Chapter 5 - BMI

·        Life = a series of experiences. These experiences determine the nature and quality of our lives.

 

·        Instruments of experience: body (deha), mind (manas), intellect (buddhi); impressions from past actions, innate tendencies (vasanas) => these belong to the realm of matter (prakriti)

·        Mind = thoughts in a state of flux; intellect = thoughts in a state of decision; vasanas are also known as avidya or ignorance, because they veil the divinity in us

·        The self conditioned by BMI = jiva or the individual ego

·        The Divine Principle or Spirit (purusha) is beyond these matter envelopments; it enlivens matter, which is inert and insentient; in turn, the spirit expresses itself through matter; therefore all life is a marriage of purusha and prakriti

·        The individual ego has to go beyond the conditioning of the BMI and destroy the veil of vasanas, in order to realize the Truth or Supreme Reality, also known as Pure Existence-Consciousness-Bliss (sat-chit-ananda)

·        Vasanas are like tinted goggles through which our view of the world is filtered. They are an unconscious mass of tendencies, inclinations and urges gained from past thoughts and actions

·        3 types of vasanas: social urges to keep up with the times in which we live (loka vasanas); physical urges (deha vasanans); urge to acquire knowledge and gather information (shastra vasanas)

·        Sequence of vasana manifestation: desiring thought in the intellect to gain more happiness => restlessness/ agitation of the mind to fulfill the desire => manifesting at the body level as an action

·        Vasanas create thought channels through which our mind flows, impelling us to act repeatedly, thereby forming habits, which become part of our character. We create our own destiny through our vasana-conditioned thoughts and actions

 

Chapter 4 - Balance

Key concepts:

·        Life is a series of experiences that result from our contact with the world of objects. These experiences bring us either joy or sorrow.

·        Material scientists have investigated and discovered ways life can be made happier by arranging objects and situations in the outer world. Yet we feel insecure and anxious, and discontented with our lot.

·        This is a result of the imbalance that is created when our control of the outer world exceeds our sway over our own inner nature.

·        The purpose of philosophy and religion is to transform our inner lives, and bring about the equilibrium essential to a fulfilling existence.

·        While material growth raises the standard of living, inner development improves the standard of life. The two aspects have to work in conjunction to sail through life with ease.

·        A high standard of living that is not accompanied by a high standard of life, leads to the downfall of societies.

·        Subjective scientists study the human personality, and turn our attention inward to the divine center within us. Their analysis and observations are aimed at raising the standard of life.

·        A harmonious blend of the sacred and the secular are essential to overall prosperity and well-being.

·        The Dual Path:

o   Spiritual growth requires the practice of intelligent self restraint (as opposed to unintelligent self denial).

o   Suppression results from such self denial, whereas sublimation attunes our mind to the higher values of life, causing the lower tendencies to drop off.

o   We all know what is good or bad for us. However, we often choose the path that is not conducive to our welfare.

o   Vedanta describes two distinct paths in life: the path of the pleasant (preyas), and the path of the good (shreyas).

o   The path of the pleasant entices us, and caters to the demands of the senses; it brings passing joy at first, culminating in sorrow; it leads to the devolution of human personality.

o   The path of the good, led by the subtle intellect, is not very appealing or pleasant at the outset; it eventually results in lasting happiness; it leads to the beautification and evolution of human personality.

·        Actions can be classified based on the results they produce:

o   Those that bring ephemeral joys

o   Those that lead to eternal bliss

·        Individuals who develop inner strength choose the path of shreyas, and emerge as mighty personalities that attain fulfillment, and help transform other lives.

Swami Vivekananda on Religion

"Religion is the Eternal relationship between the Eternal Soul and Eternal God."

"Religion is that which makes you realize the Unchangeable."

"You cannot believe in God unless you believe in yourself."

"Religion if the manifestation of the Divinity already in man."

"To devote your life to the good of all and to the happiness of all is religion. Whatever you do for your own sake is not religion."

Chapter 3 - Religion

Key concepts:

·        Mankind is destined for greatness – why then are the vast majority of human beings unhappy? Why do they feel inadequate and dissatisfied?

·        Learning the art of living, having the right attitude and approach to life is the key to feeling happy and fulfilled.

·        Each one of us is essentially perfect – there are hidden possibilities and untapped potential for greatness within us. We need to unlock this to achieve happiness and success ourselves, and also use it to better the lives of those around us.

·        Unlocking this potential requires us to transform our character and behavior. Only by looking inward, and depending on our own selves, can we truly achieve success.

·        Our habits (repeated actions) determine our character and eventually our destiny. Choosing our thoughts wisely will lead to good habits that shape our future.

·        Religion is for thinking beings – there is no religion in the animal kingdom, where all life is based on instincts.

·        Through religion, we seek and understand answers to existential questions, and our place in this universe.

·        Religion does not claim to change the condition of the world, or seek to improve our material standard of living. True religion teaches us how to live in this world, and meet the situations we face with equanimity.

·        Material scientists have given us the knowledge and tools to conquer nature and gain control over the outer world. We are still unhappy and unfulfilled within.

·        Subjective scientists (sages) who studied the inner world have given us the knowledge to transform our lives, and soar to heights of happiness and contentment.

·        Through their analysis of the instruments of our experience (the body, mind and intellect), they have given us the tools to unlock our inner potential. This analysis forms the core of the sacred texts of the major religions.

·        True philosophy and science are experiential. Vedanta is based on the entire gamut of human experience, i.e. the three states of waking, dream and deep sleep.

·        Scriptures represent the data gathered from the spiritual scientists’ observations and conclusions, and confirmed by various mystics down the centuries, all over the world.

·        This knowledge that has been handed down to us provides us with the strength and power to transform our lives.