about sadhana! Saint said that is what I have told you. “That everyone does but can that be said as sadhana?” the seeker asked. Saint said, no you do not do that. You keep awake and watch TV or read some interesting book when you feel sleepy. You eat when some tempting food item is on offer or it is time to eat even if you do not feel hungry. You do not eat when you are engaged in doing something which you consider as interesting or urgent even when you are hungry. Many a women do not drink water while going out for lack of toilet facilities outside even when they feel thirsty.

Sleep, hunger and thirst are such powerful needs that if one does not interfere with them and goes by the bio-intelligence, they manage the life well. In fact all the wild animals manage it without making any fuss (without any expert advice).

I have observed that most of the mothers, now a days, complain that their children do not eat or sleep well. They are continuously busy all the time tending to them and genuinely feel quite tired, tense and worried. It has become a whole time occupation with them. A few decades ago children used to cry for milk or food. Today they run away or cry when they are asked to take milk or food. Reason is simple. Mothers now go by the watch and not by the need for sleep or milk. Children are given something or the other to eat at any part of the day and therefore when it is time for regular lunch or dinner, they do not feel hungry. Another thing is that they want to finish their work (particular tasks) at a pre-decided time and not wait for the child to feel the need for sleep or food.

If hunger is acute, one will even steal or pick up something from the waste / garbage. If one goes through the lives of criminals, in many a case, they committed first theft or snatching because of acute hunger. If child feels hungry, the child will be after the mother asking for food or milk and not other way round.

Once we had gone to Kuke Subramania temple and everyone was supposed to eat in temple only. In the evenings one had to keep fast. The food served was altogether different from what north Indians are used to. But on account of hunger, we immensely enjoyed that food.

And this is not a unique experience. Some time or the other, each one of us has experienced that one relishes any eatable if one is really hungry. We need to honour and respect these experiences, learn from them and make use of them in our lives.

Long back my sister-in-law was with us and used to complain that her daughter does not take regular food and is interested only in snacks. I said, “If you do not give her anything to eat within a period of three hours before dinner time, she will definitely eat regular food. And how many days a child can remain without eating?" But Jijaji, she will cry. “Let her cry – no body dies even if one does not eat even for a week”, I said. And when nothing was given to her after 5.30 PM, that evening itself she ate two roties with vegetables at regular dinner time.

Similarly, wife of my brother-in-law was with us for a few months with a newly borne child. Going by the watch, in day time also, she used to close all curtains, switch off the lights and TV to put her son to sleep. And she tried to feed her every time he cried. The boy will not sleep well, get up at slightest of sound. He often threw milk from his mouth (with foul smell). I told her to wait for the child to feel sleepy, do not try to put him to sleep and then there will be no need for closing curtains, switching off TV etc. and that when one really needs sleep, the person will sleep on stones, will sleep while sitting in the market place. About feeding also I told her to at least wait for three hours before feeding him again even if he cries. The child does not always cry for milk, there can be other reasons – some pain, feeling sleepy etc. Fortunately she acted upon what I said and soon the child started sleeping well with all the noise around and there was no throwing of milk. The child grew very well and he would eat breakfast, lunch, soup in the evening and dinner on time and did not take anything in between even if others were eating. But the problem is not with the children but with mothers, most of them have no patience or understanding.

Another aspect is that biological cloaks of all of us are not the same. A few small children naturally sleep early in the night and get up early and others keep awake till late in the night and get up late. This, as Osho says, is for the reason that some are governed by sun and others by moon. Women by nature are normally late risers but social obligations require them to get early. He used to say that morning tea should, therefore, normally be prepared by men. Our bodies and minds function better if they are allowed to follow their natural cycles.

For one, I could never read early in the morning (felt sleepy), even if I went to bed early in the evening. Even now I meditate better in the evening rather than early in the morning. All this talk of getting up and studying in Brahma Muhurt is not good for everyone. One should, therefore, not go by general principles of good and bad and respect one’s bio-intelligence to the extent it is possible under the social constraints.

Then requirement of sleep changes with age and differs from person to person even for the same age. I know of many a middle aged and old persons who sleep during day time (not once but a few times), complain of lack of sleep in the night and resort to sleeping pills. And again sleep during day time without sleeping pills! Remedy is simple – do not sleep during day time and do not take food articles which hamper one’s sleep. If requirement of sleep is only four hours for an old person, that is OK, one need not stretch it to 8 hours. But people go on complaining and taking pills.

Now coming to the physical activity part, the body is designed for some physical activity. If this energy is not exhausted, it will manifest into various disorders like violence, disease etc.

I used to take regular morning walk till 2003 and thereafter switched over to yogic exercises and pranayam. I never fell ill between 1997 and 2009. Thereafter when I took to Japa as a means of sadhana, and to give it more time, I dropped yogic exercises and pranayam from my daily routine. I had severe stomach infection in April, 2009.

In the month of June I was sitting with Swami Virajeshwaraji and he started telling me how he had stopped yogic exercises and pranayam about 5 years back and thereafter suffered with stomach problems and that he had started doing them again. I did not take the hint and thought as if he was telling about himself. Within a few days I had severe stomach infection again. I could not eat much for a few days. It became so bad that I became unconscious and fell at the Airport. I started having cramps in my muscles and grew very week. On being contacted another master (Mungale Sir) told me to do a little deep breathing. Then I could put the things together and restarted yogic exercises and pranayam immediately in July. I have been absolutely fine thereafter.

So, no matter what, one has to accommodate some kind of physical activity (brisk walk, dance, swimming, yogasanas, pranayam etc. for not less than 40 minutes) in one’s daily routine. Without that no diet, tonics or drugs can keep one healthy.

Let me repeat that we owe it to ourselves to keep ourselves healthy – everything else is secondary.

Health and life style

Scriptures proclaim the need for maintaining a healthy body for one’s spiritual evolution when they say, “Khaluh dharma sadhanam” (body is a means for attaining to Dharma or one’s spiritual evolution). Even for a person who is not yet interested in his evolution, enjoyment of worldly objects also needs a healthy body. One cannot enjoy food, sex, painting, dance, music, adventure or any other thing in life unless one feels healthy and relaxed in body and mind. So irrespective of what our aim in life is, we owe it to ourselves to keep ourselves healthy – this is our most essential and precious resource – cannot be bartered for anything.

In my last post, for a healthy living, I had made mention of exercising discretion in our diet. Taking it forward, I would like to make a few more points.

Often people feel that their physical structure (tendency to put on weight or being underweight) and health problems (heart problem, diabetes, falling of hairs / teeth etc.) are largely governed by their hereditary background. On observation of the persons around, it appears to be correct also. The truth, however, is that in many a case similar physical attributes and health problems are found in offsprings not because of heredity but because of similar life style (diet, sleep, physical activity etc.).

I discovered this truth through my own experience and experiments. I do not remember having seen either of my parents with all the teeth. I have memories of my parents having a few loose front teeth when I may have been 5 - 6 years old. When I was about 32 years old, one of my grinding teeth also had such a deep cavity that the gum inside got exposed. Other teeth also became sensitive. Doctors advised me to go for removal of that tooth, there being no chance of it being saved or restored and if it was not done, there were all chances of development of septic conditions resulting in loss of other teeth and also other serious complications. Filling of other grinding teeth was also advised.

Not being comfortable with this idea, I took an opinion from a Homeopath as well who told me that decay of teeth (and bones) is primarily caused by high level of acids in the body. If one can stop intake of acidic contents in one’s diet, the process of decay will be stopped. I asked him that when there is such a deep and exposed cavity will there be no infection and pus formation in the gum. He emphatically told me that it would not be the case if I could control my diet and asked me to try it for three months. If this did not help, I could always revert back to my normal diet. The suggestion and logic behind it appealed me.

Acidic diet, according to him, apart from everything sour (tomato, tamarind, lemon, pickles etc.) included all milk products (curd, cheease, paneer, sweets etc.) except ghee and all fruits except papaya, chiku, watermelon and muskmelon (kharbuja). Milk products, I was told, are acidic as on digestion they get converted into lactic acid.

Till recently doctors used to advise the persons suffering with ulcers in the stomach to take cold milk as the milk was found to be alkaline. They did not see even the first step of metabolism! But now they are coming to understand that it does not help. Later, I was told by a doctor that the body manufactures acids for digestion of fried food articles and thus their intake also causes acid levels to rise. And this our experience as well.

Though I was extremely fond of curd and potato-tomato curry, I also had the will power to resist temptations and give them up. This will power was obviously aided by meditations. One more reason for giving it a try was that I was afraid of getting the tooth extracted and feared that similar fate will confront other teeth as well and that extraction was not a solution. I also used to have dreams about all my teeth crumbling into very small pieces almost like powder and come out when I was eating something.

I gave up all items suggested by him from my diet. To facilitate fast return to normalcy, he also gave me some medicine for few weeks to reduce existing acid level in the body. And it worked. The result is that in last 22 years, I never had any problem with any of my teeth and there was no occasion to go to a dentist. And I may reiterate that all teeth of both my parents fell before they reached the age of 50 years. I may also add that milk and fruits constituted major part of diet of my father.

This makes it clear that it was the life style (eating habits) and not the heredity which resulted in destruction of my tooth.

I would also like to narrate another instance in my life where change of diet alone brought me out of a very serious condition. In 1993 Pleurisy (TB) was detected in my right lung. Everybody advised me to take to protein rich diet. I started taking sprouted moong and black grams and eggs. In two months time, I started having pain in my left knee which gradually became severe with time and the knee swelled to about twice its normal size. I could not bend my knee a bit.

On consultation a doctor advised me consult a surgeon for removal of accumulated water in the knee through drilling and injections. I was averse to this idea. It was my good fortune that one of a renowned doctor (Dr. Pooran Singh Thakur, a physician and heart specialist – he updated himself on day-to-day basis with recent researches and is an honorary professor in a medical college) was a close friend of mine and used to visit me while I was ill. He said that this knee problem is because of Uric Acid formed by protein rich diet. Dropping these items from my diet along with all other items with acidic content would help me recover and that there is no need of surgery or anything like that. I dropped these items from my diet and slowly swelling and pain reduced and my knee became absolutely normal and today I can run.

He also added that idea of protein rich diet for a TB patient was relevant when there were no antibiotics for killing TB bacteria and the body had to overcome the infection through its resistance. In modern times when the bacteria are killed by the drugs and the drugs depress the functioning of liver and kidney, one needs to take lighter diet to avoid pressure on weakend digestive system.

He also used to say that one should respect one’s system for intake of water and other times rather than go by the advice of experts as the need of every person depends on many factors. He himself used to eat only once a day and that too after 11 PM in the night. Since he was not eating anything during the day, he did not need any water during the day except two cups of black tea. And taking no food and snacks during the day did not cause him any acidity or health problem (he is very energetic and appeared fresh even after working 12 to 15 hours) – even though many doctors say that remaining empty stomach causes acidity. The Jains also do not have any such problem when they do not eat for days or even weeks on end. In fact it is kind of food one takes and one's daily routine that causes acidity and it is not caused on account of being empty stomach.

Further, I have noticed that the families in which its members are fat, usually have rich diet (containing lot of oil, sweets etc.). Of course, there are constitutional reasons also. One of my close relative (his parents were overweight) and his wife are substantially overwieght and I find that roasted groundnut (they foolishly believed as if roasted groundnut will be lighter forgetting that it is the source oil - they continue eating it any time of the day), pranthas, ghee etc. are part of their everyday diet. What I wish to put across is that more often than not, common eating habits in the family and not the hereditary reasons which determine the physical attributes and the diseases.

Discrimination in diet is, therefore, a must if one wishes to be healthy.

In this connection, I remember an incident when I went to a Homeopath way back in 1984 as I used to have formation of gas after having grams in my diet. He advised me to simply drop grams from my diet. I could not understand. I had gone to the doctor to find a solution to the problem. He was expected to correct that problem in my system which caused formation of gas as all others take grams without any or much of a problem. If others can take grams why not me, I thought.

This is the main misunderstanding with all of us that causes serious health problems. Everything is not meant for everyone. Out of a millions of species of plants and animals we can eat only a few dozens. As donkey cannot survive on goat and a lion cannot eat grass, system of each human being works best with certain combination of eatables which vary from person to person, age of the person, season of the year and the occupation of the person.

For example, for a child, diet of milk alone is enough till the age of 6 months but needs of a grown up person would be different. An eatable could help in a cold climate (mustard oil) but harmful in hot and humid climate. A physical labourer may find sustenance in milk and diet rich in sugar but it will certainly harm a person with sedentary life style. Quantity of intake of food has also to change with age of the person. As one grows older, diet needs to be reduced.

Ayurveda classifies nature of human bodies to be a combination of three elements, namely, Vayu, Pitta and Kapha. Spiritually the nature of human beings is classified into Satvik, Rajasik and Tamasik. Vegetables, meat of different animals and minerals are also classified into each of these three elements. Understanding of nature of one’s body and the eatables leads to informed selection of diet which is particular to a person as against a general prescription by modern experts in medicine.

For this reason, butter milk could be a cure for one and very dangerous for a person with joint pains. As they say, one man’s nectar may be poison for another.

But for a healthy person, there is no need even to identify diet by knowing about one’s nature as described above. Self observation about effect of a particular item of diet on one’s health and avoiding the disagreeable is enough. The body sends clear signals (like blisters in the mouth, pain / sensitivity in teeth / joints, aggravation of any existing problem, vomiting, stomach upset, disturbance in sleep / bad dreams etc.) when anything which is not suitable for the body is taken. Through process of elimination and repeated observation one can easily identify such food items.

One should respect these body signals otherwise body stops giving signal and one has a false feeling that "ALL IS WELL" till some vital organ is substantially damaged. Contrary to popular belief, body of a person which reacts to and rejects (called allergy by the modern medicine) disageeable items of food is healthier than the body which does not react. A person who gets drunk with a peg or two is healthier than a person who remains in senses after consuming half a bottle of whisky.

There cannot be uniform prescription for all as is being advised by the modern day specialists. Osho used to say that every living being is borne with bio-intelligence aided by faculties of taste and smell to identify food which is suitable for sustenance of body. No animal or insect is confused on this. Human beings have messed it up through imitation, going for something different, ignoring body signals, borrowed ideas of what is good etc. With meditations, bio-intelligence is revived. He further adds that the process of diet selection even for the same person has to be dynamic. Quantity and content of diet needs to be adjusted and changed from time to time.

Of course, people find it difficult to resist temptations. Since I had no problem in giving up an item of eatable from my diet, I often used to wonder why people cannot give up eatables which they know to be harmful for them. I understood their difficulty only when I read in Bhagawat that Rasneindriya (sense of taste) is most difficult to tame – all other Indriyas can be controlled by controlling diet but Rasneindriya becomes wild with diet control.

If one is not sensitive enough to observe and lacks willpower to avoid disagreeable items of diet, one can be helped by taking to some physical, breathing or spiritual practices.

Diet is but only one part of life style having bearing on health. Sleeping habits and physical activity are two other major contributors. These aspects will be discussed in the next post.

To be continued ......

Health, holistic systems of medicine and scientific approach

Taking the idea of holistic systems of medicines a little further, these systems are normally sought to be discounted / discarded by the proponents of modern medicine for alleged lack of scientific base (measurable parameters and methodology) behind them. This is far from truth.

As is well known, scientific methodology involves a hypothesis and its confirmation on the basis of experiments. Confirmation can not always be direct, even in science, when one enters subtler / sub-atomic dimensions. It is taken as confirmed on the basis of effects it produces. As for a hypothesis, it may either be based on a deductive or an intuition based model. In fact most of the great principles / inventions of science are not the result of exercise of brain (deductive model) but the idea descended from no where, i.e., from a source beyond mind.

Deductive model is, in fact, like a blind man trying to find the way with the help of a stick. A person with vision will simply get up and go out of room – there is no need for him to search the way with the help of a stick. Deductive model is thus a poor substitute to direct experience of reality.

The fact that many of our present day Gurus, ancient Rishis and even other persons with intuitive faculties experience the reality directly is no more disputable. This view is also echoed in a small booklet titled as “A proposal for peace” written by Swami Jyothirmaya Jnana Thapaswi, a disciple of a great Guru from Kerala, namely Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru (published by Santhigiri Publications, Shanthigiri Ashram, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 589; www.santhigiriashram.org) which I was recently reading. A Para on Page 20 thereof reads as under :

“Mental understanding is one level of perception. Once he attains a certain stage of evolution, the sanyasi is able to know with his consciousness. We all know a cat from the outside, its behaviour, body structure etc. But a sanyasi while seeking realization is not satisfied with this kind of knowing. Through intense concentration he gets to know the cat by knowing what it is to be a cat. His consciousness merges in the cat and knows it. In this way the jnani (the seer) understands all things – from the ant to the elephant. He knows even the physical environment in this way.”

Knowledge derived from real experience like this when applied in solving a practical problem, proves its correctness if it results in solving the problem. This is the proof of correctness of the knowledge. Now when Dr. Batch has an intuition that dew drops sitting on a particular flower (charged with the energy / vibrations of the flower) cures a particular mental condition and patients with that kind of mental problems get cured with such dew drops, what more verifiable proof is required. Solution to the problem is any day a better proof of its efficacy and correctness than measurable change in some chemicals or hormones in the body on which modern medicine relies.

Seen objectively, one would find that the results of holistic systems of medicine provide a much better proof than the proof regarding existence and nature of an electron which science offers. The unreliability about scientific discoveries is obvious from the fact that many of its findings are over ruled by subsequent researchers from time to time.

With all its tall claims, the cases where modern medicine fails to diagnose the cause of a disease or diagnosis is incorrect are not rare.

As for treatment, it appears to have an edge over other systems in cases where a microbe can be killed by an antibiotic (TB, Malaria etc.) or a case where a condition is to be managed (diabetes, migraine etc.) but when it comes to revival / restoration of functioning of a vital organ (liver, kidney etc.) or treatment of diseases like migraine, jaundice or diabetes, it is no where near the holistic systems of medicine.

The systems other than Allopathic system have other disadvantages inasmuch as because of propaganda by vested interests in favour of the former, patients usually approach other systems in terminal stages when Allopathic system fails (considerably reducing chances of sucessful treatment) and best brains prefer to pursue Allopathic system.

Life is mysterious. A person can be cured through Allopathic system, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Homeopathy, Flower Therapy, Crystal Therapy, Healing by a Guru, Ayurveda, Tibetan System and so on which have altogether different principles behind diagnosis and treatment. But surprisingly each of them works. Many more systems may come hereafter.

If science or modern medicine cannot find the way these systems cure, it is their limitation and not of the holistic systems of medicine. One cannot justifiably discount / discard a system that works. As they say the taste of a pudding is in its eating.

Health and Modern Medicine

We have been brain washed to the last by the vested interests into believing that the modern medicine is most efficient system of health care. It will, therefore, require a conscious effort and open mind to appreciate what eminent doctors and scientists have to say while exposing its limitations.

After a long time I have come across an article from an eminent doctor (Prof. B M Hegde, former professor of Cardiology, University of London and Vice-Chancellor, Manipal University) telling the truth that the "modern medicine has forgotten the essence of illness care". Kindly see the article below.

The data base of the findings of modern medicine is thoroughly inadequate, often manipulated by vested interests and the system is not holistic (this system tries to mend one thing and something else goes wrong).

The view of the author is shared by Swami Virajeshwara, a great scientist (worked in top research institutions in the US including those in the field of medical research) who turned ascetic and is now an evolved Guru, in his autobiographical book* "Scientist's search for truth". Based on his experience, Swamiji emphatically says that the research papers have scanty information base and the scientists are interested only in publicity and accolades in the seminars and have no concern with human lives and suffering. In his own words, “Research doctors cared little for the patients, … they were more interested in power, position, money … and craze of publication resulted in how impressive a story can be knit out of meager data and getting it accepted for publication in a reputed journal or at a professional meeting rather than how useful and the original the work was.”

He had to leave the research organisation seeing the human suffering (torture of unsuspecting patients, particularly children) and lack of concern for the patients. In this regard he observed, “The children cried at the sight of the doctor and longed to be freed from the hospital torture, but the naïve and poor parents … were led to believe that their child was improving …I could not continue to be a part of the torture of the dumb children in the name of research. I thought the work in industry may be better, at least it may not involve inhuman treatment.”

Add to this the vested interest of the industry and you have the full picture.

In fact anything coming from limited human mind can never be holistic. It will necessarily be fragmented and therefore of limited value (may even be disastrous). Things coming from source beyond human mind alone are holistic. That is how many great ancient medicine systems (like Ayurveda) came into being and new systems continue coming up. For example, in last century another medical practicener, Doctor Bach, who saw the severe limitations of the modern medicine, was intuitively (by forces beyond the limited mind) led into discovering Flower Therapy, a holistic system.

In fact all great inventions even in material sciences, as we all know, are not the outcome of logical functioning / working of brain but represent revelations when mind was in a relaxed state, i.e., it was silent.

Another doctor once told me that the permissible limits of sugar, cholesterol etc. are deliberately put at lower level at the instance of powerful lobby of drug manufacturers so that more people consider themselves susceptible to certain diseases and take to medicines.

The advice in the attached article not to go for "regular" health check-ups, if one has no ailment, thus assumes significance.

Another important aspect of health is that, bodies of no two persons are alike and there can be no universal prescriptions. Modern medicine and advertisers proclaim to the contrary.

One has to be observant and take to diet and practices which one experientially finds to help one feel healthy in body and mind. At the same time one has to give up the food items and practices which one finds to be harmful to one's body and mind irrespective of what others (experts) say.

This is the only way to lead healthy life.

* Those with spiritual bent of mind will find the autobiography to be very interesting and inspiring. The book is published by T. Venugopal, 81, 20th Main, 2nd ross, BTM 1st Stage, Bangalore – 560 068 and can also be had from Vedanta Book Depot, Chamrajpeth, Bangalore. Swamiji resides in Hamsa Ashramam, Anusoni, Via Kelamangalam, Tamil Nadu – 635 111.

Klick on the article to make it more readable

How was I … Part – IX

I was once told by Gaur Saheb that he saw a major transformation in one Ms. Kalpana Vora working in Mumbai after she came in contact with Shri Raj Supe, an advanced sadhaka, residing in Bangalore.

In October, 2005 my elder daughter, her husband, sister-in-law (Chetna) and mother-in-law (Artiji) were with us in Bangalore. We went to Supeji. He saw some merit in Artiji (she was a devotee of Sri Sri Ravishankarji for last few years), gave her a few copies to write “Shri Ram Ram Ram” and a photo of Thakur Sitaramdas Omkarnath and asked Chetna to keep in touch with him through email (rajsupe@hotmail.com).

Before proceeding further let me first briefly introduce Shri Raj Supe. He has a Masters degree in Management (BSc & MBA) and is a writer. He worked in advertising and film world and also ran an advertising company. Then one of his friends persuaded and took him to meet Shri Vitthal Ramanuj Maharaj and he got initiated against his wishes. Shri Supe did not chant the mantra given to him as he was not interested in it. But in few months, the mantra arose from within and swept him away – he got submerged. And now he himself is a Guru working for his Math – mainly engaged in sadhana (Japa) and translating works of his Guruji from Bengali to English.

Shri Vitthal Ramanuj Maharaj is Guru in the lineage of Thakur Sitaramdas Omkarnath. Their principal place is known as Mahamilan Math. It is located near Dakhshineshwar in Kolkata.

They mainly propagate writing of “Shri Ram Ram Ram” (this way both, body and mind, get engaged in the practice and the effort is measurable – the scope for mind to wander elsewhere is reduced) and chanting of Tarak Mantra “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare”. This tradition believes that if one writes “Shri Ram Ram Ram” in 12 copies in a year, whatever wish one has it will come true. It also makes one eligible for Deeksha (initiation) by Guruji. As for Tarak Mantra, it is considered as panacea for every ill in this Yuga – a fastest and surest way for one’s spiritual evolution.

Coming back to Chetna, at that time she had shifted to work in Gurgaon, primarily to avoid her husband who was living with them in Lucknow. Obviously she was going through difficult times and needed some support. She kept in touch with Supeji through email and sometimes talked to him on phone also. Supeji advised her to quit the job and immediately go back to Lucknow. Chetna complied. Few months later, as mentioned in my earlier post, with the blessings of Mungale Sir, their problem was resolved and they started lovingly living together. Later, on being asked by Artiji, he accepted that while recommending her to shift to Lucknow, he knew that this will help them live together soon.

Later on, a number of my friends and relatives went to him with me seeking solution to their problems. Shri Supeji is precise in his expressions and he is very convincing. Apart from recommending writing of “Shri Ram Ram Ram” and chanting of Tarak Mantra with full authority and conviction (recently being asked about solution to the problem of another friend of mine, he wrote to me "I will never get tired of recommending writing of 'Shri Ram Ram Ram' and chanting of Tarak Mantra"), in some cases, he tells specific remedies for specific problems and guides one in selecting course of action in a given situation in the external world as well. Many took to them with wonderful results.

Once he told one of my friends (his son had a few serious problems) who had revolutionary kind of ideas and did not believe in Pooja, Prarthana etc. that everyone wishes well for one’s child but it is merely a ‘wishful thinking!’ To give something to someone, one should have it in the first place. One has to acquire that through Sadhana. I was surprised, my friend took the copies and sincerely started writing “Shri Ram Ram Ram”. Problems were soon over and the boy completed his studies got settled.

Wife of one of my friends used to often feel depressed lamenting death of her father and brother and the fact that one of his brother had serious mental illness. She also had problem with her husband as she apprehended that there was negative energy in her bedroom and he did not permit her to change the bedroom. She was taking four or five medicines to keep herself up and going. Her friends were obviously fed up with her complaining nature and asked me to help her.

I took her to a few masters. On being advised by Supeji, she took to writing “Shri Ram Ram Ram” (also took healing through me for few days) and in a few months she not only came back to normal (except one, all other medicines were stopped) but her friends gave her compliments on her beautiful smile.

After a few months, she found a living Guru (Shri Virajeshwaraji – I will discuss my experiences with him in some subsequent post). She visits him every week even though it is an arduous journey involving travel of about 4 to 5 hours. Guruji is very happy with her devotion – she continued visiting him even when many a time, in the beginning, he talked to her only for a few minutes and sometimes he merely peeped from his room and closed the door again. While waiting on Guruji, she used to continue sitting in the veranda writing “Shri Ram Ram Ram”. Her patience and devotion earned her his blessings and she is now happily settled in Sadhana.

Wife of one of my close relative was quite aggressive and not hospitable and did not bother about the needs and convenience of others. Consequently she became quite unpopular in the family. Her mother is a selfless, loving and devoted lady. May be because of her Punya Sanskaras, this girl started writing “Shri Ram Ram Ram” when advised by Supeji. In few months, her temperament and attitude changed dramatically and she is now loved by everyone in the family.

Sometimes, Supeji could be very harsh. Another friend of mine is living apart from her husband and often goes in depression. She did not write “Shri Ram Ram Ram” and also did not chant Tarak Mantra with regularity, as advised. When next time she went to him with her problems and on being asked as to why she did not do it, she told him that “she believes in taking the life as it comes and does not believe in forcing herself doing a thing. Supeji was in a rage! He said something like “These are intellectual escapades of ignorant mind …. an excuse to avoid discipline in sadhana …. sheer escapism …”

This is very true. We have double standards. When it comes to worldly things like health and education of a child, one is worried and makes all possible efforts and do not sit back and say, I will take the things as they come! Similarly, while catching a train, going to take an examination or for going to office one forces oneself to get up, be ready and reach in time. But when it comes to sadhana, people have absurd idea of following the mind and not forcing oneself into it.

Discipline and application in sadhana is at least as important as it is in other worldly aspects of life. Initially one has to force oneself into spiritual practices and persevere – tamas (inertia, lethargy) has to be overcome – there is no easy way out. The body and mind have to fall in grove. Of course, once the mind tastes the inner nectar (love and joy), sadhana becomes an enjoyable occupation.

Only an evolved saint can take the life as it comes (as there is nothing desirable or avoidable for him). For him it is an experiential reality – not for us. Let us not be fooled by that. That is why they say higher truths (Vedas) should not be uttered (recited) before the ignorant (Shudras) – they will make a mess out of it and will suffer even more.

While all these aspects of sadhana used to be discussed, I used to just keep sitting, sometimes introducing my friends, articulating their problems and sometimes even (foolishly) intervening in their conversation. Though I was convinced of the efficacy of the practices given by him (and that is why I became instrumental in convincing a number of persons to go to him with me), I myself, did not take to these practices for long thinking that they are not for me. Supeji also did not directly ask me to take to these practices – knowing that my time had not come! Masters have infinite patience and wait for the disciple to be ready.

I will revert back to Supeji again in my coming posts.

To be contd. …