May 19, 2022 – Class Notes by Juie Deo
Introduction
Society is results- and utility-oriented which is an attitude of using. If we use a person, it makes us users of that person and that is an unhealthy attitude. We are trying to journey to mokṣa. Mokṣa is not a result nor has utility; mokṣa is not to be used. We have to unlearn these attitudes. The Mokṣa Patha is following the path to freedom. It is natural and we should follow this naturally because this is the right way to live. This is the purpose of living. For those who are unable to shake this attitude of results and utility will never reach mokṣa.
Review
Step 94 – aum (support). Aum is a sacred sound. Listening and chanting Aum helps us to be more balanced and focused.
Step 95 – sat (existence). In our maps, existence is often compared to a kutastha, an anvil. An anvil is that which never changes but everything on top of it changes. This is a causal headspace. A way to practice existence is to be more gentle with all that exists; whatever we touch, wherever we walk, we should be more gentle. A way of practicing sat or existence is to be intentional with all that we are touching, even air (ie, intentional breathing).
Step 96 – chit (awareness). Synonyms for awareness relate to kāshi which means light – names such as Jyot and Prakash, mean the same. How can one practice kāshi or awareness? By being vigilant. If we can visualize holding vigil, it means even if there’s darkness outside, we are still awake. The whole airport system is super organized- the terminals, the process of landing, and the materials of the runway. Many airports never close; even when passengers are not flying, the airport is still open. This is what it means to be vigilant- to always be organized and observing. That’s how we practice awareness.
Step 97 – ānanda (joy). Our maps compare this to kham which means space. When we have a lot of space, we feel less limited. Those who know the rules and perks of an airline benefit more from it, but all want to fly. Similarly, everybody wants to be happy. Everyone’s nature is Joy. It helps us to be accepting.
Discourse
Step 90 – ātman (spirit)
Atman is that which is closest or the center – it is you. The ātman becomes the locus for all other references. If there is no I, there is no ‘ you’. Through knowing we benefit. Every one of us knows this, but we are not established in it so we feel stress, anxiety, and dejection. The purpose of our life is to be established in ātman/spirit. We literally have no other purpose in life.
We will know that we are knowing ourselves when we feel more centered. Even if there is chaos around us, we still feel centered.
Step 99 – Brahman (Infinity)
Ātman is the closest. Brahman means that which is the farthest. But right away with close and far, we start to think in measurables. And that is why it is important to have a trust triangle (guru, scripture, Bhagavan) that flows through smanvaya, which means consistency. They will take us from step to step in a systematic way so we do not fall. Farthest means beyond space, time and matter. So first, we think about the farthest and then we have to think past that. The word Brahman comes from brhat tamatvāt. Tamtvāt means that which is being ‘bigness’- there is no qualification or limit to this bigness. Whenever we think of the farthest, we tend to think of this in reference to space, but the orientation is towards time. The present is very close to being beyond time. Presence is beyond time and because of presence, there is the present. Because there is the foundation for space, there is space. In the Seeker’s Word Book, Brahman has no icon, because Brahman is beyond icons.
Ātman and Brahman are directing us to the subject. There is only one subject. It is the closest. It permeates that which is the farthest. It is because of this subject, there is value to any object. In language, if there’s no subject in the sentence, does that sentence have any value?
Step 100 – mokṣa/pūrṇa (freedom)
Freedom is unlearning any and all limits. Na muktih na bandhah – how does one become free? by realizing that they’re not bound. Why do we feel limited? Because we identify with articles, beings and circumstances. We identify with the intellect, the mind, the breath, and the body. As soon as you identify, you’re limited by what you identify with.
Moksha is when there is no identification, which means there is no identifier or no ego. Another word for no ego in Sanskrit is nirvana which means to blow out. The ego, the identifier, or limits are blown away. The greatest healing is not of the body. The greatest healing is changing who one is. If you change from being the body to the Spirit, you never need to be healed again. If you change from pain to peace, healing has no relevance. The greatest healer is our sadguru- shishya- parampara, because they have healed themselves. Only one who is healed is able to guide others to heal themselves too. We have now completed our journey from being extremely injured to being completely healed.
Continue to keep your body relaxed, continue to breathe intentionally, continue to keep your eyes closed and feel freedom. Feel you are free. The most steady, sincere and strong prayers to our trust triangle for us to feel free.
Summary
Step 98 – Atman (Spirit); Practice: Be centered
Step 99 – Brahman (Infinity); Practice: Keep yourself within the trust triangle
Step 100 – Moksha (Freedom); Practice: Realize you are not bound
RAWs
- Sit in a quiet place and write what is life 108 times
When we write this, we are becoming more intentional. The more intentional we are, the more we climb this patha. This patha is not for those who are instinctive. They are the ones who slide down the snakes. Those who are intentional are the ones who climb the ladders.
- Spend one hour in a room by yourself, do not bring anything to occupy your mind.
To be able to do nothing is a way to stop escaping. We are experts in escaping. This is a training in stopping the escaping and to start to embrace ‘Being’.
Reflection Adventure of the Year (RAY)
We have completed two books: The Reflection Adventure of the Week workbook and the Seeker’s Word Book. Please try to have your own personal copy of these books to reflect on this again to refine so this becomes a part of you.