Originally Posted by
yajvan
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
Namasté smaranam,
These are the correct things to give up, yet to do this as a selection process, as a thought and not anchored in the actual experience of ātman (Self), one has missed the mark.
For us to hit the mark it must (IMHO) be anchored in Being, pure awareness i.e. the SELF. I use the idea of 'mark' as we are considered arrows (bāṇa) in the praśna upaniṣad. It is when the arrow hits its target , its existence is justified, fulfilled. Like that, we become fulfilled , without wanting, when we too hit the mark of brahman.
So this giving up can be symbolized by eliminating possessions - yet the thing we wish to give up is the ignorance of not personally experiencing this Being, Self, brahman, and this comes with practice, with sādhana and with study. And this is where the whole conversation started, yes? What do I have to give up ?
This is the intent of sādhana , to bring in the light - a bit more daily. For some it comes in swiftly , for others slowly. But it is the 'effort' here to bring in more Being, light, brahman.
So now the next logical question - why do we always read, hear, discuss the notion of giving up things? Some give up activities, some leave their families. In the beginning the first to be given up are 'habits' which are not life supporting (healthy) to one's self or others, this usually is the first to go. This giving up is a simple thing - it is not having distractions, things that are not supporting one's intention of the arrow (bāṇa) to hit the mark. Less things, less management - more time for one's intent.
praṇām
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