Ajay0

A soldier massacring innocent civilians will be violating his ethical duties as a soldier, and would be a murderer instead. I have cited the likes of Buddha, Anandamayi Ma , Rajini Menon who have stated that ethical and virtuous conduct is potent enough to attain enlightenment. A hungry street kid stealing and robbing would highlight poor governance and dereliction of duty by the regions administrators resulting in lack of prosperity and crime. In the Hindu scriptures, it is said that an administrator who brings all-round prosperity and peace to his region begets more spiritual merit than a number of saints, and can attain heavenly states and enlightenment faster.

Well, I am glad that he murdered her though Mahasamadhi and not with assault guns.

Sadhguru's wife Vijayakumari gave up her physical body through mahasamadhi in 1999. Her interest in Mahasamadhi came up after hearing a talk over the subject by a saint they had met in a forest. Even though Sadhguru discouraged her then, she went through the process and attained enlightenment and Mahasamadhi . This happened in front of many disciples and people. Since Vijayakumari was relatively young, her parents who were obviously concerned of her wellbeing and not knowing the intricacies of mahasamadhi, could not accept her physical death and filed murder charges to bring more scrutiny over her death. The police however after investigation stated Sadhguru to be innocent of any wrongdoing. This happened way back in 1999, but is usually taken up by people focused on the negatives. Vijayakumari led a dream life with Sadhguru , who often took her in his adventure trips and motorbiking expeditions throughout the country. Both of them were not born in a background of yogic culture and had led fairly materialistic and secular lives, till Sadhguru's experience of enlightenment on Chamundi Hill on Mysore. Sadhguru had also spoken of his wife's experience of Mahasamadhi here... https://isha.sadhguru.org/us/en/sadhguru/man/vijji An enlightened master had stated to me that most people who attain enlightenment leave the body consciously. It's not that they are embracing death but are embracing life at a much more conscious and blissful level. He told me that it is those who have previous impressions or tendencies of compassion, as well as having articulate communication skills, who usually remain in the body so as to share their experiences and teachings, and show the path to others as well. Buddha had himself left his body though Mahasamadhi after he found that his body was old and damaged by disease beyond repair, and had stated his intentions to his disciples as well as final instructions. Jiddu Krishnamurti , after getting diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer at 90, similarly ended his talks and lectures , citing his lack of fitness for the same, and after communicating his decision to leave his body through mahasamadhi to his close friends and associates, gave up his body. This is stated in the biography 'The Light of Krishnamurti' by his friend and associate Gabriele Blackburn.

I know of a female enlightened master named Shivayogini Matha (1923-1981) from Kerala, India whose sadhana or spiritual practice was chanting the Panchakshari mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya.' This mantra is considered to be the most potent mantra in Hinduism and also the favourite mantra of the Avatars. Shivayogini Matha was very punctual and precise in the chanting of this mantra from youth. Due to her numerous illnesses at youth including cancer, doctors had given the grim prognosis of a short life for her. Shivayogini Matha had stated that her grave diseases at youth were her Guru, as it made her mind focus and prioritize spiritual development. Her faith in the mantra and diligent practice enabled her to outlive the grim prognosis of her doctor, and he similarly stated the same , attributing her healing to her faith. She continued with her mantra chanting practice under the guidance of her Guru, and eventually attained enlightenment. She chanted the mantra during her days of sadhana, perceiving it as a flame of lamp consecrated in her heart (in her own words). Hrtpadma karnika madhye, sthira dipa nibhakrtim I angustha matram, acalam, dhyayed om karam Tsvaram II One should contemplate on "om" as Isvara in the heart resembling an unflickering flame. — Dhyana Bindu Upanisad, XIX

In the evolution of consciousness this is probably the first time mankind is going through the problem of loneliness. You feel homeless in spite of having a home. You feel disconnected in spite of connections. You live in darkness in spite of light. You live in despair in spite of so much of celebration. The reason is you are disconnected with nature. To live with nature is to live with God. To live with nature is to appreciate the magic of the sunrise, the magic of the song of the birds, the magic of the morning breeze. Not seeing this magic is not seeing God. The whole of nature is alive and not seeing this magical presence is being dead. ~ Swami Sukhabodhananda Take it as a discipline to see the miracle of life and you will feel connected and live a natural life. ~ Swami Sukhabodhananda When a man moves away from nature his heart becomes hard. ~ Native American saying Now and again, it is necessary to seclude yourself among deep mountains and hidden valleys to restore your link to the source of life. Breathe in and let yourself soar to the ends of the universe; breathe out and bring the cosmos back inside. Next, breathe up all the fecundity and vibrancy of the earth. Finally, blend the breath of heaven and the breath of earth with your own, becoming the Breath of Life itself. ~ Morihei Ueshiba

Insightful article by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on asanas and the mental stability it brings... https://www.artofliving.org/nl-en/yoga/patanjali-yogasutra/knowledge-sheet-84 This advice have helped me a lot, and upon experiencing mental agitation or confusion due to proliferation of mental stimuli or thoughts-emotions, I sit down in the lotus position or padmasana, and found my mind becoming more stable and calmer effortlessly and pretty quick. This helped me to calm the mind, bring mental clarity and sort out any issues at hand better. Another technique is obviously observation of the breath.

Violence generates more violence; hatred produces more hatred. Peace cannot be conquered. Peace cannot be the result of violence. Peace comes to us only when we dissolve the Ego, when we destroy within us all those psychological factors that produce war. ~ Samael Aun Weor We must experience the Truth in a direct, practical and real way; this is only possible in the stillness and silence of the mind, and this is achieved by means of meditation. ~ Samael Aun Weor What is the use of education if we do not become creative, conscious and truly intelligent? Real education does not mean knowing how to read and write. Any stupid person, any fool can know how to read and write. We need to have intelligence and it only awakens within us when the consciousness awakens. ~ Samael Aun Weor When consciousness has awakened it is not something sensational or spectacular. It's simply a reality as natural as the one of a tree that has growth slowly and developed without starts or sensational stuffs. Nature is Nature. ~ Samael Aun Weor

Insightful article by spiritual teacher Eknath Easwaran on the still mind as perceived from the Hindu and Christian religious philosophies... https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/speaking-tree/a-still-mind-is-divine/articleshow/89230633.cms

Thoughts and emotions come from the same source. Thoughts are the dry expressions of the mind, emotions are juicy. The way you think is the way you feel. ~ Sadghuru Self-awareness is increased much more rapidly by observing feelings rather than thoughts. The thoughts associated with even one feeling may literally run into the thousands. The understanding of the underlying emotion and its correct handling is, therefore, more rewarding and less time-consuming than dealing with one’s thoughts. ~ David R. Hawkins Focus on the feeling itself, not on the thoughts. Thoughts are endless and self-reinforcing, and they only breed more thoughts. Thoughts are merely rationalizations of the mind to try and explain the presence of the feeling. The real reason for the feeling is the accumulated pressure behind the feeling that is forcing it to come up in the moment. ~ David R. Hawkins Thousands and even millions of thoughts can be replaced by a single emotion. Emotions are more basic and primitive than mental processes. ~ David R. Hawkins Feelings come and go, and eventually you realize that you are not your feelings, but that the real “you” is merely witnessing them. ~ David R. Hawkins

An informative article by Sister Pratibha Daya of the Brahmakumaris on staying calm in the midst of chaos. https://svbrahmakumaris.org/7-ways-to-stay-calm-in-chaos/

Eliciting an emotional or emotive reaction is better for tv ratings, than a boring, clinical response. The roman emperors similarly tried to hide the deficiencies in their rule and administration by catering to the emotional cravings of the roman masses for blood and gore, through the colloseum with its gladiators and state enemies like foreigner pows and christians forced to fight lions and beasts. WWF, even though clearly staged, still is hugely popular amongst the masses seeking emotional sensation through its violence, primitive machismo attributes and foul language.

Teachings of the Masters on Awareness-Proactivty and Unconsciousness-Ego-Reactivity.... Act. Do not react. --Sri Ravi Shankar Sin is never in action. It is always in reaction. -- Swami Chinmayananda Virtuous ( proactive) action increases intelligence, while sinful ( reactive ) acts decreases intelligence. --Vidura Neeti ( Mahabharatha ) If you want to progress in your life and grow, act not to react. --Harbhajan Yogi Bhajan Respond. Do not react. --Osho Just stay focused. Don't react. Just be a witness and you will see the magic of it. --Swami Chidanand Saraswati Be proactive. Do not be reactive. --Stephen Covey ( Author of 7 habits of highly effective people ) Habitually we react to external stimuli, that is we are generally overwhelmed by retaliatory emotional forces within us demanding appropriate action. But surely this cannot be called 'action' , it is in fact ' re-action' . Discipline of the reasoning mind controls the reactive forces and results in appropriate 'action' rather than 're-action', one should endeavour to establish control and avoid retaliatory behaviour. --Acharya Mahaprajna Quality of life depends on what happens in the space between stimulus and response. -- Stephen Covey Because of the space between stimulus and response, people have the power of choice; therefore,leaders are neither born nor made — meaning environmentally trained and nurtured. They are self-made through chosen responses, and if they choose based on principles and develop increasingly greater discipline, their freedom to choose increases. -- Stephen Covey Reaction is unconscious. You do not know exactly that you are being manipulated. You are not aware that you are behaving like a slave, not like a master. Action out of consciousness is response. -- Osho You can act in two ways -- one is reaction, another is response. Reaction comes out of your past conditionings; it is mechanical. Response comes out of your presence, awareness, consciousness; it is non-mechanical. The ability to respond is one of the greatest principles of growth. You are not following any order, any commandment; you are simply following your awareness. You are functioning like a mirror, reflecting the situation and responding to it -- not out of your memory from past experiences of similar situations, not repeating your reactions, but acting fresh, new, in this very moment. Neither the situation is old, nor your response -- both are new. -- Osho One who is obsessed with worldly pursuits, one who is body-oriented, cannot really go into this. We need to develop a distance from our mind and not give in to impulsiveness. Those who react are the ones who are living mindlessly. So in a way, we can say that living mindfully is being in meditation. -- Anandmurti Gurumaa So action which is born of reaction breeds sorrow. Most of our thoughts are the result of the past, of time. A mind that is not built on the past, that has totally understood this whole process of reaction, can act every minute totally, completely, wholly. — J. Krishnamurti Action which is born of reaction breeds sorrow. — J. Krishnamurti

Emotions when properly employed can bring happiness and creativity in life, while improperly employed through lack of discrimination or discretion can result in reactions leading to regressive conflict, strife and loss . Through Awareness, one goes beyond the realm of conditioned likes and dislikes, attain better self-mastery, and cultivate a progressive positive attitude in all situations and circumstances in life.

Hi All, Quoted above are a list of teachings of various masters which I compiled myself for a better understanding and contemplation of the message of proactivity and reactivity around a decade back. Through study and analysis of the master's teachings, I had come to the understanding that it is proactive action which is what is known as virtue or correct action while reactive action is what is known as sin or bad karma. While proactivity is what stems from a state of awareness or mindfulness , reactivity on the other hand stems from the ego. Living in the present moment reveals awareness, while living in the past or future unconsciously due to strong desires or craving/aversions (resulting in incessant, involuntary thinking or emoting) is what generates the ego. The state of awareness generates peace and joy, while the unnatural state of the ego generates pain and sorrow. This is why the Buddha had said thus ," Mindfulness is the true virtue." And why Eckhart Tolle had stated thus. " Evil is an extreme manifestation of human unconsciousness." Writing this in my notebook and constant study and contemplation of these teachings from time to time helped me to become a more self-aware, proactive and less reactive person. This understanding brought a deep sense of calmness, peace, contentment and well-being in my life. The study of the works of spiritual masters helped me a lot in increasing my self-knowledge and hope the reading of the above mentioned teachings will do the same for you or help in bringing perspective on the nature of the mind. I have deep gratitude to the Buddha, Bodhidharma, Padmasambhava,Suzuki, Dilgo Khyentse , Metta Zetty and other Buddhist masters all over the world for their insights and wisdom, which helped me a lot in increasing my self-knowledge and hope the reading of the above mentioned teachings will do the same for you or help in bringing perspective on the nature of the mind.

Hello all, Here is an insightful article on female enlightened master Rajini Menon attaining enlightenment just through adhering to virtuous conduct and behavior. https://www.lifepositive.com/a-light-unto-herself/ If you do right, irrespective of what the other does, it will slow down the mind. - Rajini Menon Wholesome virtuous behavior progressively leads to the foremost.~ Buddha AN 10.1 Swami Satchidananda also states in this regard.... “When even one virtue becomes our nature, the mind becomes clean and tranquil. Then there is no need to practice meditation; we will automatically be meditating always.” - Swami Satchidananda I would say this showcases the importance of virtues and virtuous conduct as taught in the world religions and secular humanism, and shows that they are not limited to mere conditioning or are abstract contrivances as nihilism and existentialism believes them to be. Sound adherence to morals and ethical conduct can even enable an agnostic or non-theist to attain enlightenment, without religions or spiritual masters, as is the case with Rajini Menon.

An insightful article by Sister Jayanti Kirpalani, an administrative leader of the Prajapita Brahmakumaris, on cultivating values in everyday life... https://svbrahmakumaris.org/1859/ The main points of the article can be summarized in sequential order as... Morning meditation and contemplation of values . Pausing and focusing at periodic intervals during the day to re-orient oneself in terms of these values. Performing an audit and self-review at night to identify any shortcomings in actions on the basis of these values. Based on self-analysis, learning and correcting oneself if needed. Self-motivating oneself in terms of commitment and enthusiasm to the given values for the next day.

It is celebrated for 9-10 days in some parts of south India, but generally it is celebrated on the festival day itself. Navratri is celebrated generally for the nine/ten days mentioned. And for the last question, Thiruvathira is celebrated in worship of God Shiva. The enlightenment of any sage is not generally mentioned during this festival, though I am aware of coinicidences of religious festivals coinciding with the birthdays or enlightenment of sages.

The ancient Thiruvathira festival in south India which celebrates the cosmic dance of Shiva as a golden red-flamed light, was celebrated this month on December 20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiruvathira The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva represents five activities – Creation, Protection, Destruction, Embodiment and Release. In essence, it represents the continuous cycle of creation and destruction. This cosmic dance is said to take place in every particle and is considered to be the source of all energy. Interestingly, the monotheistic Dharmic sect the Prajapita Brahmakumaris consider God Shiva to be an incorporeal point of golden-red light, synonymous with Jehovah, Allah and Ahura Mazda of the other monotheistic religions where there are similar connotations and associations with light.

Wholesome virtuous behavior progressively leads to the foremost.~ Buddha AN 10.1 Here, the Buddha himself had also stated that virtuous action progressively leads to the foremost, that is enlightenment. This teaching is exemplified by Rajini Menon, who had no Gurus or spiritual masters, and only had adherence to her inner conscience as a moral guide for thought, speech and action. Yes, the Buddha had also advocated a variety of methods like mindfulness practice, vipassana , meditation for people who are inclined to such practices . But that does not take anything from his saying that virtuous behavior is potent enough to lead to the foremost, which is nirvana or enlightenment. I am also interested in the spiritual and social implication of this teaching as it would mean that atheists and agnostics and those of the LGBTQ spectrum, who adhere to values and virtuous conduct, are not spiritually degenerate as some theists put them to be.

Here is an insightful conversation between the female enlightened sage Anandamayi Ma and a disciple... Question: Suppose an atheist lives an ethical and righteous life. Is he on a lower level than a faithful devotee? Ma Anandamayi : 'An ethical life purifies the mind. Even though one may have no faith in God, if one believes in some Superior Power or pursues a high ideal, this also will serve one's purpose. By living an ethical life, one progresses towards the realization of the Divine. ' ( Excerpt from the book 'That Compassionate Touch of Ma Anandamayee' by Narayan Chaudhari ) Through this statement, Ma Anandamayi too, like Rajini Menon, states that an ethical and virtuous life, is a spiritual exercise in itself and is potent enough to bring about enlightenment on its own.

Yeah, I like Jesus's teachings as well and find them to be a useful mine of wisdom shedding light on dark areas of ignorance, and have quoted them in some of my posts. The Golden Rule taught by Jesus is also a good framework to determine virtuous conduct in almost all situations and circumstances. Imho, Christianity as an institution for morality and virtuous conduct was undermined by some of its leaders who were not able to separate religion from the state administration and politics leading to conflicts and wars which was against the core essence of Christ's teachings.This was true of most other religions as well. There was a failure of religious leadership in general in ensuring correct regulation of religious teachings for application so that it would have been a support to the dynamic nature of spiritual, social and material development rather than being an impediment to it. A glaring example of this at present is the Taliban and Isis. I would say this can perhaps be traced to the vices of love of power, egoism and lack of critical thinking in erroneously emphasizing the letter of the law at the expense of the spirit. Secular humanism is also a great institution for determining moral behavior and virtuous conduct as well, and there is an emphasis on the golden rule in it as well. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule

I deeply respect your sentiments as a christian but I think you have misunderstood the thread's theme. It is mainly about virtuous conduct and behavior being spiritually meritorious and capable of attaining enlightenment or Buddhahood on its own, and not being just mere abstract contrivances as nihilism and existentialism considers them to be. The nihilist thought process is considered to have influenced ideologies like nazism, fascism (which brought about the second world war and holocausts) and communism as well, and given rise to unchecked scientific materialism and reductionism at present which reduces the human being to a mere material phenomenon among others to be described, studied and even utilized by vested interests as a commodity to be milked unscrupulously. Even in democratic governments this foolish and counterproductive line of reasoning runs deep and science is clandestinely utilized as a tool to create an efficient and obedient citizen out of a human being without any consideration for his spiritual needs or sensitivity, and to be a mere cog in the machinery or an another brick in the wall.

Wholesome virtuous behavior progressively leads to the foremost. - Buddha AN 10.1 Western philosophy and psychology, which is of more recent origin, has not yet touched upon the phenomenon of enlightenment or Buddhahood , and this is why nihilism and other lopsided philosophies like existentialism were prominent in the west leading to an erroneous thought process and corresponding actions, considering all moral values to be abstractly contrived. The famous Austrian psychiatrist, philosopher and holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl stated thus on the influence of the nihilist and materialistic philosophies that influenced the thought process of the architects of the second world war... “If we present a man with a concept of man which is not true, we may well corrupt him. When we present man as an automaton of reflexes, as a mind-machine, as a bundle of instincts, as a pawn of drives and reactions, as a mere product of instinct, heredity and environment, we feed the nihilism to which modern man is, in any case, prone. I became acquainted with the last stage of that corruption in my second concentration camp, Auschwitz. The gas chambers of Auschwitz were the ultimate consequence of the theory that man is nothing but the product of heredity and environment; or as the Nazi liked to say, ‘of Blood and Soil.’ I am absolutely convinced that the gas chambers of Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Maidanek were ultimately prepared not in some Ministry or other in Berlin, but rather at the desks and lecture halls of nihilistic scientists and philosophers.” - Viktor Frankl In eastern philosophy on the other hand, moral values and virtues are considered to be valuable in expansion of consciousness (and destruction of karma) alongside meditation, awareness or total love and instrumental in attainment of enlightenment or Buddhahood, as shown by the example of the female enlightened master Rajini Menon. Western philosophy and psychology will be all the more richer through study of eastern philosophy and this can help negate much of the issues caused by wrong philosophical interpretations as stated by Viktor Frankl, that can potentially lead to conflicts and vice. For example buddhist mindfulness and vipassana are now acknowledged by psychiatrists in the west of having therapeutic applications and complementing therapy. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/mindfulness https://uk.dhamma.org/more/prison-courses/ Similarly Indian mathematics and numeral system, which originated in the philosophical conceptions of Sankyha philosophy by sage Kapila and Shunyata philosophy of Buddha, came to the west through the Arabs, replaced the cumbersome roman numerals and revolutionized modern science, technology and accounting to what it is at present. Hence considering the rich and profitable interaction of the past, western philosophers should not hesitate to investigate and study eastern philosophy to enrich their understanding and wisdom and consequently avoid grave errors in decision-making.

Consciousness minus conceptualization is the eternal Brahman the absolute; consciousness plus conceptualization is thought. ~ Yoga Vasistha Thinking and consciousness are not synonymous. Thinking is only a small aspect of consciousness. Thought cannot exist without consciousness, but consciousness does not need thought. ~ Eckhart Tolle The thought process is an intermittent activity – Consciousness is always On. ~ Sadhguru

The ego manifests as negativity, emotivity, compulsiveness and reactivity and these are often toxic to relationships. Present moment awareness or mindfulness/witnessing can help create a space between yourself and your mind/ego, and can prevent one from slipping to the reactive mode. Practicing patience by holding back in volatile situations can also help. You can count to ten to defuse the volatility within to calm centredness again. 'When you are in a great hurry to do something, just hold back a few seconds, that's all it takes to shift from compulsiveness to consciousness.' ~ Sadhguru