यात्रा देवत्व की ओर

                          

                           यात्रा देवत्व की ओर  

    हम अभी बाल्यावस्था से अनेक कथाएँ सुनते-पढ़ते आए है जिसमें देवताओं एवं असुरों के मध्य युद्ध का वर्णन मिलता है | इन कथाओं में असुरों की आसुरी वृति के वृतांत सुनकर व पढ़कर आश्चर्य होता है कि ऐसा निकृष्ट कार्य कोई कैसे कर सकता है | और जब कथा के अंत में वर्णन आता है कि अमुक देवता ने अमुक असुर का अंत कर दिया तो मन में प्रसन्नता का भाव उदय होता है |

    किंतु क्या आपने कभी इन कथाओं का गम्भीरता से चिन्तन-मनन किया है ? यदि गहराई से विचार करें तो आप पाएँगे कि ये देवता और असुर कोई और नहीं अपितु मनुष्य के मन में उठने वाली दैवी एवं आसुरी वृतियां ही है | गीता में भगवान श्रीकृष्ण ने दैवी एवं असुरी सम्पदा का उल्लेख किया है | वस्तुतः देवता और राक्षस दोनों ही हमारे मन में सदैव उपस्थित रहते है | जीवन में प्रतिफल, प्रतिक्षण उनमे युद्ध चलता है | देवता से अर्थ है –हमारे मन की सात्विक वृति, सद्गुण, सुविचार एवं सुकर्म की भावना – पवित्रता, कर्मठता, उत्साह, सकारात्मकता, परोपकार, प्रेम, साधना, भक्ति, त्याग, शालीनता, शांति — यह हमारी दैवी सम्पदा है, हमारे भीतर की दैवी शक्ति है | इसके विपरीत असुर से तात्पर्य है – हमारे मन की तामसिक वृति, दुर्गुण, कुविचार एवं कुकर्म की भावना – आलस्य, प्रमाद, हिंसा, ईर्ष्या-द्वेष्, क्रोध, स्वार्थ, नकारात्मकता, घृणा, छल-कपट – यह आसुरी सम्पदा है, हमारे भीतर की आसुरी वृति है |

      जीवन के हर मोड़ पर, हर पढ़ाव पर, हर पल इनमें युद्ध होता है | जब दैवी वृति आसुरी वृति को परास्त कर उस पर हावी हों जाती है | तो हम सद्गुरु के, ईश्वर के निकट हो जाते है, उनकी कृपाओ के पात्र बन जाते है | किंतु जब आसुरी वृति दैवी वृति को परास्त कर देती है तो हम सद्गुरु से, ईश्वर से दूर हों जाते है |

       इसे उदाहरण से समझिए – उषाकाल की पवित्र बेला, आसमान में चंद्रमा व सितारों का साम्राज्य चल रहा है, भगवान भुवनभास्कर का साम्राज्य व्याप्त होने को तत्पर है, पक्षियों की आवाजें कर्णो में आने लगी है | मनुष्य की निंद्रा में अलसाई आँख खुलती है, भीतर से प्रभात का संकेत मिलता है और इसी क्षण देवताओं व असुरों का युद्ध शुरू हो जाता है | प्रभात के सौंदर्य का अपन दिव्य आकर्षण है, चारों ओर सात्विकता है, ध्यान, जप भक्ति की मधुर बेला है किंतु दूसरी ओर निंद्रा का अपना आकर्षण है | अलसाई आँखे क्षण भर को खुलती है, फिर बंद हों जाती है | मन में एक द्वंद का जन्म होता है | मन की दैवी वृति जागने के लिए प्रेरित करती है, शैया का त्याग कर, स्नान-ध्यान- पूजन के लिए प्रेरित करती है तो आसुरी वृति निंद्रा की ओर प्रेरित करती है, निंद्रा के आकर्षण में बाँधती है | कुछ क्षण तक यह युद्ध चलता है | जिस व्यक्ति में दैवी वृति विजयी होती है,वह शैया का त्याग कर उठ खड़ा होता है| इसके विपरीत जिस व्यक्ति में आसुरी वृति जीत जाती है वह आँखे खोलकर भी, भीतर के संकेतों को सुना-अनसुना कर पुन: निंद्रित हों जाता है | प्रभात का समय गवाँकर स्वास्थ्य व परमार्थ दोनों से ही हाथ धो बैठता है |

धन्य है वे मनुष्य जिनके भीतर के युद्ध में दैवी वृति की विजय होती है, वे उतरोतर परमात्मा के निकट होते जाते है |

किंतु जिनके भीतर आसुरी वृति की विजय होती है – वे भी दो प्रकार के मनुष्य होते है – एक वे जो इस विजय के पश्चात पश्चाताप करते है, स्वंय को दोष देते है, इसे अनुचित मानते है तथा भविष्य में दैवी वृति की विजय के लिए संकल्पबद्ध होते है – उनके उत्थान की संभावनाएं बनी रहती है | किंतु वे मनुष्य भी है जिन्हें इसका कोई पश्चाताप नहीं होता | वे आसुरी वृति की विजय में ही सतुंष्ट रहते है या कहना चाहिए कि उनके भीतर युद्ध का जन्म ही नहीं होता | वे आसुरी जीवन से ही संतुष्ट है | अविधा, अज्ञान, आलस्य, अशांति में ही संतुष्ट है | उनके उत्थान की संभावनाएं भी समाप्त हों जाती है |

किंतु मनुष्य को जीवन मिला है – देवता बनने के लिए, असुर बनने के लिए नहीं | अत: अपने भीतर के देवत्व को जागृत कीजिये |  

GOD DEPICTED IN BLUE

WHY IS GOD DEPICTED TO BLUE IN COLOUR?

During his second visit to Chennai in1897,Swami Vivekananda met a group of young students near the Victoria hostel in Tripclicane,Chennai;during his interaction with young people,Swamiji posed a question."Why do Hindu puranas and epics portrayGod to be blue in colour?Most of the boys couldnt answer the question nor could they understand the significance of the quiz.
However one bright- eyed teenager boy ventured an answer "Swami ji in our culture all that is deep and vast is conceived to be blue in colour.The sky is blue.The sea is blue God being immense and intense could be imagined only to be blue in colour".Swami ji patted and blessed the boy .Swami ji predicted a great future for the young man.That young man later grew to be Chakravarty RajjaGopalachari,the last Governor -General of India,Home Minister ,Governor of Bengal and PM of Madras& lauded by Gandhi ji as --"My Conscience Keeper".WhenRajaji entered the palace of Governor General to occupy it officially ,he carried with him a picture of Sriramkrishan Paramhansa,whose disciple Swami Vivekananda was.In Raja'jis opinion,it is Sriramkrishna who represents the spirit of India perfectly.Raja ji also wrote very sweet adaptations of Valmiki's Ramayana and Vyasa's Mahabharata for children.

“वह” हमें देख रहा है

               

                      “वह”  हमें देख रहा है

     व्यक्ति के जीवन की एक-एक श्वास अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण है | श्वासों की उपमा बहुमूल्य रत्नों से दी जाए तो अतिश्योक्ति न होगी | हर श्वास एक अमूल्य रत्न है और यह जीवन रत्नों की खान है | किंतु संसार में कितने लोग है जो इसका महत्व समझ पाते है | हम में से कितने व्यक्ति है, जो जीवन के उद्देश्य के प्रति सजग है ? सजग रहना तो दूर की बात है, संसार में बहुत कम लोग होते है जिन्हें अपने जीवन के उद्देश्य का बोध होता है अन्यथा अधिकाशत: लोगों का जीवन निरूद्देश्य ही बीत जाता है | और यह उस परमात्मा के जीवन रूपी उपहार का सबसे बड़ा निरादर है |

         उस परमात्मा ने, परम शक्ति ने हमें यह जीवन दिया, अनमोल श्वासों की पूंजी दी और अनंत संभावनाएं एवं क्षमताएँ प्रदान की | यह जीवन एक विशेष उद्देश्य के लिए मिला है, आत्म विकास के लिए,  आत्म उन्नति के लिए, पशुत्व से मनुष्यत्व की ओर एवं मनुष्यत्व से देवता की ओर अग्रसर होने के लिये मिला है | अन्धकार से प्रकाश की ओर आरोहण के लिए मिला है | इस जीवन का एक-एक श्वास अनमोल है और इसके एक-एक श्वास के लिए हम उतरदायी है | हम स्वंय अपने भाग्य निर्माता है अपनी वर्तमान एवं भविष्य की स्थितियों के लिए हम जिम्मेदार है, उत्तरदायी है | प्रकृति एवं ईश्वर द्वारा हमें जीवन में अनेक अवसर प्राप्त होते है किंतु जो सजग है, होश में है, वे ही इन अवसरों का लाभ उठा पाते है अन्यथा मनुष्य अपना जीवन व्यर्थ ही गंवा देता है, वह इन अमूल्य श्वासों का मूल्य समझ ही नहीं पाता | किंतु ध्यान रखना कि परमात्मा को, जिसने हमें यह जीवन दिया है, एक दिन हमें उस परमात्मा को उत्तर देना होगा कि हमनें इस जीवन में क्या किया | एक-एक श्वास जो उसने हमें दी, उसके प्रति हम उतरदायी है क्योंकि यह जीवन हमारा नहीं है, उस परम शक्ति द्वारा हमें दिया गया है, विशेष उद्देश्य की प्राप्ति के लिए दिया गया है |

       जिस प्रकार एक पिता जब अपनी संपति, अपनी सन्तान को देता है तो एक-एक पैसे का हिसाब मांगने का अधिकार रखता है | यदि वह देखता है कि सन्तान योग्य है, उसे उस संपति के महत्व का बोध है तो वह प्रसन्न होकर सहर्ष और अधिक संपति देने का इच्छुक होता है | किंतु यदि पिता देखे कि सन्तान अयोग्य है, उसे पिता द्वारा दी गयी संपति की कद्र नहीं है तथा वह उसे संभालने में असमर्थ है तो फिर पिता उसे और अधिक देने का इच्छुक नहीं होता | इसी प्रकार जब परमात्मा देखता है, कि हम उसके द्वारा दिए गए श्वासों का मूल्य समझते है, एक-एक श्वास का सदुपयोग करना जानते है, जीवन में सद्गुण अर्जन, उतरदायित्व एवं एक-एक श्वास के प्रति सजग है तो वह हमें बार-बार मनुष्य जीवन देकर आत्मोन्नति की संभावनाएं प्रदान करता है | किंतु यदि व्यक्ति इन श्वासों का मूल्य ना समझे, निरुद्देश्य होकर जीवन को व्यर्थ गंवा दे तथा पतन की धरोहर है, हमारी हर श्वास पर उसका ही अधिकार है, वह स्वामी है, हम उसके सेवक है |

अत: अपने जीवन के हर क्षण, हें कार्य के लिए हम उत्तरदायी है | जिसे इस तथ्य का बोध हो जाता है,  वह अपने जीवन के एक भी श्वास को व्यर्थ नहीं जाने देता |

    प्रत्येक कर्म करने से पूर्व सोचता है कि वह परमात्मा मुझे देख रहा है, वह विचार करता है कि मेरे इस कार्य से परमात्मा प्रसन्न होगा अथवा रुष्ट होगा | ऐसा व्यक्ति सदा सुकर्म करता हुआ जीवन को सार्थक होता चला जाता है | वह अपनी आत्मा में उस परमात्मा की ध्वनि मून पाता है, वह अपने दायित्वों को गम्भीरता से निभाता है तथा भीतर से प्रसन्न व संतुष्ट रहता है | उसकी आँखों में चमक होती है, मुखमंडल पर शांति, उत्साह एवं संतुष्टि के भाव होते है | और यही जीवन जीने की कला है | अत: सदा यह बोध रखें कि हर पर, हर क्षण हमारे सद्गुरु, हमारा परमात्मा हमें देख रहा है की मेरा शिष्य, मेरा भक्त कितना योग्य है, उतरदायी है, जीवन की पूंजी के प्रति कितना सजग है | यदि यह बोध हो जाए तो व्यक्ति कभी अनुचित कार्य कर ही नहीं सकता, अधर्म नहीं कर सकता | अपितु वह जीवन के हर क्षण, हर पल में वह चेष्टा, वह कार्य करने का प्रयास करता है कि सद्गुरु व ईश्वर कैसे प्रसन्न हों | उनकी प्रसन्नता प्राप्ति के लिए प्रयत्नशील हों जाता है और अपने जीवन को सार्थक कर लेता है |

                          

SERVICE TO GOD

SERVICE TO GOD

            When we refer to service, we mean Seva and not help.  The scriptures tell us to serve.  This service itself becomes worship of the God.  He is better off without our help but due to his kindness, gives us an opportunity to serve.  Hanuman saved the life of the injured Lakshmana.  Later Lakshmana was injured again but revived without Hanuman’s help.  Rama gave Hanumana the opportunity to serve.

It is the service only that we grow and transform. We invoke the presence of the God in the idol and offer our prayers.  Is this a service or worship?  When we invoke His presence, every action is worship for Him. We are to develop the attitude of Seva.  Whatever we do, be it working in the office, interacting with people, objects, we should develop an attitude that we are interacting with the one Lord manifesting in all these forms. 

We need to be humble and have devotion otherwise our action will not be considered as service. When we serve someone, we are helping ourselves by becoming better people.  There is always a great joy in service.  Hanuman chose the path of service and is known as the greatest of all devotees.  In service, there is no asking.  It is not a contract or a job or a business.  In service, one has to feel and identify himself with the divinity in all, and then only serve.

We serve our country, the world, our relatives, the birds and plants with a feeling of complete humility.  When Hanuman met Sita in Lanka, he called her Mata.  A good messenger becomes an instrument and allows the message to pass through him on behalf of his Master.   Hanuman enabled himself to speak politely on behalf of Rama.  Meditation Sadguru Archna Didi has always been advising in every Yoga session, Meditation session, workshops, in the gatherings of intellectuals, or otherwise throughout the world, that we should serve and serve the humanity in any way, in any form and as per the capacity.  That will be the beauty of service and results in service to the God.

PATH OF PROGRESS

PATH OF PROGRESS

A person's life is like a journey and while travelling, we sometimes meet so
many interjectors of paths and it becomes difficult for us to choose which path we should choose, which direction we should move so that we may reach our goal.

  There is a constant conflict between mind and intellect. We have divided opinions
about the path we must take. On the one hand, we are attracted towards the path
which is simple to follow and easy for us but whose result leads to darkness.

A path of sense gratification or  on the other hand, the path which seems to be tough and  needs discipline, honesty, compassion, love, dispassion that leads towards light and progress.

One is a higher path and the other is a lower path. It is an amazing observation that the path leading towards progress seems to be monotonous and unattractive but other path seems to be attractive and enjoyable. Man filled with desires follows the lower path and is attracted more and more into the clusters of darkness and lust. On the other hand, the person who follows his inner concise

and consciousness moves towards the higher path and his wellness. Whereas one who becomes deaf towards the inner concise and consciousness moves on the lower path, becomes eligible for suffering and pain.

These higher and lower paths have been named as” Shreyas Marg" and "Preyas Marg” respectively.

The higher path is path of light, creativity and progress, whereas lower path
is the path of destruction and deception. With the grace of God, when a person
gets the power of discretion, then he can decide to follow the higher path, which can only be obtained with the grace, company and words of a Satguru.

We should all pray to the Almighty so that we could obtain the power of discretion
within ourselves, so that we can move on the higher path.

*SEQUENCE OF CHAKRA ANUSANDHANA*

*#SEQUENCE OF CHAKRA ANUSANDHANA#*

Chakras are vast pools of energy in our bodies which govern our psychological qualities.
There are seven main chakras in all;
Four in our upper body, which govern our mental properties,
and Three in the lower body, which govern our instinctual properties.
They are:

The Muladhara (root) chakra.
The Svadhisthana (sacral) chakra.
The Manipura (solar plexus) chakra.
The Anahata(heart) chakra.
The Visuddhi (throat) chakra.
The Ajna (third eye) chakra.
The Sahasrara (crown) chakra.

1..Opening the *Muladhara* Chakra
Concentrate on the Root chakra and what it stands for, at the spot in between the genitals and the anus.
Silently, yet clearly, chant the sound "LAM."
All this time, relax,  thinking about the chakra, it's meaning, and how it does or should affect your life.
Keep doing this until you are completely relaxed. You may have a "clean" feeling.
Visualize a closed red flower. Imagine a very powerful energy radiating it: it slowly opens showing four red petals full of energy.
Contract the perineum holding breath and releasing.

2..Opening  the *Svadhisthana* Chakra .
This chakra deals with feeling and sexuality. If open, feeling are released with liberty, and are expressed without you being over-emotional. You would be open to affinity and can be passionate as well as outgoing.

Concentrate on the Sacral Chakra and what it stands for, at the sacral bone (lower back)
Silently, yet clearly, chant the sound "VAM."
All this time, let yourself relax, still thinking about the chakra, it's meaning, and how it does or should affect your life.
Keep doing this until you are completely relaxed. Again, you may have a "clean" feeling.

3..Opening the *Manipura* Chakra . This chakra encircles confidence, especially when in a group. When open, you should feel in control and have good feeling of dignity in yourself.
Concentrate on the Navel Chakra and what it stands for, at the spine, slightly above the navel.
Silently, yet clearly, chant the sound "RAM."
All this time, let yourself relax even more, continuing to think about the chakra, it's meaning, and how it does or should affect your life.
Keep doing this until you are completely relaxed. You should have a "clean" feeling .

4..Opening the *ANAHATA* Chakra ..
This chakra is all about love, caring, and endearment. When open, you seem to be compassionate and friendly, always working in amicable relationships.
Concentrate on the Heart Chakra and what it stands for, at the spine, level with the heart.

Silently, but clearly, chant the sound "YAM."
All this time, continue to relax your body, and think of the chakra, it's meaning, and how it does or should affect your life.
Keep doing this until you are completely relaxed, and the "clean" feeling returns and/or intensifies within your body.

5..Opening the *VISUDDHI* Chakra ...
This chakra is based on self-expression and communication. When the chakra is open, expressing yourself is easy, and art seems to be a great way to do this.

Concentrate on the Throat Chakra and what it stands for, at the base of the throat.
Silently, but clearly, chant the sound "HAM."
All this time, keep on relaxing your body, thinking of the chakra, it's meaning, and how it does or should affect your life.
Keep doing this for about five minutes, and the "clean" feeling will intensify once again.

6..Opening the *AJNA* Chakra ..
Like it's name, this chakra deals with insight. When open, you have excellent clairvoyance, and tend to dream a lot.

Concentrate on the Third Eye Chakra and what it stands for, a little above the center of the two eyebrows.

Silently, but clearly, chant the sound "OM" or "AUM."
All this time, relaxation of the body should come a bit naturally, and continue to think of the chakra, it's meaning, and how it does or should affect your life.
Keep doing this until the same "clean" feeling seems to come back or intensify.

7..Opening the *SAHASRARA* Chakra ..
This is the seventh and most spiritual chakra. It encircles a being's wisdom and being one with the universe. When this chakra is open, prejudice disappears from you and you seem to become more aware of the world and it's connection to yourself.

Concentrate in the Crown Chakra and what it stands for, at the very top of your head.

Silently, but clearly, chant the sound "OM" (yes, this chant is as hard as it looks).
All this time, your body should now be totally relaxed, and your mind should be at peace. However, do not stop concentrating in the Crown Chakra.

Once all of the Chakras are opened, the energy evens out and becomes balanced. One may go wrong without the guidance of Master/GURU.

You can sit on a chair or in a folded blanket.Your legs should not be crossed and feet should be in some cloth while meditating. Try to meditate daily.

Key Points For MEDITATORS

*#KEY POINTS FOR MEDITATORS#*
1.If you have a determination and burning desire to do, only then you start meditation.
2.Don’t expect instant results. You need to have patience and don’t lose hope. Don’t fix any standards for achieving quick results. Don’t make your mind tense as Dhyana is not a competition. Let your mind relax, and that’s the real Mantra of Meditation.
3.In the beginning, make it a habit of sitting at least 15 to 30 minutes twice a day, morning and evening, to achieve results.
4.Don’t expect that you will experience some sort of light entering or engulfing your body.  Not to experience anything, is perhaps the real experience in meditation.
5.For achieving best results, good posture of the body and conducive environment is needed. You can  choose a clean and comfortable place to sit where there are no sounds or noises to disturb you.
6.You can sit on an Asana made of Kusa grass or can use thick cotton or woollen mats.
7.Sit straight with your back erect in Padmasana or Sukhasana etc. The main aim is to keep the spine in erect position.  If you are not comfortable sitting on floor, you can sit on a chair as well.
8.If you like music, you can play any sort of music which is slow and does not disturb you in the process of meditation.
9.Wear clothes of loose fittings and light shades while doing meditation. Avoid black colour.
10.Don’t do Dhyana when you are angry, in an emotional state or in grief.
11.Meditate regularly and preferably on the same time of the day.
12.Do some moderate exercise or go for walk in nature. Reduce time to watch TV, excessive use of computer/whatsapp etc Do not fill your mind with junk things. Leave space for energy to enter.
13.Learn breathing and other Meditation techniques from your master.
14.Regular practice of meditation will increase your mental and spiritual ability and help you find the true meaning of life and death.
15.Have faith in your Sadguru and God. Only then you can get success in meditation.
16.Stretching loosens the muscles and tendons allow you to sit comfortably. So before meditation do some exercises. 

17.Do not force yourself to meditate longer if you are not ready to do.
18.Try to keep your eyes closed. if you are not able to make yourself stable then you may open your eyes and again close them.
19.Avoid the products that make your mind dull or over stimulated. Try to sit in meditation with empty stomach.
20.You should try to sit with a smile. Be kind to yourself.
21.Don't be discouraged if you feel that nothing is happening. Remember the phrase "Rome was not built in a day"
22.At the end of your meditation sitting, spend two to three minutes feeling appreciative of the opportunity to practice and also your mind's ability to focus.

I bow to the Lotus Feet of  *Meditation Guru Archna Didi* who has filled *‘Prakash’* in the lives of thousands of people in the world.

MEDITATION - KNOW YOUR INNER SELF

#Meditation  is a practice where an individual trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or for the mind to simply acknowledge its content without becoming identified with that content, or as an end in it.

Meditation promotes relaxation, builds internal energy or life force and develops compassion, love, patience, generosity and forgiveness. A particularly ambitious form of meditation aims at effortlessly sustained single-pointed concentration meant to enable its practitioner to enjoy an indestructible sense of well-being while engaging in any life activity.

Meditation often involves an internal effort to self-regulate the mind in some way. Meditation is often used to clear the mind and ease many health concerns, such as high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety. It may be done sitting, or in an active way.

Meditation may involve generating an emotional state for the purpose of analyzing that state, such as anger, hatred, etc. or cultivating a particular mental response to various phenomena, such as compassion. The term "meditation" can refer to the state itself, as well as to practices or techniques employed to cultivate the state. Meditation has a calming effect and directs awareness inward until pure awareness is achieved, described as "being awake inside without being aware of anything except awareness itself." The rest in meditation is deeper than the deepest sleep that you can ever have. When the mind becomes free from agitation, is calm and serene and at peace, meditation happens.

The benefits of Meditation are manifold. It is an essential practice for mental hygiene. A calm mind, good concentration, clarity of perception, improvement in communication, blossoming of skills and talents, an unshakeable inner strength, healing, the ability to connect to an inner source of energy, relaxation, rejuvenation, and good luck are all natural results of meditating regularly.

In today's world where stress catches on faster than the eye can see or the mind can perceive, meditation is no more a luxury. It is a necessity. To be unconditionally happy and to have peace of mind, we need to tap into the power of meditation.