April 13, 2023 Class Notes by Abhiram Bhasyam

Introduction

If you could simplify what your immune system does: our immune system attacks the “not-self.” Some of us have lovely immune systems and take pride in it, or feel fortunate to have a strong immune system – especially when you observe others who are well. At a more authentic and deep level, what is more relevant is a mental immune system rather than a physical immune system. Similarly, the medical system is coming to appreciate the relevance of psychiatry.

Our course on Practices to Perfection is tackling 5 facets of who we are. There is an element of physicality, but it focuses on mental aspects. The 40 practices are a boost or vitamin to help us attack the “not self” – or that which does not help us. Just like Centrum multivitamin says “you can do it”, these are 40 “reflective practice” boosts to help us do it. If you are given a practice that is not reflective, you will eventually stop doing it because you will start doubting yourself. Manana nurtures our ability to resolve doubt. The importance of reflective practices is that they can become part of your personality.

Sanatana Dharma means Infinite Nature. Nature is infinite, and Infinity is the nature of all – including you! Imagine the utility of being Infinite – you would never feel jealous, you would never feel lust. Any and all vices that limit us to the finite are absolved by Infinity because Infinity is nature. Yet, we still struggle with the vices. We have to know that our Nature is Infinite to benefit by it. We have to prepare to reconcile this. An unprepared mind is like a driveway that allows seeds of Infinity to just blow away. To allow those seeds of Infinity to grow into a tree, we must prepare our minds just like we prepare our lawn.

A story to help understand this. Picasso was in a marketplace in Spain – a lady recognized him and asked him to draw something recognizable. He did so, looked at her, and said “that’ll be a million dollars.” She responded that it only took 30 seconds, but he noted that it took him a lifetime of preparation to do that.

Review

Verse 1 focused on shastra = scripture. This is the beginning point of the journey to Joy – it’s a map.

Verse 2 focused on svadhyaya = self-study. This is the middle part of our journey – journeying to yourself.

Verse 3 focused on svanubhuti = Self-experience. This is the end of our journey to Joy – now there is only Joy.

Verse 4 focused on sadachara = preparation. This verse helps us to develop our minds for balance, focus, and reflection. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is insanity. Living without preparing the mind for balance, focus and reflection does not allow us to escape the finite. Grace causes one to practice. Those who are not immersed or engaged in reflection have not fully enmeshed with grace.

Verse 5, Practice 33 ekante sukhamasyatam; To live for one’s ends.

At an absolute perspective, veda means to know and anta means inside, if you know inside then you know eka (oneness). We should dedicate ourselves to this Oneness. When Hanuman is introduced in the Ramayana, Hanumanji’s master is Sugreeva, but when he meets Lord Rama, he goes from being a servant of Sugreeva to becoming a savior of Lord Rama. We should live, not for a person, but rather for the Presence. The Presence in all of us is the same. This verse exhorts us to live for the Presence, not for the person.

At a relative perspective, we are encouraged to be in a protected context where there is less distraction or provocation. When we are by ourselves in mauna, this is a catalyst for manana.

At a tactile perspective, date your own mind. You will go from being lonely to being “alone-ness.”

Discourse

Verse 5, Practice 34: paratare cetah samadhiyatam

Absolute – Paratare = highest, Cetah = mind, Samadhiyatam = sam (together) + a (toward) + dhi (place) = go toward the place which is the highest. Even when, externally, all is right, we can still feel bandha (not right). Moksha is when we feel internally right or free as caused by the mind. If the mind is not invested, then it will control us (bandha). If we direct the mind, then we can focus on moksha.

Relative – As you think, so you develop. If you never think about Sadhana Panchakam, you will never develop the practices to perfection. The mind assumes the nature of what it is thinking about. Think about the Divine and your mind will feel the same way. Just as the gopis had a desire for the desireless (Bhagavan Krishna), the gopis also became desireless.

Tactile – Talk God. An earlier practice was to speak positively, and in this practice talk to God such that you are thinking of God. It’s so each to teach “Talk God,” but to practice “Talk God” requires grace.

Discussion – What makes some believe in God and others not?

Vivekji’s Observation – Kripa (Grace) and Punya (Purity) helps one to believe in God.

RAW – Talk God