Hoping for some personal guidance

[Avyaydya]

I guess I just want to become more conscious of Brahman in myself, others and the world around me. I want to feel the spiritual permeate my existence to the greatest degree I can manage. I want to be a beacon of spirituality to those who like myself at this time are shrouded in ignorance...

I want to be calm, happy, productive. I am hoping that the equanimity I can gain from spirituality will help me more productively pursue my intellectual and activist aims of improving material conditions for others in the world so that they may too pursue their higher callings once their material and emotional needs are met. But right now I just feel generally stuck. Unable to accomplish much of anything.

Namaste,

I agree with Eastern Mind, the study of philosophy does not seem the right path for someone seeking a karmic path. Such scriptures are directed at very advanced spirits that want to retract from normal life and fully concentrate on seeking enlightenment.

Neither are they suited for self-study. Shruti should not be done as self-study, it should be heard from the mouth of Guru, and then learned and spoken in the right way with great precision. So online Advaita study isn't worth much as it is Shruti. If we can not find a guru who finds us worthy, we should refrain from self-study. Studying scriptures ourselves can easily create a false sense of accomplishment. Gurus are not pleased with such students. To unlearn is even harder than to learn.

I think what you seek is more practical. The best way to be a spiritual light to others is to give a great example. Following the path of Dharm also creates natural spiritual progress.

I found studying the Ramayana and Mahabharata (not the Gita, which shruti again) very inspiring as they teach Dharm and give many different but clear examples one can follow. If you are not a big reader, they are also available as TV-series on Youtube. Pictures make it easier to remember.

Though myself not a Shivaite myself, I found this book "Living with Siva" a real good guide that encompasses every aspect of Hindu life. It gives lots of practical handles, how to act in various circumstances and how to improve yourself. I studied it with my wife and we both loved it. (I wish I had read the many life lessons years earlier) It has 365 daily lessons, creating an easy and steady path of learning. Besides it is written with westerners in mind, as many of these teachings are less obvious for people from another culture.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: DANCING JOYOUSLY
1 See God Everywhere
2 Noninjury and Truthfulness
3 Nonstealing and Other Virtues
4 Compassion, Honesty and Diet
5 Purity and Remorse
6 Contentment and Giving
7 Faith and Worship
8 Scriptural Study and Cognition
9 Vows, Incantation and Austerity
10 Celibacy and Fidelity
11 Physical, Mental, Emotional Foods
12 Chemical Chaos
13 Discipline for Self-Transformation
14 The Meditator
15 Obstacles to Meditation
16 Harnessing Willpower
17 Life Is Meant to Be Lived Joyously
18 The Power of Penance

PART TWO: LIVING DHARMICALLY
19 The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Rules the World
20 Her Power, Her Domain
21 Marriage and Family Life
22 Family Togetherness
23 The Wisdom of Early Marriage
24 Modern Matchmakers
25 Divorce and Abuse
26 Bringing Up Children
27 Positive Discipline
28 Teenage Trials
29 Language that Hurts
30 Bribery and Bad Money
31 What about Computers?
32 Adultery and Pornography
33 Birth, Abortion and Suicide
34 Old and Gray
35 Beyond Death, Astral Life

PART THREE: MERGING COURAGEOUSLY
36 The Joys of Hinduism
37 Duty and Destiny
38 The Wheel of Karma
39 To Do No Harm
40 War and Peace
41 The Power Called Forgiveness
42 Nurture Gratitude, Be Considerate
43 Zero Tolerance for Disharmony
44 Why We Need Religion
45 Palaces of the Gods
46 Sending Prayers to the Gods
47 The Spirit of the Guru
48 Śiva’s Monastics
49 Passing On Our Heritage
50 Śaivite Culture
51 Hindu Solidarity
52 Stand Strong for Hinduism

PART FOUR: HINDUISM’S NANDINĀTHA SŪTRAS
Introduction
Section 1: Right Living
1-5 The Purpose of Life
6-10 Facing Life’s Challenges
11-15 Yoga in Action
16-20 The True Values of Life
21-25 Spiritual Disciplines
26-30 Personal Disciplines
31-35 The Nature of God
36-40 The Nature of Souls and World
41-45 Evil and Expressions of Faith

Section 2: Ethics
46-50 Yamas: Ten Classical Restraints
51-55 Niyamas: Ten Classical Observances
56-60 Ahiṁsā, the Foremost Discipline
61-65 Regrettable Exceptions to Ahiṁsā
66-70 Reverence for the Environment
71-75 Self-Control
76-80 Worldly Activities

Section 3: The Family Path
81-85 Instructions for Men
86-90 Instructions for Husbands
91-95 Instructions for Women
96-100 Instructions for Wives
101-105 Instructions for the Widowed
106-110 Instructions for the Unmarried
111-115 Arranging Marriages
116-120 Sustaining Marriages
121-125 About Divorce
126-130 Hospitality
131-135 Household Ethics
136-140 Raising Worthy Children
141-145 Preserving Family Unity
146-150 Preparing Youth for Adult Life
151-155 Duties of Young Adults
156-160 About Wealth
161-165 God’s Money
166-170 Guidelines for Business
171-175 Politics and Vocation
176-180 Edicts for Parliamentarians
181-185 Edicts for Scientists

Section 4: Personal Life
186-190 Diet and Food
191-195 Health and Exercise
196-200 Tobacco and Drugs
201-205 Alcohol
206-210 The Four Stages of Life
211-215 Approaching Death
216-220 Death’s Aftermath

Section 5: Spiritual Interaction
221-225 Respect for Saints and Dignitaries
226-230 Social Injunctions
231-235 Interfaith Harmony
236-240 Avoiding Alien Influences
241-245 Devotion to the Satguru
246-250 Working with the Satguru
251-255 In the Satguru’s Presence

Section 6: Religious Culture
256-260 Temples and Priesthood
261-265 Weekly Gatherings
266-270 New Members
271-275 Coming Home to Śaivism
276-280 Detractors and Adversaries
281-285 Raising Sons for the Monastery
286-290 Sacred Scriptures
291-295 Temple Worship
296-300 Symbols, Mantras and Names
301-305 Cultural Accomplishments
306-310 Spiritual Study
311-315 Occultism

Section 7: The Monastic Path
316-320 Monastic Holy Orders
321-325 Monastic Mission
326-330 Monastic Spirit
331-335 Monastic Attitudes
336-340 Monastic Restrictions
341-345 Monastic Personal Care
346-350 Monastic Travel and Retreat
351-355 Monastics and the World
356-360 Instructions for Swāmīs
361-365 Instructions for Āchāryas

RESOURCES
Haṭha Yoga
Religion’s Dues
Conclusion— Samāpanam
Glossary —Śabda Kośaḥ A-G
Glossary —Śabda Kośaḥ H-M
Glossary —Śabda Kośaḥ N-S
Glossary —Śabda Kośaḥ T-Z
Sanskrit Pronunciation— U�chāraṇam Saṁskṛita
Scriptural Bibliography— Śāstrīya Sandarbhagranthasūchī
Index of Inspired Talks— Preraka Vārtānukramaṇī
Colophon— Antyavachanam
About the Author
Colophon— Antyavachanam
Back Cover

[devotee]

Namaste shays,

Trying to have Guru-shishya relationship online won't lead you to anywhere except to some frauds. I can tell you a few things that may help you on this way :

a) Control your Rajo-guna and Tamo-guna :

Rajo-guna is what drives us towards worldly enjoyments and then suffer when we cannot enjoy. Keep yourself calm at all times and control any urge to break barriers while enjoying with your senses. You must develop peace within and enjoy that peace even in most difficult circumstances.

b) Develop habit of seeing the Unreal and temporary nature of this world :

This world is a MAyic creation and whatever we perceive in this world by our sense organs are actually unreal and temporary in nature. The only reality is God and that alone is the Permanent Unchanging Reality ... Try to see God everywhere and discard all superimpositions. This will help you develop non-attachment towards this world and everything within it.

c) Remember, God is not somewhere far away in the sky. You are very warmly enveloped by God all the time and He is there with you every moment. We can feel God by switching off mental chatter within our minds which is generated by our Rajo-Gunas and the sub-conscious conditioning of mind which keeps generating stray thoughts.

d) As God is there in every being ... you must develop love for all beings as by loving them you are actually loving God. Love for God must be very intense ... you must love Him more than anything else in this world and then alone will He manifest to you.

e) There are 7 centres of Consciousness within us. We have to practise to activate the upper Chakras (from Heart Chakra to Vishuddha, AjnA and finally SahasrAr chakra). For doing that you will need to learn meditational practice from a Self-realised Guru. You will also need Guru's blessings to tread this path successfully.

f) Please remember that Guru can be only that who has Himself realised God ... attained Self-realisation. A blind person cannot guide another blind person and therefore he who doesn't know the way to God cannot lead you there. If Guru is not immediately available, please wait rather than accepting anyone as your Guru. God will send one when you are ready. Guru is none but God who Himself takes incarnation for helping people who sincerely want to go back Home.

g) Your love towards God must be as a son loves his father or his mother ... that is the best relationship prescribed in Advaita. You must believe that you are son of God and therefore you have all godly qualities within you. Master-slave relationship with God is a big No-No. Thoughts are very important in Advaita practice and you must be watchful of all thoughts that come into your mind. You become what you think you are.

There are many other things ... but only a True Guru can guide you well.

OM

[Avyaydya]

Namaste shays,

Trying to have Guru-shishya relationship online won't lead you to anywhere except to some frauds. I can tell you a few things that may help you on this way :

a) Control your Rajo-guna and Tamo-guna :

Rajo-guna is what drives us towards worldly enjoyments and then suffer when we cannot enjoy. Keep yourself calm at all times and control any urge to break barriers while enjoying with your senses. You must develop peace within and enjoy that peace even in most difficult circumstances.

b) Develop habit of seeing the Unreal and temporary nature of this world :

This world is a MAyic creation and whatever we perceive in this world by our sense organs are actually unreal and temporary in nature. The only reality is God and that alone is the Permanent Unchanging Reality ... Try to see God everywhere and discard all superimpositions. This will help you develop non-attachment towards this world and everything within it.

c) Remember, God is not somewhere far away in the sky. You are very warmly enveloped by God all the time and He is there with you every moment. We can feel God by switching off mental chatter within our minds which is generated by our Rajo-Gunas and the sub-conscious conditioning of mind which keeps generating stray thoughts.

d) As God is there in every being ... you must develop love for all beings as by loving them you are actually loving God. Love for God must be very intense ... you must love Him more than anything else in this world and then alone will He manifest to you.

e) There are 7 centres of Consciousness within us. We have to practise to activate the upper Chakras (from Heart Chakra to Vishuddha, AjnA and finally SahasrAr chakra). For doing that you will need to learn meditational practice from a Self-realised Guru. You will also need Guru's blessings to tread this path successfully.

f) Please remember that Guru can be only that who has Himself realised God ... attained Self-realisation. A blind person cannot guide another blind person and therefore he who doesn't know the way to God cannot lead you there. If Guru is not immediately available, please wait rather than accepting anyone as your Guru. God will send one when you are ready. Guru is none but God who Himself takes incarnation for helping people who sincerely want to go back Home.

g) Your love towards God must be as a son loves his father or his mother ... that is the best relationship prescribed in Advaita. You must believe that you are son of God and therefore you have all godly qualities within you. Master-slave relationship with God is a big No-No. Thoughts are very important in Advaita practice and you must be watchful of all thoughts that come into your mind. You become what you think you are.

There are many other things ... but only a True Guru can guide you well.

OM

Namaste Devotee,

This seems to me more like a receipt for someone seeking Moksha. The Gita is great scripture but Krishna says it is meant for the one in many millions and should be kept secret for others.

As long as you are not consumed with feverish desire to dissolve in Brahman and give up this world, I do not see much merit in considering this world maya. Taking it very seriously seems to me a more logical pursuit, if you want to improve character by following Dharm.

[Lokavidu]

Namaste Devotee,

This seems to me more like a receipt for someone seeking Moksha. The Gita is great scripture but Krishna says it is meant for the one in many millions and should be kept secret for others.

As long as you are not consumed with feverish desire to dissolve in Brahman and give up this world, I do not see much merit in considering this world maya. Taking it very seriously seems to me a more logical pursuit, if you want to improve character by following Dharm.

Namaste All

a true renunciation is renouncing the notion of doer-ship and ownership. A renunciate who still thinks that he is the one that renouncing, is not the true renunciate. So, a jnani still can transact with this world as banker, warrior (like Arjuna), doctor etc and yet the same time he doesn't have the notion that he is the doer and the owner. of course, a physical renunciation can help someone to drop the identification of the Self with body, mind and intellect, but it is not the requirement to become a jnani.

many people say the world is maya but the more correct term is mithya (literally means false). According to Advaita Vedanta, mithya is attributed to something that is not real and not unreal also. World is mithya. World is not real since world is not eternal. (the definition of satyam is being presence in the past,present and future). World is not unreal also since I can experience the world. Brahma satyam, jagat mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah

here is the story of Rsi Vasistha taught Sri Rama about the real meaning of mithya from Yoga Vasistha:

Vasistha taught Rama that everything is false (mithya). Someday Rama wanted to test his teacher. When Vasistha was coming to the palace, Rama sent the elephant to chase his teacher. Vasistha ran away to save himself.
Rama then ask his teacher why the great teacher had to run away from the elephant because the elephant was only mithya.

The great teacher said, "My running to save myself from the mithya elephant is also mithya."

[Avyaydya]

Namaste All

a true renunciation is renouncing the notion of doer-ship and ownership. A renunciate who still thinks that he is the one that renouncing, is not the true renunciate. So, a jnani still can transact with this world as banker, warrior (like Arjuna), doctor etc and yet the same time he doesn't have the notion that he is the doer and the owner. of course, a physical renunciation can help someone to drop the identification of the Self with body, mind and intellect, but it is not the requirement to become a jnani.

many people say the world is maya but the more correct term is mithya (literally means false). According to Advaita Vedanta, mithya is attributed to something that is not real and not unreal also. World is mithya. World is not real since world is not eternal. (the definition of satyam is being presence in the past,present and future). World is not unreal also since I can experience the world. Brahma satyam, jagat mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah

here is the story of Rsi Vasistha taught Sri Rama about the real meaning of mithya from Yoga Vasistha:

Vasistha taught Rama that everything is false (mithya). Someday Rama wanted to test his teacher. When Vasistha was coming to the palace, Rama sent the elephant to chase his teacher. Vasistha ran away to save himself.
Rama then ask his teacher why the great teacher had to run away from the elephant because the elephant was only mithya.

The great teacher said, "My running to save myself from the mithya elephant is also mithya."

Thank you Lokavidu,

I understand your viewpoint. What i want to say is that not everyone is a jnana or renunciate and certainly no Arjuna. I think we greatly underestimate the value of Hinduism if we concentrate on high philosophy which is only meant for a few. I think far more interesting for the great majority of people is the lessons Hinduism has how to live a happy, respectful, loving, full-filling life.

Hinduism is not a ideology/theology, but a dharmic religion. I think the practical knowledge Hinduism has to offer is grossly underestimated. There is as much genius in that as in high philosophy. The epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana are not inferior books to Gita. I think they hold more value to more people. Nor do I believe what Krishna is offering, is an escape hatch for people wanting to flee a miserable world. He rather tells Arjuna to face up to this world and take responsibility.

Sometimes I get the impression people on forums have read a whole other Mahabharata than me. In this version of Mahabharata Krishna tells the Pandava brothers: Do not worry about the world, it is all maya, do not worry about dharm, it is all maya. I have come to free you all from this. Just ignore this maya world. Just dance for me and chant my name, that is all you have to do. Whatever you do, you only have to give the results to me, and all will be fine. No reason to fight a war, it is maya. Can't you see that? Do not try to be doer and try to win this war, I am the only doer. Stop trying to be doers. Stop trying to create happiness on this world. Leave it all up to me, and only think of me. There is only one thing you must do, and that is spread this wisdom all over the world, so all people will find eternal bliss in me. Listen Arjuna, their is only wisdom in the right knowledge not in the right action.

Is this the Mahabhrata? Is this Hinduism?

[Devi Dasi]

Thank you Lokavidu,
Sometimes I get the impression people on forums have read a whole other Mahabharata than me. In this version...

Hare Krsna,
It's not a good form to make up shlokas to prove a point. Not only is it exaggeration, but it creates unnecessary lack of clarity.

do not worry about dharm, it is all maya.

I don't believe anyone on this post has said anything of the sort. Bhakti path, for example, incorporates the full essence of Dharma.

Just ignore this maya world.

Being overly attached to this world and the results of actions is bound for suffering since everything here is temporary. By distorting to exaggerate the opposite of your personal view, you may well distort the scripture itself.

ye hi samsparśa-jā bhogā
duhkha-yonaya eva te
ādy-antavantah kaunteya
na teshu ramate budhah

"An intelligent person does not take part in the sources of misery, which are due to contact with the material senses. O son of Kuntī, such pleasures have a beginning and an end, and so the wise man does not delight in them." - Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 5.22

Just dance for me and chant my name, that is all you have to do.

this is a valid and useful bhakti path, why disrespect it like this, for arguments sake?

evaḿ-vrataḥ sva-priya-nāma-kīrtyā
jātānurāgo druta-citta uccaiḥ
hasaty atho roditi rauti gāyaty
unmāda-van nṛtyati loka-bāhyaḥ

"By chanting the holy name of the Supreme Lord, one comes to the stage of love of Godhead. Then the devotee is fixed in his vow as an eternal servant of the Lord, and he gradually becomes very much attached to a particular name and form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As his heart melts with ecstatic love, he laughs very loudly or cries or shouts. Sometimes he sings and dances like a madman, for he is indifferent to public opinion." - Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.2.40

No reason to fight a war, it is maya.

If you win the greatest military battles but lose the war within, then the life is wasted. Conversely we have a duty on many levels, of self-defense, defense of home, family, country, and some are more suited than others for those roles (kshatriya dharm).

sparsan kritva bahir bahyams
cakshus caivantare bhruvoh
pranapanau samau kritva
nasabhyantara-carinau
yatendriya-mano-buddhir
munir moksha-parayanah
vigateccha-bhaya-krodho
yah sada mukta eva sah

"Shutting out all external sense objects, keeping the eyes and vision concentrated between the two eyebrows, suspending the inward and outward breaths within the nostrils, and thus controlling the mind, senses and intelligence, the transcendentalist aiming at liberation becomes free from desire, fear and anger. One who is always in this state is certainly liberated." - Bhagavad-gita As It Is 5.27-28

Listen Arjuna, their is only wisdom in the right knowledge not in the right action.

I disapprove of using invented shlokas to prove a point. Just quote directly please, then people can have a discussion around actual verses and not be confusing an opinion with authority of scripture.

karmaṇy evādhikāras te
mā phaleṣu kadācana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr
mā te sańgo 'stv akarmaṇi

"You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty." - Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 2.47

Is this the Mahabhrata? Is this Hinduism?

Stretched to a distorted extreme, of course not. Neither can scriptures be manipulated to support equally erroneous opposite conclusions and divest the transcendental yoga/bhakti teachings and dvaitadvaitavada tattva.

Please forgive my mistakes

[Lokavidu]

Thank you Lokavidu,

I understand your viewpoint. What i want to say is that not everyone is a jnana or renunciate and certainly no Arjuna. I think we greatly underestimate the value of Hinduism if we concentrate on high philosophy which is only meant for a few. I think far more interesting for the great majority of people is the lessons Hinduism has how to live a happy, respectful, loving, full-filling life.

Hinduism is not a ideology/theology, but a dharmic religion. I think the practical knowledge Hinduism has to offer is grossly underestimated. There is as much genius in that as in high philosophy. The epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana are not inferior books to Gita. I think they hold more value to more people. Nor do I believe what Krishna is offering, is an escape hatch for people wanting to flee a miserable world. He rather tells Arjuna to face up to this world and take responsibility.

Sometimes I get the impression people on forums have read a whole other Mahabharata than me. In this version of Mahabharata Krishna tells the Pandava brothers: Do not worry about the world, it is all maya, do not worry about dharm, it is all maya. I have come to free you all from this. Just ignore this maya world. Just dance for me and chant my name, that is all you have to do. Whatever you do, you only have to give the results to me, and all will be fine. No reason to fight a war, it is maya. Can't you see that? Do not try to be doer and try to win this war, I am the only doer. Stop trying to be doers. Stop trying to create happiness on this world. Leave it all up to me, and only think of me. There is only one thing you must do, and that is spread this wisdom all over the world, so all people will find eternal bliss in me. Listen Arjuna, their is only wisdom in the right knowledge not in the right action.

Is this the Mahabhrata? Is this Hinduism?

thank you too Avyaydya

yes, I agree with you. we must do our duty as good as we can and offer it for God only then our mind will be purer and purer so we can fulfill 4 fold qualification as prerequisite to learn the Vedanta. Sri Krisna discouraged us for running away from our duty.

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté

I'm really looking for the closest thing to a guru disciple relationship that can be approximated online. Again, I knew it was a shot in the dark but I have been trying to find and progress on a path for ten years and the little headway I'm making is making me crazy.

Thanks

A noble request, yet it is like trying to crunch one's thirst from the picture of a glass of water. What then is one to do ? Begin. Surround yourself the best you can with the people, knowledge and conditions that raises you up.




iti śivaṁ

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté

What then is one to do ? Begin. Surround yourself the best you can with the people, knowledge and conditions that raises you up.

You may ask, but I do not understand...

It is the notion of satsaṅga, defined as keeping company with the good, the truthful.

• sat = real , actual , as any one or anything ought to be , true , good , right ;
  it is also a good or wise man , a sage . It too is that which really is , entity or existence , essence ,
  the true being or really existent
• saṅga = clinging to , touch , contact with

Within the yogavasișțharāmāyaṇa (yoga-vasișțha-rāmāyaṇa) we are informed that there are 4 gatekeepers at the entrance to the realm of enlightenment, of being uplifted, that is: self-control, spirit of enquiry, contentment, and good company (satsaṅga).


So, what does one do? To the best of one's ability we keep good company. Good company is not only people, but what we read and take in ( food and other objects of the senses).

Self control is that of a balanced life. Being in good company supports this ... again good company is people, places, food, the entertainment one subjects him/her self to, knowledge and the like.

How do you know if you are progressiing? Is there an upliftment of calm, of balance ? Is there more sattva in your life ? Do you wish for more sattva and pursue it ?

iti śivaṁ

[Believer]

Namaste,

Sometimes I get the impression people on forums have read a whole other Mahabharata than me. In this version of Mahabharata Krishna tells the Pandava brothers: Do not worry about the world, it is all maya, do not worry about dharm, it is all maya. I have come to free you all from this. Just ignore this maya world. Just dance for me and chant my name, that is all you have to do. Whatever you do, you only have to give the results to me, and all will be fine. No reason to fight a war, it is maya. Can't you see that? Do not try to be doer and try to win this war, I am the only doer. Stop trying to be doers. Stop trying to create happiness on this world. Leave it all up to me, and only think of me. There is only one thing you must do, and that is spread this wisdom all over the world, so all people will find eternal bliss in me. Listen Arjuna, their is only wisdom in the right knowledge not in the right action.

Interesting and practical take on the Bhagwad Gita!

Pranam.