We got the first chance to go via Shinjuku station when we were on the way to Akihabara electric town. We needed to change the train from the Odakyu line to the JR line. When we exited the Odakyu line gate we were overwhelmed at the enormity of the Shinjuku station. It is not surprising that it is considered as one of the busiest stations in the world. We certainly took our time to navigate through the maze and hop on to the correct train.
Later, while being reminiscent of the Shinjuku station , it occured that life apparently presents us with overwhelming options or crossroads many times. It only seems to be a matter of time that the our "choice to be taken" becomes clear to us. The fact remained that we are guided by the destiny which in our case was to board the train to Akihabara. Sometimes the destiny is known and sometimes unknown.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Intellectual reasoning and practice.
Swami Rama in his book "Living with the Himalayan Masters" tells us this beautiful story narrated to him by his Guru about theory and practice.
Once, there was a disciple who did not know how a cow looked . He went to his master and asked him about the cow. The master explained to him in detail as to how a cow looked and about its milk - its nutrition value to humans etc. ,
When this disciple was going through a village he saw a statue of a cow and thought "Ah, here is a cow". He saw a bucket of sunna (lime) which was white in color kept near the statue. The sunna had been used for whitewashing the statue and was left there .
The disciple mistook it for milk, drank it and fell ill seriously .
After a few days , he met his master and told him about the incident . He got angry with his master who had told him that milk was good for health .
Then the master asked him "Did you milk the cow? "
The disciple said "No" .
The master said "That's where the problem is. You depended on knowledge that was someone's experience . You have to have direct experience of the truth and should not depend on intellectual reasoning ."
There is a large gap between theory and practice. Mere intellectual knowledge is of no good and is dangerous.
Once, there was a disciple who did not know how a cow looked . He went to his master and asked him about the cow. The master explained to him in detail as to how a cow looked and about its milk - its nutrition value to humans etc. ,
When this disciple was going through a village he saw a statue of a cow and thought "Ah, here is a cow". He saw a bucket of sunna (lime) which was white in color kept near the statue. The sunna had been used for whitewashing the statue and was left there .
The disciple mistook it for milk, drank it and fell ill seriously .
After a few days , he met his master and told him about the incident . He got angry with his master who had told him that milk was good for health .
Then the master asked him "Did you milk the cow? "
The disciple said "No" .
The master said "That's where the problem is. You depended on knowledge that was someone's experience . You have to have direct experience of the truth and should not depend on intellectual reasoning ."
There is a large gap between theory and practice. Mere intellectual knowledge is of no good and is dangerous.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Quotes on the sea
[Here is a bunch of quotes which essentially cross my mind whenever I see a sea.]
As rivers flowing into the ocean lose themselves in the ocean casting off name and form, so the knower freed from name and form attains the Divine Purusha who is higher than the high.
Mundaka Upanishad 3.2.8
I am like the ocean, and the multiplicity of objects is comparable to a wave. To know this is knowledge, and then there is neither renunciation, acceptance or cessation of it.
Ashtavakra Gita 6.2
That man attains peace into whom all desires enter in the same way as the waters flow into a sea that remains unchanged (even) when being filled up from all sides. Not so one who is desirous of objects.
Bhagavad Gita 2.70
As rivers flowing into the ocean lose themselves in the ocean casting off name and form, so the knower freed from name and form attains the Divine Purusha who is higher than the high.
Mundaka Upanishad 3.2.8
I am like the ocean, and the multiplicity of objects is comparable to a wave. To know this is knowledge, and then there is neither renunciation, acceptance or cessation of it.
Ashtavakra Gita 6.2
That man attains peace into whom all desires enter in the same way as the waters flow into a sea that remains unchanged (even) when being filled up from all sides. Not so one who is desirous of objects.
Bhagavad Gita 2.70
The calm sea at Hase.
[I had the opportunity to behold the calm and placid waters of the Pacific ocean on our to visit to Hase in Kamakura-shi. Hase is famous for the Dai-Butsu (Great Buddha) and the Hase Kannon temples. The following are a few thoughts on the sea which crossed my mind as I stood gazing at its vastness.]
I felt that this sea which I was seeing was somehow the same as the one which we see in India and yes, it is indeed the same. All the major water bodies are connected. Can I draw a line to demarcate the Indian Ocean from the Bay of Bengal or form the Arabian Sea?
This is Advaita where even though multitude names and forms are seen, in reality everything is one. "Ghataakasha" is a classical example given to illustrate Advaita. The space inside a pot takes the shape of the pot (apparently) as long as the pot is existent. The same space pervades both inside and outside the pot and when the pot is broken, the space inside becomes the same the one outside. Extending the analogy, the same water pervades all the oceans and seas, regardless of the names and forms assigned.
I felt that this sea which I was seeing was somehow the same as the one which we see in India and yes, it is indeed the same. All the major water bodies are connected. Can I draw a line to demarcate the Indian Ocean from the Bay of Bengal or form the Arabian Sea?
This is Advaita where even though multitude names and forms are seen, in reality everything is one. "Ghataakasha" is a classical example given to illustrate Advaita. The space inside a pot takes the shape of the pot (apparently) as long as the pot is existent. The same space pervades both inside and outside the pot and when the pot is broken, the space inside becomes the same the one outside. Extending the analogy, the same water pervades all the oceans and seas, regardless of the names and forms assigned.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The Japanese and their fish
There is an interesting tale about the Japanese and the fish they eat. The Japanese being fond of fresh fish were not happy with the fish which was available to them . The fish were at least a day old , preserved in salt or ice and hence tasted 'stale'. To keep the fish 'fresh' , they came up with the idea of transporting the fish in tankers.
But to their surprise, they found that even the live fish ferried in water tankers did not taste 'fresh'. When they observed keenly, they found that the fishes in the tanker did not move around and this lack of activity made the fishes dull and 'stale'.
To overcome this, they introduced a small shark in the tanker. It is true that the shark ate a few fish, but kept the fishes always on a run and hence 'fresh'.
We used to joke that marrying is like putting a shark in your life. The spouse would snap up to you and make you run , thereby keeping you 'fresh'.
Behind the joke, the subtle thought emphasized by this allegory is that of "give and take". The spousal relation should be seen as that between the Japanese and the shark. Only when you are giving, you can expect in return. The first fish you lose to the shark is the responsibility shouldered.
But to their surprise, they found that even the live fish ferried in water tankers did not taste 'fresh'. When they observed keenly, they found that the fishes in the tanker did not move around and this lack of activity made the fishes dull and 'stale'.
To overcome this, they introduced a small shark in the tanker. It is true that the shark ate a few fish, but kept the fishes always on a run and hence 'fresh'.
We used to joke that marrying is like putting a shark in your life. The spouse would snap up to you and make you run , thereby keeping you 'fresh'.
Behind the joke, the subtle thought emphasized by this allegory is that of "give and take". The spousal relation should be seen as that between the Japanese and the shark. Only when you are giving, you can expect in return. The first fish you lose to the shark is the responsibility shouldered.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Ski trip in Japan
These are some thoughts on the ski trip to Aiichi prefecture of Japan in March 2004.
This ski trip remains as one of the best confidence builders to me - one of my best displays of attitude.
Coming from a place with tropical climate, I had never seen snow; not to talk about having any knowledge of skiing. At the foothill of the ski slope, fear manifested in the form of a blatant question about the need:
"I want to learn skiing."
"Why do you want to learn skiing ? At the end , you will have to come back to the same place from where you started."
"Yes, that is the reason why I am here (and want to do it). Its a cycle which I have to go through. The very inertia impels me to do it."
To learn skiing, you need to GO UP the slope. - EFFORT
You need to wait PATIENTLY for the ski lift. - OPPORTUNITY
You will certainly FALL, many times going downhill. You just need to get up and go at it again. - PERSEVERANCE
At the end of the day, you were the BEST skier of the lot - not because you knew how to ski, but because of your ATTITUDE!!
This apart, skiing was a memorable experience particularly in the company of our manager Asoh-san who took the additional pains of teaching us to ski in the first part if the day. At the end of the day we were reluctant to quit skiing coerced only by the yellow-orange hue of the sun reflecting off the ski slopes.
This ski trip remains as one of the best confidence builders to me - one of my best displays of attitude.
Coming from a place with tropical climate, I had never seen snow; not to talk about having any knowledge of skiing. At the foothill of the ski slope, fear manifested in the form of a blatant question about the need:
"I want to learn skiing."
"Why do you want to learn skiing ? At the end , you will have to come back to the same place from where you started."
"Yes, that is the reason why I am here (and want to do it). Its a cycle which I have to go through. The very inertia impels me to do it."
To learn skiing, you need to GO UP the slope. - EFFORT
You need to wait PATIENTLY for the ski lift. - OPPORTUNITY
You will certainly FALL, many times going downhill. You just need to get up and go at it again. - PERSEVERANCE
At the end of the day, you were the BEST skier of the lot - not because you knew how to ski, but because of your ATTITUDE!!
This apart, skiing was a memorable experience particularly in the company of our manager Asoh-san who took the additional pains of teaching us to ski in the first part if the day. At the end of the day we were reluctant to quit skiing coerced only by the yellow-orange hue of the sun reflecting off the ski slopes.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Change and friendship
[These are excerpts form a mail thread where some of my friends and me had a discussion on 'change' affecting friendships.]
[Twin]
I believe that you guys no longer find time to call your friends. I see a drastic change in Keshav and moderate change in you.
[Me]
Just put the question 'who sees the change and difference' and the change and difference you see will be gone .
We all are but a footprint on beach .... no matter how deep is the foot print , it will be erased by the next tide.
[Twin]
Put the same question to you . Why you see the change when you are not physically or mentally blind? Also,will a blind person experience "change" in the same way as a person who isn't blind?
Change is the only thing constant in this world. I wholly believe that people do change, whether the change is for better or for worse, and thats not a mere individual's perception.
Let us be a foot print on the sands of Saharan desert that would last more time until the blowing of a sand dune makes it blurred.
[Mama]
Why things change? Why things can't remain the way they are? There are factors/stimulus/forces/circumstances etc etc. behind a change. As the clock ticks things change and history documents the change. Change is something which is inevitable. It only depends how you see it or take it. It depends on the observers perspective how he sees the change.
[Me]
All change is relative. Change is not absolute , but depends on the observer's cognition .
Get a holistic view of things and you will see that there is no change.
For example , you will see water 'change' to ice or to steam. The change is related to temperature and in reality there is no change. In other words, the change is due to the fact that the observer is seeing 'water' at a different temperature.
Another instance : take the cone - its a point when seen from the top , a circle when seen from the bottom and a triangle when seen from the side . But none of the three shapes truly represent the cone . The shape of the cone depends on the angle of the observer and taken together give the correct shape of the cone.
The point that I am coming to now is about the observer. Now we are convinced that its the observer's perception which is responsible for the change. So , I asked you the question , who is the observer ? If you put the question to yourself , it becomes "who am I" . Who is that who sees the change ? If you answer that , then the change you see will vanish.
You asking the question "why there is a change" is akin to asking why things are the way it is . Why I am in Japan and not in Sahara (to leave a foot print ) ?
By the way, leaving foot print in Sahara was a good one . Lucky that you did not ask us to leave the foot print in some sedimentary sandstone like a paleolithic mammoth. That would have been preserved for ages !
[Me]
Irrespective of the 'change' we are in , we will continue to like each other. There is not even an iota of doubt on this . Only thing is that you should imbibe this thought and not falter away from it.
Do you remember the rainbow disc which we used to make in 3rd standard school ? We used to make a circular disc , paint the seven colors in order , put a pin in the center and spin it ... lo you would see white color .
We are all different like the seven colors - which when spun by 'change' will give a whole new color. Remember , even if one color is changed , it will not become white.
I would like to conclude this thread by quoting the shanti mantra "sahaveeryam karavaavahai" ... together we will achieve.
[Twin]
I believe that you guys no longer find time to call your friends. I see a drastic change in Keshav and moderate change in you.
[Me]
Just put the question 'who sees the change and difference' and the change and difference you see will be gone .
We all are but a footprint on beach .... no matter how deep is the foot print , it will be erased by the next tide.
[Twin]
Put the same question to you . Why you see the change when you are not physically or mentally blind? Also,will a blind person experience "change" in the same way as a person who isn't blind?
Change is the only thing constant in this world. I wholly believe that people do change, whether the change is for better or for worse, and thats not a mere individual's perception.
Let us be a foot print on the sands of Saharan desert that would last more time until the blowing of a sand dune makes it blurred.
[Mama]
Why things change? Why things can't remain the way they are? There are factors/stimulus/forces/circumstances etc etc. behind a change. As the clock ticks things change and history documents the change. Change is something which is inevitable. It only depends how you see it or take it. It depends on the observers perspective how he sees the change.
[Me]
All change is relative. Change is not absolute , but depends on the observer's cognition .
Get a holistic view of things and you will see that there is no change.
For example , you will see water 'change' to ice or to steam. The change is related to temperature and in reality there is no change. In other words, the change is due to the fact that the observer is seeing 'water' at a different temperature.
Another instance : take the cone - its a point when seen from the top , a circle when seen from the bottom and a triangle when seen from the side . But none of the three shapes truly represent the cone . The shape of the cone depends on the angle of the observer and taken together give the correct shape of the cone.
The point that I am coming to now is about the observer. Now we are convinced that its the observer's perception which is responsible for the change. So , I asked you the question , who is the observer ? If you put the question to yourself , it becomes "who am I" . Who is that who sees the change ? If you answer that , then the change you see will vanish.
You asking the question "why there is a change" is akin to asking why things are the way it is . Why I am in Japan and not in Sahara (to leave a foot print ) ?
By the way, leaving foot print in Sahara was a good one . Lucky that you did not ask us to leave the foot print in some sedimentary sandstone like a paleolithic mammoth. That would have been preserved for ages !
[Me]
Irrespective of the 'change' we are in , we will continue to like each other. There is not even an iota of doubt on this . Only thing is that you should imbibe this thought and not falter away from it.
Do you remember the rainbow disc which we used to make in 3rd standard school ? We used to make a circular disc , paint the seven colors in order , put a pin in the center and spin it ... lo you would see white color .
We are all different like the seven colors - which when spun by 'change' will give a whole new color. Remember , even if one color is changed , it will not become white.
I would like to conclude this thread by quoting the shanti mantra "sahaveeryam karavaavahai" ... together we will achieve.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Fuji-san from office
Fuji-san presents a very pretty view from our office window in winter. We can see the snow covered peak of Fuji-san; the rest being hidden by the smaller mountains in the front. On a clear sunny day Fuji-san would look like the "Airavatha" amongst a herd of gray elephants. The majestic view of Fuji-san would transfix the mind and keep us gazing for long periods.
This view of Fuji-san on a clear day exemplifies the fact that only a "clear" mind will be capable of higher things. Equating Fuji-san with that which is subtle would cause the mind to be engulfed in a deluge of happiness. Truly, viewing Fuji-san is a divine experience. It is little wonder that Fuji-san is held divine and sacred even by the Japanese.
Fuji-san is a source of unalloyed happiness and to the tuned mind it can be a source of guidance. As they say, the guidance is always there, only that we need to be tuned to it. Guidance is like a FM broadcast - its there always and everywhere and our mind which is like a receiver needs to be tuned.
Fuji-san(Mount Fuji) is the tallest(3776 meters) and the most beautiful mountain(dormant volcano) in Japan.
This view of Fuji-san on a clear day exemplifies the fact that only a "clear" mind will be capable of higher things. Equating Fuji-san with that which is subtle would cause the mind to be engulfed in a deluge of happiness. Truly, viewing Fuji-san is a divine experience. It is little wonder that Fuji-san is held divine and sacred even by the Japanese.
Fuji-san is a source of unalloyed happiness and to the tuned mind it can be a source of guidance. As they say, the guidance is always there, only that we need to be tuned to it. Guidance is like a FM broadcast - its there always and everywhere and our mind which is like a receiver needs to be tuned.
Fuji-san(Mount Fuji) is the tallest(3776 meters) and the most beautiful mountain(dormant volcano) in Japan.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Favourite Ramana quotes
Will-power
Devotee: What are the means for gaining will-power?
Bhagavan: Your idea of will-power is success insured. Will-power should be understood to be the strength of mind which makes it capable for meeting success or failure with equanimity. It is not synonymous with certain success.
Why should one's attempts be always attended with success? Success develops arrogance and the man's spiritual progress is thus arrested. Failure on the other hand is beneficial, in as much as it opens the eyes of the man to his limitations and prepares him to surrender himself.
All is one
He who sees "I am separate," "you are separate," "he is separate" and so on, acts one way to himself and another way to others. He cannot help doing so. The thought "I am separate, others are separate" is the seed from which grows the tree of differing actions in relation to different persons. How can there be any lapse from righteousness for a person who knows the unity of himself with others? As long as the germ of differentiation is there, the tree of differing actions will flourish, even unawares. Therefore give up differentiation. All is one only.
Guide
Devotee: Who is my guide to see God? Do I not need a guide?
Bhagavan: Who was your guide to Ramanasramam? With whose guidance do you see the world daily? God is your own Self beyond body, mind and intellect. Just as you are able to see the world yourself so also you will be able to see your Self if you earnestly strive to do so, your Self alone being your guide in that quest also.
Bliss
'No want' is the greatest bliss.
It can be realized only by experience.
Even an emperor is no match for a man with no wants.
Devotee: What are the means for gaining will-power?
Bhagavan: Your idea of will-power is success insured. Will-power should be understood to be the strength of mind which makes it capable for meeting success or failure with equanimity. It is not synonymous with certain success.
Why should one's attempts be always attended with success? Success develops arrogance and the man's spiritual progress is thus arrested. Failure on the other hand is beneficial, in as much as it opens the eyes of the man to his limitations and prepares him to surrender himself.
All is one
He who sees "I am separate," "you are separate," "he is separate" and so on, acts one way to himself and another way to others. He cannot help doing so. The thought "I am separate, others are separate" is the seed from which grows the tree of differing actions in relation to different persons. How can there be any lapse from righteousness for a person who knows the unity of himself with others? As long as the germ of differentiation is there, the tree of differing actions will flourish, even unawares. Therefore give up differentiation. All is one only.
Guide
Devotee: Who is my guide to see God? Do I not need a guide?
Bhagavan: Who was your guide to Ramanasramam? With whose guidance do you see the world daily? God is your own Self beyond body, mind and intellect. Just as you are able to see the world yourself so also you will be able to see your Self if you earnestly strive to do so, your Self alone being your guide in that quest also.
Bliss
'No want' is the greatest bliss.
It can be realized only by experience.
Even an emperor is no match for a man with no wants.
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