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.