Me, Myself and I

 Spending time with "Me and Myself"

While studying and reading the Bhagavad Gita, I noticed the following emphasis:

Controlling and regulating the senses to achieve inner peace and self-realization

- Detaching from sense objects to reduce desires and attachment

- Mastering the senses through self-awareness and self-control

- Overcoming sensory attachments for spiritual growth.

To attain spiritual development and self-realization, one must manage the senses. The Bhagavad Gita contains various shlokas (verses) emphasizing the need to control and manage desires. Here are some prominent ones:

-Control over senses (Verse 3.41): Krishna advises Arjuna to control his senses like a charioteer controls horses.

-Sense detachment (Verse 2.58): Detach yourself from sense objects, like a tortoise withdraws its limbs.

-Sense regulation (Verse 5.27-28): Regulate your senses, like a yogi, to achieve inner peace.

-Sense mastery (Verse 4.26): Master your senses through self-control and self-awareness.

-Sense transcendence (Verse 14.24): Transcend sense attachments and desires to achieve spiritual growth.

-Chapter 5, Verse 23: "The one who can withstand desire and anger, and control the senses, is eligible to attain  Brahman."

 Shlokas like these emphasize the importance of mastering the senses and desires to achieve inner calm, self-realization, and ultimately Brahman.

Sanatan Dharma refers to karma as the consequence of an action. Sanskara refers to the impressions or habits formed by these actions, shaping an individual's personality and destiny. To understand myself, I considered the following:

1. Self-reflection: Examining my thoughts, words, and actions and recognizing patterns and habits formed by my sanskaras.

2. Karma assessment: evaluating my karma by considering the consequences of my actions. Have they led to personal growth, harmony, or suffering?

3. Sanskara transformation: I am working on transforming negative sanskaras by cultivating positive habits and actions, leading to personal growth and self-improvement.

4. Self-realization: Through this process, I should gain a deeper understanding of myself, my values, and my purpose.

5. Liberation: Ultimately, the goal is to transcend the cycle of karma and sanskaras, achieving liberation (Moksha) and realizing my true nature.

To create a mindset that helps me further my aims, I have defined the distinction between "Me" and "Myself."

"Me and Myself" represents the connection between my inner self and outer persona, embracing my uniqueness and solitude. Spiritually, I see ‘Me’ as consciousness, and ‘Myself’ as the one who interacts with the five senses.

The five senses often exhibit contradictory behavior concerning "Myself," leading me to categorize them into three distinct groups:

1. Senses of Desire: Sense gratification involves engaging in activities to please the senses, fulfilling desires and impulses for personal satisfaction.

2. Knowledge-Acquiring Senses: The five senses gather environmental data, enabling the brain to interpret, learn, and derive knowledge through experience.

3. Working senses: The five working senses; voice, hands, legs, genitals, and anus coordinate to perform actions and interact with the environment.

The mind, as the "sense within," processes and integrates information from these senses, enabling thought and consciousness.

The Tattva system of Sanatan Dharma and the Bhagavad Gita illuminate the role of the senses in human experience. By distinguishing between "Me" (consciousness) and "Myself" (the controller of the senses), I recognize the importance of balancing these two aspects. Mastering my desires and senses enables me to find joy in solo activities and cultivate self-sufficiency.

I've also identified three essential companions in life:

Health: Physical and mental well-being; Balance pleasure and pain by practicing mindfulness and self-care. Recognize that physical health is temporary and prioritize mental and emotional well-being.

Wealth: Material resources; understand the limitations of material wealth in fulfilling desires.

Human Relationships: Connections with others; Navigating love and hate by fostering empathy, compassion, and understanding. Accept that relationships are temporary and focus on self-love and acceptance.

As I reflect on my inner thoughts about "Me and Myself," my goals are to deepen my understanding of what truly matters in life, like health, wealth, and relationships; to develop a strong and balanced mindset for handling life's challenges; and to focus on personal growth and self-awareness, accepting that external things don't last forever.

I can nurture a deeper relationship with myself by recognizing my inner thoughts and awareness as my companions. This inner harmony will help me find balance in all areas of life, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful journey.

Aging

Aging is a journey of self-discovery, growth, and transformation. Embracing my individuality and solitude allows me to deepen my understanding of myself and the world. As I age, I face challenges like adapting to declining senses, finding passion within, building resilience, and rearranging, especially when I am financially secure and healthy. Meditation, self-awareness, and personal growth can lead to a fulfilling life as I age

Aging is a natural part of life, and it’s never too late to rediscover what truly matters. In this phase, I want to reassess the value of health by focusing on maintaining well-being rather than seeking perfection, by redefining wealth to include knowledge, love, personal growth, and spiritual richness, and by nurturing human relationships with meaningful connections that would bring joy and support.

By embarking on this path, I expect to match my desires with the senses resulting in a more peaceful and purposeful life that cares for ' myself' as the one in control of my five senses.

I see "Me" as consciousness or Sat-chit-Ananda

Sat-chit-Ananda is a Sanskrit term in Hindu and yogic philosophy that describes the true nature of reality as "existence, consciousness, and bliss." It refers to the ultimate, unchanging reality known as Brahman. In Hinduism, "sat" means existence; "chit" is consciousness; while "Ananda" means bliss, the absence of suffering. Unlike momentary happiness tied to external objects, Ananda is a profound, inner ecstasy. This bliss is not dependent on the material world but is a deep, spiritual joy experienced within, often shared between a guru and disciple and the meditating Yogi.

 Note that bliss (Ananda) and happiness have different implications.

Happiness (Ananda) is:

Happiness is a mindset born from sensory moments, integrating information from the 5 senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell) and the mind, the "sense within," processing and interpreting sensory data.

By recognizing how the senses and mind work together to create happiness, I've understood the connection between external experiences and internal perception. This insight emphasizes the value of mindfulness in appreciating moments that bring joy. My exploration of 'Me and Myself' has deepened my understanding of happiness as a balance between the senses, the mind, and the world around me. This knowledge will guide me on my path to self-discovery and fulfillment.

If 'Me and Myself' is consistent with my search for defining divinity as Sat-chit-Ananda, it will provide a timeless and enduring understanding of the study and practice of the Bhagavad Gita.

The Bhagavad Gita teaches that controlling the senses is crucial for spiritual growth, self-realization, and inner peace. By practicing self-control, detachment, and mindfulness, one can master their senses and achieve a higher state of consciousness.

 

The Bhagavad Gita inspired me to explore AUM.

Why is Om mentioned in the Gita? 

Does Om represent Bhagavan Krishna?

Om, also known as AUM, is a sacred syllable in the Bhagavad Gita, symbolizing ultimate reality, consciousness, and the universe. It is also called "Pranava," the primordial sound from which the universe emerged.

Shree Krishna highlights the significance of Om in several verses:

• Om is a sign of Brahman, or absolute reality (Gita 7.8, 9.17).
• Om represents the universal vibration, reflecting the energy of creation (Gita 17.23).
• Om embodies the essence of the Vedas (Gita 4.24; 9.17).
• Om is the path to spiritual growth, self-realization, and liberation (Gita 8.13; 9.17).

Om symbolizes the unity and connection of all existence, transcending both physical and mental realms. It's often used as a mantra to connect with the divine, find inner peace, and reach higher states of consciousness.

As a student of the Bhagavad Gita, understanding Om has deepened my appreciation of its teachings. Shree Krishna embodies divinity in everything that exists. Krishna is AUM.

OM is Shiva Shakti

The cosmos is driven by two fundamental forces: preservation and transformation, followed by sustainability. These forces are balanced and interact through consciousness and energy. Tantric cosmology holds that two fundamental powers - Shiva and Shakti - control the universe.

Shiva represents the basic elements of the universe, like a foundation. Shakti is the dynamic energy that keeps these elements alive and active. Shiva is often linked with powerful female forces like Kali and Durga, who embody Shakti's energy.

The divine couple, Shiva and Shakti, metaphysically represent the harmonious union of masculine and feminine principles, symbolizing the balance of consciousness and energy. This balance of consciousness and energy is crucial for existence and spiritual growth. It's like the negative and positive of a battery - they need each other to work harmoniously.

There is no other divinity like ‘Brahman’, as demonstrated by Shiva and Krishna's duality

Shiva created the concept of divinity, and Krishna perfected it with excellence Shiva as Brahman is realized with the infinite vibration AUM, Krishna as Brahman is realized with metaphysics, spirituality, and  the mantra “OM TAT SAT”

There's only one true divinity, called 'Brahman'. Shiva and Krishna, two of the most worshipped deities in Sanatan Dharma, show us this truth through their different aspects. They, like all other deities in Sanatan Dharma, are forms of Brahman.

Brahman is the unchanging, all-encompassing, and eternal essence that sustains everything. This revelation is beyond the obvious variations between different deities and shows the unity and oneness that underlies all existence.

"Imagine an ocean—Shiva, Krishna, and other deities are like waves on its surface. Yet, deep beneath, they are all part of the same vast ocean, which is Brahman."

AUM is a symbol that stimulates visual perception.

The Om symbol has grown into a sensory-based mindset that stimulates our visual sight and awakens our senses. This sacred signal brings the divine into our consciousness by connecting the material and sacred spheres. As our experiences and sensations grow, the Om symbol influences our mental state, creating a stronger connection with the universe and ourselves.

Sanatan Dharma's comprehensive approach provides multiple avenues for devotees to connect with the divine, catering to many inclinations and interests. Symbols and personal manifestations of the divine enable intellectuals and ritualistic devotees to pick their path to reality.

My choice of symbol AUM (OM) represents the essence of cyclic existence and the universe, embracing the endless cycle of creation, preservation, and transformation.

By accepting AUM and exploring the wonder of my existence through the five senses, I will align with Sanatan Dharma and recognize the interdependence of all elements of life. This technique would improve my understanding of myself and the universe, establishing a healthy interaction between the individual and the cosmos.

Each AUM symbol reflects the observer's imagination, indicating their grasp of the never-ending cycle, preservation, and transition. My journey with AUM has inspired and enriched my life, bringing me closer to the surroundings and the divinity within me.

Here are some of my observations when creating the image AUM to represent my existence.

AUM initiates creation.

Every Om embodies a distinct combination of knowledge and creativity. During meditation, I encountered a serene white zone, uncluttered where all entities awaited the signal to combine and embark on a journey. It was magnificent to witness creation in its purest form.

Time, the catalyst for creation, sets vibrations into motion, interacting and merging with infinite vibrations. This vibration is an energetic field that harmonizes and transforms all existing entities.

When immersed in this creative state, the mono symbol AUM resonates, becoming the permanent and unifying force that connects us to cosmic energy. As we harmonize with this energy, we become one, synchronizing with other entities in a celestial dance.

AUM that endures during preservation

In this transformation, dualities dissolve at the point of creation, convergent into singularity. Dualities harmonize, forming neutral entities that preserve the created world. The energy-vibrating field initiates a cycle of repeated functions to sustain this cycle, ensuring its existence.

This cyclical cycle brought creation's irregularities into harmony. Within this closed contour, the will to exist emerged, maintaining a cycle of repeated functions in interaction with other entities. This state of existence maintains the interdependence of all entities.

AUM is the vibration that unites us, creating a sense of oneness and unity with the universe

Aum initiates the end or mode of destruction.

Aum marks the beginning of the end or transformation. When the energy field meets other fields, it triggers a change. This happens when many entities come together and reach their peak, then get pulled into a destructive phase.

Think of a black hole, where opposing forces are drawn together in a spiral motion, merging into a single point. In this cosmic dance, the energy field breaks free from the many and returns to its true form as Aum, or pure consciousness.

Meditation allows us to lift the veil of opposites and experience reality as a unified, harmonious entity. All things are united in AUM

I meditated on AUM II OM TAT SAT II

AUM's vibrations have awakened my full potential, illustrating the Sanskrit saying, "Nada Brahma" – "Sound is Brahman." my creative creation represents the divine spirit within me, which flows via various mediums. Continue to nurture this creative-conscious balance, and my efforts will inspire and elevate the world.

The Yogi's Journey to Understanding

 There once lived a yogi in a Vedic monastery on the banks of the river Ganga, eager to broaden his understanding of the world and himself. He saw his consciousness as "Chit" and his physical body embodying his five senses.

Though he mastered his senses, they still overpowered his mind. What troubled him most was the nature of reality that underpinned his existence.

One day, he meditated on the sun. His five senses harmonized by gazing at the rising and setting sun and feeling its heat, giving him a blissful feeling. The sound of the sun broke the silence of his meditation, revealing itself as a vibration. Drawn to this energy, he embarked on a voyage to nowhere. He focused on the moon, documenting his recollections from the crescent to the full phases.

Journeying up the Ganga, he found harmony in the sounds of the rumbling waters, chirping birds, and the serene sunset reflected by the moon. Every entity emitted an inviting vibration, leading him to seek its origin.

The lush vegetation, fruit-laden trees, and vibrant colors along the riverbanks satisfied his hunger and captivated his senses. The rain revitalized the land, creating divine freshness. Kaal Chakra's endless cycle invited him to join the infinite journey where all unite as one, making him feel a vibrating field of energy around him. He sought to synchronize with this resonance and capture its divinity.

The harsh climate of the Himalayas was the setting for his journey. Sights and sounds were limited, but he adapted to the cold, harmonizing his mind and body. The tasteless herbs sustained him, and controlled breathing, a testament to his yogic training, allowed him to thrive in thin air.

He wanted to reach the summit of the Himalayas. A harmonized mind, body, and spirit drew him forward, drawn by the sound of divinity. He realized that this sound, a vibration, was divine energy. Amid turbulence and change, his trained meditation sought divinity. Suddenly, his five senses harmonized into a singular vibration, resonating as AUM  AAAAAAA……UUUUUUU……MMMMM. 

The Bhagavad Gita discusses the role of the senses in self-realization and spiritual growth. The senses, which can lead to self-gratification and attachment to material pleasures, can also be tools for higher awareness and consciousness when aligned and harmonized properly. This is a breakdown of the notion:

1.   Self-Gratification and Dualities:

o    The senses often lead individuals to seek pleasure and avoid pain, resulting in attachment and aversion, which are the root causes of dualities (likes and dislikes, pleasure and pain, etc.).

o    Dualities keep the mind agitated and prevent self-realization and inner peace.

2.   Self-realization and awareness:

o    A disciplined practice and spiritual guidance will help one transcend the superficial pleasure of the senses.

o    A person can cultivate calmness and balance by observing and controlling the senses.

3.   Harmonizing the senses:

o    In harmony with the mind, the senses cease to distract it. Instead, they become instruments for deepening awareness.

o    This harmony eliminates dualities as the mind becomes steady and focused.

4.   Awareness to Consciousness:

o    As awareness deepens, it transitions into consciousness.

o    This consciousness is marked by unity and oneness, in which the individual feels a profound connection to the Self and the universe.

o    The harmony of the senses contributes to this state, as they are no longer seen as separate entities but as integrated aspects of one’s being.

According to the Bhagavad Gita, especially Chapters 6 (Dhyana Yoga) and 2 (Sankhya Yoga), the senses are controlled and harmonized to achieve self-realization and realize that singularity is consciousness. Mediation, self-discipline, and devotion can enable one to transcend the limitations of the senses and experience bliss and unity.

My realization! I have  distinguished between three categories of senses:

1. Desire-oriented senses (five):

    - Used for self-gratification and pleasure

2. Knowledge-acquiring senses (five):

    - Eyes (sight)

    - Ears (hearing)

    - Nose (smell)

    - Tongue (taste)

    - Touch (skin sensation)

3. Working senses (five):

    - Voice (communication)

    - Legs (movement)

    - Hands (action)

    - Anus (excretion)

    - Genitals (procreation)

The mind is the "sense within," integrating and processing information from the other senses to allow mental activity and consciousness.

This knowledge is based on ancient Indian wisdom, particularly the Tattva system and the Bhagavad Gita, which describe the senses and their functions in human experience. My insight emphasizes the necessity of distinguishing between the distinct roles of the senses and the mind, which allows for a deeper awareness of us and our place in the universe.

Hearing is a sense that perceives the truth—the story of a Yogi.

Once, there lived a yogi with the divine ability to hear all sounds around him. Where there is vibration there is sound, and nature and the universe are full of vibrations. So the yogi desired a peaceful place, where no sound existed. There were sounds of humans, animals, birds, and insects at home. Some sounds of nature were in harmony, but others were irritating. He set off for quieter places in his quest to find zero sound.

The chatter of human beings, the growling and movements of animals, water rapids, whistling winds, crackling fires, and even the bustling seeds made sounds of matchless identities. Remembering every sound, he went on – further and further, to higher grounds, higher planes, to find a heavenly world. Surely no sound will exist there.   

He journeyed to the highest peak on earth, up the Himalayas, up to Mount Everest. All the sounds he’d heard following him; the forming, breaking, melting ice – proof that all that vibrates has sound. Life forms, minerals, rocks, crystals, gemstones, and even your body have vibrations, frequencies, and crystals. Each cell, organ, and system in an organism has distinct vibrations

In frustration he sat in deep meditation, deafening all sounds he heard, down to his heartbeat and breath. When his body separated from his spirit, he understood that the mind, soul, and each idea, emotion, sound, and color had distinct vibrations. The universe stored vibrations. But unexpectedly, there seemed to be one vibration in this universe that sounded more fascinating than the rest – a particular sound that made his soul harmonious with all surrounding sounds. He followed this vibration, traveling past the sun, the stars, the Milky Way, the black holes, and supernovas, and he found the answer he so wanted. There was one vibration, of the same frequency, that each and everything, every being, had. After eliminating every sound he'd heard, only one remained. His zero sound consisted of one. When he returned from his journey, his spirit found solace in repeating AUM.