CHENNAI: Without knowledge of the self, we live in a state of ignorance and feel burdened by the ups and downs of life. The knowledge of the self helps us move from the present stage of ‘I am doer’ to the evolved stage of ‘I am non-doer’. Through the intermediary step of Karma yoga, a seeker becomes fit for contemplation which leads to meditation. Having quietened the mind through Karma yoga, the seeker has to be alert and vigilant to absorb the mind in the self. A quiet mind is not disturbed by any object, being or circumstances, nor is it carried away by fanciful imaginations.
‘Lift yourself by yourself,’ says Sri Krishna. A Jitatman is one who has conquered the mind by bridging the gap between the ‘Actual’ me and the ‘Ideal’ me. When the intellect, mind and body function together, it is yoga at work. The gap between actual me and ideal me gets bridged.
When I look at animals like a rabbit or a lion, I understand their nature and accept them as they are. I do not compare one with the other and complain. When this attitude is adopted towards all situations and people, equanimity of mind is practised. A helium balloon rises up since the air at lower level is heavier. As it moves up, the air outside is lighter. At this higher level, the helium within expands and merges with the atmospheric air.
So too, even when the pressure of vasana is heavy, if the mind is turned towards the higher, mind having become quiet and light, soars in contemplation. The vasana pressure now becomes lighter. “A stage comes when I expand to merge with the infinite peace and understanding naturally. I disassociate from the limited ‘I’, to merge with the infinite ‘I’.” says Brahmacharini Shruti Chaitanya, acharya, Chinmaya Mission Puducherry. This disassociation comes with study and practice of the scriptures as the attachment to the body, mind and intellect (BMI) has happened over several lifetimes.